He succeeded [[Benjamin Franklin]] as minister to France (1785-89), and so was not present when the Constitution was written and ratified.<ref>Peterson, ''Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation'' (1975) ch. 6</ref> | He succeeded [[Benjamin Franklin]] as minister to France (1785-89), and so was not present when the Constitution was written and ratified.<ref>Peterson, ''Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation'' (1975) ch. 6</ref> |