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fied at the prospect of not being the executor of such a work, as we were, not to have it done by such a hand. He therefore ac- ceded to our terms; though we are satisfied he will be a consid- erable loser. We were led to insist on them, because, in a former letter to the Governor, [had given the hope we entertained of bringing the whole within one thousand guineas. ‘The terms are twenty-five thousand livres, or one thousand English guineas (the English guinea being worth twenty-five livres) for the statue and pe- destal. Besides this, we pay his expenses going and returning, which we expect will be between four and five thousand livres: and if he dies on the voyage, we pay his family ten thousand livres. ‘This latter proposition was disagreeable to us; but he has a father, mother, and sisters, who have no resource but in his labor: and he is himself one of the best men in the world. He therefore made it a sine qua non, without which all would have been off. We have reconciled it to ourselves, by determining to get insurance on his life made in London, which we expect can be done for five per cent. ; so that it becomes an additional sum of five hundred livres. I have written to Mr. Adams to know, for what per cent. the insurance can be had. I enclose you, for a more particular detail, a copy of the agreement. Dr. Franklin, being on his de- parture, did not become a party to the instrument, though it has been concluded with his approbation. He was disposed to give two hundred and fifty guineas more, which would have split the difference between the actual terms, and Mr. Houdon’s demand. I wish the State, at the conclusion of the work, may agree to give him this much more ; because I am persuaded he will be a loser, which, I am sure, their generosity would not wish. But I have not given him the smallest expectation of it, choosing the proposition should come from the State, which will be more honorable. You will perceive by the agreement, that I pay. him immediately 8333 1-3 livres, which is to be employed in getting the marble in Italy, its transportation, &c. The package and transportation of his stucco to make the moulds, will be about five hundred livres. I shall furnish him with money for his expenses in France, and I have authorised Dr. Franklin, when he arrives in Philadelphia, to draw on me for money for his other expenses, going, staying, and returning. ‘These drafts will have been made probably, and will be on their way to me, before you receive this, and with the payments made here, will amount to about five thousand livres more than the amount of the bill remitted me. Another third, of 8333 1-3 livres, will become due at the end of the ensuing year.
Dr.. Franklin leaves Passy this morning. As he travels in a litter, Mr, Houdon will follow him some days hence, and will em-
