A phenomenal number of men escaped Old Mill Prison at Plymouth; they scaled the walls, dug long tunnels under them, or bribed the guards to let them through the gates. As the French Revolution was inspired by the American Revolution, it is easy to determine that the two must have similarities. A French expeditionary force arrived in the United States in 1780. By 1763, France had suffered a crushing defeat in the Seven Years' War (more commonly called the "French and Indian War" in the U.S.), losing all its claims to mainland Canada and the Louisiana Territory. British History in depth: Britain and the French Revolution - BBC Privateers could accomplish wonders, but they could not fight the great British ships of the line. By then Congress had set up two secret committees on both of which Franklin was extremely busy. The American Revolution and the French Alliance - Navy The two Lees and Izard were busily writing letters about the expected alliance. America, Franklin retorted, is ready to fight fifty years to win it.. The news of Howes occupation of Philadelphia arrived in November as the climax of an excruciating period in which Franklins own campaign had reached a stalemate. This was a bitter blow to Vergennes and a calamity to the Americans. The sacred British mails were rushed down to Passy, and then the storm broke at Versailles. Native American groups had to choose the loyalist or patriot causeor somehow maintain a neutral stance during the Revolutionary War. Role of Benjamin Franklin During The American Revolution Knowing George III as he did, Franklin realized the importance of insulting him while all Europe looked on. But in mid-July Conyngham took his unharmed cutter out to sea and anchored at a safe rendezvous. One of his parts was acting as confidential agent for the King, for his circumspection was as profound as Franklins. On February i he urged that France enter her unavoidable war at once, and the next day gave Vergennes the personal pledge of the commissioners that if France entered the war the United States would not make a separate peace with Britain. He helped Beaumarchais buy and fit out eight ships, prudently scattered in various ports: the, Amphitrite, Mercure, Flammand, Mre Bobie, Seine, Thrse, Amelia, Delays which were not the fault of Deane and Beaumarchais held up most of the fleet for months after lading. It led the French to seek an alliance with the Americans to dethrone Louis XVI. The fact that he was a genius, and a genius of such multiple gifts that he might easily inspire alarm or jealousy in others, had early taught him the art of using screens and disguises. Beaumarchais was with the three commissioners when the official messenger arrived. America could fight only her own sort of war on the seas, and this had started before Lexington and would continue long after Yorktown. This treaty was a promise from France to help the fight against the British.