3197. FRANKLIN (Benjamin), Diplomatic methods.—
He possessed the confidence
of the French government in the highest
degree, insomuch, that it may truly be said, that
they were more under his influence, than he
under theirs. The fact is, that his temper was
so amiable and conciliatory, his conduct so
rational, never urging impossibilities, or even
things unreasonably inconvenient to them, in
short, so moderate and attentive to their difficulties,
as well as our own, that what his enemies
called subserviency, I saw was only that
reasonable disposition, which, sensible that advantages
are not all to be on one side, yielding
what is just and liberal, is the more certain of
obtaining liberality and justice. Mutual confidence
produces, of course, mutual influence,
and this was all which subsisted between Dr.
Franklin and the government of France.—
To Robert Walsh. Washington ed. vii, 109.
Ford ed., x, 117.
(M.
1818)
