CHAPTER XIII.

_Progress of the War, both of Diplomacy and the Sword._

Letter of Henry Laurens--Franklin visits the army before Boston--Letter of Mrs. Adams--Burning of Falmouth--Franklin's journey to Montreal--The Declaration of Independence--Anecdote of the Hatter--Framing the Constitution--Lord Howe's Declaration--Franklin's reply--The Conference--Encouraging letter from France--Franklin's embassy to France--The two parties in France--The voyage--The reception in France. 292