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diff --git a/41640-0.txt b/41640-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..27f720d --- /dev/null +++ b/41640-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18216 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41640 *** + + THE + + DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE + + OF THE + + AMERICAN REVOLUTION. + + VOL. IV. + + + + + THE + + DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE + + OF THE + + AMERICAN REVOLUTION; + + BEING + + THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN + ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH + IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY + LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M. + DUMAS, AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN + RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING + THE WHOLE REVOLUTION; + + TOGETHER WITH + + THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF + CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + ALSO, + + THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS, + GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS. + + Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from + the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably + to a Resolution of Congress, of March 27th, 1818. + + EDITED + BY JARED SPARKS. + + VOL. IV. + + BOSTON: + + NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN; + + G. & C. &. H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON. + + 1829. + + HALE'S STEAM PRESS. + + No. 6 Suffolk Buildings, Congress Street, Boston. + + + + +CONTENTS OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. + +BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S CORRESPONDENCE, CONTINUED. + + + Page. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + August 23d, 1782, 3 + + Expresses a wish to promote the commerce between + France and America. + + Thomas Townshend to Richard Oswald. Whitehall, + September 1st, 1782, 4 + + The King is ready to treat with the Commissioners + on the footing of unconditional independence. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Sept. 3d, 1782, 4 + + Allowance made to his grandson for various public services.-- + Submits his own account to the disposal of Congress.--Encloses + letters (inserted in the note) from Mr Jay and Mr Laurens, + expressing their regard for his grandson. + + To John Jay. Passy, September 4th, 1782, 9 + + Mr Oswald's courier arrives, with directions to acknowledge + the independence of America. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + September 5th, 1782, 10 + + Complains of want of information from Europe.--Movements + of the British troops in the south.--Importance + of the West India trade to the United + States.--Right of the States to cut logwood. + + Richard Oswald to B. Franklin. Paris, September + 5th, 1782, 15 + + Enclosing an extract from a letter of the Secretary of + State, regarding the negotiation. + + To Richard Oswald. Passy, Sept. 8th, 1782, 15 + + Requesting a copy of the fourth article of his instructions, + given in the note. + + To Earl Grantham. Passy, Sept. 11th, 1782, 16 + + Prospect of peace. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + September 12th, 1782, 17 + + Presenting Mr Paine's work addressed to the Abbé + Raynal. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + September 12th, 1782, 18 + + Necessity of further supplies of money. + + To David Hartley. Passy, September 17th, 1782, 18 + + The preliminaries formerly received, inadmissible. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + September 18th, 1782, 19 + + Congress declines accepting Mr Laurens's resignation; + alters Dr Franklin's powers. + + Mr Secretary Townshend to Richard Oswald. + Whitehall, September 20th, 1782, 20 + + The commission passing with the change proposed by + the American Commissioners. + + Richard Oswald to B. Franklin. Paris, September + 24th, 1782, 21 + + Transmitting a copy of Mr Townshend's letter to himself. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + September 25th, 1782, 21 + + Aspect of affairs dubious. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Sept. 26th, 1782, 22 + + Reply to his complaints of want of information.--Delays + of the negotiation. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + October 3d, 1782, 23 + + Granting the exequatur empowering the United States' + Consul to act in France. + + David Hartley to B. Franklin. Bath, Oct. 4th, 1782, 24 + + Sends a proposition for a temporary commercial convention.--The + dissolution of the union of the States apprehended. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Oct. 14th, 1782, 25 + + Progress of the negotiation.--Acknowledges the receipt + of Ministers' salaries. + + To John Adams. Passy, Oct. 15th, 1782, 28 + + Delay in the negotiations. + + From T. Townshend to B. Franklin. Whitehall, + October 23d, 1782, 29 + + Introducing Mr Strachey. + + To Thomas Townshend. Passy, Nov. 4th, 1782, 30 + + Regrets the obstructions to the negotiations. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Nov. 7th, 1782, 31 + + Introducing the Baron de Kermelin. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + November 9th, 1782, 31 + + Sweden proposes to acknowledge the independence of + the United States.--Advantage of obtaining an acknowledgment + from the States of Barbary.--Difficulties in the exchange of + prisoners.--Affair of Lippincott.--Mr Boudinot elected President. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + November 21st, 1782, 34 + + Mr Jefferson added to the commission.--Mr Burgess, + an English merchant, not permitted to settle in Boston. + + To Richard Oswald. Passy, Nov. 26th, 1782, 36 + + Indemnification of American royalists.--Resolutions of Congress + on the subject.--Act of the Pennsylvania assembly for procuring + an estimate of the damages committed by the British.--Characters + of the royalists.--Inexpediency of discussing the measure. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + November 27th, 1782, 44 + + Messrs Lamarque and Fabru. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Nov. 29th, 1782, 45 + + The preliminary articles of peace between England and + the United States agreed on. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + December 3d, 1782, 45 + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Dec. 4th, 1782, 46 + + Encloses a copy of the preliminary articles.--Those + between England and the other powers not signed.--No + definitive treaty will be signed till all are agreed. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Dec. 5th, 1782, 46 + + Difficulties of conveying information to America.--Has + asked for further supplies from France.--History of + the negotiations.--The principal preliminaries between + France and England agreed to.--Proceedings + in regard to Sweden. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Dec. 15th, 1782, 54 + + Informing him that a passport has been received from + England for the Washington. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + December, 15th, 1782, 55 + + Expresses his astonishment at the despatching of the + Washington.--Complains that the preliminaries have + been concluded without any communication with + France. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Dec. 17th, 1782, 56 + + Causes of the sailing of the Washington.--No peace + will take place between England and America without + the concurrence of France. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Dec. 24th, 1782, 58 + + The Swedish Ambassador exchanges full powers with + Dr Franklin. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + January 2d, 1783, 60 + + Enclosing various resolutions of Congress.--Regrets + the departure of the French fleet.--Financial distresses + of America. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + January 6th, 1783, 62 + + Financial distress.--Subjects of negotiation.--Contingent + expenses of foreign Ministers. + + To Richard Oswald. Passy, January 14th, 1783, 66 + + Enclosing propositions for abolishing privateering. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + January 18th, 1783, 69 + + Desiring a conference with the Commissioners. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Jan. 18th, 1783, 70 + + Promising to be present at the conference. + + Benjamin Vaughan to B. Franklin. Paris, January + 18th, 1783, 70 + + Pressing him to be at Versailles the next day.--State + of England. + + To John Adams. Passy, January 19th, 1783, 72 + + Acquainting him with Vergennes's desire for a conference. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, Jan. 21st, 1783, 72 + + Preliminaries signed between France, Spain, and England. + + John Jay to B. Franklin. Paris, Jan. 26th, 1783, 73 + + Dr Franklin's grandson appointed Secretary to the + commission without being solicited by him. + + From M, Rosencrone, Minister of Foreign Affairs + in Denmark, to M. de Walterstorff. Copenhagen, + February 22d, 1783, 74 + + Directing him to learn Dr Franklin's views in regard to + a treaty of commerce between Denmark and the United States. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, March 7th, 1783, 76 + + Treaty with Sweden signed.--The English Ministry + changed. + + David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, March + 12th, 1783, 76 + + Enclosing conciliatory propositions, and a sketch of a + provisional treaty of commerce.--Changes in the + Ministry. + + To David Hartley. Passy, March 23d, 1783, 83 + + Expresses a desire for a reconciliation. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + March 26th, 1783, 84 + + Regrets that the Commissioners should find it necessary + to conceal anything from France; and that the + commercial article is struck out.--The attempts to + inflame the army.--Remits bills for the salaries of + the Ministers. + + From the city of Hamburg to Congress. March + 29th, 1783, 88 + + Proposing the establishment of commercial connexions. + + David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, March + 31st, 1783, 91 + + Enclosing Supplemental Treaty between Great Britain + and the United States of North America, separate + article to be referred to the Definitive Treaty, and + paper mentioned in the close of Mr Hartley's letter. + + M. Salva to B. Franklin. Algiers, April 1st, 1783, 95 + + Informing him of an attempt by the Algerines to seize + American vessels. + + To the Grand Master of Malta. Passy, April 6th, + 1783, 96 + + Requesting protection for Americans in the ports of + Malta. + + To M. Rosencrone. Passy, April 13th, 1783, 97 + + Relative to a treaty between Denmark and the United + States.--Asks reparation for the seizure of American + prizes in the Danish ports. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, April 15th, 1783, 98 + + Proposals of Denmark.--Delay in the negotiation of + the Definitive Treaty.--Mr Hartley substituted in + the room of Mr Oswald.--Propositions for the renewal + of the commerce between England and the + United States.--Receives applications of persons + wishing to emigrate to America.--Financial embarrassments + of France. + + Charles J. Fox to B. Franklin. St James's, April + 19th, 1783, 104 + + Introducing Mr Hartley.--Expresses a desire to effect + a reconciliation of the two nations. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, April 27th, 1783, 104 + + Introducing the Count del Veome. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + May 5th, 1783, 105 + + Acknowledges the receipt of a copy of the three articles + discussed by the Commissioners and Mr Hartley.--Complains + of the infrequent appearance of the + Commissioners at Court. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, May 5th, 1783, 105 + + The Commissioners prevented by sickness from appearing + at Court. + + To David Hartley. Passy, May 8th, 1783, 106 + + Desires the abolition of privateering. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + May 9th, 1783, 107 + + Infringements of the Provisional Treaty by the British.-- + Arrival of vessels in the American ports. + + Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, + May 31st, 1783, 109 + + Determination of the Court of Appeals in case of the + Portuguese vessel.--Recommends the demands on + Denmark to be urged. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, June 12th, 1783, 110 + + The ratification of the treaty with Sweden received.--Treaty + with Denmark going on.--Portugal proposes to treat.--Delay + of the Definitive Treaty with England.--Dr Bancroft. + + The Ambassador from Sweden to B. Franklin. + Paris, June 13th, 1783, 112 + + Requesting that Mr W. T. Franklin may be sent to the + Swedish Court. + + From the Grand Master of Malta to B. Franklin. + Malta, June 21st, 1783, 112 + + Promising protection to Americans in the ports of + Malta. + + To Henry Laurens. Passy, July 6th, 1783, 113 + + Delays of the negotiations.--Mr Laurens's presence + necessary. + + From M. Rosencrone, Minister of Denmark, to B. + Franklin. Copenhagen, July 8th, 1783, 114 + + Enclosing a Counter Project of a Treaty between the + United States and Denmark. + + Explanation of the Counter Project of a Treaty of + Amity and Commerce received from Denmark, 130] + + Giacomo F. Crocco to B. Franklin. Cadiz, July + 15th, 1783, 135 + + Informing him that the Emperor of Morocco is ready to + enter into a treaty with the United States. + + To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, July 22d, 1783, 136 + + Justifies the signature of the Provisional Treaty without + communicating to the French Court.--Expresses + his confidence in France.--Contrary opinion of one + of his colleagues.--Reason for striking a commercial + article out of the preliminaries proposed.--Advantages + of free trade.--Moderation of France.--The + Ambassador of Portugal desires to form a treaty + with the United States.--Correspondence with the + Danish Minister.--Inclination of Saxony and Prussia + to engage in the American commerce.--Affair + of the Bon Homme Richard.--Recommends his + grandson for the diplomatic service.--General desire + of the European powers to engage in commerce + with the United States.--The American constitutions + translated into French, produce a favorable + effect.--Dangers from the Barbary powers.--Kindness + of Mr Wren to the American prisoners + near Portsmouth. + + Plan of a Treaty with Portugal, 150 + + Enclosed in the preceding. + + From the Pope's Nuncio to B. Franklin, 158 + + Proposing the appointment of an Apostolical Vicar + Bishop in the United States. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Aug. 16th, 1783, 159 + + The English Ministry reject the propositions of the + Commissioners and of their own Ministers.--Propose + the preliminaries slightly changed as a definitive + treaty.--The other Commissioners are inclined + to sign this. + + M. de Rayneval to B. Franklin. Versailles, August + 29th, 1783, 160 + + Count de Vergennes consents to the signing the treaty + at Paris instead of Versailles. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, August 31st, + 1783, 161 + + The English Ministry have agreed to sign the articles + formerly proposed as a definitive treaty. + + To David Hartley. Passy, September 6th, 1783, 161 + + Expresses his esteem for Mr Fox.--Intelligence of the + American people.--Their misunderstandings much + exaggerated.--Complains of the delay in evacuating + New York. + + To John Jay. Passy, September 10th, 1783, 163 + + Quotes a letter from America, which accuses him of + favoring France, in her opposition to granting the + fishery, and the whole territory demanded by the + Americans.--Appeals to Mr Jay for the falsehood + of the assertion. + + John Jay to B. Franklin. Passy, Sept, 11th, 1783, 164 + + Dr Franklin agreed and acted with the other Commissioners + respecting the boundaries and fisheries.--On former occasions + he had also maintained the same claims on these points. + + John Adams to B. Franklin. Passy, September + 13th, 1783, 165 + + Dr Franklin agreed with the other Commissioners in + the management of the negotiation. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, September + 13th, 1783, 166 + + Relations with Morocco; with Portugal.--False reports + of disunion, &c. in the United States injurious + to the American cause.--Count de Vergennes + refuses to sign the Definitive Treaty with England + before that between England and the United States + was signed. + + To Lewis R. Morris. Passy, Sept. 14th, 1783, 169 + + Relative to accounts. + + David Hartley to B. Franklin. Bath, September + 24th, 1783, 170 + + Expects to receive instructions for a convention on the + basis, that American ships shall not bring foreign + manufactures into Great Britain, nor trade directly + between the West Indies and Great Britain. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, September + 27th, 1783, 171 + + Encloses a copy of the Definitive Treaty.--Expects + Mr Hartley to negotiate a treaty of commerce. + + To David Hartley. Passy, October 16th, 1783, 172 + + Advantages of a perpetual peace between England, + France, and America. + + To David Hartley. Passy, October 22d, 1783, 173 + + Reports of the divisions in America unfounded. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, November + 1st, 1783, 173 + + Financial difficulties of France; failure of payment by + the Caisse d'Escompte.--Relations with Sweden, + Denmark, and Portugal.--Claims of Du Calvet for + supplies to the army in Canada. + + Giacomo Francisco Crocco to B. Franklin. Cadiz, + November 25th, 1783, 176 + + Informs Dr Franklin that he is appointed by the + Emperor of Morocco to conduct to that Court the Minister + of the United States.--Demands $1500 for his expenses to Paris. + + To William Carmichael. Passy, Dec. 15th, 1783, 177 + + Accounts of the proceedings and demands of M. Crocco. + + To Giacomo Francisco Crocco. Passy, December + 15th, 1783, 179 + + Mr Jay is the suitable person for M. Crocco's application. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, December + 25th, 1783, 180 + + Mr Hartley refuses to go to Versailles to sign the + Definitive Treaty.--Ill will of the British Court towards + America.--Has the American constitutions + translated in French, which produce a favorable + impression.--Relations with Denmark, Portugal, Morocco, + and Germany.--The expense of Commodore Jones's expedition + paid entirely by the King of France. + + To Robert Morris. Passy, Dec. 25th, 1783, 187 + + Unreasonableness of the complaints against taxes.--Property + is the creature of society.--Lafayette has conferences with + the Ministers, relative to the new commercial regulations. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, December + 26th, 1783, 188 + + Recommends Mr Hodgson as Consul in London. + + David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, March 2d, + 1784, 189 + + Promises to apply for the despatch of the ratification + of the treaty by Great Britain, on the arrival of that + by Congress. + + To Charles Thompson. Passy, March 9th, 1784, 190 + + Ratifications exchanged with Sweden.--Receives numerous + applications from persons wishing to settle in the + United States. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, May 12th, + 1784, 191 + + Mr Hartley arrives to exchange ratifications of the + Definitive Treaty.--Proclamation relative to American + commerce with the British colonies.--Proposed + regulations of the commerce with the French colonies. + + David Hartley to B. Franklin. Paris, June 1st, + 1784, 192 + + Defects of form in the ratification of the treaty by + Congress. + + To David Hartley. Passy, June 2d, 1784, 193 + + Answers to the objections made in the preceding letter. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, June 16th, + 1784, 196 + + Symptoms of resentment against America on the part + of Great Britain. + + Consular Convention, 198 + + Consular convention between France and the United + States. + + To Count de Mercy Argenteau. Passy, July 30th, + 1784, 208 + + Dr Franklin, Mr Jefferson, and Mr Adams are appointed + to negotiate a treaty of commerce with the + empire. + + Count de Mercy Argenteau to B. Franklin. Paris, + July 30th, 1784, 209 + + Assures Dr Franklin of the disposition of the Emperor + to form commercial connexions with the United + States. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + August 27th, 1784, 210 + + Requesting a declaration, in an official form, that Congress + will in no case treat any nation more favorably than France + in commercial privileges. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Sept. 3d, 1784, 210 + + Transmits a Resolution of Congress, declaring that no + people shall be placed on more advantageous ground + in the commerce with the United States than the + French subjects. + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + September 9th, 1784, 211 + + Expresses the satisfaction of the King with the resolution + of Congress, contained in the preceding letter.--The + United States shall enjoy a complete reciprocity in France. + + Count de Mercy Argenteau to B. Franklin. Paris, + September 28th, 1784, 211 + + The Emperor has agreed to the propositions of Congress + concerning commercial regulations between + the two powers. + + To Charles Thompson. Passy, October 16th, 1784, 212 + + The Commissioners have made propositions of treating + to all the European powers. + + To Charles Thompson. Passy, Nov. 11th, 1784, 213 + + To the President of Congress. Passy, February 8th, + 1785, 213 + + Receives the Resolve of Congress, respecting the Consular + convention, too late to suspend the signing. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, April 12th, + 1785, 214 + + Introducing M. de Chaumont, the younger. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, May 3d, 1785, 215 + + Informs him that he has received permission to return + to America. + + M. de Rayneval to B. Franklin. Versailles, May + 8th, 1785, 216 + + Regrets to hear of his approaching departure from + France. + + To John Jay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Passy, + May 10th, 1785, 216 + + Prepares for his return to America. + + To Charles Thompson. Passy, May 10th, 1785, 217 + + Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, + May 22d, 1785, 217 + + Regrets his intended departure for the United States.--Assures + him of the esteem of the King. + + To Thomas Barclay. Passy, June 19th, 1785, 218 + + Relative to his charges for salary as Minister Plenipotentiary. + + M. de Castries to B. Franklin. Versailles, July 10th, + 1785, 220 + + Would have ordered a frigate for Dr Franklin, had + he sooner known of his intention of leaving France. + + To John Jay, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Philadelphia, + September 19th, 1785, 220 + + Informs him of his arrival in the United States.--Signs + a treaty of commerce and friendship with + Prussia before leaving Europe. + + To Mr Grand, banker at Paris. Philadelphia, July + 11, 1786, 222 + + Requests information concerning the gift of three millions + of livres from the King, of which only two millions + appear in the accounts. + + M. Durival to Mr Grand. Versailles, August 30th, + 1786, 223 + + The King's gift amounted to three millions, independently + of the million advanced to the United States + by the Farmers-General. + + M. Durival to Mr Grand. Versailles, September + 5th, 1786, 224 + + Declines communicating to him the receipt taken for + the first million advanced by the King, June 10th, + 1776. + + Mr Grand to B. Franklin. Paris, Sept. 9th, 1786, 224 + + States that he received only three millions; the first + million having been advanced previous to his appointment. + + M. Durival to Mr Grand. Versailles, September + 10th, 1786, 225 + + The Minister still persists in declining to communicate + the receipt for the first million to Mr Grand. + + Mr Grand to B. Franklin. Paris, Sept. 12th, 1786, 226 + + Professes himself unable to discover who received the + first million. + + To Charles Thompson. Philadelphia, January 27th, + 1787, 226 + + Conjectures that the million advanced June 10th, 1776, + must have been delivered to Beaumarchais. + + To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, November + 29th, 1788, 228 + + Requesting the settlement of his accounts, which have + been three years before Congress, it having been + asserted in the newspapers that he is indebted to + the United States. + + + * * * * * + + JOHN ADAMS' CORRESPONDENCE. + + Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams. York, + in Pennsylvania, December 3d, 1777, 241 + + Enclosing his commission as Commissioner to France. + + To Henry Laurens, President of Congress. Braintree, + December 23d, 1777, 242 + + Accepting his appointment as Commissioner. + + To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Braintree, + December 24th, 1777, 243 + + Acknowledging the receipt of his commission, with + other documents accompanying. + + To Samuel Adams. Passy, May 21st, 1778, 244 + + State of Europe.--Disposition of the powers towards + America.--Affairs of the United States in France + in great confusion.--Expenses of the Commissioners. + (Information on this subject in the note, p. 245.)--Proposes + remedies. + + To the Commercial Committee. Passy, May 24th, + 1778, 248 + + American affairs in France in great confusion; attended + with much delay and expense.--Remedies proposed. + + To James Lovell. Passy, July 9th, 1778, 250 + + The ratification of the treaty with France gives great + satisfaction in that country.--War between France + and England appears inevitable.--Effect of the war + of Bavarian succession on the policy of Germany. + + To James Lovell. Passy, July 26th, 1778, 251 + + Mr Deane's claims, services, and complaints.--Victories + of the army the best negotiators in Europe. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, July 27th, + 1778, 254 + + Policy of England to separate America from France. + + To Samuel Adams. Passy, July 28th, 1778, 256 + + British Commissioners authorised to offer independence + to America, on condition of her breaking off + her connexions with France.--America is bound by + alliances to reject such proposals.--The proximity + of the British colonies to the United States will always + render Great Britain an enemy.--France and + America reciprocally important to each other.--The + alliance of France will secure the rest of the continent.--Necessity + of imposing taxes in the United States to support the national + credit. + + To James Warren. Passy, August 4th, 1778, 259 + + The proceedings of Congress relative to the Conciliatory + Bills, ratification of the treaty, answer to the + Commissioners, &c. produce a favorable effect in + Europe.--Expresses his abhorrence of the idea of + infidelity to France.--Dangers to the Protestant religion + from the French alliance imaginary.--Probable + effects of the separation of America on the power of + Great Britain. + + To Richard Henry Lee. Passy, Aug. 5th, 1778, 262 + + Necessity of taxation to support the national credit.-- + Dissensions among the American agents. + + To Henry Laurens, President of Congress. Passy, + August 27th, 1778, 266 + + To the President of Congress. Passy, September + 7th, 1778, 266 + + Great preparations of Spain; their object is unknown. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, September + 11th, 1778, 267 + + To M. Ray de Chaumont. Passy, Sept. 15th, 1778, 268 + + Requesting him to fix the rent of his house, occupied + by Mr Adams and Dr Franklin. + + M. Ray de Chaumont to John Adams. Passy, + September 18th, 1778, 269 + + Declines receiving any compensation for his house. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, September + 20th, 1778, 270 + + The American refugees in England encourage the notion, + that another campaign will compel the colonies to return + to submission.--The marine and finances of England are in + a miserable condition. + + To Ralph Izard. Passy, September 25th, 1778, 271 + + Agriculture the most essential interest of America, even + in Massachusetts.--Evils of the fisheries; they promote + luxury, and injure morals; are useful as a + source of naval power. + + To Ralph Izard. Passy, October 2d, 1778, 274 + + Relative to the insertion of the words 'indefinite and + exclusive' in the tenth article of the Treaty of Amity + and Commerce. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, October 2d, + 1778, 277 + + Committee of Foreign Affairs to John Adams. + Philadelphia, October 28th, 1778, 277 + + Requests him to keep the Commissioners at the other + Courts informed of all events in America. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, December + 3d, 1778, 278 + + The opinion that the English intend to withdraw from + the United States, unfounded.--The British power + there must be destroyed. + + To Elbridge Gerry. Passy, December 5th, 1778, 279 + + Reserve of the French Ministry towards the Commissioners.-- + Dissensionsof the Commissioners. