"[orchestra plays full and bright]" "?" "?" "(woman)@ Major funding for "Benjamin?" "Franklin" is provided by... ," "(man)@ The people of Northwestern Mutual are ÿÿproud to have supported?" "ÿÿthis remarkable series on PBS, ÿÿcelebrating the wisdom ÿÿand ingenuity of one of America's most distinguished?" "founding fathers.," "(woman)T Major funding is also provided by ÿÿthe National Endowment ÿÿfor the Humanities-- ÿÿexpanding America's?" "ÿÿunderstanding of who we were, who we are, and who we will be.," "... investinginideas, returning results." "ÿÿAdditional funding isr ÿÿprovided by..." "ÿÿ... forpublicunderstanding?" "ÿÿof science and technology." "ÿÿÿÿBy these funders ÿÿÿÿand by contributions ÿÿto your PBS stationr ÿÿfrom viewers like you." "ÿÿÿÿThank you!" "[orchestra plays softly]" "?" "Benjamin Franklin, prepares?" "for his voyage to France." "His only living sister is convinced that she will never?" "see him again." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿI cannot bear the thought ÿÿÿÿÿÿof you going abroad again." "ÿÿÿÿYou positively must not go!" "," "You've served the public beyond?" "any other man into your old age." "ÿÿÿÿLet some younger person now?" "ÿÿÿÿtake on this painful work." "ÿÿÿÿDo as much good here ?" "ÿÿÿÿas Congress thinks proper--, ÿÿÿÿÿÿyour talents are certainly ÿÿÿÿÿÿsuperior to other men--, but, brother, don't go,r pray don't go!" "(narrator) With great secrecy,?" "Franklin leaves Philadelphia on a ship aptly named?" ""The Reprisal."," "His mission is of the utmost urgency." "The Americans don't have a hope?" "of winning the Revolution, unless they can?" "secure an alliance with England's most powerful rival, France." "(Michael Zuckerman)?" "I think that the whole endeavor was stark staring mad." "Franklin has to do this impossible thing, or this almost impossible thing, to persuade the French to join this war.," "As much as the fate of the Revolution is in George Washington's hands with the army on land, it's with Franklin as he crosses the sea." "I will do anything my fellow citizens think proper." "As the shopkeeper says about his short ends of cloth:" ""Use me for anything you want." "I'm old and good for nothing but rags."" "?" "?" "n 1776," "Benjamin Franklin is 70 years old.," "His wife and most of his contemporaries are dead." "But far from retiring, he is about to face one of the most, difficult challenges of his long life.," "Before setting off for France, he had been in the forefront of the Revolutionary cause.," "In June, he had assisted the writing of the Declaration of Independence." "Now, in October, the war is in full cry, and so far, has been disastrous?" "for the new nation.," "George Washington's army has suffered decisive defeats, at Long Island, White Plains," "Fort Washington and Fort Lee.," "Britain has the most well-disciplined,?" "well-supplied, well-stocked army?" "and navy in the world." "America has virtually nothing." "young, new, marginal place.," "We couldn't beat the most, powerful nation on the planet, without someone's help.," "It just wasn't going to happen.," "If the Americans got French help, preeminently a French alliance,?" "French weapons, then the Revolution had, a chance of succeeding.," "If the Americans did not get French help, the American Revolution?" "almost certainly would fail." "(Barbara Oberg)?" "We were incredibly fortunate that Franklin was?" "willing to do it.," "There's no diplomatic corps?" "in existence, ly a government." "So that it has to be an, informal, personal mission.," "And Franklin, because he had the personal recognition over there, was the one diplomat who could do it." "(narrator) When Franklin arrives in Paris in December, 1776, it is a far cry from the city?" "of light, the wide open boulevards and stunning architecture?" "of later years.," "The average Parisian lives in abject poverty, in narrow, crooked streets with open sewers running down the middle." "Starving beggars and homeless?" "families are everywhere." "In the elegant mansions?" "near the Tuileries Gardens, where the poor are forbidden to go, the upper classes prepare?" "for their soirees." "No elegant face is complete?" "without the application of at least one mouche, originally?" "used to disguise smallpox scars." "Elaborate wigs are placed over bald heads, shaven to discourage lice." "[harpsichord plays]," "?" "At Versailles, King Louis XVI?" "and his Queen, Marie Antoinette, preside over a world of idle luxury.," "This is the society?" "to which the former printer, from Philadelphia?" "will ha" "He already has one powerful weapon--his reputation.," "(Claude-Anne Lopez)?" "The general public in Paris, already then idolized Franklin." "People had read "Poor Richard."," "They knew about, they knew about his wr" "They were very proud that?" "the theory of electricity, and lightning had been proved?" "th e first time.," "He was the embodiment of all they thought America to be.," "(Brands) There was a vogue, for things American?" "in France at this time.," "Many French intellectuals looked to America as a new world, as a fresh world, as a world where human nature was closer to its natural origins than the human nature, to its natural origins in the confines of Europe.ound" "from America and presumably he shared some of this noble savage character." "(Keith Arbour) Franklin is kind of the natural genius, whose development?" "has not been fettered, by a European court." "He's flourished." "His intellect has, sprung beautiful shoots, in the American wilderness.," "And the French are absolutely entranced by this kind of native genius." "The most surprising thing is the contrast between the luxury of our capital, the elegance of our fashions,?" "the magnificence of Versailles, the polite haughtiness of our?" "nobility, and Benjamin Franklin." "Everything about him announces the simplicity and innocence of the natural man.," "His clothing is rustic, his?" "bearing is simple but dignified, his language direct, and his hair, unpowdered.," "Such a person is made?" "to excite curiosity in Paris.," "People cluster around him as he?" "walks down the street and ask," ""Who is this old peasant who has such a noble air?"" "(Ralph Lerner) Franklin wants to oblige their expectations.," "He decides to present himself, as an authentic American rustic." "They want it?" "They'll get it!" "," "He is the American from central casting., he is wearing a fur hat, simply to keep his head warm.," "The frontiersman's hat causes a sensation.," "For the French, it is proof, that its wearer is a true "natural man."," "(Zuckerman)@ Franklin, who has?" "never lived out of a city, now sends back to Pennsylvania for great supplies of these coonskin caps that he's never worn in his life.," "(narrator) All the attention surprises even the master publicist himself.," "He writes?" "with amusement to his daughter:," "My picture is everywhere-- on the lids of snuff boxes,?" "on rings, busts." "The numbers sold are incredible." "My portrait is a best seller, you have prints, and copies of prints and copies of copies spread everywhere." "Your father's face is?" "now as well known as the man in the moon.," "(narrator) Franklin's mission is top secret." "He is ostensibly visit citizen.," "From the moment of his arrival, all Paris has been abuzz with rumors." "Nobody really knows?" "what he is up to.," "Lord Stormont, British Ambassador to the French Court, reports back to London.," "Some people think?" "that the famous Dr. Franklin has come to France on personal business.," "I am convinced that he is here on some secret mission from Congress." "He is a devious man, incapable of truth, and will, I am sure, try to draw the French into, openly supporting?" "the cause of the rebels." "He is very well regarded by general opinion, and has excellent connections?" "at Court.," "In a word, my Lord, I look upon him as a dangerous enemy, and I only regret?" "that some English warship, didn't meet up with him, on his way here." "(narrator) The British Ambassador has good reason to worry.," "Franklin soon attempts to make official contact with the t." "(Franklin) To the French Foreign Minister, le Comte de Vergennes." "Sir:" "We request an audience?" "with Your Excellency, in order to present?" "our credentials." "We beg to acquaint Your Excellency that we are, fully empowered by the Congress?" "of the United States, to negotiate a treaty of friendship and commerce, between our two countries." "?" "(narrator) Charles Gravier, le Comte de Vergennes," "Minister of Foreign Affairs?" "to the Court of Louis XVI, is the