Certain Paragraphs having lately appeared in the English News Papers, importing that Silas Deane Esqr. formerly Agent and Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, had some time after his first "Arrival in France, purchased in that Kingdom "for the use of his Countrymen 30,000. muskets &c. That he gave three livres for each of them being old condemned Arms; that he had them cleaned and vamped up, which cost near three Livres more, and that for each of these he charged & receiv'd a Souis d'or," & that he also committed similar Frauds in the Purchase of other Articles for the use of his Country; And Mr. Deane having represented that the said Paragraphs are likely to injure him in the Opinions of many Persons unacquainted with his Conduct whilst in the Public Service; I think it my Duty in Compliance with his Request to certify and declare, that the Paragraphs in question, according to my best Knowledge and belief are intirely false, and that I have never known or suspected any Cause to charge [2] the said Silas Deane with any Want of Probity in any Purchase or Bargain whatever made by him for the use or Account of the United States. - Given at Passy the 18th. of December 1782. B Franklin Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, at the Court of France.