Article 1st. The undersigned, as well in our names, as in virtue of the powers vested in us by the Congress of the United Colonies of North America, do promise and obligate ourselves to deliver in the course of the present Year 1777 to the Farmers General of France, at the ports of that Kingdom, five thousand Hogsheads; equal to five Million pounds of Tobacco, of the Growth of York and James River.

Article 2d. The price of the Tobacco so delivered shall be eight livres for every pound Mark of Nett Tobacco, or forty livres for every hundred pounds, weighed and delivered into the Stores of the Farmers General.

Article 3d. All the Tobacco, which is damaged, rotten or spoiled, shall be cut off and deducted from the payment according to an amicable estimation made by proper judges; or in lieu of this mode it shall be subject to a general Refraction.

Article 4th. There shall be also allowed, and deducted for full weight four per Cent; two per Cent on the Amount of the Invoice for prompt payment, and eight livres on every Hogshead for samples.

Article 5th. In payment of the above five thousand hogsheads of Tobacco, the Farmers General shall, on account of Congress either pay into the hands of a Banker to be named by Messrs. Franklin and Deane, One Million of Livres; or accept Bills drawn by those Gentlemen, through their receiver General at Paris during the course of the ensueing month, to the above amount; and another Million of Livres shall be paid on the arrival of the first Vessels, laden with Tobacco, and delivered on Account of this Contract: which two Million of Livres, shall be the full and complete of the five thousand hogsheads, or Fifty Million pounds marc of Tobacco, to be deliver’d on Account of Congress, at the price of eight Sols per pound, as above stipulated.

Article 6th. Should Congress send to France, a further quantity of Tobacco, whatever exceeds the amount of the two millions advanced by the Farmers General, shall be delivered to them by Messrs. Franklin and Deane, at the same price, and conditions, and the Cost thereof shall be paid by the Farmers General, either in money or in bills, at three usances drawn on their receiver General.

Article 7th. And the undersigned Farmer General in Virtue of the powers given to me by my Company do obligate myself in their name to the full and entire completion of these presents.

Done by duplicate at Paris on the 24th. March 1777.