Did American Colonists Send Diplomats to Europe During the Revolution?

No. The Continental Congress did not send formal diplomats to Europe in the war's early years because no European power recognized the United States as a sovereign nation until 1778.

What Actually Happened

• 1775–1777: Congress dispatched agents (Silas Deane, Arthur Lee, Benjamin Franklin) to France, Spain, and the Netherlands—but as covert envoys seeking arms, loans, and supplies, not as accredited diplomats.
• Feb 1778: France signs Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Amity & Commerce—first formal recognition. Franklin becomes first U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to France.
• 1779–1782: Spain and Netherlands enter war; John Adams (Netherlands), John Jay (Spain) appointed as ministers.
• 1783: Treaty of Paris—Britain recognizes independence; full diplomatic exchange begins.

So the "diplomats" arrived after French recognition, not before. The Revolution's foreign policy was improvised, clandestine, and entirely dependent on French willingness to gamble on a rebel victory.