key man Franklin will have to deal with, in his efforts to get?" "support from the French." "Mr. Franklin's conversation?" "is civil and sweet;, he seems to be a man of much wit, talent, and intelligence, but careful, very careful-- this does not surprise me." "(Jonathan Dull)?" "Vergennes, like Franklin, is quiet,?" "hardworking, avuncular.," "A relatively elderly man,@ one of the few members of the French aristocracy that had married for love@ and almost lost his diplomatic career as a result of it." "A man picked by the king because the king didn't expect so quiet and cautious and?" "prudent a man would make waves.," "Whereas in fact, like Franklin,?" "Vergennes was a zealot.," "(narrator) Vergennes is an ardent nationalist, eager for France to resume her rightful place eager for France to resume as Europe's greatest power.," "(Berkin) In the 18th century there are?" "two great world powers and they are France and England." "They had been th each other as r ivals, and the English had?" "defeated the French, in the French and Indian War.," "And they were fighting over world domination?" "in essence.," "France is arguably the world's greatest military power, but had lost the last war?" "in a big way to the British." "And of course, French policy is one of, whenever the opportunity arises, recouping that loss." "But whether they were ready, to go to war was the crucial question.," "The government was not in the best financial shape?" "in the world.," "In fact Turgot, the great?" "Minister of Finance, had warned Louis XVI, the King, that the first gunshot will bankrupt the state." "(narrator) Vergennes knows France is not?" "yet ready for a full-scale war, and that King Louis?" "will have to be convinced, that the Americans are worthy of French help." "Proceeding with caution,eet with Franklin, and his co-commissioners,?" "but only in secret.," "Vergennes makes it clear that?" "France will be prepared, to fully back the young nation only if there is a real chance of winning.," "(Wood) Naturally, the French are reluctant.," "As eager as they were?" "to seek revenge, they're reluctant?" "to get themselves caught, if the Americans should suddenly, settle with the British and then the French find themselves?" "in a world war with Britain, without the support?" "of the Americans.," "So there's a good deal of suspicion on the part of the French, whether the Americans have the stuff to make?" "this revolution stick." "(narrator) Vergennes tells Franklin that France will provide aid under the table." "But there will be no Alliance?" "for the Americans--, at least, not yet." "?" "(narrator) Franklin knows that, his stay in France is?" "going to be a long one.," "A wealthy friend,?" "Le Ray de Chaumont, offers the use of his country estate at Passy.," "It is strategically situated one half mile outside of Paris, and just a short carriage ride from the Court at Versailles.," "(Fleming)?" "And he proceeded to hold a kind of salon there." "He entertained important people, and generally operated as a representative?" "of a foreign country.," "He was like an ambassador, without a formal portfolio even though he spoke, incidentally, terrible French." "(Brands) In social terms, he found friends among the Parisian intellectuals and the Parisian intelligentsia." "He ingratiated himself with all those folks who were willing to have him over to their homes for dinner, to invite him to their salons" "(narrator) Americans, like the British, generally hate the French.," "The French are their traditional enemies--, despised Roman Catholics,?" "fops, and frog-eaters." "But Franklin, unlike most?" "of his provincial countrymen, is a true man of the world, and finds French society utterly congenial." "(Franklin) This is the most civilized nation on earth." "The first people you meet here try to find out what you like?" "so they can tell others." "If you tell someone?" "that you like mutton, then at every meal,?" "they serve you mutton." "Someone, it seems, gave out the information that I love the ladies,?" "so now everyone presents me, with their ladies, or ladies present themselves to be embrasseur-- that is,?" "to have their necks kissed.," "Kissing a young lady's lips?" "is considered rude, and kissing her cheeks might rub off the paint." "He's willing to go to any salon, he's willing to talk with anybody, he's willing to do whatever is available to him to be done." "(Lopez)@ You must remember that there was no foreign service,be done." "there was no tradition.," "This was one of his chief?" "inventions, so to say." "He had to create this system as he went.,so to say." "His basic idea was very simple" "He thought, the only way I can obtain help for America, is in having these French see?" "eventually that it is in their interest to help us, and that will take some time.," "I think what you have?" "during his embassy in Paris, there at Passy is the?" "fulfillment of everything, that he'd ever acquired?" "in his life before that." "All of the skills in dealing with people, all the skills, in psyching out where people are coming from, what they want," "so as to curry favor how to ingratiate yourself with them, all of that-- all the manipulativeness, all?" "of the cunning, all of the way of getting around people,?" "all of the adaptability, all of the waiting for the right moment," "I think in every way,?" "that embassy to France was the culmination, was the pinnacle of his entire life." "?" "(narrator) For over a year," "Franklin and Vergennes do a curious diplomatic dance.," "Franklin wants an official alliance with France, but is careful not to pressure Vergennes, for what he cannot give, and the minister continues to send small amounts of money and arms to America." "It all has to take place very unofficially, with a wink and a nod." "?" "(narrator) The British are aware?" "that something is going on between Franklin and Vergennes.," "They have a network of spies, who send weekly reports back to London by leaving drops of supposed love letters in a hollow tree in the Tuileries Gardens.," "In the blank spaces?" "of the letters, written in invisible ink, are the real messages." "(Wood) John Le Carre would have loved Paris.in the 1780s.," "It's full of spies and moles and counterspies.," "Franklin's own secretary,?" "Edward Bancroft was, a spy in the pay of the British government." "But was also spying for the Americans at times.," "He's the secretary of the legation-- it's crazy!" "," "(narrator) Some of the reports sent back?" "by England's breathless spies, border on science fiction." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿWe have discovered ÿÿÿÿÿÿthat the Doctor, ÿÿwith the assistance of French?" "ÿÿtechnicians, is in the process ÿÿÿÿÿÿof building a great number ÿÿÿÿÿÿof reflecting mirrors, which will concentrate so much heat from the sun as to be able, ÿÿÿÿto destroy anything by fire?" "ÿÿÿÿat a considerable distance., ÿÿThe apparatus is to be set up?" "ÿÿat Calais on the French coast, ÿÿÿÿwhereby they meanr ÿÿÿÿto burn and destroy, the British navy sitting in our harbors., ÿÿÿÿÿÿAnd more!" ", ÿÿÿÿThe Doctor proposesr ÿÿÿÿa conducting chain linking Calais to Dover." "ÿÿHe will connect it to a?" "ÿÿprodigious electrical machine, ÿÿÿÿof his invention and convey ÿÿÿÿa powerful shock ÿÿto explode our entire island.," "?" "(narrator) Franklin is well aware that both the British and French have spies everywhere, but he remains philosophical.," "It's impossible to uncover the falsity of pretended friends.," "If I was sure that my valet?" "was a spy, as he probably is," "I wouldn't dream of discharging?" "him for that fact, ÿÿif, of course, ÿÿhe was a good valet." "?" "(narrator) With the help of Le Ray de Chaumont's liveried servants," "Franklin entertains great?" "numbers of visitors, including a young American,?" "Elkanah Watson.," "I was invited to dine?" "with Doctor Franklin at Passy." "I was very embarrassed not knowing any French and being dressed?" "in the American style." "We entered a large room?" "where I saw several, extremely well-dressed people?" "bowing to us.," "As an unsophisticated American,?" "I bowed back to each one of them until Dr. Franklin kindly informed me that they were the servants." "All the guests greeted the wise old man in the most affectionate manner, some kissing him on both cheeks-- for men kiss in France!" "," "One young lady called him "Papa."" "I had been expecting great ceremony, but everyone was free and cheerful." "(narrator) Franklin, never?" "the Puritan moralist, greatly enjoys flirting, and this enjoyment is?" "thoroughly reciprocated." "One favorite is a neighbor, the elegant, beautiful,?" "intelligent, and married, 33-year-old?" "Madame Brillon de Jouy.," "Franklin calls her La Brilliante--the brilliant.," "For four years, Franklin spends?" "almost every Wednesday and Saturday evening at her house.," "She offers him tea, concerts, elegant dinners, and games of chess.," "In-between visits, they write?" "letters to one another." "ÿÿMadame La Brilliante, ÿÿthey say there are ÿÿonly ten commandments, ÿÿbut I think welve;" "ÿÿthe eleventh is that we should ÿÿincrease and multiply and the twelfth, I suggest, is that we should love one another." "Tell me, my dear, if myr religiously keeping, ÿÿÿÿthese extra two commandments ÿÿÿÿcompensates for my breaking, ÿÿone of the ten--the one which?" "ÿÿforbids me from coveting ÿÿmy neighbor's wife, which?" "ÿÿI confess I break constantly.," "I understand it's the belief of certain fathers of the church ÿÿthat one of the most effective ÿÿways of getting rid, ÿÿÿÿÿÿof a temptation is ÿÿÿÿÿÿto satisfy it!" "ÿÿÿÿPray instruct me,r ÿÿÿÿmy lovely confessor, ÿÿÿÿÿÿhow far I may venture?