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, December + 6th, 1778, 281 + + Enclosing the King's speech. + + To Roger Sherman. Passy, December 6th, 1778, 282 + + Value and dangers of the connexion with France. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, December + 8th, 1778, 283 + + Plan of the British to prosecute the war by devastating + the country.--The war is not a ministerial but a + national one. + + The Commissioners to John Paul Jones. Passy, + May 25th, 1778, 284 + + Congratulations on his successes.--Prospect of obtaining + an exchange of prisoners.--Refuse the payment of his bill + of exchange drawn on the Commissioners.--Offer to furnish + his men with slops. + + The Commissioners to John Paul Jones. Passy, + June 3d, 1778, 287 + + Desiring the release of Lieut. Simpson under arrest for + disobeying orders. + + The Commissioners to Lieut. Simpson, of the Ranger. + Passy, June 3d, 1778, 288 + + The Commissioners have requested Captain Jones to + set him at liberty. + + To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, February + 1st, 1779, 289 + + Difficult to obtain a loan in Europe. + + To Samuel Adams. Passy, February 14th, 1779, 290 + + Expresses his satisfaction with the appointment of Dr + Franklin as Minister Plenipotentiary to France.--Disputes + of the former Commissioners.--The French Court and nation + unanimous in support of American independence.--The policy + of France popular in Europe.--Discontents in Great Britain. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Feb. 16th, 1779, 294 + + The recall of his commission has rendered unnecessary + the conference he had requested with the Minister + relative to Mr Deane's address. + + To the Marquis de Lafayette. Passy, February + 21st, 1779, 295 + + Financial difficulties of America would be remedied by + relieving the country of the necessity of supporting + large forces; the naval superiority of France in the + American seas would easily effect this relief. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + February 21st, 1779, 298 + + Desires an interview with Mr Adams, to express the + satisfaction of the King with his conduct. + + To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Feb. 27th, 1779, 299 + + Expresses his sense of the King's indulgent sentiments. + + To John Jay, President of Congress. Passy, February + 27th, 1779, 299 + + Intends to return to America.--Tumults in Great Britain.--Little + prospect of obtaining a loan in Europe.--Economy and taxation + necessary to relieve the financial difficulties. + + To John Jay, President of Congress. Passy, March + 1st, 1779, 302 + + Conditions of the British loan. + + M. de Lafayette to John Adams. St Germain, + April 9th, 1779, 303 + + Asks leave to send a French officer to America with + Mr Adams. + + To Arthur Lee. L'Orient, June 9th, 1779, 305 + + Relative to the charges made against Mr Lee. + + To the President of Congress. Braintree, August + 3d, 1779, 307 + + Returns home in the Sensible, in company with M. de + la Luzerne.--Character of the Minister, Luzerne; + of the Secretary to the Embassy, Marbois. + + To the President of Congress. Braintree, August + 4th, 1779, 311 + + View of the state of Europe.--France.--War of Bavarian + succession.--Great Britain.--Holland.--Spain.--Portugal.--German + States.--Austria.--Prussia.--The northern powers.--Italy. + + To James Lovell. Braintree, August 13th, 1779, 325 + + Enclosing letters concerning Count de Vergennes and + Arthur Lee. + + To the President of Congress. Braintree, September + 10th, 1779, 326 + + Requesting a copy of the complaints, evidences, + witnesses, &c. reported by a Committee of Congress to + exist against the Commissioners. + + To the President of Congress. Boston, September + 23d, 1779, 327 + + To James Lovell. Braintree, October 17th, 1779, 328 + + Regrets Mr Lee's recall.--Denies Mr Izard's charges. + + To Samuel Huntington, President of Congress. + Braintree, October 19th, 1779, 331 + + British whale fishery on the South American coast.--The + crews American prisoners of war. + + To Samuel Huntington, President of Congress. + Braintree, October 20th, 1779, 333 + + Present of an engraving of the exploit of William Tell + for each State from Mr Schweighauser. + + To the President of Congress. Braintree, October + 21st, 1779, 333 + + Advantages of convoys for the American trade; of + maintaining a superiority of naval power in the + American seas. + + To Henry Laurens. Braintree, Oct. 25th, 1779, 335 + + His appointment as Commissioner not sought by him.--Opinion + of Colonel Laurens's abilities.--Difficulties at Philadelphia. + + To the President of Congress. Braintree, November + 4th, 1779, 337 + + Accepting the commission of Minister for negotiating + peace and commerce with Great Britain. + + Instructions for a treaty of peace with Great Britain, 339 + + Instructions for a treaty of commerce with Great + Britain, 342 + + To the President of Congress. Braintree, November + 7th, 1779, 344 + + Transmits a copy of the letter book of the Commissioners + at the Court of Versailles. + + To B. Franklin. Ferrol, December 8th, 1779, 345 + + Informs him of his arrival at Ferrol, being obliged to + put in there, in consequence of a leak. + + To the President of Congress. Ferrol, December + 11th, 1779, 346 + + Arrival at Ferrol.--Attentions of the Spanish and + French officers. + + To the President of Congress. Corunna, December + 16th, 1779, 348 + + Disposition of Spain.--Report of the intended mediation + of Russia on the basis of independence. + + To the Governor of Corunna. Corunna, December + 18th, 1779, 351 + + Names of the persons for whom Mr Adams wishes for + passports to Bayonne. + + M. de Sartine to John Adams. Versailles, December + 31st, 1779, 352 + + To the President of Congress. Bilboa, January + 16th, 1780, 352 + + Sketch of the northwestern provinces of Spain. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, Feb. 12th, 1780, 360 + + Informs him of his mission.--Intends to take no measures + without consulting the French Ministers.--Requests advice as + to the course to be pursued in making known his mission. + + To M. de Sartine. Paris, February 13th, 1780, 363 + + Thanks for his being permitted a passage in the Sensible. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + February 15th, 1780, 363 + + Advises him to conceal the object of his commission + for a time. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 15th, 1780, 364 + + Arrives in Paris.--Has a conference with the French + Ministers.--Supplies to be sent from France.--Preparations + of England. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 17th, 1780, 366 + + Supplied with money by M. Lagoanere at Corunna. + + To the Marquis de Lafayette. Paris, February + 18th, 1780, 368 + + Requesting information concerning the reports circulated + by the British, of their preparations for the ensuing campaign. + + To M. Genet, First Secretary for the department of + Foreign Affairs. Paris, February 18th, 1780, 370 + + Same subject as the preceding. + + M. de Lafayette to John Adams. Paris, February + 19th, 1780, 371 + + The accounts of the British abovementioned are without + foundation. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 19th, 1780, 373 + + False reports circulated by the British as to their + means for the next campaign.--Naval preparations of + France.--The importance of the colonies in maintaining + the naval supremacy of Great Britain, will render her + averse to a peace. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, Feb. 19th, 1780, 376 + + His instructions contain nothing inconsistent with the + treaty between France and the United States. + + M. Genet to John Adams. Versailles, February + 20th, 1780, 377 + + Falsehood of the British reports mentioned pp. 368, 370. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 20th, 1780, 378 + + Exaggeration of the English successes in South America + and the United States.--Account of his proceedings + in France.--Application of England to Russia + rejected. + + To John Jay, Minister Plenipotentiary at Madrid. + Paris, February 22d, 1780, 380 + + Congratulates him on his arrival.--Communication + with America more easy from Spain than from France. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 23d, 1780, 382 + + Transmitting French journals; gives their character. + + To Samuel Adams. Paris, February 23d, 1780, 383 + + Committees of Correspondence established in England.--Naval + preparations of France.--Supplies for the American army + from that power. + + To General James Warren. Paris, Feb. 23d, 1780, 385 + + French naval force at sea, and preparing at Brest.--British + resources. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + February 24th, 1780, 386 + + Expresses himself satisfied with Mr Adams's powers + and instructions.--Advises secrecy in regard to his + powers for negotiating a treaty of commerce.--His + mission to negotiate a peace will be publicly announced. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, February 25th, + 1780, 388 + + Promises to comply with the advice contained in the + preceding letter. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 25th, 1780, 388 + + Committees of Correspondence formed in Ireland and + England. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 27th, 1780, 389 + + Preparations at Brest composed of land and sea forces.--Violence + of parties in England.--Seizure of Dutch ships by the English + alienates the Dutch. + + To Dr Cooper of Boston. Paris, Feb. 28th, 1780, 392 + + The Americans must not indulge the hope of peace. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, February + 29th, 1780, 393 + + M. Genet translates the American constitutions. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 3d, + 1780, 394 + + Character of Admiral Rodney.--Intends to adopt a system of + devastation on the American coast. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 4th, + 1780, 395 + + Successes of Admiral Rodney.--French naval force. + + To Samuel Adams. Paris, March 4th, 1780, 399 + + Mr Izard's views of the policy to be adopted at the French + Court.--Mr Adams's opinions different. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 8th, + 1780, 400 + + Is presented at Court. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 8th, + 1780, 401 + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 10th, + 1780, 401 + + Rodney's successes. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, March 12th, + 1780, 403 + + Quotes an observation of M. de Mably concerning the + establishment of the English empire of the sea.--The + Americans must produce a balance of power by + sea.--English naval force. + + To Edmund Jennings. Paris, March 12th, 1780, 407 + + Chatham's doctrine of a constitutional impossibility of + acknowledging the independence of America.--Effects + of the interposition of France and Spain on the + acknowledgment. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, March 14th, + 1780, 411 + + Clinton's expedition.--State of affairs in England and + Ireland. + + To the President of Congress. Passy, March 14th, + 1780, 414 + + English forces. + + To James Lovell. Paris, March 16th, 1780, 415 + + Refugees.--His accounts.--Reason of avoiding giving + accounts of the state of affairs in France.--Approves + the plan of distinct ministers. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 18th, + 1780, 418 + + French military preparations.--Armed neutrality of + the northern powers. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 19th, + 1780, 420 + + British fleet in the channel.--Reported capture of despatches + from the Court of France. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 20th, + 1780, 422 + + Transmits the Morning Post and the General Advertiser.--Virulence + of parties. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, March 21st, 1780, 423 + + Informing the Minister that his presentation at Court + has not been announced. + + To William Lee. Paris, March 21st, 1780, 424 + + Rumors of change in the British Ministry.--A truce + impossible. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 23d, + 1780, 426 + + The abolition of the Board of Trade and Plantations + carried against the Ministry.--The opposition are + disposed only to a separate treaty.--The fatal + consequences of a truce to America. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 24th, + 1780, 429 + + Discussions on salaries of colonial officers, and pensions + of refugees.--Requests instructions as to compensations + to the refugees in case of negotiations; and whether the + citizens of each power shall have the right of citizens in + the dominions of the other. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 24th, + 1780, 431 + + Account of Admiral Rodney's cruise. Preparations + in Spain.--Dissensions in England. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 26th, + 1780, 435 + + Free commerce with the colonies granted to Ireland.--Proceeding + in the Irish Parliament thereon.--State of Ireland. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 29th, + 1780, 440 + + Affairs of Holland.--History of the dispute with England. + + Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, + March 30th, 1780, 443 + + Presentations of Ministers are not announced in the + Gazette de France.--Proposes to announce it in the + Mercure. + + To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, March 30th, + 1780, 444 + + Approves the announcement of his presentation in the + Mercure. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 30th, + 1780, 445 + + Explains the reason, why his presentation was not + announced in the Gazette.--Does not approve of + the concealment of his powers to treat of commerce. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, March 30th, + 1780, 446 + + Dispute between the Irish volunteers and the royal + troops at Dublin. + + To Arthur Lee, at L'Orient. Paris, March 31st, + 1780, 448 + + Difficulties between the Commissioners. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 3d, + 1780, 449 + + Policy of the Stadtholder.--Inclination of the Dutch + nation.--Petition to their High Mightinesses to equip + a naval force.--Memorial of Sir J. Yorke.--Answer + of the States-General.--Reply of Sir J. Yorke. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 3d, + 1780, 458 + + Memorial of the Congress of County Committees recommending + reforms in the expenditure, in elections, annual Parliaments, + &c.--Proceedings of particular committees thereon. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 4th, + 1780, 465 + + Attack of an English privateer on a Swedish frigate. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 6th, + 1780, 466 + + Decree of the Admiralty in the case of a Dutch ship, + captured by an English man-of-war, while sailing + for a French port, loaded with naval stores under a + Dutch convoy. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 7th, + 1780, 473 + + Rumors of an armed neutrality of the northern powers.--Violations + of the neutrality of the Turkish waters by the English and + French naval forces.--Representations of the Porte.--Sentiments + of Russia on the English attack of the Dutch convoy. + + To William Carmichael, Secretary of the American + Embassy at Madrid. Paris, April 8th, 1780, 480 + + Reason for the delays of Spain.--Events in America.--State + of England. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 8th, + 1780, 483 + + List of the naval losses of the English since the beginning + of the war. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 10th, + 1780, 484 + + Proceedings of England and Holland relative to the + granting of convoys to Dutch ships. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 10th, + 1780, 488 + + Memorial of the Russian Envoy, Prince Gallitzin, to the + States General, communicating the declaration of + his Court to the belligerent powers, and inviting the + concurrence of the States.--The declaration mentioned + in the foregoing Memorial, asserting the determination + of Russia to protect her subjects in the rights of neutrals, + nd proposing to establish the principles that free ships + make free goods; that an efficient force is necessary to + constitute a blockade, &c. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 11th, + 1780, 493 + + Proceedings of the counties, &c. in England in favor + of reforms.--Resolutions of the county of York in + favor of economical and parliamentary reform, of + triennial parliaments, and condemning the carrying + on of the war in America. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 14th, + 1780, 497 + + Violations of neutrality.--Prospect of an armed neutrality + of the north.--Proceedings in Holland. + + To the President of Congress. Paris, April 15th, + 1780, 501 + + Quotations from the European papers.--From an English + paper proposing the independence of the United States, + the giving up of Nova Scotia and Canada.--Russia gives + notice to France that she is arming to protect her neutrality. + + To M. de Sartine. Paris, April 16th, 1780, 507 + + + + + THE + + CORRESPONDENCE + + OF + + BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, + + COMMISSIONER AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY TO THE COURT OF FRANCE, AND + COMMISSIONER FOR NEGOTIATING A PEACE. + + + + + THE + + CORRESPONDENCE + + OF + + BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. + + CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, August 23d, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me on +the 9th instant, as well as the memorial enclosed in it. I +communicated the paper to the Marquis de Castries, and I make no +doubt, but that the Minister will take into consideration its +contents, as far as circumstances will permit. We are desirous to +adopt every measure, that may tend to the prosperity of the commerce +established between France and the United States, and we shall neglect +nothing to accomplish this object to the universal satisfaction of the +two countries. Congress will greatly facilitate our labor, if they +will communicate their ideas and wishes on this subject; and I make +the request with greater confidence, as I am convinced that that +assembly desires as much as we do to establish, on an advantageous and +solid basis, the commercial concerns between France and America. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + THOMAS TOWNSHEND TO RICHARD OSWALD. + + Whitehall, September 1st, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have received and laid before the King your letters of the 17th, +18th, and 21st ultimo; and I am commanded to signify to you his +Majesty's approbation of your conduct in communicating to the American +Commissioners the fourth article of your instructions; which could not +but convince them, that the negotiation for peace, and the cession of +independence to the Thirteen United Colonies, were intended to be +carried on and concluded with the Commissioners in Europe. + +Those gentlemen having expressed their satisfaction concerning that +article, it is hoped they will not entertain a doubt of his Majesty's +determination to exercise, in the fullest extent, the powers with +which the act of Parliament has invested him, by granting to America, +full, complete, and unconditional independence, in the most explicit +manner, as an article of treaty. + + T. TOWNSHEND. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, September 3d, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have just received yours, No. 13, dated the 23d of June. The +accounts of the general sentiments of our people, respecting +propositions from England, and the rejoicings on the birth of the +Dauphin, give pleasure here; and it affords me much satisfaction to +find the conduct of Congress approved by all who hear or speak of it, +and to see all the marks of a constantly growing regard for us, and +confidence in us, among those in whom such sentiments are most to be +desired. + +I hope the affair of Captain Asgill was settled as it ought to be, by +the punishment of Lippincott. Applications have been made here to +obtain letters in favor of the young gentleman. Enclosed I send you a +copy of the answer I gave to that made to me. + +I had before acquainted M. Tousard, that his pension would be paid in +America, and there only, it being unreasonable to expect that Congress +should open a Pay Office in every part of the world, where pensioners +should choose to reside. I shall communicate to him that part of your +letter. + +You wish to know what allowance I make to my private Secretary. My +grandson, William T. Franklin, came over with me, served me as a +private Secretary during the time of the Commissioners; and no +Secretary to the Commission arriving, though we had been made to +expect one, he did business for us all, and this without any allowance +for his services, though both Mr Lee and Mr Deane at times mentioned +it to me as a thing proper to be done, and in justice due to him. When +I became appointed sole Minister here, and the whole business, which +the Commissioners had before divided with me, came into my hands, I +was obliged to exact more service from him, and he was indeed, by +being so long in the business, become capable of doing more. At +length, in the beginning of the year 1781 when he became of age, +considering his constant close attention to the duties required, and +his having thereby missed the opportunity of studying the law, for +which he had been intended, I determined to make him some +compensation for the time past, and fix some compensation for the time +to come, till the pleasure of Congress respecting him should be known. +I accordingly settled an account with him, allowing him from the +beginning of December 1776 to the end of 1777, the sum of 3,400 +livres, and for the year 1778, the sum of 4,000 livres, for 1779, +4,800 livres, and for 1780, 6,000 livres. Since that time I have +allowed him at the rate of three hundred louis per annum, being what I +saw had been allowed by Congress to the Secretary of Mr William Lee, +who could not have had, I imagine, a fourth part of the business to go +through; since my Secretary, besides the writing and copying the +papers relative to my common ministerial transactions, has had all +those occasioned by my acting in the various employments of Judge of +Admiralty, Consul, purchaser of goods for the public, &c. &c. besides +that of accepting the Congress bills, a business that requires being +always at home, bills coming by post, from different ports and +countries, and often requiring immediate answers, whether good or not; +and to that end, it being necessary to examine by the books, exactly +kept of all preceding acceptances, in order to detect double +presentations, which happen very frequently. The great number of these +bills makes almost sufficient business for one person, and the +confinement they occasion is such, that we cannot allow ourselves a +day's excursion into the country, and the want of exercise has hurt +our healths in several instances. + +The Congress pay much larger salaries to some Secretaries, who, I +believe, deserve them; but not more than my grandson does the +comparatively small one I have allowed to him, his fidelity, +exactitude, and address in transacting business, being really what one +could wish in such an officer; and the genteel appearance a young +gentleman in his station obliges him to make, requiring at least such +an income. I do not mention the extraordinary business that has been +imposed upon us in this embassy, as a foundation for demanding higher +salaries than others. I never solicited for a public office, either +for myself, or any relation, yet I never refused one, that I was +capable of executing, when public service was in question, and I never +bargained for salary, but contented myself with whatever my +constituents were pleased to allow me. The Congress will therefore +consider every article charged in my account, distinct from the salary +originally voted, not as what I presume to insist upon, but as what I +propose only for their consideration, and they will allow what they +think proper. + +You desire an accurate estimate of those contingent expenses. I +enclose copies of two letters,[1] which passed between Mr Adams and me +on the subject, and show the articles of which they consist. Their +amount in different years may be found in my accounts, except the +article of house rent, which has never yet been settled; M. de +Chaumont, our landlord, having originally proposed to leave it till +the end of the war, and then to accept for it a piece of American land +from the Congress, such as they might judge equivalent. If the +Congress did intend all contingent charges whatever to be included in +the salary, and do not think proper to pay on the whole so much, in +that case I would humbly suggest, that the saving may be most +conveniently made by a diminution of the salary, leaving the +contingencies to be charged; because they may necessarily be very +different in different years, and at different courts. + +I have been more diffuse on this subject, as your letter gave occasion +for it, and it is probably the last time I shall mention it. Be +pleased to present my dutiful respects to Congress, assure them of my +best services, and believe me to be, with sincere esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ As you will probably lay this letter before Congress, I take +the liberty of joining to it an extract of my letter to the President, +of the 12th of March, 1781, and of repeating my request therein +contained, relative to my grandson. I enclose, likewise, extracts of +letters from Messrs Jay and Laurens, which both show the regard those +gentlemen have for him, and their desire of his being noticed by the +Congress.[2] + + B. F. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [1] See these letters above, pp. 218, 238. + + [2] The following are the extracts of the letters alluded to in this + place. + + EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN JAY TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Madrid, April 25th, 1781. + + The letters herewith enclosed from Dr Franklin were left open for my + perusal; the short stay of my courier at Paris not allowing time for + copies to be made of the information conveyed in and with it. + + I perceive that Dr Franklin desires to retire; this circumstance calls + upon me to assure Congress, that I have reason to be perfectly + satisfied with his conduct towards me, and that I have received from + him all the aid and attention I could wish or expect. His character is + very high here, and I really believe, that the respectability he + enjoys throughout Europe has been of general use to our cause and + country. + + JOHN JAY. + + * * * * * + + EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN JAY. + + Madrid, April 21st, 1781. + + By the letter from Dr Franklin, herewith enclosed, and which he was so + obliging as to leave open for my perusal, I find he has requested + permission to retire, on account of his age, infirmities, &c. How far + his health may be impaired I know not. The letters I have received + from him bear no marks of age, and there is an acuteness and + sententious brevity in them, which do not indicate an understanding + injured by years. I have many reasons to think our country much + indebted to him, and I confess it would mortify my pride as an + American, if his constituents should be the only people to whom his + character is known, and that should deny to his merit and services the + testimony given them by other nations. Justice demands of me to assure + you, that his reputation and respectability are acknowledged, and have + weight here, and that I have received from him all that uniform + attention and aid, which were due to the importance of the affairs + committed to me. + + The affectionate mention he makes of his only descendant, on whom the + support of his name and family will devolve, is extremely amiable, and + flows in a delicate manner from that virtuous sensibility, by which + nature kindly extends the benefits of parental affection, to a period + beyond the limits of our lives. This is an affectionate subject, and + minds susceptible of the finer sensations are insensibly led at least + to wish that the feelings of an ancient patriot, going, in the evening + of a long life early devoted to the public, to enjoy repose in the + bosom of philosophic retirement, may be gratified by seeing some + little sparks of the affection of his country rest on the only support + of his age and hope of his family. Such are the effusions of my heart + on this occasion, and I pour them into yours, from a persuasion, that + they will meet with a hospitable reception from congenial emotions. + + JOHN JAY. + + * * * * * + + COLONEL JOHN LAURENS TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Leagues W. of Ortegal, June 9th, 1781. + + Sir, + + I snatch a moment to pay my last respects to your Excellency, and to + mention a matter, which has occurred to me since my being on board. I + have frequently reflected upon the mention, which your Excellency has + made of retiring from your present important station, and have never + varied the opinion, which I took the liberty of giving you once at the + Count de Vergennes', viz. that the best arrangement would be to give + your Excellency an active, intelligent Secretary of the Embassy, who + might relieve you from the drudgery of office; and that your country + should not be deprived of the advantages of your wisdom and influence. + The difficulty hitherto has been to find a person properly qualified. + The advantages, which your grandson derives from his knowledge of the + language, and manners of the people, and his having been so long in + your office, and with your Excellency, are very great. The prejudices, + which have been entertained against him, may be removed by a personal + introduction to Congress, especially if it is combined with rendering + a popular service. I take the liberty of proposing to your Excellency, + therefore, if you can spare Mr Franklin for the purpose, to commit to + his care the second remittance of money, and to hasten his departure + with that, and as much of the public supplies of clothing, &c. as may + be ready to accompany it. I am persuaded, that in public bodies, the + want of a personal acquaintance is a great objection to appointing a + man to any important office. + + The Engageante's boat demands my letter. I have written in the + greatest haste upon a subject, which I hope your Excellency will turn + to public utility. + + I am, &c. + JOHN LAURENS. