xvi The Franklin Bi-centennial 



home. Mr. Choate has suggested to me that the 

 approaching Franklin Bicentennial Celebration at 

 Philadelphia on April 20, provides a fitting oppor- 

 tunity for restoring to the American people a picture 

 which they will be glad to recover. I gladly fall 

 in with his suggestion. 



In a letter from Franklin, written from Philadel- 

 phia, October 23, 1788, to Madame Lavoisier, he says: 

 " Our English enemies, when they were in possession 

 of this city and my home, made a prisoner of my 

 portrait and carried it off with them." 



As your English friend, I desire to give my pris- 

 oner, after the lapse of 130 years, his liberty, and 

 shall be obliged if you will name the officer into 

 whose custody you wish me to deliver him. If agree- 

 able to you, I should be much pleased if he should 

 find a final resting-place in The White House, but I 

 leave this to your judgment. 



I remain with great respect and in all friendship, 



Yours truly, q^^^ 



The White House, 



Washington, February 12, 1906. 



My Dear Lord Grey: — I shall send up an officer 

 to receive that portrait, and I cannot sufficiently 

 thank you for your thoughtful and generous gift. 

 The announcement shall be made by Mr. Choate at 

 the time and place you suggest. I shall then formally 

 thank you for your great and thoughtful courtesy. 

 Meanwhile, let me say privately how much I appre- 

 ciate, not only what you have done, but the spirit 

 in which you have done it, and the way in which 

 the manner of doing it adds to the generosity of 