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿto practice this theory." "(narrator) Though Franklin is twice his neighbor's age," "Madame Brillon is only too happy to play this game." "On the subject of lust-- all great men are, tainted with it and call it?" "a weakness, but it's not.," "You are kind and lovable and you are loved in return!" "What's wrong with that?" "Go on doing great things and loving pretty women, provided of course, you obey my three commandments:" "always love God, America-- and above all,moi." "(Brands) Franklin understood, what a reputation he had as a ladies' man.," "And in fact, his reputation, exceeded the reality,?" "as Franklin himself knew.," "But Franklin understood that a reputation as a ladies' man, especially if you were in your seventies, was something?" "that the French just loved.," "You couldn't be?" "a politician in France unless you had relationships with influential women.," "They called them the salonneures." "And these women?" "ran these salons, where everybody?" "who was anybody came.," "And at one point there was a salon where 300 women, gather around Franklin and they?" "placed a crown on his head.," "And don't think?" "these women didn't go home and tell their husbands, I think France should become?" "the ally of America." "They had influence.," "So he was always being the diplomat even while he was charming the ladies of France.," "(narrator) In the evenings, one of Franklin's favorite pastimes is chess." "One night he plays a long game by the bathtub where Madame Brillon is soaking." "The next day he apologizes to?" "his neighbor that he was so deeply absorbed that he fears he has let her get waterlogged.," "For Franklin,?" "chess is more than a game." "For In life and in chess cheswe have points to gain, ÿÿÿÿÿÿadversaries to deal with,?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿand a large variety, ÿÿÿÿof good or bad things?" "ÿÿÿÿwhich we bring on ourselves, ÿÿÿÿby our own prudencer ÿÿÿÿor lack of it." "ÿÿIn playing chess, for example, we learn to plan for the future." "ÿÿThe player is always thinking, ÿÿÿÿ"If I move this piece, ÿÿÿÿwhat will be the advantages, ÿÿÿÿof my new situation?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿWhat use can my adversary?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿmake of it?" ", ÿÿYou learn to survey the whole?" "ÿÿchessboard, the relations, ÿÿof the several pieces, ÿÿthe dangers they're exposed to ÿÿand the several possibilities?" "ÿÿof their aiding each other., ÿÿYou learn caution, not to make ÿÿyour move too quickly, ÿÿlest you put yourselfr ÿÿin a bad position, ÿÿÿÿand must liver ÿÿÿÿwith your rashness., ÿÿÿÿLastly, you learn from chess ÿÿÿÿthe habit," "ÿÿÿÿÿÿof not getting discouraged ÿÿÿÿÿÿeven when, for the moment, ÿÿÿÿyou find yourself in a state ÿÿÿÿof seemingly insurmountable?" "ÿÿÿÿdifficulty.," "[thumping of the cane on the wooden floor]" "(narrator) After six months in France,?" "Franklin has made, no progress in bringing?" "the French into the war." "From America he is receiving frantic appeals, for the most basic of supplies,?" "but no money to pay for them." "(Brands) Franklin often became?" "exceedingly frustrated at what he was asked to do.," "Continually to provide monetary?" "resources, weapons, boots, ammunition, all this stuff for the American army." "Essentially to keep the?" "Continental army in the field." "And he had almost?" "nothing to work with.," "In many cases?" "he was simply dealing, with private French contractors?" "and he was asking them to ship goods to the American colonies on credit, on the credit of the Continental Congress, credit which was rapidly disintegrating., that Franklin credit which was had to do was significant.f work" "We think of him having a good time in France, and he did, to some extent.," "But he also worked very hard,?" "and he was getting tired.," "(narrator) Franklin's fellow Americans, are not making his job any easier.," "He is one of three cocommissioners, appointed by Congress to negotiate with the French." "One of the commissioners, Silas Deane, has been accused of embezzling funds." "The other, Arthur Lee, is suspicious of Franklin, to the point of paranoia.," "Lee has been spreading ugly?" "gossip about Franklin, to his allies in Congress." "(Fleming)?" "Franklin's very powerful enemies used every indiscretion that he?" "ever co portray him, as a man who just was a skirt?" "chaser and that sort of thing." "And it was rumors, rather vicious ones, that he made a lot of money under?" "the table, et cetera, et cetera." "(narrator) In addition, Lee has been bombarding Franklin with criticisms of the way he?" "has been running the delegation." "After months of Lee's constant sniping," "Franklin can bear it no longer., ÿÿIt's true I've not ÿÿanswered your letters." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿI have received and borne ÿÿÿÿÿÿyour magisterial snubbings ÿÿÿÿÿÿand rebukes in silence." "ÿÿÿÿI'm old and don't have long?" "ÿÿÿÿto live, I have much to do ÿÿand no time for theser ÿÿsort of quarrels., ÿÿI'm worried about the success?" "ÿÿof our mission, which is hurt, ÿÿwith jealousies and suspicions ÿÿand fantasies, ÿÿthat everyone means you wrong?" "ÿÿor fails to respect you." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿIf you don't cure yourself ÿÿÿÿÿÿof these ravings, ÿÿyou'll end up insane.," "God preserve you fromr so terrible an evil and, ÿÿÿÿfor His sake and mine, pray?" "ÿÿÿÿsuffer me to live in peace!" "," "(narrator) But Franklin, as usual, prefers to keep?" "his frustrations private.," "The letter to Lee?" "will remain unsent.," "(Robert Middlekauff) He says at some point in one of Poor Richard's Almanacs," ""Let all men know thee, but, no man know thee thoroughly." "Men ford easily, where they see the shallows."," "So you have to keep a part of yourself, maybe a large part of yourself hidden from the world." "?" "(narrator) In the dreary French autumn?" "of 1777," "Franklin is getting nothing?" "but bad news from America." "Washington has suffered?" "a string of military defeats." "Fort Ticonderoga has been captured." "The British General Burgoyne is, on hisntrolling?" "the entire Hudson Valley.," "New York, too, is under British control." "(Fleming)?" "The worst news was that General Howe?" "had captured Philadelphia." "And that was Franklin's hometown, his children, all his papers were now in British hands." "It was really crushing.," "And yet he kept up a bold front?" "and when someone said to him," "I hear that General Howe has captured Philadelphia," "Franklin said, "No no,we has you have it wrong,hia," "Philadelph" "Which was nice bravado, but it still wasn't very good news." "(narrator) Franklin knows that without?" "French military intervention, the United States will continue to lose battles.," "And the more they lose, the less likely that Vergennes will agree to rvene." "It is an impossible situation." "The French will not?" "begin a quarrel with England ÿÿas long as they can avoid it,?" "ÿÿnohey give us, ÿÿÿÿany open assistancer ÿÿÿÿof ships or troops., ÿÿIndeed, we're scarcely ÿÿallowed to admit ÿÿthat the French are giving us?" "ÿÿany aid at all." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿWell, this leaves America?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿthe "glory" of working out her deliverance by her own effort and bravery., ÿÿÿÿÿÿFrom now on, we'd be well?