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY. + + Passy, September 4th, 1782. + + Dear Sir, + +Mr Oswald's courier being returned, with directions to him to make the +independence of America the first article in the treaty, I would wait +on you if I could, to discourse on the subject; but as I cannot, I +wish to see you here this evening, if not inconvenient to you. + +With great esteem, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your most +obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, September 5th, 1782. + + Sir, + +Having written to you lately, I should not again trouble you so soon, +were it not necessary to remind you, that your last letter is dated in +March, since which there have been frequent arrivals from France; and +since which too we have reason to believe, the most interesting +events have taken place in Europe. + +We learn from private letters and common fame, that Mr Adams was +received by the United Provinces in his public character, on the 19th +of April. We have yet no account of this interesting event, nor of the +measures he has pursued to accomplish our other objects in Holland. +Since then Mr Laurens, it is said, has been liberated, has travelled +to Holland and to France, has entered upon the execution of his trust, +but has left us to gather events so interesting to him and to us from +private letters, and the public prints. Mr Jay tells us on the 24th of +May, that he is about to set out for Paris, and that he presumes Dr +Franklin has assigned the reasons for this step. Doctor Franklin has +told us nothing. + +As to Mr Dana, if it were not for the necessity of drawing bills in +his favor, we should hardly be acquainted with his existence. It is +commonly said, that republics are better informed than monarchs of the +state of their foreign affairs, and that they insist upon a greater +degree of vigilance and punctuality in their Ministers. We, on the +contrary, seem to have adopted a new system. The ignorance, in which +we are kept, of every interesting event, renders it impossible for the +sovereign to instruct their servants, and of course forms them into an +independent privy council for the direction of their affairs, without +their advice or concurrence. I can hardly express to you what I feel +on this occasion. I blush when I meet a member of Congress, who +inquires into what is passing in Europe. When the General applies to +me for advice on the same subject, which must regulate his movements, +I am compelled to inform him, that we have no intelligence but what he +has seen in the papers. The following is an extract of his last +letter to me. "But how does it happen, that all our information of +what is transacting in Europe should come to hand through indirect +channels, or from the enemy; or does this question proceed from my +unacquaintedness with facts?" + +But let me dismiss a subject, which gives me so much pain, in the hope +that we shall in future have no further cause of complaint. + +Since the evacuation of Savannah, the enemy have by the general orders +contained in the enclosed papers, announced the proposed evacuation of +Charleston. We are in daily expectation of hearing, therefore, that +tranquillity is restored to the Southern States. Several circumstances +lead us to suppose, that they entertain thoughts of abandoning New +York sometime this fall. You _only_ can inform us, whether this step +has been taken in consequence of any expectations they entertain of a +general peace; or with a view to pursue the system, which the present +administration appears to have adopted, when they so loudly reprobate +the American war; and whether, by withdrawing their troops from hence +they only mean to collect their force and direct it against our +allies. This knowledge would render such an alteration in our system +necessary, that it affords us new reasons for regretting our want of +information on these important points. + +The Marquis de Vaudreuil has unfortunately lost the Magnifique, sunk +by running on a rock in the harbor of Boston, where he is now, with +the remainder of his fleet, except three refitting at Portsmouth, +consisting of twelve sail of the line. This has enabled Congress to +show their attention to His Most Christian Majesty, and their wish to +promote his interests as far as their circumstances will permit, by +presenting him the America, of seventyfour guns. Enclosed are their +resolves on that subject, and the answer given by the Minister of +France. The ship is in such a state, that she may by diligence be +refitted for sea in about two months; and from the accounts I hear of +her, she will I believe prove a fine ship. The General is collecting +the army. The last division of the French troops marched from here +this morning. When collected, they will, I presume, repair to their +old post, at the White Plains, and perhaps endeavor to accelerate the +departure of the enemy. + +I am sorry you did not pursue your first design, and enlarge in your +letter upon the subjects, which you imagined would be discussed in the +negotiations for peace. It might have changed our sentiments, and +altered our views on some points. Two things are of great moment to +us, one of which at least would meet with no difficulty, if France and +England understand their true interests; I mean the West India trade, +and the right to cut logwood and mahogany. Without a free admission of +all kinds of provisions into the Islands, our agriculture will suffer +extremely. This will be severely felt at first, and when it remedies +itself, which it will do in time, it must be at the expense of the +nations that share our commerce. It will lessen the consumption of +foreign sugars, increase the supplies which the poorer people among us +draw from the maple, &c. and by reducing the price of provision, and +rendering the cultivation of lands less profitable, make +proportionable increase of our own manufactures, and lessen our +dependence on Europe. This will, I must confess, in some measure check +our population, and so far I regard it as an evil. The merchants and +farmers, if precluded at a peace from the advantages, which this +commerce gave them while connected with England, ----.[3] Then a +variety of arguments on this subject, arising as well from the general +interests of France, as from her political connexion with us, might be +urged to show the wisdom of adopting the same liberal sentiments on +this point, which has of late distinguished her in so many others. But +if she should not be able to overcome her ancient prejudices, I +believe they will be found to have less influence on the British, whom +you will press earnestly on this head. Besides the general interest of +the kingdom, there is with them a powerful West India interest, to +plead in behalf of a free importation of provisions into their +Islands. If I mistake not, the present wishes of the nation, as well +as the professions of administration, lead to every measure, which may +wear away our present resentments, and strengthen the connexion +between us and them. + +The logwood trade we have some claim to, from our continued exercise +of the right. Nor can England pretend to exclude us from it, without +invalidating her own title, which stands upon the same ground. If +Spain admits the right in England, she gains nothing by excluding us, +since in proportion as she diminishes our commerce in that article, +she increases that of Great Britain. Other manufacturing nations are +interested in exciting a competition between us at their markets. + +When you write to me, be pleased to be very particular in your +relation of every step, which leads to a negotiation. Everything of +this kind must be interesting. + + I have the honor to be, Sir, + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [3] The sense is broken here, owing to the omission of three lines in + cypher, the key to which could not be found. + + * * * * * + + RICHARD OSWALD TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, September 5th, 1782. + + Sir, + +In consequence of the notice I have just now had from Mr Jay of your +desire of an extract from my last letter from the Secretary of State, +regarding the proposed treaty on the subject of American affairs, and +my authority in relation thereto, I take the liberty to send the same +enclosed, which, together with the powers contained in the commission, +which I had the honor of laying before you and Mr Jay, I am hopeful +will satisfy you of the willingness and sincere desire of his Majesty +to give you entire content on that important subject. + +This extract I would have sent before now, if I had thought you wished +to have it before I had the honor of waiting on you myself; which was +only delayed until I should be informed by Mr Jay, that you were well +enough to see me upon business. + +I heartily wish you a recovery of your health, and am, with sincere +esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, + + RICHARD OSWALD. + + * * * * * + + TO RICHARD OSWALD. + + Passy, September 8th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have received the honor of yours, dated the 5th instant, enclosing +an extract of a letter to your Excellency, from the right honorable +Thomas Townshend, one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, +wherein your conduct in communicating to us the fourth article of +your instructions appears to have been approved by his Majesty. I +suppose, therefore, that there is no impropriety in my requesting a +copy of that instruction; and if you see none, I wish to receive it +from you, hoping it may be of use in removing some of the difficulties +that obstruct our proceeding.[4] + +With great and sincere esteem, I am, Sir, your Excellency's most +obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [4] Copy of the Fourth Article of his Majesty's instructions to + Richard Oswald, for his government in treating with the Commissioners + of the Thirteen United Colonies of America for a truce or peace, the + said instructions being dated the 31st day of July, 1782, viz. + + "4th Article. In case you find the American Commissioners are not at + liberty to treat on any terms short of independence, you are to + declare to them, that you have authority to make that concession. Our + ardent wish for peace, disposing us to purchase it at the price of + acceding to the complete independence of the Thirteen Colonies, + namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, + New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Three lower Counties on the + Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and + Georgia, in North America." + + * * * * * + + TO EARL GRANTHAM. + + Passy, September 11th, 1782. + + My Lord, + +A long and severe indisposition has delayed my acknowledging the +receipt of the letter your Lordship did me the honor of writing to me +by Mr Fitzherbert. + +You do me justice in believing, that I agree with you in earnestly +wishing the establishment of an honorable and lasting peace; and I am +happy to be assured by your Lordship, that it is the system of the +Ministers with whom you are co-operating. I know it to be the sincere +desire of the United States, and with such dispositions on both sides +there is reason to hope, that the good work in its progress will meet +with little difficulty. A small one has occurred in the commencement, +with which Mr Oswald will acquaint you. I flatter myself that means +will be found on your part for removing it; and my best endeavors in +removing the subsequent ones (if any should arise) may be relied on. + +I had the honor of being known to your Lordship's father. On several +occasions he manifested a regard for me, and a confidence in me. I +shall be happy if my conduct in the present important business may +procure me the same rank in the esteem of his worthy successor. + +I am, with sincere respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and +most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, September 12th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have nothing to add to mine of the 5th instant, but to congratulate +you on the safe arrival of two vessels from Holland, having on board +the goods left by Commodore Gillon, and to present you in the name of +Mr Paine, with three copies of a late work of his addressed to the +Abbé Raynal, in which he takes notice of some of the many errors with +which his work abounds. The Abbé has a fine imagination, and he +indulges it. The enclosed resolution contains an important fact, which +I am using means to ascertain; but from the ill success I have +hitherto met with in every similar attempt, I am fearful that it will +be very long before I can effect it. + +I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect and esteem, your most +obedient humble servant, + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, September 12th, 1782. + + Sir, + +Since writing the above, I have received the enclosed resolutions of +Congress. I have already anticipated all that can be said upon the +subject of the last; the melancholy tale of our necessities is +sufficiently known to you, it has been too often repeated to need +recitation. + +Mr Morris, who writes from an empty Treasury amidst perpetual duns, +will speak more feelingly. In short, money must be obtained for us at +any rate, whether we have peace or war. France having already done +much for us, and it not being probable that we shall extend our +demands beyond the present, she may think it wise not to let us open +accounts with a new banker, since the debtor is always more or less +under obligations to the creditor. + +I have the honor to be, Sir, with respect and esteem, + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, September 17th, 1782. + + My dear Friend, + +Since those acknowledged in my last, I have received your several +favors of August the 16th, 20th, and 26th. I have been a long time +afflicted with the gravel and gout, which have much indisposed me for +writing. I am even now in pain, but will no longer delay some answer. + +I did not perfectly comprehend the nature of your appointment +respecting the refugees, and I supposed you would in a subsequent +letter explain it. But, as I now find you have declined the service, +such explanation is become unnecessary. + +I did receive the paper you inquire about, entitled _Preliminaries_, +and dated May, 1782, but it was from you, and I know nothing of their +having been communicated to this Court. The third proposition, "that +in case the negotiation between Great Britain and the allies of +America should not succeed, but the war continue between them, America +should act and be treated as a neutral nation," appeared at first +sight inadmissible, being contrary to our treaty. The truce too seems +not to have been desired by any of the parties. + +With unalterable esteem and affection, I am, my dear Friend, ever +yours, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, September 18th, 1782. + + Sir, + +Just after closing my despatches, I was favored with yours of the 25th +of April, and the 25th and 29th of June. The ships that brought them +were so unfortunate as to be chased into the Delaware by a superior +force. The Eagle was driven ashore and sunk. The papers and money were +however happily saved, and part of the crew. But Captain la Fouche, +not having been since heard of, is supposed to be taken. The other +frigate has arrived safe, with all the passengers of both ships. + +As I am just about to leave town for a short time, I will not touch +upon the important subject mentioned in your letters, which will on +account of my absence be committed to a special committee. + +I would only observe to you, that the resolution in my last shows the +sense of Congress on the subject of money matters. + +You will see by the annexed resolutions, that Congress have refused to +accept Mr Laurens's resignation, and that they have made some +alteration in your powers. + +I send the papers, which contain the little news we have, and am, Sir, + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + MR SECRETARY TOWNSHEND TO RICHARD OSWALD. + + Whitehall, September 20th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I received, on Saturday last, your packets of the 10th and 11th of +this month. + +A meeting of the King's confidential servants was held as soon as +possible, to consider the contents of them, and it was at once agreed +to make the alteration in the commission proposed by Dr Franklin and +Mr Jay. I trust that the readiness with which this proposal has been +accepted, will be considered as an ample testimony of the openness and +sincerity with which the government of this country is disposed to +treat with the Americans. + +The commission is passing with as much despatch as the forms of office +will allow; but I thought it material that no delay should happen, in +giving you notice of the determination of his Majesty's Council upon +this subject. You will receive the commission very soon after this +reaches you. + + I am, with great regard, &c. + + T. TOWNSHEND. + + * * * * * + + RICHARD OSWALD TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, September 24th, 1782. + + Sir, + +Having received, by a courier just now arrived, a letter from Mr +Secretary Townshend, in answer to mine, which went by the messenger, +despatched from hence on the 12th, I take this opportunity of Mr +Whiteford to send you a copy of it. I hope he will bring good accounts +of your health, which I sincerely wish, and am your Excellency's, &c. + + RICHARD OSWALD. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, September 25th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to send you my despatches for the Chevalier de la +Luzerne. The packet is voluminous, but it contains many duplicates. + +I should be glad if it were in my power to inform him, that our treaty +is in as good progress as yours, but this is far from being the case. +I cannot even foresee what will be the issue, for difficulties +multiply. It will be well for you to forewarn the Congress to be +prepared for whatever event may arise. I do not despair; I the rather +hope; but as yet all is uncertainty. + + I have the honor to be, Sir, + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + +TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, September 26th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have just received your No. 15, dated the 9th of August, which +mentions your not having heard from me since March. I have, however, +written sundry letters, viz. of April the 8th, and June the 12th, June +the 25th and 29th, August the 12th, and September the 3d, and sent +copies of the same, which I hope cannot all have miscarried. + +The negotiations for peace have hitherto amounted to little more than +mutual professions of sincere desires, &c., being obstructed by the +want of due form in the English commissions appointing their +plenipotentiaries. The objections made to those for treating with +France, Spain and Holland were first removed, and by the enclosed[5] +it seems that our objections to that for treating with us will now be +removed also, so that we expect to begin in a few days our +negotiations. But there are so many interests to be considered and +settled, in a peace between five different nations, that it will be +well not to flatter ourselves with a very speedy conclusion. + +I mentioned, in a former letter, my having communicated to Count de +Vergennes the state of American commerce, which you sent me, and my +having urged its consideration, &c. Enclosed is a copy of a letter +received from that Minister on the subject. + +The copy of General Carleton's letter, and the bills of exchange, +which you mentioned as enclosed, do not appear. I hope soon to have a +better opportunity of writing, when I shall be fuller. + + With great esteem, &c. + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [5] This refers to Mr Oswald's commission, which will be found in the + Correspondence of the Commissioners for negotiating peace. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, October 3d, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to return you the commission appointing Thomas +Barclay consul of the United States, to reside in France, and I +endorse the exequatur, which is requisite for the exercise of his +functions. I must inform you, that the latter of these will require +the Admiral's signature previously to its being registered, either by +the Secretary of the Admiralty at L'Orient, where Mr Barclay intends +to fix his residence, or by those of other ports of the kingdom, where +commercial considerations may require his presence. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Bath, October 4th, 1782. + + My Dear Friend, + +I only write one line to you, to let you know that I am not forgetful +of you, or of our common concerns. I have not heard anything from the +Ministry yet; I believe it is a kind of vacation with them, before the +meeting of Parliament. I have told you of a proposition, which I have +had some thoughts to make as a kind of copartnership in commerce. I +send you a purposed temporary convention, which I have drawn up. You +are to consider it only as one I recommend. The words underlined are +grafted upon the proposition of my Memorial, dated May 19th, 1778. You +will see the principle, which I have in my thoughts to extend for the +purpose of restoring our ancient copartnership generally. + +I cannot tell you what event things may take, but my thoughts are +always employed in endeavoring to arrange that system upon which the +_China Vase_, lately shattered, may be cemented together, upon +principles of compact and connexion, instead of dependence. + +I have met with a sentiment in this country which gives some alarm, +viz. lest the unity of government in America should be uncertain, and +the States reject the authority of Congress. Some passages in General +Washington's letter have given weight to these doubts. I do not hear +of any tendency to this opinion; _that the American States will break +to pieces, and then we may still conquer them_. I believe all that +folly is extinguished. But many serious and well disposed persons are +alarmed, lest _this should be the ill-fated moment for relaxing the +powers of the union, and annihilating the cement of confederation_, +(_vide_ Washington's letter,) and that Great Britain should thereby +lose her best and wisest hope of being reconnected with the American +States _unitedly_. I should for one think it the greatest misfortune. +Pray give me some opinion upon this. + +You see there is likewise another turn, which may be given to this +sentiment by intemperate and disappointed people, who may indulge a +passionate revenge for their own disappointments, by endeavoring to +excite general distrust, discord, and disunion. I wish to be prepared +and guarded at all points. + +I beg my best compliments to your colleagues; be so good as to show +this letter to them. I beg particularly my condolence (and I hope +congratulation) to Mr Adams; I hear that he has been very dangerously +ill, but that he is again recovered. I hope the latter part is true, +and that we shall all survive to set our hands to some future compacts +of common interest, and common affection, between our two countries. + + Your ever affectionate, + + D. HARTLEY. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, October 14th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have but just received information of this opportunity, and have +only time allowed to write a few lines. + +In my last of the 26th past, I mentioned that the negotiation for +peace had been obstructed, by the want of due form in the English +commissions appointing their plenipotentiaries. In that for treating +with us, the mentioning our States by their public name had been +avoided, which we objected to; another is come, of which I send a copy +enclosed. We have now made several preliminary propositions, which the +English Minister, Mr Oswald, has approved, and sent to his Court. He +thinks they will be approved there, but I have some doubts. In a few +days, however, the answer expected will determine. By the first of +these articles, the King of Great Britain renounces for himself and +successors, all claim and pretension to dominion or territory within +the Thirteen United States; and the boundaries are described as in our +instructions, except that the line between Nova Scotia and New England +is to be settled by Commissioners after the peace. By another article, +the fishery in the American seas is to be freely exercised by the +Americans, wherever they might formerly exercise it while united with +Great Britain. By another, the citizens and subjects of each nation +are to enjoy the same protection and privileges, in each others' ports +and countries, respecting commerce, duties, &c. that are enjoyed by +native subjects. The articles are drawn up very fully by Mr Jay, who I +suppose sends you a copy; if not, it will go by the next opportunity. +If these articles are agreed to, I apprehend little difficulty in the +rest. Something has been mentioned about the refugees and English +debts, but not insisted on, as we declared at once, that whatever +confiscations had been made in America, being in virtue of the laws of +particular States, the Congress had no authority to repeal those laws, +and therefore could give us none to stipulate for such repeal. + +I have been honored with the receipt of your letters, Nos 14 and 15. I +have also received two letters from Mr Lewis R. Morris, both dated +the 6th of July, and one dated the 10th of August, enclosing bills for + + 68,290 livres, + 71,380 + 9,756 + ------- + In all 149,426 livres, + +being intended for the payment of Ministers' salaries for the two +first quarters of this year. But as these bills came so late, that all +those salaries were already paid, I shall make no use of the bills, +but lay them by till further orders; and the salaries of different +Ministers not having all the same times of falling due, as they had +different commencements, I purpose to get all their accounts settled +and reduced to the same period, and send you the state of them, that +you may be clear in future orders. I see in one of the estimates sent +me, that a quarter's salary of a Minister is reckoned at 14,513 +livres, in the other it is reckoned 16,667 livres, and the bill for +9,756[6] livres is mentioned as intended to pay a balance due on the +remittance of the 68,290 livres. Being unacquainted with the state of +your exchange, I do not well comprehend this, and therefore leave the +whole for the present, as I have said above. Permit me only to hint +for your consideration, whether it may not be well hereafter to omit +mention of sterling, in our appointments, since we have severed from +the country to which that denomination of money is peculiar; and also +to order the payment of your Ministers in such a manner, that they may +know exactly what they are to receive, and not be subject to the +fluctuations of exchange. If it is that, which occasions the +difference between 14,583 for the first quarter, and the 16,667 for +the second, it is considerable. I think we have no right to any +advantage by the exchange, nor should we be liable to any loss from +it. Hitherto we have taken 15,000 for a quarter, (subject however to +the allowance or disallowance of Congress) which is lower than the +medium between those two extremes. + +The different accounts given of Lord Shelburne's character, with +respect to sincerity, induced the Ministry here to send over M. de +Rayneval, Secretary to the Council, to converse with him, and endeavor +to form by that means a more perfect judgment of what was to be +expected from the negotiations. He was five or six days in England, +saw all the Ministers, and returned quite satisfied, that they are +sincerely desirous of peace, so that the negotiations now go on with +some prospect of success. But the Court and people of England are very +changeable. A little turn of fortune in their favor sometimes turns +their heads; and I shall not think a speedy peace to be depended on, +till I see the treaties signed. I am obliged to finish. + +With great esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [6] This was not merely to pay a balance, but an excess on account of + contingencies. _Note by Mr Livingston_. