The American Commissioners to Lord North
L (draft with Franklin’s alterations): Library of Congress; copies:
Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two)
<Paris, June [6?], 1778: Because of a number of British seamen
are now American prisoners, we renew our request for an immediate
exchange in Europe. To send men three thousand
miles to be exchanged would be an unnecessary addition to
their calamities. We have authentic information that a number
of Americans have been sent to hard labor in Senegal; this will
provoke retaliation unless we can assure Congress that they
will be brought back and exchanged. Do not sacrifice the interests
of humanity to a claim of sovereignty that you know
cannot be maintained.>
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