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿadvised to depend chiefly, ÿÿÿÿon God's blessing?" "ÿÿÿÿand not that of King Louis.," "(narrator) Just as Franklin is?" "almost ready to give up, an American messenger is on his?" "way from the port of Nantes, with the latest news from America.," "(man)@ I didn't have time to get off my horse when Franklin, shouted to me, "did Howe really?" "take Philadelphia?", ÿÿÿÿ"Yes, sir," I said., ÿÿÿÿAnd the poor gentleman sadly ÿÿÿÿshook his head ÿÿÿÿand was heading back ÿÿÿÿto the house., ÿÿI stopped him." "sir, I have greater news than that., ÿÿGeneral Burgoyne and his whole ÿÿarmy are prisoners of war!"," "(narrator) In a military operation?" "which astounds the Europeans, an army of American farmers?" "has defeated a large invasion force at Saratoga--, crack British and Hessian troops who have rarely lost a battle?" "anywhere in the world." "Franklin makes sure every?" "influential person in Paris, gets the news--?" "starting with Vergennes." "The circumstances are now?" "more favorable for the establishment?" "of an understanding, between France and the United?" "Colonies of North America." "(narrator) The prospect of an alliance, between France and America terrifies the British." "King George will do anything to avoid this." "The many instances of Franklin's malevolent behavior convince me, that hatred of this country is the constant object of his mind." "Yet, it so desirable to end the war with America, in order to avenge the insolent?" "conduct of the French, that I think it proper to keep open the channel of intercourse, with that insidious man." "(narrator) The British decide elers, and dispatch an agent?" "to meet with Franklin." "For several weeks Vergennes has?" "been stalling, and Franklin fears the Alliance with France will come too late to save the Revolution.," "He makes a brilliant move." "He sees an opportunity to use the British willingness, to negotiate,?" "to force events with Vergennes.," "(Brands) Franklin, while he was in Paris," "(Brands) in a complicated maneuver,Paris, to make the French think that, the American States might, cozy back up to the British;, to make the British think?" "that the Americans were, getting what they wanted from the French." "All the while playing?" "from a position of weakness." "For Franklin, the chess master, the game is.alwaysbeing played.," "And there are always 16 or 32 moves to be thinking of in advance.," "Sometimes he would get stuck in?" "a position where he was, obviously in a losing position and he would arrange to distract his opponent.," "And he wasn't above?" "moving the pieces." "(narrator) Franklin agree British agent.," "He makes sure that Vergennes will find out about the meeting, and suspect that Franklin is secretly entertaining?" "a British peace proposal.," "In fact, Franklin?" "has no intention of making peace with England.," "We know what really took place at the meeting, because the agent, an American loyalist, reports every word spoken back to the British." "He uses a code in which numbers?" "are substituted for key words." "I called on 72.," "He received me very kindly at first.," "I told him that I wished to be honored," "I told him that I wished to be honored,per of 4 - 5 on the terms of?" "a possible reconciliation." "He told me how unsatisfactory, previous informal attempts had been.," "He considered them time lost and now it was a matter?" "of lives lost." "And, as he spokhe began to?" "work himself up into a fury, of resentment against?" "our country and King.," "I suggested to him that any?" "private resentments he had about something that happened?" "to him personally while he was in Britain should be controlled?" "for the good of his country." "I flattered him and told him that he was too great a person to let private quarrels be mixed with the public good.," "The effect was to rouse?" "the old man, who, as we know, is constitutionally calm and unemotional, to the passion of a high-mettled youth." "I've never seen him so eccentric and so diffuse as he was today.," "He told me that other countries, were wiser than 6 - 4, and ready to deal with 4 - 5, and that the savages of North America were more reasonable than?" "the savages of Great Britain, and then he went off on the barbarity of Englishmen.," "At this point, he was almost breaking into a sweat." "I said to him that I was here, for instructions,?" "not for insults." "I said that the people of 6 - 4, were prepared?" "for a 10-year 207." "His answer was that America?" "would endure a 50-year 207 before she would ever, ever give up 107!" "(narrator) Vergennes has no idea what really went on at the meeting, but Franklin's tactic?" "spurs him into action." "(Vergennes)@ We put the question directly to Mr. Franklin, what must France do to block the commissioners from listening to any new proposals of peace from England?" "," "He answered that America had long been asking for a treaty, of friendship and commerce between our two countries." "The immediate conclusion of such a treaty would remove all uncertainties.," "?" "a Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States is signed in Paris.," "It is not just a matter?" "of open French aid.," "Formal recognition by one of the world's two superpowers gives legitimacy to the shaky?" "idea of independence.," "Franklin has accomplished?" "the first goal of his mission." "For the signing?" "of the Treaty, he wears, a strangely unfashionable coat of Manchester velvet., before the British Privy Council four years earlier.," "Revenge is sweet, and for Franklin, very personal." "He writes to his old friend?" "Katy Ray.," "(Franklin) Your troubles will not last much longer." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿWe have formed an Alliance ÿÿÿÿÿÿwith the French!" "This will serve to keepr the English bull quiet ÿÿÿÿand make him behave himself." "ÿÿHis hornsr ÿÿhave been shortened." "(narrator) On March 20, 1778 King Louis XVI, among the most powerful men in the world, formally receives the American commissioners at Versailles." "role perfectly, formally receives the American commissioners at Versailles.his" "Franklin flouts all court protocol.," "The natural man wears?" "no sword and no wig." "(Le Duc De Croy) The King spokety.," ""Assure Congress," he said, "of my friendship.," "I hope the treaty will benefit both our nations."" "Then Mr. Franklin spoke." ""Your Majesty," he said, "can count on Congress."" "And so, France is?" "e first to recognize the independence of the United States.," "(Berkin) The fact that France signs a treaty and in effect therefore acknowledges the independence of British colonies is a remarkable?" "milestone in history.," "This is a kingd?" "to support a revolution, against another legitimate king." "Really very unusual and in some?" "ways, you know if you want to, give credit, bold and farsighted on the part of the French." "But really I think they were tricked into it by Franklin." "(narrator) The Treaty is also, and most importantly,?" "a military alliance." "France declares war on England.," "France's ally Spain eventually joins the war as well." "But the Europeans have their own priorities, which are not necessarily?" "thStates.," "(Wood) The French aren't as interested in creating" "American republic as they are in humiliating the British and so they initially spend a lot of their time, down in the West Indies, sacking the West Indies, making money from destroying English Caribbean colonies.," "Their goal is not to create?" "the United States of America, their goal is to break up?" "the British Empire.," "(narrator) Franklin's task now is to keep the pressure up--, to convince the French to send troops and ships to America." "The rebels might win a few battles, but as the war drags on, his countrymen are dying., ÿÿDear Brother, h have evacuated ÿÿÿÿÿÿPhiladelphia ÿÿÿÿand it seems that they have?" "ÿÿÿÿdone little damage., ÿÿÿÿÿÿI hope they never return.," "My son, Benjamin, disappeared?" "soon after the battle of Trenton and has not been heard of since, and God has taken poor Peter." