Franklin, Benjamin, as American Minister to France

Letter signed ("B. Franklin"), text written in a neat clerical hand, 1 page (12 3/8 x 7 3/4 in.; 312 x 198 mm) on a single leaf (watermarked pro patria), Passy, 14 March 1779, to Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes, docketed upper left with  summary of the content of the letter in French. Half red morocco folding-case gilt.

Godfrey A. S. Wieners (Parke Bernet, 25 October 1960, lot 108) — Joseph M. Roebling (Sotheby's, 28 April 1981, lot 37)

Papers of Benjamin Franklin, ed. Oberg, 29:121

Franklin's constant nemesis forces him to decline an invitation from Louis XVI's ministre des affaires étrangères: "The Gout having again attacked me, and confined me to my Chair, I find I shall not be able to present myself at Versailles on Tuesday. Your Excellency will have the Goodness to excuse me, and believe me ever, with the sincerest Esteem and Respect. Your most obedient & most humble Servant."

In October of the following year, Franklin, unable to sleep due to another attack, wrote his comic "Dialogue between Franklin and the Gout."