Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce Plaque
Details:
On the right side wall of the corner door facing Rue Royale.
Plaque
A rectangular marble plaque commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Amity and Commerce on February 6, 1778. Representing France, Conrad Alexandre Gérard, on behalf of King Louis XVI, formally recognized the independence of the United States, represented by Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. The plaque also highlights France as the first nation to do so.
These treaties, forged during the American War of Independence, guaranteed military support and perpetual peace between the two nations. The agreements were the result of Benjamin Franklin’s diplomatic efforts and the earlier work of Silas Deane, who had served as a secret envoy, collaborating with figures like the Comte de Vergennes and Beaumarchais to secure aid for the American cause.
Source of information and photo: fr.usembassy.gov
Monument Text:
EN CET HÔTEL
LE 6 FÉVRIER 1778
CONRAD A. GERARD
AU NOM DE LOUIS XVI, ROI DE FRANCE,
ET BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE, ARTHUR LEE,
AU NOM DES ÉTATS-UNIS D’AMÉRIQUE,
ONT SIGNÉ LES TRAITÉS
D’AMITIÉ, DE COMMERCE ET D’ALLIANCE
PAR LESQUELS LA FRANCE,
AVANT TOUTE AUTRE NATION,
RECONNAISSAIT L’INDÉPENDANCE
DES ÉTATS-UNIS.
_______________
IN THIS BUILDING
ON FEBRUARY 6TH, 1776
CONRAD A. GERARD
IN THE NAME OF LOUIS XVI KING OF FRANCE
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
SILAS DEANE, ARTHUR LEE,
ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES
SIGNED THE TREATIES
OF FRIENDSHIP, COMMERCE AND ALLIANCE
BY WHICH FRANCE
FIRST OF ALL NATIONS
RECOGNIZED THE INDEPENDENCE
OF THE UNITED STATES
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
United States Army
Wars:
American Revolutionary War