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿOf the 17 children ÿÿÿÿÿÿour father had, you and I, ÿÿÿÿmy dear brother, ÿÿÿÿare now the only ones left.," "May I live to see the happiness of your children's children, and peace for America." "?" "(narrator) During Franklin's long stay in France, he keeps up his lifelong interest in science." "It is in France that he?" "witnesses one of the world's first lighter-than-air balloons rising over the Champs de Mars.," "He develops a plan for daylight savings time." "He studies the phenomenon of hailstorms in the summertime, and speculates about the temperature, of the upper atmosphere." "He has the ingenious idea of combining two sets of lenses, thus inventing bifocals." "I wear my spectacles constantly." "With these, I only have to move?" "my eyes up or down to see distinctly near and far." "(narratthe world's?" "foremost scientists," "Franklin serves on a commission, to evaluate the theories of Anton Mesmer." "Mesmer claims to have discovered a new, magnetic life force which can send people?" "into a hypnotic trance.," "Franklin debunks the idea that mesmerism, has anything to do with magnetism.," "Franklin is?" "now the honored guest, at all sorts of public functions." "A prominent mason, he initiates?" "the philosopher Voltaire as a member the Lodge?" "of the Nine Sisters." "He is a man of means,?" "and is able to indulge in all the luxuries?" "that Paris has to offer." "(Oberg)?" "He did not live a parsimonious, frugal life over in France." "He had a remarkably?" "well-stocked wine cellar.," "The arm of man, said Franklin, is exactly the right length?" "to lift a wine goblet, up to his mouth and drink." "That is the pu is to drink wine.," "(narrator) Franklin believes?" "that the prodigious intake of wine and rich food is the cause of his gout, an agonizing joint disease.," "One bout senver, and extreme pain for over two weeks.," "When he can finally?" "hobble out of bed, he sends this little playlet to Mme. Brillon." "Oooo, ah!" "What have I done,?" "Madame Gout, to deserve these cruel sufferings?" "," "(in high-pitched voice)?" "Many things, sir.," "You eat and drink too freely and you don't exercise.," "(as Franklin) I do-- ah, ah, ah, oh!" "," "as much exercise as I can, Madam Gout, but my work forces me?" "to be sedentary." "(as Madame Gout) Forces you?" "!" "Let's look at your day.," "You wake up in the morning, eat a.hugebreakfast, tea with cream,?" "one or two buttered toasts., [groans] and then a few slices?" "of dried beef." "Is this good for the digestion?" "," "And then what do you do?" "And after dinner,?" "do you walk in the garden with your beautiful lady friend, oh, no!" "You play chess.," "(as Franklin)?" "I take rides in my carriage!" "(as Madame Gout) You call that exercise!" "," "The swaying of a carriage?" "suspended on springs?" "!" "You should thank me, Mr. Franklin.," "I'm the one who keeps you?" "healthy," "So, take that twinge!" ", [winces] And that!" ".," "?" "(narrator) In the spring of 1778, a new commissioner is?" "making his way to Paris." "He has been sent by Congress to replace Silas Deane." "John Adams, Puritan from Braintree, Massachusetts, is not as taken?" "with France as Franklin is.," "He sees it as a test of his immortal soul.," "(Adams)@ There is everything here that can improve learning, ÿÿrefine taste ÿÿand purify the heart, ÿÿbut I must remember that there ÿÿÿÿÿÿis also everything here?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿwhich can seduce, betray, ÿÿve,r ÿÿcorrupt, and debauch.," "(Pauline Maier)@ John Adams was a major voice in Congress." "He had been perhaps the most eloquent supporter of independence before July 1776.," "He certainly had won the respect of the other delegates by his eloquence and his strong commitment, to the American cause." "He was straightforward, he said?" "what he thought, but those strengths did not necessarily make him a good diplomat.," "He can't dance, drink, game, flatter, promise, dress, swear with gentlemen, make small talk?" "or flirt with the ladies.," "In short, he has none?" "of the essential qualities to make him a courtier.," "(Berkin) Nobody could be less suited?" "to be a diplomat in any court in Europe than John Adams." "He has no social skills." "More to the point, he never wanted to acquire any.," "Adams comes in to the Paris scene as sort of the bull?" "in the china shop." "You can just picture Franklin going,.oh my God, everything I've done here, all the groundwork I've laid, this idiot can destroy in five minutes!" "(narrator) Adams, who had left America two months earlier, is surprised to find, on his arrival, that the Alliance with France had been concluded before he even left home.," "At Franklin's invitation,?" "he takes up residence at Passy.," "But his mood is not improved by?" "his intense and growing jealousy of Franklin's fame in France.," "It doesn't help that at parties?" "he is introduced as," ""Le colleague?" "de Monsieur Franklin."" "When he tells them his name, he is then asked if he is, the famous Adams, meaning Samuel Adams." "I had to tell them I was not "le fameux Adams."" "So then it was settled.," "I'm the American that nobody's heard of, a man of no consequence, a zero." "ÿÿÿÿParticularly when compared ÿÿÿÿwith "le fameux" Franklin.o." "John Adams freaks out?" "when he sees how Franklin is getting ahead in French society, and presumably conducting?" "American mission in France.," "(Brands) Adams found Franklin's willingness to curry the favor of the French?" "government ultimately inappropriate and intolerable." "And while Franklin fully recognized that the United States had almost no leverage with France, that the United States could get what it needed only by tending closely?" "to French interests." "To Adams that was anathema.," "Adams wanted to stand up for American interests against France if necessary, just as America had been standing up for American interests against Britain." "Mr. Adams persists in thinking that France is the greatest enemy of America." "He thinks that gratitude towards France is, the greatest of follies--?" "that it will ruin us.," "He makes no secret of his?" "opinions, indeed expresses them, publicly sometimes in the?" "presence of English ministers." "This court must be treated with delicacy, and it is my intention, while I am here, to procure what advantages I can for our country, by trying to please this court.," "An expression of gratitude is not only our duty, but also very much in our interest." "Anything which our countryman does, to displease France, I'll try to prevent." "(Zuckerman)@ John Adams could have been in?" "France for the next millennium and never gotten a sou out of the French." "And only Franklin's approach has a prayer of working, withe French." "But Adams is just livid that Franklin is getting someplace, for nothing, and Adams who's working so hard is getting no place., ÿÿThe life of Dr. Franklin here?" "ÿÿin France is one long ÿÿÿÿHe eats breakfast late in?" "ÿÿÿÿthe morning, and as soon as ÿÿhis breakfast is over, crowds?" "ÿÿof people come to his court." "Philosophers, academics, his literary friends, even woman and children, ÿÿÿÿthrilled at the great honor?" "ÿÿÿÿof viewing his bald head, listening to him telling stories about his simplicity.," "Well by then it's the afternoon!" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿTime to dress for dinner!" ", ÿÿDr." "Franklin never turns down?" "ÿÿa dinner invitation." "ÿÿÿÿHe seldom comes home ÿÿÿÿbefore nine, ÿÿand sometimes as later ÿÿas midnight." "ÿÿI'd be happy to do ÿÿall the work myself--, ÿÿall I want is a few moments?" "ÿÿa day for him to sign letters, ÿÿÿÿÿÿor give advice onr ÿÿÿÿÿÿwhat's to be done." "ÿÿHe has time for ÿÿeveryone else but me!" ", [orchestra plays in minor tones]" "?" "[cracking of rifle fire] [booming of cannon], in France for almost four years." "He has yet to persuade the French to send troops to American soil." "The situation is becoming critical." "Since Saratoga,?" "there have been few victories, and now the British have invaded the South." "Death and disease have spread, from the Army?" "to the civilian population." "The American economy has collapsed, and now, with no money for supplies or pay, Washington's army is pread desertion." "A desperate Congress is?" "urging Franklin, to prod the French for more help." "And with no collateral to offer, the United States is dependent more than ever on French goodwill.," "John Adams chooses this moment to loudly proclaim his distrust of the French., ÿÿI will be buried in the ocean, ÿÿÿÿbefore I voluntarily put our ÿÿÿÿcountry into French chains, just as I am struggling to throw off those of Great Britain!" "," "(narrator) Adams goes so far as to send Vergennes unsolicited advice on how France should be?" "conducting the war.," "(Vergennes)?" "Mr. Adams." "When I gave you?" "a mark of my confidence by informing you about the movement of French fleets, I really didn't expect as thanks a list of criticisms of our strategy." "To avoid further discussions of this sort," "I now inform you that in future?" "I will be dealing only with Mr. Franklin on all matters that concern the King?" "and the United States." "I also remind you that the King?" "does not require any further advicethat the King?" "from you in these affairs." "Comte Vergennes:" "I wish to make it clear, ÿÿÿÿthat Mr. Adams' indiscretion ÿÿÿÿis entirely his own." "ÿÿÿÿI live on terms of civility?" "ÿÿÿÿwith him, not intimacy.," "(Oberg)@ Relations broke down between Vergennes and Adams, 780 that Vergennes sent Franklin copies 1 of all Adams's letters to him, which was a very unusual and desperate move to take.," "He said to Franklin, I would like you to show these to the American Congress and have Adams recalled." "Franklin)@ Mr. Adams has?" "offended the court here, with several letters he has written., ÿÿÿÿÿÿHe did not show them to me ÿÿÿÿÿÿbefore he sent them." