From the Continental Congress: Extract from Instructions to Benjamin Franklin (unpublished)
Extract from the Instructions of Congress to Dr. Franklin, dated May 11th. 1784.

Resolved, That Doctor Franklin be desired to notify to the apostolical Nuncio at Versailles, that Congress will always be pleased to testify their Respect to his Sovereign and State; but that the Subject of his Application to Doctor Franklin being purely spiritual it is without the jurisdiction and powers of Congress who have no Authority to permit or refuse it, these powers being reserved to the several States Individually.

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