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Passy, October 15th, 1782. + + Sir, + +A long and painful illness has prevented my corresponding with your +Excellency regularly. + +Mr Jay has, I believe, acquainted you with the obstructions our peace +negotiations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By +the next courier expected from London, we may be able perhaps to form +some judgment of the probability of success, so far as relates to our +part of the peace. How likely the other powers are to settle their +pretensions, I cannot yet learn. In the mean time, America is +gradually growing more easy, by the enemy's evacuation of their posts; +as you will see by some intelligence I enclose. + +With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + FROM T. TOWNSHEND TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Whitehall, October 23d, 1782. + + Sir, + +As Mr Strachey is going from hence to Paris, with some particulars for +Mr Oswald, which were not easily to be explained in writing, I take +the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance, though I am not +sure that he is not a little known to you. The confidential situation +in which he stands with me, makes me particularly desirous of +presenting him to you. + +I believe, Sir, I am enough known to you, for you to believe me, when +I say, that there has not been from the beginning a single person more +averse to the unhappy war, or who wishes more earnestly than I do, for +a return of peace and mutual amity between Great Britain and America. + +I am, with great regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, + + T. TOWNSHEND. + + * * * * * + + TO THOMAS TOWNSHEND. + + Passy, November 4th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me by Mr +Strachey, and was much pleased with the opportunity it gave me of +renewing and increasing my acquaintance with a gentleman of so amiable +and deserving a character. + +I am sensible you have ever been averse to the measures that brought +on this unhappy war; I have, therefore, no doubt of the sincerity of +your wishes for a return of peace. Mine are equally earnest. Nothing, +therefore, except the beginning of the war, has given me more concern +than to learn at the conclusion of our conferences, that it is not +likely to be soon ended. Be assured, no endeavors on my part would be +wanting to remove any difficulties that may have arisen, or even if a +peace were made, to procure afterwards any changes in the treaty that +might tend to render it more perfect, and the peace more durable. But +we, who are here at so great a distance from our constituents, have +not the possibility of obtaining in a few days fresh instructions, as +is the case with your negotiators, and are therefore obliged to insist +on what is conformable to those we have, and at the same time appears +to us just and reasonable. + +With great esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, November 7th, 1782. + + Sir, + +The Baron de Kermelin, a Swedish gentleman of distinction, recommended +strongly to me by his Excellency, the Ambassador of that nation to +this Court, as a person highly esteemed in his own, purposes a journey +through North America, to view its natural productions, acquaint +himself with its commerce, and acquire such information as may be +useful to his country, in the communication and connexion of interests +that seem to be growing, and probably may soon become considerable +between the two nations. I therefore beg leave to introduce him to +you, and request that you would present him to the President of +Congress, and to such other persons as you shall think may be useful +to him in his views, and I recommend him earnestly to those +civilities, which you have a pleasure in showing to strangers of +merit. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, November 9th, 1782. + + Dear Sir, + +Mr Stewart, informing me that he shall set out tomorrow for Paris, +will be the bearer of this, and duplicates of my last letters. The +want of time will prevent my sending Mr Jay duplicates of the +resolutions formerly enclosed to him, which will be the more +unnecessary as you will communicate those you receive with this, if my +former letters containing them, have not reached him. + +We are much flattered by the proposals of Sweden, and feel all the +force of its Minister's observations; every new acknowledgment lays +the foundation of others, and familiarizes Great Britain with the idea +of acknowledging us as sovereign and independent. I feel some +pleasure, too, in thinking that you are to be the instrument of +procuring us new connexions, and beg leave to remind you of another +which calls upon your attention, though it seems to have been +forgotten in the hurry of business. I mean that with the States of +Barbary. The good dispositions of the Court of France towards us, and +the enlarged policy by which their measures are actuated, together +with the coolness that at present subsists between the Emperor of +Morocco and Great Britain, (if we are well informed) seem to point out +this as the favorable moment for making ourselves known to him. As Mr +Jay is now with you, I wish you would consult upon the means of +bringing this about, so that we may not be shut out of the +Mediterranean in future. + +I know you will start a very obvious objection. But as this can only +be removed by your influence where you now are, we rely upon you for +the means as well as for the manner of treating. I have not thought it +necessary to say anything to Congress on this subject, nor shall I, +till you give me hopes that something may be done in it. + +The only political object of a general nature, that has been touched +upon in Congress since my last, is the exchange of prisoners, which +seems at present to be as far as ever from being effected. The +propositions on the side of the enemy were to exchange seamen for +soldiers, they having no soldiers in their hands; that the soldiers so +exchanged should not serve for one year against the United States; +that the sailors might go into immediate service; that the remainder +of the soldiers in our hands should be given up at a stipulated price. + +Congress rejected this proposal as unequal; as letting loose a force, +which might be employed against our allies in the West Indies; as +making no provision for the payment of the large balance due to us for +the maintenance of prisoners. They further required, that General +Carleton should explicitly declare, that the powers he gives to his +Commissioners for negotiating an exchange are derived from the King of +Great Britain, so that any engagement for the payment of the debt they +have incurred may be considered as binding upon the nation. With +respect to Mr Laurens, they have come to no decided opinion. The +Committee to whom it was referred, reporting that, + +"With respect to the information contained in the extract of Sir Guy +Carleton's and Admiral Digby's letter of the 2d of August, '_that +after Mr Laurens was discharged, he declared that he considered Lord +Cornwallis as freed from his parole_,' your Committee conceive it +sufficient to observe, that no intimation having been received of such +a fact, except, from the said extract, and Congress having given no +directions to that purpose, the consideration thereof would in their +opinion be premature, and ought therefore to be deferred." Since +which, though letters have been received from Mr Laurens, they have +come to no resolution, unless their direction to him to proceed in the +business of his mission may be considered as such. + +General Carleton has sent out the trial of Lippincott, which admits +the murder of Huddy, but justifies Lippincott under an _irregular_ +order of the Board of Refugees. So paltry a palliation of so black a +crime would not have been admitted, and Captain Asgill would certainly +have paid the forfeit for the injustice of his countrymen, had not the +interposition of their Majesties prevented. The letter from the Count +de Vergennes is made the groundwork of the resolution passed on that +subject. I shall transmit you the resolve. + +I suppose I need not tell you, that the enemy contrived to get off the +Eagle and to carry her, to New York. You will find, in the enclosed +papers, a very polite letter from Captain Elphingston; it is easier to +be so in word than in deed among the British. Digby has refused to +permit him to comply with his engagement, at least so far as his share +of the prize is concerned, and insists upon dividing the baggage of +the officers, and sharing the eighth pair of breeches, &c. + +On the 4th instant, Mr Boudinot was elected President in the room of +Mr Hanson, whose term of service had expired. Mr Lewis Morris will +enclose bills purchased here at six shillings and three pence, +currency, for five livres, to the amount of your last quarter's +salary, ending the first of October. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, November 21st, 1782. + + Sir, + +Congress a few days since, passed the enclosed resolution, No. 1, by +which they have added Mr Jefferson to the commission for concluding a +peace. The established character of this gentleman gives me reason to +hope, that his appointment will be very acceptable to you, and the +other gentlemen in the commission. I have not yet learned whether he +will take the task upon him, but I have reason to believe he will, the +death of his wife having lessened, in the opinion of his friends, the +reluctance which he has hitherto manifested to going abroad. I think +it would be proper to make a formal annunciation of this resolution to +the Court of France. You will naturally give such a representation of +Mr Jefferson's character, as will secure to him there that esteem and +confidence which he justly merits. The resolution, No. 2, needs no +comment; or if it does, Mr Morris will prove the able commentator. I +resign the task to him. + +For what end are the show of negotiations kept up by England, when +peace upon the only terms she can possibly expect to obtain it is far +from her heart? Her Ministers, like some Ministers of the Gospel, who +are unwilling to quit the pulpit when they have tired out their +hearers, expect to keep the people together by calling out at every +period, "now to conclude," while they continue the same dull tale for +want of skill to wind it up. + +By accounts from Jamaica, we learn that the British have recovered +most of their settlements on the Bay. Some attention will, I hope, be +paid in the treaty of peace to secure to us the share we formerly had +in the logwood trade; it was a valuable remittance to us, and the low +price at which we were enabled to sell renders it important to other +nations, that we should not be excluded from furnishing it as usual. +You will find by the enclosed paper, that Mr Burgess, an English +merchant, was not permitted to settle at Boston and obtain the rights +of citizenship, upon principles which must be alarming to England. It +shows at the same time the respect that is paid to the resolutions of +Congress, notwithstanding all that has been said and written to prove +the contrary. + + I am, Sir, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + +_P. S._ I forgot to mention, that I am solicited by Mr Barlow to +transmit to you proposals for printing a work of his, which you will +find described in the enclosed proposals, as they are accompanied with +a specimen of his poetry, which is as much as I have seen of it. You +will judge yourself how far it deserves the patronage he wishes you to +give it. + + * * * * * + + TO RICHARD OSWALD. + + Passy, November 26th, 1782. + + Sir, + +You may well remember, that in the beginning of our conferences, +before the other Commissioners arrived, on your mentioning to me a +retribution for the royalists, whose estates had been confiscated, I +acquainted you that nothing of that kind could be stipulated by us, +the confiscation being made by virtue of laws of particular States, +which the Congress had no power to contravene or dispense with, and +therefore could give us no such authority in our commission. And I +gave it as my opinion and advice, honestly and cordially, that if a +reconciliation was intended, no mention should be made in our +negotiations of those people; for they having done infinite mischief +to our properties, by wantonly burning and destroying farm-houses, +villages, and towns, if compensation for their losses were insisted +on, we should certainly exhibit again such an account of all the +ravages they had committed, which would necessarily recall to view +scenes of barbarity that must inflame, instead of conciliating, and +tend to perpetuate an enmity that we all profess a desire of +extinguishing. Understanding, however, from you, that this was a point +your Ministry had at heart, I wrote concerning it to Congress, and I +have lately received the following resolution, viz. + + "_By the United States, in Congress assembled._" + + September 10th, 1782. + + "RESOLVED, That the Secretary for Foreign Affairs be, and he is + hereby directed to obtain, as speedily as possible, authentic + returns of the slaves and other property, which have been carried + off or destroyed in the course of the war by the enemy, and to + transmit the same to the Ministers Plenipotentiary for + negotiating peace. + + "RESOLVED, That, in the meantime, the Secretary for Foreign + Affairs inform the said Ministers, that many thousands of slaves, + and other property, to a very great amount, have been carried + off, or destroyed by the enemy; and that in the opinion of + Congress, the great loss of property, which the citizens of the + United States have sustained by the enemy, will be considered by + the several States as an insuperable bar to their making + restitution or indemnification to the former owner of property, + which has been, or may be forfeited to, or confiscated by any of + the States." + +In consequence of these resolutions and circular letters of the +Secretary, the Assembly of Pennsylvania, then sitting, passed the +following act, viz. + + "_State of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly._" + + Wednesday, September 18th, 1782. + +"The bill, entitled 'An Act for procuring an estimate of the damages +sustained by the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, from the troops and +adherents of the King of Great Britain during the present war,' was +read a second time. + +"Ordered to be transcribed, and printed for public consideration. + + Extract from the minutes. + + PETER Z. LLOYD. + + _Clerk of the General Assembly._" + +"Whereas great damages, of the most wanton nature, have been committed +by the armies of the King of Great Britain, or their adherents within +the territory of the United States of North America, unwarranted by +the practice of civilized nations, and only to be accounted for from +the vindictive spirit of the said King and his officers; and whereas +an accurate account and estimate of such damages, more especially the +waste and destruction of property, may be very useful to the people of +the United States of America, in forming a future treaty of peace, +and, in the meantime, may serve to exhibit in a true light to the +nations of Europe the conduct of the said King, his Ministers, +officers, and adherents; to the end, therefore, that proper measures +be taken to ascertain the damages aforesaid, which have been done to +the citizens and inhabitants of Pennsylvania, in the course of the +present war within this State; Be it enacted by the House of +Representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in +General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, that in every +county of this State, which has been invaded by the armies, soldiers, +or adherents of the King of Great Britain, the Commissioners of every +such county shall immediately meet together, each within their county, +and issue directions to the assessors of the respective townships, +districts, and places within such county, to call upon the inhabitants +of every township and place, to furnish accounts and estimates of the +damages, waste, spoil, and destruction, which have been done and +committed as aforesaid, upon the property, real or personal, within +the same township or place, since the first day of which was in +the year of our Lord 177 , and the same accounts and estimates to be +transmitted to the Commissioners without delay. And if any person or +persons shall refuse or neglect to make out such accounts and +estimates, the said assessors of the township or place shall, from +their own knowledge, and by any other reasonable and lawful method, +take and render such an account and estimate of all damage done or +committed, as aforesaid; Provided always, that all such accounts and +estimates to be made out and transmitted as aforesaid, shall contain a +narrative of the time and circumstances; and if in the power of the +person aggrieved, the names of the General, or other officers or +adherents of the enemy by whom the damage in any case was done, or +under whose orders the army, detachment, party, or persons, committing +the same, acted at that time, and also the name and condition of the +person or persons, whose property was so damaged or destroyed, and +that all such accounts and estimates be made in current money, upon +oath or affirmation of the sufferer, or of others having knowledge +concerning the same; and that in every case it be set forth, whether +the party injured hath received any satisfaction for his loss, and by +whom the same was given. + +"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the said +Commissioners, having obtained the said accounts and estimates from +the assessor of the several townships and places, shall proceed to +inspect and register the same in a book, to be provided for that +purpose, distinguishing the districts and townships, and entering +those of each place together; and if any account and estimate be +imperfect, or not sufficiently verified and established, the said +Commissioners shall have power, and they, or any two of them, are +hereby authorised to summon and compel any person, whose evidence they +shall think necessary, to appear before them at a day and place +appointed, to be summoned upon oath or affirmation, concerning any +damage or injury as aforesaid; and the said Commissioners shall, upon +the call and demand of the President, or Vice President of the Supreme +Executive Council, deliver, or send to the Secretary of the said +council, all or any of the original accounts and estimates aforesaid, +and shall also deliver, or send to the said Secretary, copies of the +book aforesaid, or any part or parts thereof, upon reasonable notice. +And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all losses +of negro or mulatto slaves and servants, who have been deluded and +carried away by the enemies of the United States, and who have not +been recovered or recompensed, shall be comprehended within the +accounts and estimates aforesaid; and that the Commissioners and +assessors of any county, which had not been invaded as aforesaid, +shall nevertheless inquire after, and procure accounts and estimates +of any damages suffered by the loss of such servants and slaves, as is +herein before directed as to other property. + +"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the +charges and expenses of executing this act, as to the pay of the said +Commissioners and assessors, shall be as in other cases; and that +witnesses shall be rewarded for their loss of time and trouble, as +witnesses summoned to appear in the courts of quarter sessions of the +peace; and the said charges and expenses shall be defrayed by the +commonwealth; but paid, in the first instance, out of the hands of the +Treasurer of the County, for county rates, and levies upon orders +drawn by the Commissioners of the proper county." + +We have not yet had time to hear what has been done by the other +assemblies; but I have no doubt that similar acts will be made use of +by all of them, and that the mass of evidence produced by the +execution of those acts, not only of the enormities committed by those +people, under the direction of the British Generals, but of those +committed by the British troops themselves, will form a record that +must render the British name odious in America to the latest +generations. In that authentic record will be found the burning of the +fine towns of Charlestown, near Boston; of Falmouth, just before +winter, when the sick, the aged, the women and children, were driven +to seek shelter where they could hardly find it; of Norfolk, in the +midst of winter; of New London, of Fairfield, of Esopus, &c. besides +near a hundred and fifty miles of well settled country laid waste; +every house and barn burnt, and many hundreds of farmers, with their +wives and children, butchered and scalped. + +The present British Ministers, when they reflect a little, will +certainly be too equitable to suppose, that their nation has a right +to make an unjust war, (which they have always allowed this against us +to be,) and do all sorts of unnecessary mischief, unjustifiable by the +practice of any individual people, which those they make war with are +to suffer without claiming any satisfaction; but that if Britons, or +their adherents, are in return deprived of any property, it is to be +restored to them, or they are to be indemnified. The British troops +can never excuse their barbarities. They were unprovoked. The +loyalists may say in excuse of theirs, that they were exasperated by +the loss of their estates, and it was revenge. They have then had +their revenge. _Is it right they should have both?_ + +Some of those people may have merit in their regard for Britain, and +who espoused her cause from affection; these it may become you to +reward. But there are many of them who were waverers, and were only +determined to engage in it by some occasional circumstance or +appearances; these have not much of either merit or demerit; and there +are others, who have abundance of demerit respecting your country, +having by their falsehoods and misrepresentations brought on and +encouraged the continuance of the war; these, instead of being +recompensed, should be punished. + +It is usual among Christian people at war to profess always a desire +of peace; but if the Ministers of one of the parties choose to insist +particularly on a certain article, which they have known the others +are not and cannot be empowered to agree to, what credit can they +expect should be given to such professions? + +Your Ministers require that we should receive again into our bosom +those who have been our bitterest enemies, and restore their +properties who have destroyed ours, and this, while the wounds they +have given us are still bleeding! It is many years since your nation +expelled the Stuarts and their adherents, and confiscated their +estates. Much of your resentment against them may by this time be +abated; yet, if we should propose it, and insist on it as an article +of our treaty with you, that that family should be recalled and the +forfeited estates of its friends restored, would you think us serious +in our progressions of earnestly desiring peace? + +I must repeat my opinion, that it is best for you to drop all mention +of the refugees. We have proposed, indeed, nothing but what we think +best for you as well as ourselves. But if you will have them +mentioned, let it be in an article, in which you may provide, that +they shall exhibit accounts of their losses to the Commissioners, +hereafter to be appointed, who should examine the same, together with +the accounts now preparing in America of the damages done by them, and +state the account, and that if a balance appears in their favor, it +shall be paid by us to you, and by you divided among them as you shall +think proper. And if the balance is found due to us, it shall be paid +by you. + +Give me leave, however, to advise you to prevent the necessity of so +dreadful a discussion by dropping the article, that we may write to +America and stop the inquiry. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, November 27th, 1782. + + Sir, + +An opportunity offering from this port to write directly to you, I do +not choose to hazard anything by the post, which carries this to +Boston, particularly as I did not hear till just now, that a frigate +was to sail from thence, and it is uncertain whether this will arrive +in time to go by her. This then only accompanies the newspapers, which +contain all the public information now in circulation. + +The Memorials of Messrs la Marque and Fabru are transmitted to South +Carolina, as it is a matter in which the United States are not +concerned. It is to be hoped, that the State will do justice to the +claimants, if, as asserted, Gillon acted under authority from them. He +has just left this with his ship, not in the most honorable manner, +having, as I am informed, been arrested by order of the proprietor of +the ship for his proportion of the prize money. The sheriff stands in +the gap. + +The Swiss officer mentioned in yours, I have sent to Edenton to get +information about. You shall have the result of inquiries in my next. + +As your grandson will probably choose to continue in the line he is +in, I cannot but think he might find important advantages from opening +a correspondence with this office. His diligence and accuracy in +collecting and transmitting intelligence would procure him friends +here. My attachment to you will render me desirous to place them in +the best light. + + I am, Sir, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, November 29th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that the Commissioners +of the United States have agreed with Mr Oswald, on the preliminary +articles of the peace between those States and Great Britain. Tomorrow +I hope we shall be able to communicate to your Excellency a copy of +them.[7] + +With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your Excellency's +most obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [7] These articles will be found in the Correspondence of the + Commissioners. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, December 3d, 1782. + +Sir, + +I have just now received the certificates required by Mr Wallier. The +vessel which carries my other despatches having been long detained, I +embrace the opportunity to forward them. Nothing new since my last, +except that, by a gentleman who left Charleston the 4th instant, we +learn that the British had dismounted their cannon, and were certainly +on the point of leaving it. + +I am, Sir, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON + + Passy, December 4th, 1782. + + Sir, + +We detain the Washington a little longer, expecting an English +passport for her in a few days, and as possibly some vessel bound for +North America may sail before her, I write this line to inform you, +that the French preliminaries with England are not yet signed, though +we hope they may be very soon. Of ours I enclose a copy. The Dutch and +Spain have yet made but little progress, and as no definitive treaty +will be signed till all are agreed, there may be time for Congress to +give us further instructions, if they think proper. We hope the terms +we have obtained will be satisfactory, though, to secure our main +points, we may have yielded too much in favor of the royalists. The +quantity of aid to be afforded us remains undecided. I suppose +something depends on the event of the treaty. By the Washington you +will be fully informed of everything. + +With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, December 5th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I am honored by your several letters, Nos 16, 17, 18 and 19, dated +September 5th, 13th, 15th, and 18th. I believe that the complaints you +make in them of my not writing, may ere now have appeared less +necessary, as many of my letters written before those complaints must +have since come to hand. I will nevertheless mention some of the +difficulties your Ministers meet with, in keeping up a regular and +punctual correspondence. We are far from the seaports, and not well +informed, and often misinformed about the sailing of vessels. +Frequently we are told they are to sail in a week or two, and often +they lie in the ports for months after, with our letters on board, +either waiting for convoy, or for other reasons. The post office here +is an unsafe conveyance; many of the letters we received by it have +evidently been opened, and doubtless the same happens to those we +send; and at this time particularly, there is so violent a curiosity +in all kinds of people to know something relating to the negotiations, +and whether peace may be expected, or a continuance of the war, that +there are few private hands or travellers, that we can trust with +carrying our despatches to the seacoast; and I imagine that they may +sometimes be opened and destroyed because they cannot be well sealed. +Again, the observation you make, that the Congress Ministers in Europe +seem to form themselves into a privy council, transacting affairs +without the privity or concurrence of the sovereign, may be in some +respects just; but it should be considered, that if they do not write +as frequently as other Ministers here do to their respective Courts, +or if when they write, their letters are not regularly received, the +greater distance of the seat of war, and the extreme irregularity of +conveyances may be the causes, and not a desire of acting without the +knowledge or orders of their constituents. There is no European Court, +to which an express cannot be sent from Paris in ten or fifteen days, +and from most of them answers may be obtained in that time. There is, +I imagine, no Minister who would not think it safer to act by orders +than from his own discretion; and yet, unless you leave more to the +discretion of your Ministers in Europe than Courts usually do, your +affairs may sometimes suffer extremely from the distance which, in the +time of war especially, may make it five or six months before the +answer to a letter shall be received. I suppose the Minister from this +Court will acquaint Congress with the King's sentiments, respecting +their very handsome present of a ship of the line. People in general +here are much pleased with it. + +I communicated, together with my memoir demanding a supply of money, +copies of every paragraph in your late letters, which express so +strongly the necessity of it. I have been constant in my solicitations +both directly, and through the Marquis de Lafayette, who has employed +himself diligently and warmly in the business. The negotiations for +peace are, I imagine, one cause of the great delay and indecision on +this occasion beyond what has been usual, as the quantum may be +different if those negotiations do or do not succeed. We have not yet +learnt what we may expect. We have been told that we shall be aided, +but it cannot be to the extent demanded; six millions have been +mentioned, but not as a sum fixed. The Minister tells me still, that +he is working upon the subject, but cannot yet give a determinative +answer. I know his good will to do the best for us that is possible. + +It is in vain for me to repeat again what I have so often written, and +what I find taken so little notice of, that there are bounds to +everything, and that the faculties of this nation are limited like +those of all other nations. Some of you seem to have established as +maxims the suppositions, that France has money enough for all her +occasions, and all ours besides; and that if she does not supply us, +it is owing to her want of will, or to my negligence. As to the first, +I am sure it is not true, and to the second, I can only say I should +rejoice as much as any man in being able to obtain more; and I shall +also rejoice in the greater success of those who may take my place. +You desire to be very particularly acquainted with "every step which +tends to negotiation." I am, therefore, encouraged to send you the +first part of the journal, which accidents, and a long severe illness +interrupted; but which, from notes I have by me, may be continued if +thought proper. In its present state, it is hardly fit for the +inspection of Congress, certainly not for public view. I confide it +therefore to your prudence. + +The arrival of Mr Jay, Mr Adams, and Mr Laurens, has relieved me from +much anxiety, which must have continued, if I had been left to finish +the treaty alone; and it has given me the more satisfaction, as I am +sure the business has profited by their assistance. + +Much of the summer has been taken up in objecting against the powers +given by Great Britain, and in removing those objections. The not +using any expressions, that might imply an acknowledgment of our +independence, seemed at first industriously to be avowed. But our +refusing otherwise to treat, at length induced them to get over that +difficulty, and then we came to the point of making propositions. +Those made by Mr Jay and me before the arrival of the other gentlemen, +you will find in the paper A, which was sent by the British +Plenipotentiary to London for the King's consideration. After some +weeks, an under secretary, Mr Strachey, arrived, with whom we had much +contestation about the boundaries and other articles which he proposed +and we settled; some of which he carried to London, and returned with +the propositions, some adopted, others omitted or altered, and new +ones added, which you will see in paper B. We spent many days in +disputing, and at length agreed on and signed the preliminaries, which +you will see by this conveyance. The British Minister struggled hard +for two points, that the favors granted to the royalists should be +extended, and all our fishery contracted. We silenced them on the +first, by threatening to produce an account of the mischief done by +those people, and as to the second, when they told us they could not +possibly agree to it as we requested it, and must refer it to the +Ministry in London, we produced a new article to be referred at the +same time, with a note of facts in support of it, which you have, +C.[8] Apparently, it seemed, that to avoid the discussion of this, +they suddenly changed their minds, dropped the design of recurring to +London, and agreed to allow the fishery as demanded. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [8] The papers alluded to in this letter will be found in the + Correspondence of the Commissioners for negotiating peace. + +You will find in the preliminaries some inaccurate and ambiguous +expressions, that want explanation, and which may be explained in the +definitive treaty, and as the British Ministry excluded our +proposition relating to commerce, and the American prohibition of that +with England may not be understood to cease merely by our concluding a +treaty of peace, perhaps we may then, if the Congress shall think fit +to direct it, obtain some compensation for the injuries done us as a +condition of our opening again the trade. Every one of the present +British Ministry has, while in the Ministry, declared the war against +us as unjust, and nothing is clearer in reason, than that those who +injure others by an unjust war, should make full reparation. They +have stipulated too, in these preliminaries, that in evacuating our +towns, they shall carry off no plunder, which is a kind of +acknowledgment that they ought not to have done it before. + +The reason given us for dropping the article relating to commerce, +was, that some statutes were in the way, which must be repealed before +a treaty of that kind could be well formed, and that this was a matter +to be considered in Parliament. + +They wanted to bring their boundary down to the Ohio, and to settle +their loyalists in the Illinois country. We did not choose such +neighbors. + +We communicated all the articles, as soon as they were signed, to +Count de Vergennes, (except the separate one) who thinks we have +managed well, and told me that we had settled what was most +apprehended as a difficulty in the work of a general peace, by +obtaining the declaration of our independency. + +_December 14th._ I have this day learnt, that the principal +preliminaries between France and England are agreed on, to wit. + +1st. France is to enjoy the right of fishing and drying on all the +west coast of Newfoundland, down to Cape Ray. Miquelon and St Pierre +to be restored, and may be fortified. + +2d. Senegal remains to France, and Goree to be restored. The Gambia +entirely to England. + +3d. All the places taken from France in the East Indies to be +restored, with a certain quantity of territory round them. + +4th. In the West Indies, Grenada and the Grenadines, St Christophers, +Nevis and Montserat, to be restored to England. St Lucia to France. +Dominique to remain with France, and St Vincents to be neutralized. + +5th. No Commissioner at Dunkirk. + +The points not yet quite settled are the territory round the places in +the Indies, and neutralization of St Vincents. Apparently these will +not create much difficulty. + +Holland has yet hardly done anything in her negotiation. + +Spain offers for Gibraltar to restore West Florida and the Bahamas. An +addition is talked of the island of Guadaloupe, which France will cede +to Spain in exchange for the other half of Hispaniola, and Spain to +England, but England, it is said, chose rather Porto Rico. Nothing yet +concluded. + +As soon as I received the commission and instructions for treating +with Sweden, I waited on the Ambassador here, who told me he daily +expected a courier on that subject. Yesterday he wrote a note to +acquaint me, that he would call on me today, having something to +communicate to me. Being obliged to go to Paris, I waited on him, when +he showed me the full powers he had just received, and I showed him +mine. We agreed to meet on Wednesday next, exchange copies, and +proceed to business. His commission has some polite expressions in it, +to wit; "that his Majesty thought it for the good of his subjects to +enter into a treaty of amity and commerce with the United States of +America, who had established their independence so justly merited by +their courage and constancy;" or to that effect. I imagine this treaty +will be soon completed; if any difficulty should arise, I shall take +the advice of my colleagues. + +I thank you for the copies of Mr Paine's letter to the Abbé Raynal, +which I have distributed to good hands. The errors we see in +histories of our times and affairs weaken our faith in ancient +history. M. Hilliard d'Auberteuil has here written another history of +our revolution, which however he modestly calls _an essay_, and +fearing that there may be errors, and wishing to have them corrected, +that his second edition may be more perfect, he has brought me six +sets, which he desires me to put into such hands in America, as may be +good enough to render him and the public that service. I send them to +you for that purpose, by Captain Barney, desiring that one set may be +given to Mr Paine, and the rest where you please. There is a quarto +set in the parcel, which please to accept from me. + +I have never learnt whether the box of books I sent to you, and the +press to Mr Thompson, were put on board the Eagle or one of the +transports. If the former, perhaps you might easily purchase them at +New York; if the latter, you may still receive them among the goods +for Congress, now shipping by Mr Barclay. If they are quite lost let +me know it, that I may replace them. + +I have received several letters from your office with bills to pay +Ministers' salaries. Nothing has yet been done with those bills, but I +have paid Mr Laurens 20,000 livres. + +I have this day signed a common letter to you drawn up by my +colleagues, which you will receive herewith. We have kept this vessel +longer for two things, a passport promised us from England, and a sum +to send in her; but she is likely to depart without both, being all of +us impatient that Congress should receive early intelligence of our +proceedings, and for the money we may probably borrow a frigate. + +I am now entering on my 78th year; public business has engrossed fifty +of them; I wish now to be, for the little time I have left, my own +master. If I live to see this peace concluded, I shall beg leave to +remind the Congress of their promise then to dismiss me. I shall be +happy to sing with old Simeon, _now lettest thou thy servant depart in +peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation_. + + With great esteem, &c. + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, December 15th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that our courier is to +set out tomorrow at ten o'clock, with the despatches we send to +Congress, by the Washington, Captain Barney, for which ship we have +got a passport from the King of England.[9] If you would make any use +of this conveyance, the courier shall wait upon you tomorrow at +Versailles, and receive your orders. + +I hoped I might have been able to send part of the aids we have asked, +by this safe vessel. I beg that your Excellency would at least inform +me what expectations I may give in my letters. I fear the Congress +will be reduced to despair, when they find that nothing is yet +obtained. + +With the greatest and most sincere respect, I am, Sir, your +Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [9] _Copy of a Passport given to the Ship Washington, to carry over + the Preliminary Articles._ + + GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, + and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. To all Admirals, + Vice Admirals, Captains, Commanders of our ships of war, or + privateers, Governors of our forts and castles, customhouse + comptrollers, searchers, &c., to all and singular our officers, and + military and loving subjects whom it may concern, greeting. Our will + and pleasure is, and we do hereby strictly charge and require you, as + we do likewise pray and desire the officers and ministers of all + Princes and States, in amity with us, to permit and suffer the vessel + called the Washington, commanded by Mr Joshua Barney, belonging to the + United States of North America, to sail from either of the ports of + France, to any port or place in North America, without any let, + hinderance, or molestation whatsoever; but on the contrary, affording + the said vessel all such aid and assistance as may be necessary. + + Given at our Court of St James, the tenth day of December; 1782, in + the 23d year of our reign. By his Majesty's command. + + T. TOWNSHEND. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, December 15th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I cannot but be surprised, Sir, that after the explanation I have had +with you, and the promise you gave, that you would not press the +application for an English passport for the sailing of the packet +Washington, that you now inform me, you have received the passport, +and that at ten o'clock tomorrow morning your courier will set out to +carry your despatches. I am at a loss, Sir, to explain your conduct +and that of your colleagues on this occasion. You have concluded your +preliminary articles without any communication between us, although +the instructions from Congress prescribes, that nothing shall be done +without the participation of the King. You are about to hold out a +certain hope of peace to America, without even informing yourself on +the state of the negotiation on our part. + +You are wise and discreet, Sir; you perfectly understand what is due +to propriety; you have all your life performed your duties. I pray you +to consider how you propose to fulfil those, which are due to the +King? I am not desirous of enlarging these reflections; I commit them +to your own integrity. When you shall be pleased to relieve my +uncertainty, I will entreat the King to enable me to answer your +demands. + +I have the honor to be, Sir, with sincere regard, your very humble and +obedient servant, + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, December 17th, 1782. + + Sir, + +I received the letter your Excellency did me the honor of writing to +me on the 15th instant. The proposal of having a passport from England +was agreed to by me the more willingly, as I at that time had hopes of +obtaining some money to send in the Washington, and the passport would +have made its transportation safer, with that of our despatches, and +of yours also, if you had thought fit to make use of the occasion. +Your Excellency objected, as I understood it, that the English +Ministers by their letters sent in the same ship, might convey +inconvenient expectations into America. It was therefore I proposed +not to press for the passport, till your preliminaries were also +agreed to. They have sent the passport without being pressed to do it, +and they have sent no letters to go under it, and ours will prevent +the inconvenience apprehended. In a subsequent conversation your +Excellency mentioned your intention of sending some of the King's +cutters, whence I imagined, that detaining the Washington was no +longer necessary; and it was certainly incumbent on us to give +Congress as early an account as possible of our proceedings, who will +think it extremely strange to hear of them by other means, without a +line from us. I acquainted your Excellency, however, with our +intention of despatching that ship, supposing you might possibly have +something to send by her. + +Nothing has been agreed in the preliminaries contrary to the interests +of France; and no peace is to take place between us and England, till +you have concluded yours. Your observation is, however, apparently +just, that in not consulting you before they were signed, we have been +guilty of neglecting a point of _bienséance_. But as this was not from +want of respect for the King, whom we all love and honor, we hope it +will be excused, and that the great work, which has hitherto been so +happily conducted, is so nearly brought to perfection, and is so +glorious to his reign, will not be ruined by a single indiscretion of +ours. And certainly the whole edifice sinks to the ground immediately, +if you refuse on that account to give us any further assistance. + +We have not yet despatched the ship, and I beg leave to wait upon you +on Friday for your answer. + +It is not possible for any one to be more sensible than I am, of what +I and every American owe to the King, for the many and great benefits +and favors he has bestowed upon us. All my letters to America are +proofs of this; all tending to make the same impressions on the minds +of my countrymen, that I felt in my own. And I believe, that no Prince +was ever more beloved and respected by his own subjects, than the King +is by the people of the United States. _The English, I just now +learn, flatter themselves they have already divided us._ I hope this +little misunderstanding will therefore be kept a secret, and that they +will find themselves totally mistaken. + +With great and sincere respect, I am, Sir, your Excellency's most +obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, December 24th, 1782. + + Sir, + +Sundry circumstances occurring since mine of the 5th and 14th, have +hitherto retarded the departure of our despatches. They will now go +under the security of a British passport, be accompanied by a sum of +money, and by some further intelligence from England, which shows the +still unsettled state of minds there, and, together with the +difficulties and small progress in the Dutch and Spanish negotiations, +makes the speedy conclusion of peace still uncertain. + +The Swedish Ambassador has exchanged full powers with me. I send a +copy of his herewith. We have had some conferences on the proposed +plan of our treaty, and he has despatched a courier for further +instructions respecting some of the articles. + +The Commissioners have joined in a letter to you, recommending the +consideration of a proposal from Mr Bridgen, relating to copper coin. +With this you have a copy of that proposal, and a sample of the +copper. If it should be accepted, I conceive the weight and value of +the pieces (charge of coinage deducted) should be such that they may +be aliquot parts of a Spanish dollar. By the copy enclosed, of an old +letter of mine to Mr Bridgen, you will see the ideas I had of the +additional utility such a coinage might be of, in communicating +instruction.[10] + +_December 25th_. Enclosed is a copy of a letter just received from the +Count de Vergennes, upon the present state of negotiation with +England.[11] + +With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [10] See this letter in Volume III. p. 106. + + [11] This refers to a letter, which has been already printed under a + wrong date. See above, p. 21. + + * * * * * + + _Powers of the Swedish Ambassador to treat._ + + Translation. + +Gustavus, by the Grace of God, King of Sweden, of the Goths and +Vandals, &c. &c. &c. Heir of Norway, Duke of Sleswick-Holstein, of +Stormaria, and of Ditmarsen, Count of Oldenburgh and of Delmenhorst, +&c. &c. makes known, that the United States of North America, viz. New +Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New +Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on +the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and +Georgia, having obtained the fruit of their courage and constancy, and +their Independence being duly and solidly acknowledged and +established; We, in consequence of our desire to concur with them in +the establishment of certain fixed rules, by which a reciprocal and +advantageous commerce may be carried on between Sweden and North +America, which may be permanent between the two nations, have +nominated, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do +nominate, constitute, and appoint our very dear and well beloved Count +Gustavus Philip de Creutz, our Ambassador Extraordinary at the Court +of France, Knight and Commander of our Orders, and we give him full +powers to confer with whomsoever the United States shall have +furnished with their powers in due form, to agree on, conclude, and +sign such Treaty of Amity and Commerce between us and the said United +States, as shall be reciprocally advantageous to our subjects, +promising, on our word of a King, to agree to everything that our said +Ambassador shall stipulate, promise, and sign in virtue of the present +power, as likewise to make out the ratifications in proper form, and +to deliver them to be exchanged at such time as shall be agreed on by +the treaty so to do. In faith of which, we have signed these presents +with our own hand, and have caused our royal seal to be thereunto +affixed. + + GUSTAVUS. + COUNT ULR. SCHEFFER. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, January 2d, 1783. + + Sir, + +I was honored with your letters by the Danae. I congratulate you upon +the promising state of our negotiations, since peace begins to be no +less desirable here than elsewhere. + +But I will not enter into that subject at present, as I mean to write +very fully both to Mr Jay and you by Mr Jefferson, who will sail in +company with this frigate in the Romulus, a ship of fortyfour guns. +Lest, however, any accident should happen to prevent his arriving so +soon as the Emerald, I enclose a resolution of Congress, which was +suggested by the proposition you mention to have been made to Mr +Oswald, on the subject of commerce. For my own part, I presume that it +is already included in your propositions, but as we have yet been +favored only with that short note of them, which has been transmitted +by you, we can form no accurate judgment on the subject. You can +hardly conceive the embarrassments that the want of more minute +details subjects us to. + +You will learn from the Count de Rochambeau, that the French army +sailed the 24th ult. Perhaps it were to be wished that they had +remained here, at least till New York and Charleston were evacuated, +or rather till the peace. Congress have, however, given them a good +word at parting, as you will see by the enclosed resolves. Not being +consulted, they could interpose no objections to their departure, +though they were not without many reasons for wishing to detain them. + +Our finances are still in great distress. If the war continues, a +foreign loan in addition to those already received will be essential. +A plan for ascertaining what shall be called contingent expenses, is +under the consideration of Congress, as well as the objections you +have stated with respect to the mode of paying your salaries, which +will, I believe, be altered. The allowance to Mr Franklin has been +confirmed, and your moderation and his upon this point have done you +both honor in the opinion of Congress. + + I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, January 6th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have before me your letters of the 25th and 29th of June, 12th of +August, 3d and 26th of September, and 14th of October last. Several +matters contained in them have already been answered, and some others +I am unable to reply to, till Congress have decided on such +propositions as I have submitted to their consideration. + +The convention relative to consuls has been objected to by Mr Barclay, +on account of its prohibiting the consuls from trading. As the funds +of Congress leave them no means of affording an adequate support to +persons who are qualified, they fear, that the only inducement to +accept the appointment will be taken away by this prohibition. Mr +Barclay's letter on that subject is under consideration. + +I see the force of your objections to soliciting the additional twelve +millions, and I feel very sensibly the weight of our obligations to +France, but every sentiment of this kind must give way to our +necessities. It is not for the interest of our allies to lose the +benefit of all they have done, by refusing to make a small addition to +it, or at least to see the return that our commerce will make them +suspended by new convulsions in this country. The army have chosen +committees; a very respectable one is now with Congress. They demand +with importunity their arrears of pay. The treasury is empty, and no +adequate means of filling it presents itself. The people pant for +peace; should contributions be exacted, as they have heretofore been, +at the point of the sword, the consequences may be more dreadful than +is at present apprehended. I do not pretend to justify the negligence +of the States in not providing greater supplies. Some of them might do +more than they have done; none of them all that is required. It is my +duty to confide to you, that if the war is continued in this country, +it must be in a great measure at the expense of France. If peace is +made, a loan will be absolutely necessary to enable us to discharge +the army, that will not easily separate without pay. I am sorry that +neither Mr Jay nor you sent the propositions at large, as you have +made them, since we differ in opinion about the construction to be put +on your commercial article, as you will find by a resolution enclosed +in my letter. + +I wish the concession made of our trade may be on conditions of +similar privileges on the part of Great Britain. You will see that +without this precaution, every ally that we have, that is to be +treated as the most favored nation, may be entitled to the same +privileges, even though they do not purchase them by a reciprocal +grant. + +As to confiscated property, it is at present in such a state, that the +restoration of it is impossible. English debts have not, that I know +of, been forfeited, unless it be in one State, and I should be +extremely sorry to see so little integrity in my countrymen, as to +render the idea of withholding them a general one; however, it would +be well to say nothing about them, if it can conveniently be done. + +I am more and more convinced, that every means in your power must be +used to secure the fisheries. They are essential to some States, and +we cannot but hate the nation, that keeps us from using this common +favor of Providence. It was one of the direct objects for carrying on +the war. While I am upon this subject, I cannot but express my hope, +that every means will be used to guard against any mistrusts or +jealousies between you and France. The United States have shown their +confidence in her by their instructions. She has repeatedly promised +to procure for us _all we ask_, as far as it lies in her power. Let +our conduct leave her without apology, if she acts otherwise, which I +am far from suspecting. + +With respect to the seamen you mention, I wish if any further order is +necessary, than that which Mr Barclay already has, that you would give +it so far as to enable him to state their accounts, and transmit them +to Mr Morris. As the treaty with Holland is concluded, I hope you have +made some progress in that with Sweden, a plan of which has been +transmitted; another copy will go by Mr Jefferson. + +I am glad to find you have some prospect of obtaining what is due on +the Bon Homme Richard's prize money. That matter has been much spoken +of, and occasioned some reflection, as it is alleged that M. Chaumont +was imposed on the officers as their agent by the Court, and of course +that they should be answerable for his conduct, which certainly has +been very exceptionable. + +Congress have come to no determination, as to the size or expense of +the pillar they propose to erect at Yorktown. What I wished of you was +to send me one or two plans, with estimates of the expense, in order +to take their sense thereon. + +As to the designs of Spain, they are pretty well known, and Mr Jay and +Congress concur so exactly in sentiment with respect to them, that I +hope we have now nothing to fear from that quarter. + +Congress have it now under consideration to determine what should be +allowed as contingent expenses. I believe house-rent will not be +allowed as such. I mentioned in my last what respected your grandson, +to which I have nothing to add. I agree with you in sentiment, that +your salaries should not depend on the fluctuations of the exchange, +and have submitted that part of your letter to Congress. I believe +they will direct a stated sum to be paid. Waiting for this +determination, I am prevented from drawing bills at this time. As to +the money received from me, you will be pleased to replace with it the +two quarters' salary you had drawn before it came to hand. You will +have bills for a third quarter, which have been sent on some time +since. + +Several important political events have taken place here lately. The +evacuation of Charleston, the sailing of the French fleet and the +army, the decision of the great cause between Connecticut and +Pennsylvania, in favor of the latter, the state of the army, &c., all +of which I should enlarge upon, if this was not to be delivered by Mr +Jefferson, who will be able to inform you fully on these points and +many others, that you will deem important to a right knowledge of the +present state of this country.