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿHe is creating suspicions?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿthat are endangering our support and ourr friendship with France." "rgennes and myself are nt Ve ÿÿÿÿcontinually plotting against ÿÿÿÿhim, that we are ÿÿÿÿÿÿplanting articlesr ÿÿÿÿÿÿin the newspapers, ÿÿÿÿÿÿto belittle his character?" "ÿÿÿÿÿÿand other such fancies., ÿÿÿÿI am persuaded that he means ÿÿÿÿwell for the country, that he is an honest man and a wise man, ÿÿÿÿbut in some things, ÿÿÿÿhe is absolutely ÿÿÿÿout of his senses!" "(narrator) Congress sends Adams to Holland to try to extract?" "a loan from the Dutch." "Arthur Lee had been recalled the year before." "Franklin is relieved to be rid of his troublesome colleagues, but the full weight?" "of the mission now rests?" "on his shoulders alone.," "[dog barking]," "Winter, 1780.," "Franklin is working?" "day and night, trying to assemble shipments of weapons and supplies." "To pay for them he is signing?" "numerous loan certificates to the French government-- worthless because America?" "is bankrupt." "The French Treasury is stretched to its limits." "Vergennes has hinted to Franklin that France is considering peace negotiations with England.," "Back in America, certain members of Congress are losing confidence in Franklin's?" "ability to get results.," "The French navy is still in the Caribbean, and though the French have sent an army to America, it is sitting idle in Rhode Island, waiting for reinforcements." "Congress is blaming Franklin for France's inaction, and there is serious talk?" "of replacing him.," "He makes a preemptive strike.," "(Franklin) To the President of Congress:," "I'm now past 75 years old." "I have just had?" "another severe fit of the gout which has shaken me, and I have yet to recover?" "my physical strength.," "I'm finding that the businesis too heavy for me and I fear, that the affairs of the country?" "are beginning to suffer." "enjoyed public confidence for 50 long years now." "I have no other ambition left?" "but to get some rest.," "I hope that Congress will grant me one last request, to send some person?" "to France to replace me." "(narrator) Congress doesn't dare call Franklin's bluff.," "They insist that he stay on." "(Morgan) And Franklin admits, in a later letter to a friend, that he regards?" "that reappointment as more important than his first appointment, because his enemies in Congress?" "wanted his replacement.," "And even with?" "their demanding it and his supporting it?" "in a letter, they don't do it, they want?" "him there, they need him.," "(narrator) One night In November of 1781," "Franklin and his friend?" "Elkanah Watson stay up late talking about the war." "news from America?" "stay up late that the French army and navy,e are finally on the move, attempting a highly difficult military campaign." "Because it takes over a month?" "for news to cross the Atlantic, they have no idea?" "how the plan has turned out." "We talked that night only about the great combined, military operation to take Cornwallis in Virginia.," "All evening long,?" "we pored over the maps and weighed?" "all the possibilities." "Franklin was suspended between hope and fear." "One moment he would be in gloomy despondency, and then, looking at the situation in another way, he would flash into a conviction of complete success." "And when this 75-year-old man?" "became exhilarated his whole body assumed a state of elasticity, of active play." "I didn't share his optimism." "Went home around 11 o'clock, saddened over the fate of my country." "(narrator) One hour later, at midnight, a messenger arrives at Passy the startling news." "at midnight, a messenger arrives at Passywith" "The French and American armies and the French navy, have surrounded taken the?" "entire British army at Yorktown." "(Wood) Washington could never have won at Yorktown.," "He didn't know how to lay down a siege." "as a militia colonel.," "He learned a lot during?" "his eight years of fighting." "The French army and the French participation and the French naval isolation of Cornwallis?" "was absolutely crucial.," "(narrator) It is an American victory, it is a French victory, and it is a victory for?" "Benjamin Franklin's diplomacy." "Mon Cher Papa, Do you know why your neighbor, has not written?" "to you in a while?" "Because I'm sulking." "Yes, Monsieur Papa,?" "I'm subecause of you.," "Here you take entire armies?" "in America, and we, your poor neighbors, have to read about it in the newspapers." "We, who are getting drunk?" "drinking your health, to that of Washington, to Independence, to the King, to Lafayette--?" "and not one word from you." "So I am left only to imagine that you must be overjoyed, you must suddenly have become 20 years younger, upon hearing the news, and you will lead us to lasting peace after this glorious victory." "I will continue to sulk, until I hear from you." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿTo Madame Brillon." "ÿÿÿÿÿÿMy dear Friend, ÿÿÿÿÿÿIt was a great victory but ÿÿÿÿÿÿI am not celebrating yet., ÿÿWar is a very uncertain thing." "I play this game exactly like you've seen me play chess., ÿÿI do not assume victory until ÿÿthe last move is made." "(narrator) Despite the British defeat at Yorktown, the war is not yet over." "Hardliners in Parliament are still not willing to give up.," "Franklin decides to jump-start negotiations.," "Nine years earlier, in England, he had amazed some friends with his trick of pouring oil?" "on rough waters." "The demonstration took place on the estate?" "of the Earl of Shelburne." "Franklin knows that Shelburne is, sympathetic?" "to the American cause." "Perhaps the old conjuror will once again, be able to smooth?" "troubled waters." "(Franklin) Lord Shelburne, I assure you of my total respect?" "for your talents and virtues.," "I'm sure your Lordship,?" "along with all good men, desires a general peace." "For my own part, I shall,?" "to my dying breath, contribute everything?" "in my power to this end." "(narrator) Franklin's timing is exquisite.," "Opposition to the war has, just brought down?" "the British government.," "Franklin's old friend Shelburne?" "is now Secretary of State, and soon will be Prime Minister." "This back-channel diplomacy?" "has succeeded, in laying the foundations?" "for a Peace Treaty.," "But Franklin will not remain the sole negotiator." "Congress has appointed two other men, to work on the Peace Commission." "First John Jay arrives.," "A wealthy New Yorker and former?" "president of Congress, he hates France almost more?" "than he hates England." "As for the third American?" "commissioner" "Count Vergennes groans when he hears the name., ÿÿÿÿJohn Adams!" "," "He has a rigidity, an arrogance?" "and an obstinacy ÿÿÿÿwhich will drive ÿÿÿÿthe negotiators to despair!" "," "(narrator) The stakes are high." "All three commissioners know that in the treaty negotiations, everything is on the table.," "The very borders of the United States have to be determined.," "Even independence itself may be, sacrificed to the wider aims of the large European powers.," "(Brands) The French had their own issues." "They wanted to retrieve some of the losses from the last war with Britain.," "The Spanish had?" "their own issues, they wanted?" "to get Gibraltar back." "From Franklin's perspective?" "in Paris things only got more complicated because the United States was now immersed in the diplomacy among the major European powers." "(narrator) Shelburne sends an envoy to the Americans." "If he can get them to sign a treaty directly with England, England will be in a much