The Franklin Mint History Of The United States, 1776-1973
Manufacturer
The Franklin Mint
CultureAmerican
DateNo Date
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/4 in. (45 mm.)
Credit LineGift of Dr. Eugene F. Poutasse
Object number76.81.7
Not on view
DescriptionOne of collection of 200 silver medals.The 1782 medal: Preliminary Articles of Peace Signed
When the Whigs came to power in England during April, 1782, they sent Richard Oswald to open peace negotitions with Benjamin Franklin in Paris. Franklin was later joined by John Jay, John Adams and Henry Laurens, all of whom are shown on the obverse of the 1782 medal together with Willaim Temple Franklin, the American secretary, and Caleb Whiteford, the British secretary.
Count de Vergennes, the French foreign minister, wished to keep negotiations under French contol, and he and Franklin agreed that neither country would make a seperate peace with England. But it was not long before the American commissioners and the British were conducting secret talks. A peace treaty was signed on November 30, 1782 which was called a preliminery peace treaty to make it easier for the French to swallow.
The British sought to split America and France by meeting most U.S demands. Prime Minister Shelburne's foresight was remarkable-he hoped that British generosity might eventually lead the two countries to become allies or even joined in a union, a thing that was seriously discussed during World War II.
The United States won territory west to the Mississippi, north to Canada and south to Florida, more than was actually in American hands at the war's end. Newfoundland fishing rights were obtained in which France also had an interest. France did not wish to include the United States in their fisheries and wanted the land west of the Alleghenies to go to Spain. Vergennes even secretly sent an agent to London to tell the British of these desires. Fortunately the United States discussed terms separately with England. Later the French negotiated for the Dutch with the result that the Dutch got practically nothing out of the war-Franklin and the Americans were their own best diplomats.
