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Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce Plaque

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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:

Silas  Deane

Benjamin Franklin

Arthur Lee

Units:

United States Army

Wars:

American Revolutionary War