stronger negotiating position vis-a-vis the French." "Franklin, at first, resists the idea of cutting the French out of the negotiating process., ÿÿÿÿThe true political interests ÿÿÿÿof America ÿÿÿÿÿÿconsists in observing, ÿÿÿÿÿÿwith complete exactitude, ÿÿÿÿÿÿthe commitmentsr ÿÿÿÿÿÿwe made to France." "ÿÿÿÿIt is our connection ÿÿÿÿwith France, ÿÿwhich gives us weightr ÿÿwith England ÿÿand respect throughout Europe." "If we were to break?" "with France, England would again ÿÿÿÿÿÿtrample us and every other ÿÿÿÿÿÿnation would despise us." "I told him that the only treaty?" "America would sign ÿÿÿÿÿÿwas one in concert ÿÿÿÿÿÿwith France." "(narrator) Jay and Adams are not convinced." "They both believe that Franklin?" "is in the pocket of the French.," "Jay, particularly, does not?" "trust Vergennes, and believes, that he is stalling on the peace in order to get?" "the best deal for the French.," "The French court chooses to?" "delay an acceptance, of our independence by England until they make peace?" "with England.," "They wish to keep us under their control until they get what they want?" "from the peace.," "Count Vergennes?" "still calls us colonies." "He would have us only deal with the British through him.," "(narrator) Behind Franklin's back,?" "Jay and Adams, determine to accept?" "the British proposal, and sideline France." "Adams confronts Franklin.," "I told Franklin that I supported Jay's principles and firmness." "To share details of the treaty with the French would be like committing the lamb to the custody of the wolf.," "I supported the idea of a?" "separate treaty without reserve." "(narrator) Franklin has spent his six years in France, building up a bond of trust?" "with Vergennes.," "Troubled by?" "the belligerent tactics, of his two younger colleagues, he debates what to do--," "Honor the terms?" "of the original alliance?" "," "Or go behind Vergennes' back,?" "betray France, and agree to a separate treaty with England?" "," "(Berkin) Franklin understood, grateful as he was to the French, and appreciative as he was of their help, and honorable as everyone?" "had been, that he'd, without waiting to follow?" "the French lead." "(narrator) Franklin makes the difficult decision to go along with Jay and Adams.," "The master chess player sees that the young United States is?" "in a strong position.," "Shelburne is so anxious to damage the French-American Alliance that he is willing to give the Americans almost everything?" "they are asking for." "Vergennes discovers that he has been double-crossed." "I'm astonished!" "," "The British seem to buy peace?" "rather than make it." "The treaty is like a dream for the Americans, exceeding everything I should have thought possible.," "Our position in negotiating, with Lord Shelburne has been seriously compromised." "We knew nothing of the details, which were completed in a most sudden, unforeseen and, I may say,?" "extraordinary manner.," "(narrator) Franklin's letter?" "to Vergennes is a classic of diplomatic history." "(Franklin) I can assure your Excellency that ngreement is contrary to the interests of France, but you are correct in saying?" "that we should have, consulted you?" "before we signed it." "It was an error of propriety,?" "not want of respect, for the King,?" "whom we all love and honor.," "I've just learned that the English flatter themselves in thinking that they have succeeded, in dividing France and America.," "I hope this little misunderstanding between us, will be kept secret so that they will find themselves totally mistaken.," "(Lerner) It's a masterpiece of diplomatic effrontery.," "He ends the letter by asking for more money!" "," "(Vergennes)?" "I accuse no one;" "I do not blame even Mr. Franklin." "He yielded perhaps too easily to the impulses of his colleagues, who affect to ignore the rules of courtesy." "If we can judge the future by what we have just seen, hall be poorly repaid?" "for what we have done, for the United States?" "of America.," "(Berkin) You have to give credit, to all three of them.," "I think both the British and the French thought that this was going?" "to be easy going.," "The French thought they would?" "take what they wanted." "And the English thought that they could put one over?" "on the Americans.," "They might get independence?" "recognized, but they weren't going to get much else.," "And both the English and the French admitted, that these fellows had performed a heck of a lot better than?" "anyone expected them to." "The Treaty of Paris was, a marvelous achievement, in many, many ways.," "For instance, at one point some?" "of Franklin's fellow diplomats were ready to give away?" "the right, to navigate the Mississippi, which Franklin, with this marvelous vision of the future, saw would be essential once Americans?" "populated the northwest, and Franklin said, I'd soon?" "as give away the Mississippi as I'd give away my back door." "(Brands) What Franklin understood was that the United States needed to have territory to expand into and that was, the greatest achievement of?" "the Peace Treaty that he got with the British government--the expansion of American boundaries from the Atlantic?" "clear to the Mississippi River.," "The Treaty of Paris really guanteed the American future.," "It's in the same league as the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States, it was that important." "?" "(narrator) On September 3, 1783, nearly two years after the victory at Yorktown, the final treaty i and all hostilities cease." "Parisians celebrate the peace with fireworks in front of City Hall." "Though Franklin has had many triumphs in his long life, this latest one is the greatest of them all.," "[guitar plays softly]," "?" "(narrator) In 1785 Congress appoints Thomas Jefferson, as the new Ambassador to France, and agrees to let?" "Franklin retire." "Madame Brillon , the Brilliant, is too distraught?" "to see her old friend off." "At the age of 79," "Benjamin Franklin?" "sails home to America." "In many ways, his final years, will be the happiest of his life." "During his long stay in France he has had little time for science." "Now on the voyage home, he organizes decades of thinking and experimentation." "In three major scientific?" "papers, he describes his latest theories on everything from the gulf stream to how make ships unsinkable.," "Philadelphia is now?" "a thriving city, the capital of the new country.," "Much of its prominence is due to the many institutions-- the library, the hospital, the college, that Franklin himself?" "had helped found.," "He settles into the house?" "near Market Street that he and his late wife Deborah had built two decades earlier." "His daughter Sally and his six grandchildren are nearby.," "The increasing infirmities of old age" "I have found that deafness will considerably diminish one's?" "pleasure in conversation.," "But it is easily remedied by putting your hand?" "behind your ear, and pressith the hollow of your hand.," "I did an experiment and I found?" "that I could hear, the tick of a watch 45 feet away using this method!" "(narrator) Franklin's health is deteriorating, but not his sense of humor.," "He suggests that the predatory eagle is, not the right symbol for the fledgling country." "In its stead, he proposes a?" "useful bird--the turkey." "In compe services to his country," "Franklin has asked Congress?" "for two things --, a grant of land in the West, and a job for one of his grandchildren." "Congress gives him nothing --, not even his expenses?" "for his years in France." "(Berkin) It's sort of inexplicable, that after all Franklin had done, he was not greeted with laurel wreath and flower petals strewn.," "I think some of it is?" "because America, had found its hero in George Washington.," "If you immortalize Washington, you say, the Americans who starved at Valley Forge, triumphed because God was?" "on our side, true and justice were?" "on our side." "If you immortalize Franklin, then you say, we couldn't have done it without France.," "And so when you pick your heroes to revere, you're also picking the myth about yourself?" "that you want to tell." "(narrator) At a time of life when most?" "people become more conservative," "Franklin is?" "becoming more radical." "Never one to accept?" "the status quo, he takes a public stand against a fundamental institution of American society--slavery.," "Can the pleasure of sweetening of our tea ÿÿÿÿÿÿwith sugar grown by slaves ÿÿÿÿÿÿmake up for all the misery ÿÿproduced among ÿÿour fellow creatures, ÿÿthe butchery ÿÿof the