In the months covered in this volume of this long-standing series, Benjamin Franklin continues his tenure as sole minister plenipotentary to the French Court. The volume begins with the toasts of Franklin's Independence Day party, and goes on to record the documents of diplomatic and naval events during these four months. Many of the figures who appear are familiar from previous volumes (Arthur Lee, John Paul Jones, Madame Brillon, Richard and Sally Bache). The volume also provides glimpses of the private and often whimsical Franklin: listening to Morellet's drinking song; presenting a ceremonial sword to Lafayette; telling the story of how he introduced high-quality English paper into the French printing business; and even a passing reference to Robinson Crusoe.