[12] + +I enclose a state of the trade between these States and the West +Indies, as brought in by a Committee of Congress, and referred to me. +It may possibly afford you some hints, and will serve to show how +earnestly we wish to have this market opened to us. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [12] Mr Jefferson did not go, as was here expected. See his reasons + in his _Memoir, Correspondence, &c._ Vol. I. p. 41. + + * * * * * + + TO RICHARD OSWALD. + + Passy, January 14th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I am much obliged by your information of your intended trip to +England; I heartily wish you a good journey, and a speedy return, and +request your kind care of a packet for Mr Hodgson. + +I enclose two papers, that were read at different times by me to the +Commissioners; they may serve to show, if you should have occasion, +what was urged on the part of America on certain points; or may help +to refresh your memory. I send you also another paper, which I once +read to you separately. It contains a proposition for improving the +law of nations, by prohibiting the plundering of unarmed and usefully +employed people. I rather wish than expect, that it will be adopted. +But I think it may be offered with a better grace by a country, that +is likely to suffer least and gain most by continuing the ancient +practice; which is our case, as the American ships, laden only with +the gross productions of the earth, cannot be so valuable as yours, +filled with sugars or with manufactures. It has not yet been +considered by my colleagues, but if you should think or find that it +might be acceptable on your side, I would try to get it inserted in +the general treaty. I think it will do honor to the nations that +establish it. + +With great and sincere esteem, I am, Sir, your most obedient and most +humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + _Propositions relative to Privateering, communicated to Mr + Oswald._ + +It is for the interest of humanity in general, that the occasions of +war, and the inducements to it should be diminished. + +If rapine is abolished, one of the encouragements to war is taken +away, and peace therefore more likely to continue and be lasting. + +The practice of robbing merchants on the high seas, a remnant of the +ancient piracy, though it may be accidentally beneficial to particular +persons, is far from being profitable to all engaged in it, or to the +nation that authorises it. In the beginning of a war, some rich ships, +not upon their guard, are surprised and taken. This encourages the +first adventurers to fit out more armed vessels, and many others to do +the same. But the enemy at the same time become more careful, arm +their merchant ships better, and render them not so easy to be taken; +they go also more under protection of convoys; thus while the +privateers to take them are multiplied, the vessels subject to be +taken, and the chances of profit, are diminished, so that many cruises +are made, wherein the expenses overgo the gains; and as is the case in +other lotteries, though particulars have got prizes, the mass of +adventurers are losers, the whole expense of fitting out all the +privateers, during a war, being much greater than the whole amount of +goods taken. Then there is the national loss of all the labor of so +many men during the time they have been employed in robbing; who +besides spend what they get in riot, drunkenness, and debauchery, lose +their habits of industry, are rarely fit for any sober business after +a peace, and serve only to increase the number of highwaymen and +housebreakers. Even the undertakers, who have been fortunate, are by +sudden wealth led into expensive living, the habit of which continues +when the means of supporting it ceases, and finally ruins them; a just +punishment for their having wantonly and unfeelingly ruined many +honest innocent traders and their families, whose subsistence was +employed in serving the common interests of mankind. + +Should it be agreed and become a part of the law of nations, that the +cultivators of the earth are not to be molested or interrupted in +their peaceable and useful employment, the inhabitants of the sugar +islands would perhaps come under the protection of such a regulation, +which would be a great advantage to the nations who at present hold +those islands, since the cost of sugar to the consumer in those +nations, consists not merely in the price he pays for it by the pound, +but in the accumulated charge of all the taxes he pays in every war, +to fit out fleets and maintain troops for the defence of the islands +that raise the sugar, and the ships that bring it home. But the +expense of treasure is not all. A celebrated philosophical writer +remarks, that when he considered the wars made in Africa, for +prisoners to raise sugars in America, the numbers slain in those wars, +the numbers that, being crowded in ships, perish in the +transportation, and the numbers that die under the severities of +slavery, he could scarce look on a morsel of sugar without conceiving +it spotted with human blood. If he had considered also the blood of +one another, which the white nations shed in fighting for those +islands, he would have imagined his sugar not as spotted only, but as +thoroughly dyed red. On these accounts I am persuaded, that the +subjects of the Emperor of Germany, and the Empress of Russia, who +have no sugar islands, consume sugar cheaper at Vienna, and Moscow, +with all the charge of transporting it after its arrival in Europe, +than the citizens of London or of Paris. And I sincerely believe, that +if France and England were to decide, by throwing dice, which should +have the whole of their sugar islands, the loser in the throw would be +the gainer. The future expense of defending them would be saved; the +sugars would be bought cheaper by all Europe, if the inhabitants might +make it without interruption, and whoever imported the sugar, the same +revenue might be raised by duties at the custom houses of the nation +that consumed it. And, on the whole, I conceive it would be better for +the nations now possessing sugar colonies to give up their claim to +them, let them govern themselves, and put them under the protection of +all the powers of Europe as neutral countries, open to the commerce of +all, the profits of the present monopolies being by no means +equivalent to the expense of maintaining them. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, January 18th, 1783. + + Sir, + +It is essential that I should have the honor of conferring with you, +Mr Adams, and your other colleagues, who are in Paris. I therefore +pray you to invite these gentlemen to come out to Versailles with you +on Monday, before ten o'clock in the morning. It will be well, also, +if you will bring your grandson. It will be necessary for much +writing and translating from English into French to be done. The +object for which I ask this interview is very interesting to the +United States. + + I have the honor to be, Sir, + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, January 18th, 1783. + + Sir, + +Agreeably to the notice just received from your Excellency, I shall +acquaint Mr Adams with your desire to see us on Monday before ten +o'clock, at Versailles; and we shall endeavor to be punctual. My other +colleagues are absent; Mr Laurens being gone to Bath, in England, to +recover his health, and Mr Jay into Normandy. I shall bring my +grandson, as you direct. + +With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + BENJAMIN VAUGHAN TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, January 18th, 1783. + + My Dearest Sir, + +I cannot but in the most earnest manner, and from recent +circumstances, press your going early to Versailles tomorrow; and I +have considerable reason to think, that your appearance there will not +displease the person whom you address. I am of opinion, that it is +very likely that you will have the glory of having concluded the peace +by this visit; at least I am sure, if the deliberations of tomorrow +evening end unfavorably, that there is the strongest appearance of +war; if they end favorably, perhaps little difficulty may attend the +rest. + +After all, the peace will have as much that is conceded in it, as +England can in any shape be made just now to relish, owing to the +stubborn demands, principally of Spain, who would not, I believe, upon +any motive recede from her conquests. What I wrote about Gibraltar +arrived after the subject, as I understand, was canvassed, and when it +of course must have appeared impolitic eagerly and immediately to +revive it. + +You reproved me, or rather reproved a political scheme yesterday, of +which I have heard more said favorably by your friends at Paris, than +by any persons whatever in London. But do you, my dear Sir, make this +peace, and trust our common sense respecting another war. England, +said a man of sense to me the other day, will come out of the war like +a convalescent out of disease, and must be re-established by some +physic and much regimen. I cannot easily tell in what shape a +bankruptcy would come upon England, and still less easily in what mode +and degree it would affect us; but if your confederacy mean to +bankrupt us now, I am sure we shall lose the great fear that would +deter us from another war. Your allies, therefore, for policy and for +humanity's sake, will, I hope, stop short of this extremity; +especially as we should do some mischief to others, as well as to +ourselves. + +I am, my dearest Sir, your devoted, ever affectionate, and ever +obliged, + + B. VAUGHAN. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Passy, January 19th, 1783. + + Sir, + +Late last night I received a note from Count de Vergennes, acquainting +me that it is very essential he should have a conference with us, and +requesting that I would inform my colleagues. He desires that we may +be with him before ten on Monday morning. If it will suit you to call +here, we may go together in my carriage. We should be on the road by +eight o'clock. + +With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, January 21st, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have just received your letters of November 9th and December 3d. +This is to inform you, and to request you to inform the Congress, that +the preliminaries of peace between France, Spain, and England, were +yesterday signed, and a cessation of arms agreed to by the Ministers +of those powers, and by us in behalf of the United States, of which +act, so far as relates to us, I enclose a copy. I have not yet +obtained a copy of the preliminaries agreed to by the three Crowns, +but hear, in general, that they are very advantageous to France and +Spain. I shall be able, in a day or two, to write more fully and +perfectly. Holland was not ready to sign preliminaries, but their +principal points are settled. Mr Laurens is absent at Bath, and Mr Jay +in Normandy, for their healths, but will both be here to assist in +forming the Definitive Treaty. I congratulate you and our country on +the happy prospects afforded us by the finishing so speedily this +glorious Revolution, and am, with great esteem, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + JOHN JAY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, January 26th, 1783. + + Sir, + +It having been suspected, that I concurred in the appointment of your +grandson to the place of Secretary to the American commission for +peace _at your instance_, I think it right, thus unsolicited, to put +it in your power to correct the mistake. + +Your general character, the opinion I had long entertained of your +services to our country, and the friendly attention and aid with which +you had constantly favored me after my arrival in Spain, impressed me +with a desire of manifesting both my esteem and attachment by stronger +evidence than professions. That desire extended my regard for you to +your grandson. He was then indeed a stranger to me, but the terms in +which you expressed to Congress your opinion of his being qualified +for another place of equal importance, were so full and satisfactory, +as to leave me no room to doubt of his being qualified for the one +above mentioned. I was, therefore, happy to assure you, in one of the +first letters I afterwards wrote you from Spain, that in case a +Secretary to our commission for peace should become necessary, and the +appointment be left to us, I should take that opportunity of evincing +my regard for you, by nominating him, or words to that effect. What I +then wrote, was the spontaneous suggestion of my own mind, +unsolicited, and I believe unexpected by you. + +When I came here on the business of that commission, I brought with me +the same intentions, and should always have considered myself engaged +by honor, as well as inclination, to fulfil them, unless I had found +myself mistaken in the opinion I had imbibed of that young gentleman's +character and qualifications; but that not being the case, I found +myself at liberty to indulge my wishes, and be as good as my word. For +I expressly declare, that your grandson is, in my opinion, qualified +for the place in question, and that, if he had not been, no +consideration would have prevailed upon me to propose, or join in his +appointment. + +This explicit and unreserved statement of facts is due to you, to him, +and to justice, and you have my consent to make any use of it that you +may think proper. + + I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect, + JOHN JAY. + + * * * * * + + FROM M. ROSENCRONE, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN DENMARK, + TO M. DE WALTERSTORFF. + + Translation. + + Copenhagen, February 22d, 1783. + + Sir, + +As I know you are on the point of making a tour to France, I cannot +omit warmly recommending to you to endeavor, during your stay at +Paris, to gain as much as possible, the confidence and esteem of Mr +Franklin. + +You will recollect, Sir, what I said to you in our conversations, of +the high respect which all the King's Ministry have for that Minister. +You have witnessed the satisfaction with which we have learned the +glorious issue of this war for the United States of America, and how +fully we are persuaded, that it will be for the general interest of +the two States to form, as soon as possible, reciprocal connexions of +friendship and commerce. Nothing, certainly, would be more agreeable +to us, than to learn by your letters, that you find the same +dispositions in Mr Franklin, and in that case it seems to me the +shortest way of accelerating these new connexions would be to take the +treaty between the Congress and the States-General for the basis, and +that Mr Franklin should communicate to us his ideas on the changes or +additions which he might think reciprocally useful in the treaty of +commerce, which Congress might conclude with us. + +We should eagerly and frankly reply to such overtures; and, as soon as +the changes thus agreed on shall have met the approbation of Congress, +one of the persons commissioned by that body, then in Europe, might, +in order to gain time, come here with full powers to conclude, leaving +on both sides the most particular stipulations for the negotiations of +the Ministers which those States shall, in the sequel, send to reside +with each other. + +I shall finish, Sir, with hoping that you may happily terminate the +visits you have proposed to make to the different parts of France; and +it is with sentiments of the most distinguished respect, that + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + ROSENCRONE. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, March 7th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I but this moment hear of this opportunity, by which I can only send +you a line to acquaint you, that I have concluded the treaty with +Sweden, which was signed on Wednesday last. You will have a copy by +the first good opportunity. It differs very little from the plan sent +me; in nothing material.[13] The English Court is in confusion by +another change of Ministry, Lord Shelburne and his friends having +resigned; but it is not yet certainly known who will succeed, though +Lord North and Mr Fox are talked of as two, they being reconciled!! I +cannot add, but that I am, with great esteem, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ The change in the Ministry is not supposed of any importance +respecting our definitive treaty, which must conform to the +preliminaries; but we shall see. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [13] This treaty is printed in the public _Journals of Congress_, + Vol. IV. p. 241, under the date of July 29th, 1783. + + * * * * * + + DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + London, March 12th, 1783. + + My Dear Friend, + +It is a long while since I have heard from you, or indeed since I +wrote to you. I heartily congratulate you on those pacific events, +which have already happened, and I wish to see all other final steps +of conciliation succeed speedily. I send you copies of two papers, +which I have already communicated to Mr Laurens; the one called +_Conciliatory Propositions, in March, 1783_; the other _A Sketch of a +Provisional Treaty of Commerce for opening the Ports between Great +Britain and the United States of America without Delay_; to each of +which is prefixed a short state of the argument on each head. + +As for the news of this country, you have doubtless heard, that Lord +Shelburne's administration has for some time been considered as at an +end; although no other has been as yet substituted in the place of it. +It was understood yesterday, and I believe with good foundation, that +what is now called the Portland party have been applied to, and they +are now considered as the party most likely to succeed. As far as my +wishes go, such an event would be most satisfactory to me. I have +known the Duke of Portland for many years, and by experience I know +him to be a nobleman of the strictest honor, and of the soundest whig +principles, sincere and explicit in every thought and transaction, +manly in his judgment, and firm in his conduct. The kingdom of +Ireland, of which he was lately Lord Lieutenant, bears unanimous +testimony to this character of him. The Cavendish family, (a good whig +name) Mr Fox, Lord Fitzwilliam, &c. &c. form the core of his system +and connexions. I most earnestly wish to see a firm administration +upon a whig foundation, which I should consider as a solid basis, on +the part of this country, for a perpetual correspondence of amity and +conciliation with America. I am very anxious to hear of your health. +God bless you. + + Ever your most affectionate, + + D. HARTLEY. + + * * * * * + + _Conciliatory Propositions, March, 1783._ + +Terms of peace having been agreed upon between Great Britain and +France, on the 20th of January, 1783, there need not be any further +delay in proceeding to conclude the proposed treaty between Great +Britain and the United States of America, upon the basis of the +provisional articles of the 30th of November, 1782. + +It is to be observed, that none of the articles of the provisional +treaty are to take effect, until the conclusion of the definitive +treaty with America, at which time likewise all places in the American +States, in possession of the British arms, are to be evacuated, and +the British army withdrawn from the United States (by article 7.) If +therefore it should be wished on the part of Great Britain to bring +forward the fifth article respecting the loyalists, before the +conclusion of the definitive treaty with America, the bayonet should +be withdrawn from the American breast, by the voluntary removal of the +British troops with all convenient despatch. This condition of the +removal of the troops is likewise necessary, before any provisional +terms of commerce with America can take place. + +By the 6th article of the provisional treaty, all future confiscations +in America are precluded, although the prosecutions at present +subsisting are not to be stopped before the definitive treaty. But if +the substantial pledge of returning amity on the part of Great +Britain, viz. the removal of the troops should be voluntarily +anticipated, it would be but reasonable that all prosecutions should +be immediately abated on the part of America; and to facilitate the +removal of the troops, the loyalists may be permitted to remain in +safety and unmolested, (if they choose to remain) from the period of +removing the troops, until twelve months after the definitive treaty. + +There is another article of the provisional treaty, the delay of which +is much to be lamented, viz. the mutual release of prisoners of war on +both sides. As this is an article of reciprocity, both sides from +principles of humanity are equally interested to bring it forward into +effect speedily, that those unhappy captives may not alone suffer the +miseries of war in the time of peace. + +Upon these considerations, the following supplemental terms of a +treaty between Great Britain and the United States are proposed. + +1. That the British troops shall be withdrawn with all convenient +speed. + +2. That the commissioners on both sides do proceed to the conclusion +of the definitive treaty. + +3. That the commissioners do speedily negotiate a provisional +convention of commerce (hereunto annexed) to take place immediately. +The terms of this temporary convention, not to be pleaded on either +side in the negotiation of final and perpetual treaty of commerce, +between Great Britain and the United States. + +4. That the commissioners do negotiate a perpetual treaty of commerce. + +5. That all prosecutions of the loyalists in America be immediately +abated, and that they be permitted to remain until twelve months after +the definitive treaty, unmolested in their endeavors to obtain +restitution of their estates. + +6. That all prisoners on both sides be immediately released. + +7. That intercourse of amity and commerce do immediately take place +between Great Britain and the United States of America. + + * * * * * + + _Sketch of a Provisional Treaty of Commerce._ + +As soon as preliminaries of peace are signed with any independent +States, such as Spain, France, and Holland, the course of mutual +commerce emerges upon the same terms and conditions as were existing +antecedent to the war, the new duties imposed during the war excepted. +The case between Great Britain and America is different, because +America, from a dependent nation before the war, emerges an +independent nation after the war. The basis, therefore, of a +provisional treaty between Great Britain and the United States would +be simply to arrange such points as would emerge after the war, +impracticable and discordant to the newly established independence of +the American States, and to leave all others, as much as possible, +untouched. For instance, that all instrumental regulations, such as +papers, bonds, certificates, oaths, and all other documents should be, +between Great Britain and the United States, upon the same footing, +and no other than as between Great Britain and any other independent +nation, but that all duties, drawbacks, bounties, rights, privileges, +and all pecuniary considerations, should emerge into action and effect +as before. I say emerge as before, not stipulated for any fixed term, +because I am speaking of a provisional _treaty_, not of a provisional +_bill_ of commerce, for a specified period. By this means, all +difficulties, which otherwise would be accumulated, and obstruct a +temporary and provisional act are avoided _in limine_. The ports will +be immediately opened, upon specified and known conditions. If the +legislature of either country thinks proper to introduce on its own +part any new conditions or regulations, even previous to the intended +treaty of commerce, that will not shut the ports again generally but +only operate _pro tanto_ according to the case; on which side soever +any novel condition should arise, the other will likewise be at +liberty to make any corresponding regulations as between independent +nations. The great object is to open the ports between Great Britain +and the United States, immediately on the signature of preliminaries +of peace, as between France and Great Britain. By the proposition +above stated, Great Britain and France, and Great Britain and the +United States respectively, on the subject of intercourse of commerce, +would emerge again after the war into situations relatively similar to +their situation before the war. + +The Crown of Great Britain is enabled by the Conciliatory Act of 1782 +to repeal, annul, make void, or suspend, for any time or times, the +operation and effect of any act of Parliament, or any clause, +provision, matter, or thing therein contained, relating to the +colonies or plantations now become the United States of America; and, +therefore, the crown is not only competent to conclude, but likewise +to carry into effect any provisional treaty of commerce with America. +The first foundation must be laid in the total repeal of the +Prohibitory Act of December, 1775, not only as prohibiting commerce +between Great Britain and the United States, but as the corner stone +of the war; by giving up universally all American property at sea to +military plunder, without any redress to be obtained by law in any +British Court of Admiralty. After this, all obstructions from the act +of navigation and other acts regulating the commerce of the States of +America (formerly dependent upon Great Britain,) may be removed. +Instructions may be sent to the Commissioners of the customs to +dispense with bonds, certificates, &c. which by the old laws are +required to be discharged or attested by supposed governors, naval or +customhouse officers in America. The questions of drawbacks, bounties, +&c. after opening the ports, may remain free points of discussion and +regulation, as between States having no commercial treaty subsisting +between them. As the Crown is competent to open an intercourse of +commerce with America by treaty, this mode is preferable to any act of +Parliament, which may be only a jealous and suspicious convention _ex +parte_. This mode by treaty avoids the accumulated difficulties, which +might otherwise obstruct the first opening of the ports by act of +Parliament, and above all, it secures an alternate binding part of the +bargain, which no act of Parliament can do. + +Breviate of the treaty, viz. Provisional for intercourse and commerce +between Great Britain and the United States of America. + +1. That all ports shall be