On Christmas Day 250 years ago in London, Benjamin Franklin met Lord Richard Howe at the home of his sister Caroline Howe. Lord Howe was a cousin of King George III, a prominent Whig in the House of Lords known for his sympathy to the Americans, and a senior Admiral in the Royal Navy. Franklin later recounted that Lord Howe told him, ”no one he was persuaded understood [the situation] better than myself … no man could do more towards reconciling our Differences than I could if I would undertake it … He was desirous of doing what Good he could therefore had wish’d for an opportunity of obtaining my Sentiments on the Means of Reconciling our Differences.” Franklin and Lord Howe agreed to continue to meet in secret but “as his being seen at my House or me at his might be thought some Speculation, it was concluded to be best to meet at his sister’s.” The secret meetings would last for a few months but come to naught, and Lord Howe would then command the Royal Navy in North American waters during the War.

Source: https://allthingsliberty.com/2018/01/franklins-secret-efforts-bring-reconciliation/