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[83] [Franklin at Passy, 1778] William Greene The son of Rufus Greene of Boston, William Greene ( fl. 1777–1778) left New England for the West Indies in 1777 but was captured by the British and taken to New York. In September 1777, he sailed for London, possibly as a prisoner of war. At some point, he obtained his release and left England for France to await the opportunity to return to America. The second week in May 1778 he had the chance to visit Passy and meet both Benjamin Franklin and John Adams . His diary provides a glimpse into Franklin’s social life in France. Greene reveals Franklin’s gregarious nature, his friendliness, and his enjoyment of both male and female company. Greene’s delightful account of a Sunday visit to Bois de Boulogne confirms Franklin’s fondess for the ladies of Paris and shows why John Adams grew impatient with Franklin. friday, may 8, as soon as dresst we sent to the coffee house for breakfast. A man brought coffee, bread, butter, and cost us sixteen sous each. We then discharged our lodging, at the amazing price of eight livres each for two nights, we took coach to Passy to visit Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams when we reach’d Passy we called on Mr. [Jonathan Loring] Austin and Mr. P. Amiel. Mr. Austin inform’d us that Mr. Adams was then gone to be presented to the King by Dr. Franklin. This was a great disappointment to us, as we shall have to go again tomorrow, we dined with Mr. Austin and Mr. Amiel after tea Mr. Jos. Waldo, who din’d with us, Mr. Austin, etc. walked towards town, we took the Thuilleries in our way the gardens are very pleasant. After two or three turns, we walked to the Garden Royal from thence home to our new lodgings [for] which we are to give forty two livres per month two chambers etc. Saturday, May 9, morning we took coach for Passy for which [we] gave six livres, we first waited on Mr. Adams, who receiv’d us very genteelly, but he has not wore off the natural restraint which always was in his behaviour, we tarried with him half an hour, from him we went to Doctor Franklin’s apartment, he receiv’d us like children, and behaved to us with all the com- franklin in his own time [84] plaisance and tenderness imaginable, we were above half an hour in free discourse with this venerable man on our departure he desired our company to dinner the next day being Sunday; Doctor Franklin is above the common stature seventy-three years of age with his gray locks, quite fat, in good health, a fine constitution, eats very hearty and enjoys company, in general he is very reserved, but in company, and after dinner, he is free and sociable. Mr. Austin who introduced us, told us after we came out we were much honor’d, for he never see the Doctor so free and conversant before . We intended to wait on Mr. [Arthur] Lee, but his being from home, prevented us. We return’d to town in our coach, we dined at a eating house in St. Honoré. The people knowing we were strangers, cheated us intolerably , the afternoon was imploy’d in strolling about. Sunday, May 10, after we had dresst ourselves, we set out first for Chaillot on foot, I could not help laughing to think, that we were walking three miles to see the Ambassadors from the United States of America, but as prudence was our guide, we could not afford to coach it. We called on Mr. Lee at Chaillot, his situation is very pleasant, he was in his garden in his morning dress reading. I never see the gentleman before, neither did he know us, we sent in our names, the servant came back and desired us to walk in to the garden. Mr. Lee receiv’d us very kindly, and enter’d into close conversation for near an hour, from thence (after walking till two o’clock) to his Excellency’s Dr. Franklin. He was alone reading, after seeting a little, we took a turn in the Doctor’s garden. I think it is as fine a situation as I ever see, and most delightful gardens, we were soon join’d by more company, here; we walked till dinner time, some went in and play’d at billiards. Our company were...

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