With Deane and Franklin as a third member of the commission was associated Arthur Lee who had vainly sought aid at the courts of Spain and Prussia.

France was, however, coy.

The end of 1776 saw the colonial cause at a very low ebb, with Washington driven from New York and about to be driven from Philadelphia.

Defeat is not a good argument for an alliance.

France was willing to send arms to America and willing to let American privateers use freely her ports.