Franklin joined Deane in Paris in December 1776 to negotiate a treaty of alliance with France and to recruit four engineers, as requested by Congress. The French court was informed a month earlier about the American colonies’ Declaration of Independence, so Louis XVI was less reluctant and consented to Franklin’s request. Franklin wrote to General Washington, hoping that four experienced, motivated, and volunteer officers of the Royal Corps of Engineers would bring sufficient support to the Continental Army.
In his first letter to Benjamin Franklin, in the third person and dated Sunday, December 29, 1776, at Versailles, Duportail introduced himself, outlined his qualifications, and offered to serve the American colonies. He only requested employment at a higher rank than the one he had in France. He also offered to bring with him two other engineering officers of lower rank who would be chosen for their knowledge and ability. He requested further instructions on how to proceed.
In his second letter, which was undated but written shortly after the first, he invited Franklin to verify that none of the volunteers recruited by Silas Deane had the engineering qualifications demanded by Congress and General Washington. Fearing that other volunteers might enter their candidacy and seek to replace him, Duportail immediately wrote another letter dated January 2, 1777, requesting a response to his proposal of four days earlier. He also reminded Franklin that if his response was positive, he was ready to go to Paris to begin preparations. He concluded by begging Franklin not to show anyone his letter or the one of December 29.
FRANKLIN’S RESPONSE
Franklin’s response cannot be found among his or Duportail’s papers, but there are undated notes taken by Franklin’s secretary at working meetings following the correspondence of the two men. The meetings were probably held in Paris at the Hôtel d’Entraigues at Rue de l’Université, where Franklin resided, or at the Ministry of War at Versailles. The room was in the building formerly occupied by the chief of engineers at number 3 of the street that would become Rue de l’Independance Americaine (American Independence Street). Franklin had an office there on the left of the ground floor overlooking the courtyard. The distance between the ministry and the Red Horse Inn (Hôtel du Cheval Rouge), where Duportail was lodged, was less than two hundred yards, which facilitated their meetings.
Franklin’s notes, taken about January 11, 1777, comprise five paragraphs:
M. de Portal demands to be at the Head of the Corps d’Ingenieurs in America: and under the Orders only of the General, or the Commander-in-Chief in the Place where he may be.
He demands a Rank superior to that he enjoys at present, which is Major in the marine Infantry.
He proposes to take two Captains of the same Professions with him: to whom should be given in America the Rank superior.
That himself and his Friends shall be at Liberty to quit the Service and return to France when they please except in the middle of a Campaign.
The Gentlemen are willing to give the Chevalier de Portal the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the Gentlemen he mentions that of Major, when their names are made known to them so that they may inform themselves of their qualifications which they shall do with every necessary precaution. They cannot do so much in justice to Gentlemen who have been from the beginning in the service of the States as to advance Strangers suddenly above them.
Another undated letter written by Duportail around January 12 specified further conditions, probably stemming from changes made by the Ministry of War when Duportail became aware of the status of his negotiations. It confirms that matters should be kept in utmost secrecy, as Duportail was known rather well, having served in the Ministry of War for six months, writing a new manual for the Corps of Engineers, which was soon to appear. Any rumor arising about his departure for America would cause the ministry to prevent him or any other officer of the corps to depart.
The complementary conditions, undoubtedly demanded by the ministry were
The American government will grant the men a rank one step higher than the one which they hold at the time they leave France.
It is understood that the officers are free to return to France when they so desire except during a campaign or during the construction of works. Of course this is left to the appreciation of the feelings of honor well-known and always practiced by the French officers. On its part, the American government will also be free to cashier them if desired.
In case of capture or imprisonment by the British, Congress will do its utmost to obtain a prisoner exchange.
The American agents will ensure that the officers are well-lodged and well-treated during their voyage.
The officers requested to be kept informed of what they needed to bring, necessary clothing, and so on. Foreseeing that their future army might not have the necessary instruments, such as graphometers, compasses, and the like and the difficulties of procuring them on location, Duportail proposed that he be authorized to purchase them before his departure.
The final document stipulated that the remuneration of these gentlemen would be the same as that of the officers holding the same rank in the American army. They would select the most convenient ships for their crossing at their own expense, and their compensation would begin on the day of their departure. These conditions were all dated January 12, 1777, but Franklin’s agreement was not immediate. Duportail became impatient and begged Franklin, four days later, to give him a response as soon as possible so as
