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Sweden First to Make Treaty with United States, Ij8j
ever rendered my country.” He died in 1777, leaving a family of three sons
and five daughters, and an honored name, of which we are all pioud.
? ^ ? *
Sweden is the only power in Europe that voluntarily offered its fi iend-
ship to the United States when they were struggling for independence, and
lono- before it was recognized by Great Britain. The author of “Diplomacy
of the United States,” Bos-
ton, 1S26, says: “The con-
duct of Sweden was marked
with great frankness of a
very friendly character. The
United States could not ex-
pect much from that country
or suppose that her example
could have a great deal of
influence on other nations.
But it was highly gratifying
that a state renowned as
Sweden always has been for
the bravery and love of in-
dependence of her people,
should manifest so great
sympathy in the arduous
struggles for liberty of a
distant country.” The pro-
posal for a treaty was en-
tirely unsought for on the
part of the United States.
The only account we have
of the transaction is in one
of the letters of Dr. Frank-
lin. The Swedish Minister at Paris, Count Gustaf Philip de Creutz, called on
Dr. Franklin toward the end of June, 1782, by direction of his Sovereign,
Gustaf III., to inquire if he were furnished with the necessary powers to
conclude a treaty with Sweden. In the course of the conversation he
remarked that “it was a pleasure to him to think, and he hoped it would be
remembered, that Sweden was the first power in Europe which had voluntarily
offered its friendship to the United States without being solicited.” Dr.
Franklin communicated the inquiry of the Swedish Envoy to Congress, and
GUSTAF III.
King of Sweden, 7777-779,2.
14
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