End of American Isolation: Treaty of Amity Signed

By Luca Abatemarco

The Americans gained another monumental victory over  the British this week, for as of January 7th, 1778, France agreed to sign a Treaty of Amity with the colonies. This decision was made unanimously by the French Royal Council after the colonies’ victory at Saratoga; however, the leaders of the colonies had been contemplating foreign alliances. Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee represented the Americans and signed the treaty, and a French diplomat titled Conrad Alexandre Gérard de Rayneval signed for France. The colonies and France are now allies in politics and commerce, and there is speak of a Treaty of Alliance that will make France a military ally of the colonies as well as a ally of commerce. Our sources say that this treaty, if signed at all, will be signed in early February.

“More than anything we need the French to lend us soldiers, although I suppose that this treaty will help to keep our stomachs full,” says Samuel Meeker, a former soldier of the former American General Benedict Arnold.