human species by this detestable traffic in the bodies and souls of men?" "," "(Brands) As a young man, Franklin accepted slavery as just the way?" "the world worked.," "He owned a couple?" "of personal servants himself.," "He engaged in buying and selling slaves through his various?" "business enterprises.," "And he unthinkingly accepted the assumption that Af in intelligence to Europeans.," "This assumption was challenged when he visited a school where young black children were being educated." "And he discovered that these children, these African American children?" "were learning, just as quickly as white kids?" "of the same age." "He changed his whole theory?" "and was willing to go exactly the opposite?" "direction to encourage their education and also to?" "argue for the end of slavery.," "And became,?" "in the final years of his life, a great radical on that issue." "(narrator) In 1787 Franklin accepts the presidency of America's first Abolitionist Society.," "He is the only one of the founding fathers, to actively campaign against slavery." "That summer in Philadelphia, delegates?" "from the separate states gather to write a Constitution for the new country." "Franklin, old and sick, has to be carried?" "to the Convention Hall.," "The debates are long and rancorous, and the final document is?" "highly controversial.," "The delegates know that?" "most Americans are still passionately attached?" "to states' rights." "Many regard the ning the freedom s, men have fought and died for.," "(Wood) James Madison is deeply disillusioned with the final results, because, some of his?" "pet things are omitted.," "And he writes a le which says, I don't?" "think it's going to work.," "And Wad to have said," "And Wad to last 20 years. thing won't" "(Maier)@ Everybody knew that this document, which was a radical proposal, was going to have a very difficult time getting ratified." "There was hardly a member, of the convention that approved?" "of the whole thing, it was a bundle of compromises.," "Nobody got exactly what they wanted and many were very suspicious?" "of the ument." "(narrator) Franklin ends the convention with a seemingly simple speech.," "In it, he draws on a lifetime, of skills as a diplomat?" "and negotiator.," "No ringing phrases or calls to battle, but rather a plea?" "for compromise.," "This is his?" "last public statement, and perhaps his greatest.," "I don't entirely approve of this Constitution, at present.," "I'm not sure I'll ever approve of it, but I'm also not sure I'm right." "I've lived a long time,?" "and the longer I live, the more I begin to doubt?" "my own infallibility.," "The more I begin to respect the judgment of others.," "We've collected together men who not only have great wisdom, but also prejudices, selfish views and local interests." "From such an assembly, we can't?" "expect a perfect production." "It astonishes me that we have, come as close?" "to perfection as we did." "It will astonish our enemies, who think of our separate states coming together only to?" "cut each other's throats.," "So I consent to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because," "I am not absolutely d?" "that it is not the best." "(Maier)?" "Nobody, including Franklin, expected the Constitution?" "to last for 200 years." "They saw it as an experiment, as a try at solving?" "the problem of a central intensive government for a series of states.," "What he was pleading for was ratification so the experiment could be run.," "In some ways the federal constitution was the end in the most important experiment to which Franklin was committed, in a life in which he made his name as an experimentalist.," "(narrator) Franklin signs the document, with the flourished signature?" "of his youth., that created this country--?" "the Declaration of Independence, the Peace Treaty that created this country--?" "with England,n of Independence, and the United States?" "Constitution.," "[bells slowly chimes]," "In 1790, at the age of 84," "Benjamin Franklin dies at home.," "Twenty thousand people attend his funeral, not only the high and the mighty, but the ordinary tradesmen from whose ranks he had risen." "When news of his death reaches France, that country is in the throes?" "of its own revolution." "King Louis will soon be?" "overthrown--in part because, he bankrupted France with hist o f the American war." "The French Assembly immediately announces an official country-wide period of mourning.," "Benjamin Franklin, the man of humble roots, who had snatched lightning from the gods, and the scepter from tyrants,?" "is for the French, a symbol of the new order?" "they hope to establish.," "For Americans, Franklin's legacy would be much more complex.," "In the century following his death, he was mythologized as the patron saint of success through hard work and diligence." "(Lerner) Franklin's autobiography led Mark Twain to complain that Franklin was?" "the author of, a vicious conspiracy against every boy growing up in America." "Because that boy's fath point to the autobiography and said, young Ben was able to do this at age so and so, and you, you lout, are incapable of it." "There's an important and highly significant fact, that Franklin suppresses from the autobiography.," "He never tells you that he's a genius.," "(narrator) In our own time, the magnitude?" "of Franklin's achievements continues to astonish." "ges, his biographer Carl Van Doren, gave up trying to sum him up., wrote that Franklin seemed?" "to be not one person,him up.,He but a harmonious human multitude." "(Becton) I often say, you know, that when we look for Ben?" "Franklin's legacy we don't have, to look far, because each?" "and every one of us is" "Ben Franklin's living legacy.," "And I think he'd come back and he'd look at the streetlights and the paved streets and the fire companies and the schools, and he would?" "see himself and his ideas, and hopes for us reflected in all those things." "(Isaacson) The real distinction between and Franklin and the rest of the Founding Fathers was that Franklin takes great pride," "of American democrac not some elite, not some aristocracy, but the middle-class shopkeeper?" "who's learned, who cares about civic life and can participate?" "in democracy.," "(Maier)@ I think what Franklin?" "demonstrates is the important?" "of intellectual flexibility." "He was profoundly interested in issues and was willing, to change his convictions?" "according to observations." "Let the experiment be made, that was his philosophy." "(narrator) Franklin was born?" "at a time when witches were, thought to be real, and he died?" "at the dawn of the modern age." "It is an age that, to a surprising degree, he himself helped shape." "He came from a society where class determined one's station in life, and he helped create a country where merit?" "and ability could flourish.," "In a rigid world of orthodoxy and dogma, he believed?" "to the core of his soul, in the virtues of tolerance and compromise." "Th he never doubted,?" "even for moment, that the future of humanity lay, in the infinite power of human reason." "(Franklin) The rapid progress of the sciences makes me, at times, sorry?" "that I was born so soon." "Imagine the power?" "that man will have over matter a few hundred years from now.," "We may learn how to remove gravity from large masses, and float them over great distances." "Agriculture will double its?" "produce with less labor." "All diseases will surely be?" "cured--even old age." "If only the moral sciences could be improved as well." "Perhaps men would cease to be?" "wolves to one another, and human beings could learn to be human." "of Benjamine Franklin?" "at PBS online." "Re-create famous experiments, sample Ben's wit and wisdom, and discover how his ideas shape our world." "Log on to..." "?" "CAPTIONING BY ARMOUR CAPTIONING AND TPT," "?" "ÿÿ(woman)@ ÿÿMajor funding for "Benjamin?" "ÿÿFranklin" is provided by... ," "ÿÿÿÿÿÿ(man)@ ÿÿÿÿÿÿThe people ÿÿÿÿÿÿof Northwestern Mutual are ÿÿÿÿproud to have supported this ÿÿÿÿremarkable series on PBS ÿÿcelebrating the wisdom ÿÿand ingenuity of one of America's most distinguished?" "founding fathers." "(woman)T Major funding is also provided by ÿÿexpanding America's?" "ÿÿunderstanding of who we were, who we are, and who we will be.," "... investinginideas, returning results." "ÿÿAdditional funding isr ÿÿprovided by..." "ÿÿ... forpublicunderstanding?" "ÿÿof science and technology." "ÿÿto your PBS stationr ÿÿfrom viewers like you." "ÿÿÿÿThank you!" "[orchestra plays,?" "people applaud],"