mutually open for intercourse and commerce. + +2. And therefore the King of Great Britain agrees to the repeal of the +prohibitory acts, viz. 16 Geo. 3, chap. 5, &c. The King of Great +Britain likewise agrees by instructions, according to the laws of +Great Britain, to his Commissioners of customs and other officers, to +remove all obstructions to American ships either entering inwards or +clearing outwards, which may arise from any acts of Parliament +heretofore regulating the commerce of the American States, under the +description of British colonies or plantations, so as to accommodate +every circumstance to the reception of their ships, as the ships of +independent States. + +3. All duties, drawbacks, bounties, rights, privileges, and all other +money considerations shall remain, respecting the United States of +America, upon the same footing as they now remain respecting the +province of Nova Scotia in America, or as if the aforesaid States had +remained dependent upon Great Britain. All this subject to regulations +or alterations by any future acts of the Parliament of Great Britain. + +4. On the part of the States of America, it is agreed that all laws +prohibiting the commerce of Great Britain shall be repealed. + +5. Agreed upon the same part, that all ships, and merchandise of the +British dominions shall be admitted upon the same terms as before the +war, except any imposts laid during the war. All this subject to +future regulations or alterations by the legislatures of the American +States respectively. + +6. The principles and spirit of this treaty to be supported on either +side by any necessary supplemental arrangements. No tacit compliance +on the part of America in any subordinate points to be argued at any +time hereafter to the prejudice of their independence. + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, March 23d, 1783. + + Dear Sir, + +I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me, +requesting a recommendation to America, of Mr Joshua Grigby. I have +accordingly written one, and having an opportunity the other day, I +sent it under cover to Mr Benjamin Vaughan. The general proclamations +you wished for suspending, or rather putting an end to hostilities, +are now published; so that your "heart is at rest," and mine with it. +You may depend on my joining my hearty endeavors with yours, in +"cultivating conciliatory principles between our two countries;" and I +may venture to assure you, that if your bill for a provisional +establishment of the commerce had passed as at first proposed, a +stipulation on our part in the definitive treaty, to allow reciprocal +and equal advantages and privileges to your subjects, would have been +readily agreed to. + + With great and sincere esteem, I am ever, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, March 26th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I need hardly tell you, that the intelligence brought by the +Washington diffused a general pleasure. We had long been in suspense +with respect to the negotiations, and had received no other lights on +that subject, than those the speech of his Britannic Majesty and Mr +Townshend's letters threw upon it. These were by no means sufficient +to dissipate all our apprehensions. + +The terms you have obtained for us comprise most of the objects we +wish for. I am sorry, however, that you found it necessary to act with +reserve, and to conceal your measures from the Court of France. I am +fearful that you will not be able to produce such facts, as will +justify this conduct to the world, or free us from the charge of +ingratitude to a friend, who has treated us not only justly but +generously. + +But this is a disagreeable subject, and I refer you for my sentiments, +and those of Congress, to my letter, in answer to the joint letter +from our Ministers. I am sorry that the commercial article is stricken +out; it would have been very important to us to have got footing at +least in the British West Indies, as a means of compelling France to +pursue her true interest and ours, by opening her ports also to us. + +We have just learned by a vessel from Cadiz, that the preliminary +articles for a general peace were signed the 20th. The abstract of the +treaty sent me by the Marquis de Lafayette, does the highest honor to +the moderation and wisdom of France. Never has she terminated a war +with more glory, and in gaining nothing but that trophy of victory, +Tobago, she has established a character, which confirms her friends, +disarms her enemies, and obtains a reputation that is of more value +than any territorial acquisitions she could make. + +We have been in great distress with respect to our army. Pains were +taken to inflame their minds, and make them uneasy at the idea of a +peace, which left them without support. Inflammatory papers were +dispersed in camp, calling them together to determine upon some mad +action. The general interposed, postponed the meeting to a future day, +on which he met them, and made them an address, that will do him more +honor than his victories. After which they passed several resolves, +becoming a patriot army. Congress are seriously engaged in endeavoring +to do them justice. I am in great hopes, that we shall shortly be +brought back to such a situation, as to be enabled to enjoy the +blessings you have laid the foundation of. + +I received from Mr Franklin the papers relative to the Portuguese +vessel, which I have caused to be laid before the Court of Appeals, +where the cause is now depending. The cargo having been condemned, and +the yacht acquitted at Boston, I doubt not but full justice will be +done to the proprietors on the rehearing. You know so much of our +constitution as to see, that it is impossible to interfere further in +these matters, than by putting the evidence in a proper train to be +examined. I have had the proceedings in the case of the brig +Providentia transmitted to me from Boston, with a full state of the +evidence, which I have examined. The cargo is condemned and the vessel +acquitted, an allowance for freight having been made by the court. The +evidence does not admit a doubt of the justice of this decree. Should +the Court of Denmark not be satisfied with this account, I will cause +a copy of the proceedings to be transmitted to you for their +satisfaction. I hope this mark of attention to them will induce them +to acknowledge the injustice they have done us, in the detention of +our prizes. This object should not be lost sight of. + +I thank you for your present of M. d'Auberteuil's Essay, and shall +dispose of the copies he has sent in the way you recommend. I could +hardly have believed it possible, that so many errors and falsehoods, +that would shock the strongest faith on this side of the water, could +be received as orthodox on the other. + +I remit bills for the salaries of our Ministers. It is impossible, +that I can adjust their accounts here; you must settle with them, and +they repay you out of the drafts I have made in their favor when they +have been overpaid. Congress have, in pursuance of your sentiment, in +your letter of October, passed the enclosed resolution.[14] So that +on the quarter's salary due in April, there will be a deduction of all +you gained by the course of exchange; and the payments will be reduced +to par, at which rate they will always be paid in future. This +deduction amounts on your salary to eight thousand three hundred and +thirtysix livres, as will appear from the account that will be stated +by Mr Morris. I shall pay your bills into the hands of Mr Robert +Morris, whom you have constituted your agent. The bills for the other +gentlemen, who may not be with you, are committed to your care. As the +bills are drawn in their favor, they can only be paid on their +endorsement. + +Congress will, I believe, agree very reluctantly to let you quit their +service. The subject, together with Mr Adams's and Mr Laurens's +resignation, is under the consideration of a committee. If they report +before this vessel sails, you shall know their determination. + +On the arrival of the Triumph from Cadiz, which brought orders for +recalling the cruisers of his Britannic Majesty, Congress passed the +enclosed resolution, which I transmitted with the intelligence we had +received to Carleton and Digby. I sent my Secretary with my letters, +and expect him back this evening. I am anxious to know how the first +messenger of peace has been received by them, as well as to discover +through him what steps they propose to take for the evacuation. + +I ought to thank you for your journal before I conclude. The perusal +of it afforded me great pleasure. I must pray you to continue it. I +much wish to have every step, which led to so interesting an event as +the treaty, which established our Independence. And though both Mr Jay +and Mr Adams are minute in their journals, for which I am much obliged +to them, yet new light may be thrown on the subject by you, who, +having been longer acquainted with the Courts both of London and +Versailles, have the means of more information relative to their +principles and measures. + + I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [14] _March 7th, 1783._ "Resolved, that the salaries of the Ministers + and other officers of the United States in Europe be estimated in + future in dollars, at the rate of four shillings and sixpence sterling + per dollar. + + "That they be paid in bills of exchange upon France or Holland, at the + rate of five livres five sous turnois per dollar, without regard to + the variations, which may be occasioned by the course of exchange." + + * * * * * + + FROM THE CITY OF HAMBURG TO CONGRESS.[15] + + Translation. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [15] The original of this singular paper is not preserved, and the + translation is here given, as found in Dr Franklin's public + correspondence. + + March 29th, 1783. + + Right Noble, High, Mighty, Most Honorable Lords, + +Since, by the preliminary articles of peace, concluded lately between +the high belligerent powers, the illustrious United States of North +America have been acknowledged free, sovereign, and independent, and +now since European powers are courting in rivalry the friendship of +your High Mightinesses, + +We, impressed with the most lively sensations on the illustrious +event, the wonder of this, and the most remote future ages, and +desirous fully to testify the part which we take therein, do hereby +offer your High Mightinesses our service and attachment to the cause. + +And in the most sincere disposition of heart, we take the honor to +wish, so as from Omnipotent Providence we do pray, that the most +illustrious republic of the United States of America may, during the +remotest centuries, enjoy all imaginable advantages to be derived from +that sovereignty, which they gained by prudence and courage. + +That, by the wisdom and active patriotism of your illustrious +Congress, it may forever flourish and increase, and that the High and +Mighty Regents of those free United States may, with ease and in +abundance, enjoy all manner of temporal happiness; and at the same +time we most obsequiously recommend our city to a perpetual friendly +intelligence, and her trade and navigation in matters reciprocally +advantageous to your favor and countenance. + +In order to show that such mutual commerce with the merchant houses of +this place may undoubtedly be of common benefit, your High +Mightinesses will be pleased to give us leave to mark out some +advantages of this trading city. + +Here reigns a free unrestrained republican commerce, charged with but +few duties. + +Hamburg's situation upon the river Elbe is, as if it were in the +centre of the Baltic and the North Sea, and as canals are cut from the +river through the city, goods may be brought in ships to the magazines +in town, and from thence again to all parts of the world. + +Hamburg carries on its trade with economy. It is the mart of goods of +all countries, where they can be purchased not only of good quality, +but sometimes cheaper than at first hand. + +Here linen, woollen goods, calicoes, glass, copper and all other +numerous produce of manufactured wares of the whole German Empire, are +brought in by Portuguese, Spaniards, the English, Dutch, French, and +other nations, and from hence further transported. In exchange +whereof, considerable quantities of North American goods, much wanted +in Germany, may be taken. + +M. Penet, who in your country is honored with several offices, has +sojourned here for some time, and with all who had the honor of his +acquaintance, borne the character of an intelligent, skilful, and for +reciprocally advantageous commerce, a well disposed and zealous man, +will certainly have the complaisance to give your High Mightinesses +further explanation of the advantages of this trading place, which we +have but briefly touched upon. + +We now intercessionally and most obsequiously request your High +Mightinesses to favor and countenance the trade of our merchants, and +to suffer them to enjoy all such rights and liberties as you allow to +merchants of nations in amity; which in gratitude and with zeal we +will in our place endeavor to retribute, not doubting that such mutual +intercourse may be effected, since a good beginning thereof is already +made on both sides, by the friendly reception of the vessels that have +arrived in either country. + +In further testimony of our most attentive obsequiousness and sincere +attachment, we have deputed our citizen, John Abraham de Boor, who is +charged with the concerns of a considerable merchant house, which, +like several other merchant houses of good report and solidity in this +city, is desirous of entering with merchants of your country into +reciprocal commerce. He is to have the honor to present to your High +Mightinesses this our most obsequious missive; wherefore we most +earnestly recommend him to your favorable reception. He has it from us +in express charge, most respectfully to give your High Mightinesses, +if required, such upright and accurate accounts of our situation and +constitutions, as may be depended upon, and at the same time in person +to testify the assurance of the most perfect respect and attachment, +with which attentively we remain, Right Noble, High, Mighty, and most +honorable Lords, your most obsequious and devoted Burgomaster and +Senate of the Imperial free City of Hamburg. + +Given under our City Seal, the 29th of March, 1783. + + * * * * * + + DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + London, March 31st, 1783. + + My dear Friend, + +I send you a paper entitled _Supplemental Treaty_, the substance of +which I sent you some time ago, as I read it in part of a speech in +the House of Commons. I have given a copy of it to Mr L., as the +grounds upon which my friend, the Duke of Portland, would have wished +that any administration, in which he might have taken a part, should +have treated with the American Ministers. All negotiations for the +formation of a Ministry in concert with the Duke of Portland are at an +end. + +The tenth article, which is supposed to be referred to the definitive +treaty, is a renewal of the same proposition, which I moved in +Parliament some years ago, viz. on the 9th of April, 1778. I see +nothing inconsistent with that proposition, either in the declaration +of independence or in the treaty with France. Let it therefore +remain, and emerge after the war, as a point untouched by the war. I +assure you my consent should not be wanting to extend this principle +between all the nations upon earth. I know full well, that those +nations to which you and I are bound by birth and consanguinity, would +reap the earliest fruits from it. _Owing no man hate, and envying no +man's happiness_, I should rejoice in the lot of my own country, and +on her part say to America, _Nos duo turba sumus_. I send you, +likewise, enclosed with this, some sentiments respecting the +principles of some late negotiations, drawn up in the shape of +Parliamentary motions by my brother, who joins with me in the +sincerest good wishes to you for health and happiness, and for the +peace of our respective countries, and of mankind. + + Your ever affectionate, + + D. HARTLEY. + + * * * * * + + _Supplemental Treaty between Great Britain and the + United States of North America._ + +1. That the British troops be withdrawn from the United States with +all convenient speed. + +2. That all further prosecutions of loyalists in America be +immediately abated, and that they be permitted to remain until twelve +months after the definitive treaty with America in safety and +unmolested, in their endeavors to obtain restitution of their estates. + +3. That all ports shall be mutually opened for intercourse and +commerce, between Great Britain and the United States. + +4. Agreed on the part of Great Britain, that all Prohibitory Acts +shall be repealed, and that all obstructions to American ships, either +entering inwards or clearing outwards, shall be removed, which may +arise from any acts of Parliament, heretofore regulating the commerce +of the American States, under the description of British Colonies and +Plantations, so as to accommodate every circumstance to the reception +of their ships, as the ships of independent States. + +5. Agreed on the part of Great Britain, that all duties, rights, +privileges, and all pecuniary considerations shall remain, respecting +the United States of America, upon the same footing as they now remain +respecting the Province of Nova Scotia, or as if the said States had +remained dependent upon Great Britain. All this subject to regulations +and alterations by any future acts of the Parliament of Great Britain. + +6. On the part of the American States it is agreed, that all laws +prohibiting commerce with Great Britain shall be repealed. + +7. Agreed on the part of the American States, that all ships and +merchandise of the British dominions shall be admitted upon the same +terms as before the war. All this subject to future regulations or +alterations by the Legislatures of the American States respectively. + +8. That all prisoners on both sides be immediately released. + +9. The spirit and principles of this treaty to be supported on either +side by any necessary supplemental arrangements. No tacit compliance +on the part of the American States in any subordinate points to be +urged at any time hereafter in derogation of their independence. + + * * * * * + + _Separate Article to be referred to the Definitive Treaty._ + +10. Neither shall the independence of the United States be construed +any further than as independence, absolute and unlimited in matters of +government, as well as commerce. Not into alienation, and therefore +the subjects of his Britannic Majesty and the citizens of the United +States shall mutually be considered as natural born subjects, and +enjoy all rights and privileges as such in the respective dominions +and territories, in the manner heretofore accustomed. + + * * * * * + + _Paper mentioned in the Close of Mr Hartley's Letter._ + +1. That it is the opinion of this House, that whenever Great Britain +thought proper to acknowledge the independence of America, the mode of +putting it into effect most honorably for this country, would have +been, to have made the declaration of independence previous to the +commencement of any treaty with any other power. + +2. That a deviation from that line of conduct, has the effect of +appearing to grant the independence of America solely to the demands +of the House of Bourbon, and not, as was the real state of the case, +from a change in the sentiments of this country, as to the object and +continuance of the American war. + +3. That when this House, by its vote against the further prosecution +of offensive war in America, had given up the point of contest, and +adopted a conciliatory disposition, the pursuing those principles by +an immediate and liberal negotiation upon the basis of independence, +at the same time expressing a readiness to conclude a general peace +with the allies of America upon honorable terms, would have been the +most likely way to promote a mutual and beneficial intercourse between +the two countries; to establish peace upon a firm foundation; and +would have prevented the House of Bourbon from having a right to claim +any further obligations from America, as the assertors of their +independence. + +4. That the Minister, who advised the late negotiations for peace, has +neglected to make use of those advantages, which the determination of +the House put him in possession of; that, by his delay in authorising +persons properly to negotiate with the American Commissioners, he has +shown a reluctance to acting upon the liberal principles of granting +independence to America, as the determination of Great Britain upon +mature consideration of the question; and has by such methods given +advantage to the enemies of this country to promote and confirm that +commerce and connexion between the United States of America and +themselves, which during the contest have been turned from their +natural channel with this country, and which this peace so concluded +has not yet contributed to restore. + + * * * * * + + M. SALVA TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Algiers, April 1st, 1783. + + Sir, + +The imminent danger to which the vessels of your nation were exposed, +which sailed in March last from Marseilles, and which owed their +safety to the god of the seas alone, emboldens me to call your +attention to this point. + +Some secret enemies, (whom I know) having giving information to this +regency of their departure, nine armed ships immediately sailed to +wait for them at Cape Palos. It is to be presumed that the Americans +had passed the Straits. + +Algiers has many ships, and the politics of certain European powers do +not restrain them from paying tribute to enjoy peace; they make use of +these human harpies as a terror to the belligerent nations, whose +commerce they chain to the car of Algerine piracy. We saw an example +of this, when his Imperial Majesty, to protect his flag, made use of +the Firman of the Sublime Porte. It was attacked, and five prizes were +brought into this port in 1781, four of which with ballast were +restored in February, 1782, at the claim of a Capapigi Bashaw of the +Porte, and of M. Timone, the Imperial Agent, who was expelled, and +whose correspondent I am, having been his Secretary on this occasion, +and having revealed to his Highness, Prince Kaunitz Rietberg, Minister +at the Court of Vienna, horrors and crimes which would have remained +unpunished but for my pen. + +Humanity alone, Sir, has engaged me to give you this advice. I request +you will be pleased to keep it secret; your prudence will effect what +may be necessary on this occasion. + +I have the honor to offer you every information respecting this port, +and flatter myself that I shall succeed therein. I think to depart +from this in May or June next for Marseilles, and to leave these +barbarian pirates. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + SALVA. + + * * * * * + + TO THE GRAND MASTER OF MALTA. + + Passy, April 6th, 1783. + + My Lord, + +I have the honor to address to your Eminent Highness the medal, which +I have lately had struck. It is a homage of gratitude, my Lord, which +is due to the interest you have taken in our cause, and we no less owe +it to your virtues, and to your Eminent Highness's wise administration +of government. + +Permit me, my Lord, to demand your protection for such of our citizens +as circumstances may lead to your ports. I hope that your Eminent +Highness will be pleased to grant it to them, and kindly receive the +assurances of the profound respect with which I am, my Lord, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO M. ROSENCRONE. + + Passy, April 13th, 1783. + + Sir, + +Monsieur de Walterstorff has communicated to me a letter from your +Excellency, which affords me great pleasure, as it expresses in clear +and strong terms the good disposition of your Court[16] to form +connexions of friendship and commerce with the United States of +America. I am confident that the same good disposition will be found +in the Congress; and having acquainted that respectable body with the +purport of your letter, I expect a commission will soon be sent, +appointing some person in Europe to enter into a treaty with his +Majesty the King of Denmark for the purpose desired. + +In the meantime, to prepare and forward the business as much as may +be, I send, for your Excellency's consideration, such a sketch as you +mention, formed on the basis of our treaty with Holland, on which I +shall be glad to receive your Excellency's sentiments. And I hope +that this transaction when completed, may be the means of producing +and securing a long and happy friendship between our two nations. + +To smooth the way for obtaining this desirable end, as well as to +comply with my duty, it becomes necessary for me on this occasion to +mention to your Excellency the affair of our three prizes, which, +having during the war entered Bergen as a neutral and friendly port, +where they might repair the damages they had suffered, and procure +provisions, were, by an order of your predecessor in the office you so +honorably fill, violently seized and delivered to our enemies. I am +inclined to think it was a hasty act, procured by the importunities +and misrepresentations of the British Minister, and that your +government could not, on reflection, approve of it. But the injury was +done, and I flatter myself your Excellency will think with me, that it +ought to be repaired. The means and manner I beg leave to recommend to +your consideration, and am, with great respect, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [16] The Court of Denmark. See the letter referred to, p. 74 + of this volume. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, April 16th, 1783. + + Sir, + +You complain sometimes of not hearing from us. It is now near three +months since any of us have heard from America. I think our last +letters came with General de Rochambeau. There is now a project under +consideration for establishing monthly packet boats between France and +New York, which I hope will be carried into execution; our +correspondence then may be more regular and frequent. + +I send herewith another copy of the treaty concluded with Sweden. I +hope, however, that you will have received the former, and that the +ratification is forwarded. The King, as the Ambassador informs me, is +now employed in examining the duties payable in his ports, with a view +of lowering them in favor of America, and thereby encouraging and +facilitating our mutual commerce. + +M. de Walterstorff, Chamberlain of the King of Denmark, formerly Chief +Justice of the Danish West India Islands, was last year at Paris, +where I had some acquaintance with him, and he is now returned hither. +The newspapers have mentioned him as intended to be sent Minister from +his Court to Congress, but he tells me no such appointment has yet +been made. He assures me, however, that the King has a strong desire +to have a treaty of friendship and commerce with the United States, +and he has communicated to me a letter, which he received from M. +Rosencrone, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressing that +disposition. I enclose a copy of the letter, and if Congress shall +approve of entering into such a treaty with the King of Denmark, of +which I told M. de Walterstorff I made no doubt, they will send to me, +or whom else they shall think proper, the necessary instructions and +powers for that purpose. In the meantime, to keep the business in +train, I have sent to that Minister for his consideration, a +translation of the plan, _mutatis mutandis_, which I received from +Congress for a treaty with Sweden, accompanied by a letter, of which +likewise I enclose a copy. I think it would be well to make it one of +the instructions to whoever is commissioned for the treaty, that he +previously procure satisfaction for the prizes mentioned in my letter. + +The definitive treaties have met with great delays, partly by the +tardiness of the Dutch, but principally from the distractions in the +Court of England, where for six or seven weeks there was properly no +Ministry, nor any business effected. They have at last settled a +Ministry, but of such a composition as does not promise to be lasting. +The papers will inform you who they are. It is now said, that Mr +Oswald, who signed the preliminaries, is not to return here, but that +Mr David Hartley comes in his stead to settle the definitive. A +Congress is also talked of, and that some use is to be made therein of +the mediation formerly proposed of the Imperial Courts. Mr Hartley is +an old friend of mine, and a strong lover of peace, so that I hope we +shall not have much difficult discussion with him; but I could have +been content to have finished with Mr Oswald, whom we always found +very reasonable. + +Mr Laurens, having left Bath, mended in his health, is daily expected +at Paris, where Messieurs Jay and Adams still continue. Mr Jefferson +has not yet arrived, nor the Romulus, in which ship I am told he was +to have taken his passage. I have been the more impatient of this +delay, from the expectation given me of full letters by him. It is +extraordinary, that we should be so long without any arrivals from +America in any part of Europe. We have as yet heard nothing of the +reception of the preliminary articles in America, though it is now +nearly five months since they were signed. Barney, indeed, did not get +away from hence before the middle of January, but copies went by other +ships long before him; he waited some time for the money he carried, +and afterwards was detained by violent contrary winds. He had a +passport from England, and I hope arrived safe; though we have been in +some pain for him, on account of a storm soon after he sailed. + +The English merchants have shown great eagerness to reassume their +commerce with America, but apprehending that our laws prohibiting that +commerce, would not be repealed till England had set the example by +repealing theirs, a number of vessels they had loaded with goods, have +been detained in port, while the Parliament have been debating on the +repealing bill, which has been altered two or three times, and is not +agreed upon yet. It was at first proposed to give us equal privileges +in trade with their own subjects, repealing thereby with respect to +us, so much of their navigation act, as regards foreign nations. But +that plan seems to be laid aside, and what will finally be done in the +affair is uncertain. There is not a port in France, and few in Europe, +from which I have not received several applications of persons +desiring to be appointed consuls for America. They generally offer to +execute the office for the honor of it, without salary. I suppose the +Congress will wait to see what course commerce will take, and in what +places it will fix itself, in order to find where consuls will be +necessary, before any appointments are made, and perhaps it will then +be thought best to send some of our own people. If they are not +allowed to trade, there must be a great expense for salaries. If they +may trade, and are Americans, the fortunes they make will mostly +settle in our own country at last. The agreement I was to make here +respecting consuls, has not yet been concluded. The article of trading +is important. I think it would be well to reconsider it. + +I have caused to be struck here the medal, which I formerly mentioned +to you, the design of which you seemed to approve. I enclose one of +them in silver, for the President of Congress, and one in copper for +yourself; the impression on copper is thought to appear best, and you +will soon receive a number for the members. I have presented one to +the King, and another to the Queen, both in gold, and one in silver to +each of the Ministers, as a monumental acknowledgment, which may go +down to future ages, of the obligations we are under to this nation. +It is mighty well received, and gives general pleasure. If the +Congress approve of it, as I hope they will, I may add something on +the die (for those to be struck hereafter) to show that it was done by +their order, which I could not venture to do till I had authority for +it. + +A multitude of people are continually applying to me personally, and +by letters, for information respecting the means of transporting +themselves, families, and fortunes to America. I give no encouragement +to any of the King's subjects, as I think it would not be right in me +to do it, without their sovereign's approbation; and, indeed, few +offer from France but persons of irregular conduct and desperate +circumstances, whom we had better be without; but I think there will +be great emigrations from England, Ireland, and Germany. There is a +great contest among the ports, which of them shall be of those to be +declared _free_ for the _American trade_. Many applications are made +to me to interest myself in the behalf of all of them, but having no +instructions on that head, and thinking it a matter more properly +belonging to the consul, I have done nothing in it. + +I have continued to send you the English papers. You will often see +falsehoods in them respecting what I say and do, &c. You know those +papers too well to make any contradiction of such stuff necessary from +me. + +Mr Barclay is often ill, and I am afraid the settlement of our +accounts will be, in his hands, a long operation. I shall be impatient +at being detained here on that score, after the arrival of my +successor. Would it not be well to join Mr Ridley with Mr Barclay for +that service? He resides in Paris, and seems active in business. I +know not indeed whether he would undertake it, but wish he may. + +The finances here are embarrassed, and a new loan is proposed by way +of lottery, in which it is said by some calculators, the King will pay +at the rate of seven per cent. I mention this to furnish you with a +fresh convincing proof against cavillers of the King's generosity +towards us, in lending us six millions this year at five per cent, and +of his concern for our credit, in saving by that sum the honor of Mr +Morris's bills, while those drawn by his own officers abroad have +their payment suspended for a year after they become due. You have +been told that France might help us more liberally if she would. This +last transaction is a demonstration of the contrary. + +Please to show these last paragraphs to Mr Morris, to whom I cannot +now write, the notice of this ship being short, but it is less +necessary, as Mr Grand writes him fully. + + With great esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ Mr Laurens is just arrived. + + * * * * * + + CHARLES J. FOX TO B. FRANKLIN. + + St James's, April 19th, 1783. + + Sir, + +Although it is unnecessary for me to introduce to your acquaintance a +gentlemen so well known to you as Mr Hartley, who will have the honor +of delivering to you this letter, yet it may be proper for me to +inform you, that he has the full and entire confidence of his +Majesty's Ministers upon the subject of his mission. + +Permit me, Sir, to take this opportunity of assuring you how happy I +should esteem myself, if it were to prove my lot to be the instrument +of completing a real and substantial reconciliation between two +countries, formed by nature to be in a state of friendship one with +the other, and thereby to put the finishing hand to a building, in +laying the first stone of which I may fairly boast that I had some +share. + +I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of regard and esteem, +Sir, your most obedient humble servant, + + C. J. FOX. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, April 27th, 1783. + + Sir, + +The Count del Veome, an Italian nobleman of great distinction, does me +the honor to be the bearer of this. I have not the satisfaction to be +personally acquainted with this gentleman, but am much solicited by +some of my particular friends, to whom his merits and character are +known, to afford him this introduction to you. He is, I understand, a +great traveller, and his view in going to America is merely to see the +country and its great men. I pray you will show him every civility, +and afford him that counsel, which as a stranger he may stand in need +of. + + With great respect, I am, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, May 5th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have received the two letters of yesterday and today, which you have +done me the honor to write to me, and a copy of the three articles +discussed between the Commissioners of the United States and Mr +Hartley. You are aware that I shall want a sufficient time to examine +them, before submitting to you the observations, which may relate to +our reciprocal interests. Receive, in the meantime, my sincere thanks +for this communication. + +I hope to have the honor of seeing you tomorrow at Versailles. I trust +you will be able to be present with the foreign Ministers. It is +observed, that the Commissioners from the United States rarely show +themselves here, and inferences are drawn from it, which I am sure +their constituents would disavow, if they had a knowledge of them. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, May 5th, 1783. + + Sir, + +It was my intention to pay my devoirs at Versailles tomorrow. I thank +your Excellency, nevertheless, for your kind admonition. I omitted +two of the last three days from a mistaken apprehension, that being +holidays there would be no Court. Mr Laurens and Mr Jay are both +invalids; and since my last severe fit of the gout, my legs have +continued so weak, that I am hardly able to keep pace with the +Ministers who walk fast, especially in going up and down stairs. + +I beg you to be assured, that whatever deficiency there may be of +strength, there is none of respect in, Sir, your Excellency's most +obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, May 8th, 1783. + + Dear Friend, + +I send you enclosed the copies you desired of the papers I read to you +yesterday.[17] I should be happy if I could see, before I die, the +proposed improvement of the law of nations established. The miseries +of mankind would be diminished by it, and the happiness of millions +secured and promoted. If the practice of privateering could be +profitable to any civilized nation, it might be so to us Americans, +since we are so situated on the globe, as that the rich commerce of +Europe with the West Indies, consisting of manufactures, sugars, &c. +is obliged to pass before our doors, which enables us to make short +and cheap cruises, while our own commerce is in such bulky, low priced +articles as that ten of our ships taken by you are not equal in value +to one of yours, and you must come far from home at a great expense to +look for them. I hope therefore that this proposition, if made by us, +will appear in its true light, as having humanity only for its motive. +I do not wish to see a new Barbary rising in America, and our long +extended coast occupied by piratical States. I fear lest our +privateering success in the two last wars, should already have given +our people too strong a relish for that most mischievous kind of +gaming, mixed blood; and if a stop is not now put to the practice, +mankind may hereafter be more plagued with American corsairs, than +they have been and are with the Turkish. Try, my friend, what you can +do, in procuring for your nation the glory of being, though the +greatest naval power, the first who voluntarily relinquished the +advantage that power seems to give them, of plundering others, and +thereby impeding the mutual communications among men of the gifts of +God, and rendering miserable multitudes of merchants and their +families, artizans, and cultivators of the earth, the most peaceable +and innocent part of the human species. + +With great esteem and affection, I am ever, my dear friend, yours most +sincerely, + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [17] See the Proposition about privateering, p. 67 of this volume. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, May 9th, 1783. + + Dear Sir, + +We have yet had no information from you subsequent to the signature of +preliminary articles by France, Spain, and Great Britain; though we +have seen a declaration for the cessation of hostilities signed by +you, Mr Adams, and Mr Jay. + +We grow every day more anxious for the definitive treaty, since we +have as yet discovered no inclination in the enemy to evacuate their +ports; and in sending off the slaves, they have directly infringed the +provisional treaty, though we on our part have paid the strictest +regard to it. This will be more fully explained by the enclosed copy +of a letter from General Washington, containing a relation of what +passed between him and General Carleton at a late interview. Let me +again entreat, that no doubt may be left in the treaty relative to the +time and manner of evacuating their ports here. Without more precision +and accuracy in this than we find in the provisional articles, we +shall soon be involved in new disputes with Great Britain. + +Our finances are still greatly embarrassed. You may in part see our +distress, and the means Congress are using to relieve themselves, by +the enclosed pamphlet, which I wish you and your colleagues to read, +but not to publish. + +The enclosed resolution imposes a new task upon you. I hope you will +find no great difficulty in procuring the small augmentation to the +loan which it requires. Be assured that it is extremely necessary to +set us down in peace. + +None of the States, though frequently called upon, have sent me the +estimates of their losses by the ravages of the British, except +Connecticut and Rhode Island, and their accounts are extremely +imperfect. Such as they are I enclose them. For my own part, I have no +great expectation that any compensation for these losses will be +procured; however, if possible it should be attempted. Commissioners +might be appointed to ascertain them here. + +Great part of the prisoners are on their way to New York, and the +whole will be sent in a few days. They will amount to about six +thousand men. + +Our ports begin to be crowded with vessels. There is reason to fear +that a superabundance of foreign articles will, in the end, produce as +much distress as the want of them has heretofore occasioned. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Philadelphia, May 31st, 1783. + + Sir, + +I informed you sometime since, that I had written to the Court of +Appeals on the subject of the Nossa Senhora da Soledado San Miguel e +Almas, and laid before them the papers you sent me. The cause has +since been determined in such a way as will, I hope, be satisfactory +to her Portuguese Majesty. I enclose the copy of a letter from the +first Judge of the Court of Appeals on that subject. + +Nothing has yet been done as to the acceptance of your resignation, +nor will, as I believe, anything be done very hastily. Many think your +task will not be very burdensome now, and that you may enjoy in peace +the fruit of your past labors. + +As this will probably be the last letter, which I shall have the +pleasure of writing to you in my public character, I beg leave to +remind you of the affairs of the Alliance and the Bon Homme Richard, +which are still unsettled. I must also pray you not to lose sight of +the vessels detained by his Danish Majesty. This will be a favorable +opportunity to press for their restitution. I do not see how they can +decently refuse to pay for them. Great Britain is bound in honor to +make them whole again. + +Preparations for the evacuation of New York still go on very slowly, +while the distress of our finances has compelled us to grant furloughs +to the greater part of our army. + +If it were possible to procure any addition to the last six millions, +it would be extremely useful to us at present. + +An entire new arrangement with respect to our foreign department is +under consideration. What its fate will be, I know not. + + I am, &c. + + ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, June 12th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I wrote to you fully by a vessel from Nantes, which I hope will reach +you before this. If not, this may inform you that the ratification of +the treaty with Sweden is come, and ready to be exchanged when I shall +receive that from Congress; that the treaty with Denmark is going on, +and will probably, be ready before the commission for signing it +arrives from Congress. It is on the plan of that proposed by Congress +for Sweden. + +Portugal has likewise proposed to treat with us, and the Ambassador +has earnestly urged me to give him a plan for the consideration of his +Court, which I have accordingly done, and he has forwarded it. The +Congress will send commissions and instructions for concluding these +treaties to whom they may think proper; it is only upon the old +authority, given, by a resolution, to myself with Messrs Deane and +Lee, to treat with any European powers, that I have ventured to begin +these treaties in consequence of overtures from those Crowns. + +The definitive treaty with England is not yet concluded, their +Ministry being unsettled in their minds as to the terms of the +commercial part; nor is any other definitive treaty yet completed +here, nor even the preliminaries signed of one between England and +Holland. It is now five months since we have had a line from you, the +last being dated the 13th of January; of course we know nothing of the +reception of the preliminary articles, or the opinion of Congress +respecting them. We hoped to receive before this time such +instructions as might have been thought proper to be sent to us for +rendering more perfect the definitive treaty. We know nothing of what +has been approved or disapproved. We are totally in the dark, and +therefore, less pressing to conclude, being still (as we have long +been) in daily expectation of hearing from you. By chance only, we +learn that Barney is arrived, by whom went the despatches of the +Commissioners, and a considerable sum of money. No acknowledgment of +the receipt of that money is yet come to hand, either to me or M. +Gerard. I make no doubt that both you and Mr Morris have written, and +cannot imagine what has become of your letters. + + With great esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ I beg leave to recommend to your civilities the bearer of +this, Dr Bancroft, whom you will find a very intelligent, sensible +man, well acquainted with the state of affairs here, and who has +heretofore been employed in the service of Congress. I have long known +him, and esteem him highly. + + B. F. + + * * * * * + + THE AMBASSADOR FROM SWEDEN TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Paris, June 13th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have just received his Majesty's ratification of the treaty of +commerce concluded with the United States, which I will have the honor +to send you as soon as it can be exchanged for the one from Congress. + +Permit me, Sir, on this occasion to repeat the request which the +Ambassador has made you respecting Mr Franklin, your grandson. He had +the honor to tell you, that it would afford the King a pleasure to +have a person residing with him, in the capacity of the Minister of +Congress, who bears your name in conjunction with such estimable +qualifications as young Mr Franklin possesses. He charged me before he +departed, to repeat to you the same assurances, and you will allow me +to add, on my part, my best wishes for the success of this matter. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + LE BARON DE STAEL. + + * * * * * + + FROM THE GRAND MASTER OF MALTA TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Malta, June 21st, 1783. + + Sir, + +I received with the most lively sensibility the medal, which your +Excellency sent me, and the value I set upon this acquisition leaves +my gratitude unbounded. This monument of American liberty has a +distinguished place in my cabinet. + +Whenever chance or commerce shall lead any of your fellow citizens or +their vessels into the ports of my Island, I shall receive them with +the greatest welcome. They shall experience from me every assistance +they may claim, and I shall observe with infinite pleasure any growing +connexion between that interesting nation and my subjects, especially +if it will tend to convince your Excellency of the distinguished +sentiments with which I am, Sir, &c. + + The Grand Master, + + ROHAN. + + * * * * * + + TO HENRY LAURENS. + + Passy, July 6th, 1783. + + Dear Sir, + +We have been honored with several of your letters, and we have talked +of writing to you, but it has been delayed. I will therefore write a +few lines in my private capacity. + +Our negotiations go on slowly, every proposition being sent to +England, and answers not returning very speedily. + +Captain Barney arrived here last Wednesday, and brought despatches for +us as late as the first of June. The preliminary articles are +ratified. But General Carleton, in violation of those articles, has +sent away a great number of negroes, alleging, that freedom having +been promised them by a proclamation, the honor of the nation was +concerned, &c. Probably another reason may be, that if they had been +restored to their masters, Britain could not have hoped anything from +such another proclamation hereafter. + +Mr Hartley called yesterday to tell us, that he had received a letter +from Mr Fox, assuring him that our suspicions of affected delays or +change of system on their side were groundless; and that they were +sincerely desirous to finish as soon as possible. If this be so, and +your health will permit the journey, I could wish your return as soon +as possible. I want you here on many accounts, and should be glad of +your assistance in considering and answering our public letters. There +are matters in them of which I cannot conveniently give you an account +at present. + +Nothing could be more seasonable than success in the project you +proposed, but we have now very little expectation. + +Please to give my love to your valuable and amiable son and daughter, +and believe me, with sincere esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + FROM M. ROSENCRONE, MINISTER OF DENMARK, TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Copenhagen, July 8th, 1783. + + Sir, + +It was with the greatest alacrity, that I laid before his Majesty the +letter you did me the honor to write to me, as also the project of a +treaty of amity and commerce that accompanied it. The King observed, +with the greatest satisfaction, the assurances contained in that +letter, of the good disposition of Congress to form connexions of +amity and commerce with his kingdoms, such connexions being equally +conformable to the interests of the two States, and to his Majesty's +sincere desire to cement, by every possible means, that harmony, +union, and confidence, which he wishes to establish forever between +his Crown and the United States. + +The enclosed _Counter Project_ differs in nothing essential from the +project sent by you, being drawn up entirely conformable to the same +principles, which you will be certainly convinced of, Sir, by the note +explaining the reasons for adding some articles, and only giving a +different turn to others, so that I flatter myself, that I shall soon +hear that you are perfectly satisfied with them, having observed the +most perfect reciprocity carefully established throughout. + +As to the object mentioned in the letter with which you have honored +me, you already know, Sir, his Majesty's generous intentions towards +the individuals in question, and his Majesty is the more induced to +avail himself of the first opportunity to manifest these intentions, +as he thinks he may reasonably hope that Congress will also consider +them as a distinguished proof of his friendship and esteem for that +respectable body. + +There remains nothing further for me to add, but that the King will +adopt with great pleasure the most proper means to accelerate the +conclusion of the treaty, which we have begun. For myself, it will be +the most agreeable part of my office, Sir, to assist in perfecting +such happy connexions with a minister of such universal reputation as +yourself; and it is with sentiments of the most distinguished regard, +that I have the honor to be &c. + + ROSENCRONE. + + * * * * * + + _Counter Project of a Treaty with Denmark._ + + Translation. + +Counter Project of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between his Majesty, +the King of Denmark and Norway, and the United States of America. + +His Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway, and the United States of +America, wishing to fix in an equitable and permanent manner the +regulations necessary in the commerce, which they are desirous to +establish between their respective countries, conceive that they +cannot accomplish this object better, than by taking as the basis for +their conventions, the most perfect equality and reciprocity, leaving +to each party the liberty of making such interior regulations, with +respect to commerce and navigation, as shall appear suitable, and +founding the advantages of commerce on reciprocal utility, and the +just laws of free competition. It is in consequence of these +principles, and of mature deliberation, that the contracting parties +have agreed upon the following articles. + + + ARTICLE I. + +There shall be a firm, inviolable, and universal peace, and a true and +sincere friendship, between his Majesty, the King of Denmark and +Norway, his heirs and successors, on the one part, and the United +States of America on the other, and between the citizens and subjects +of the said powers, and likewise between the countries, islands, +cities, and places situated within their respective jurisdictions, and +the people and inhabitants thereof, of whatever rank or condition they +may be, without exception of persons or places. + + + ARTICLE II. + +The subjects of his Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway, may +frequent the countries and latitudes of the United States, reside and +traffic there in all kinds of merchandise and effects, the importation +or exportation whereof is not, or shall not be prohibited, and in all +places where the navigation or commerce are not, or shall not be +reserved solely for the citizens and inhabitants of the United States; +and they shall not pay in the ports, harbors, roads, countries, +islands, cities, and places of the United States, other or greater +duties or imposts of any kind or denomination whatever, than such as +the most favored nations pay, or shall pay. They shall, moreover, +enjoy all the rights, liberties, privileges, and exemptions, with +respect to trade, navigation, and commerce, which the most favored +nations do or shall enjoy, and they shall also conform to the laws and +ordinances, which the said nations are, or shall be bound to observe, +whether in passing from one port to another of the dominions of the +said States, or in returning from any part, or to any part of the +world whatever. + + + ARTICLE III. + +In like manner, the citizens and inhabitants of the United States of +America may frequent the States of his Majesty, the King of Denmark +and Norway, reside and traffic there in all kinds of merchandise and +effects, the importation or exportation whereof is not, or shall not +be prohibited, and in all places where the navigation and commerce are +not, or shall not be reserved solely to his Danish Majesty's subjects, +and they shall not pay in the ports, harbors, roads, countries, +islands, cities, and places belonging to his said Majesty, other or +greater duties and imposts of any kind or denomination whatever, than +such as the most favored nations do, or shall pay. They shall, +moreover, enjoy all the rights, liberties, privileges, and exemptions, +which the most favored nations do, or shall enjoy, and they shall also +conform to the laws and ordinances which the said nations are, or +shall be bound to observe, whether in passing from one port to +another of his Danish Majesty's dominions, or in going to, or +returning from any part of the world whatever. And the United States +of America, with their subjects and inhabitants, shall allow his +Danish Majesty's subjects peaceably to enjoy their rights in the +countries, islands, establishments, and seas, in the East and West +Indies, without molestation or opposition. + + + ARTICLE IV. + +His Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway, shall use every means in +his power to protect and defend all the vessels and effects belonging +to the citizens or inhabitants of the said United States of America, +as shall be in his ports, harbors, or roads, or in the vicinity of his +territories, countries, islands, cities, and places, as far as his +jurisdiction extends, as to the sea, and shall use his efforts to +recover and cause to be restored to the lawful proprietors, the +vessels and effects which shall be taken from them within the extent +of his said jurisdiction, and his ships of war, or any other convoys +whatever, sailing under his authority, shall, on all occasions where +there may be a common enemy, take under their protection all the +vessels belonging to the citizens or inhabitants of the United States, +or any of them which may be holding the same course, or going the same +route, and they shall defend the said ships as long as they shall hold +the same course, or follow the same route, against every attack, +force, or violence of the common enemy, in the same manner as they are +bound to defend and protect the vessels belonging to his said +Majesty's subjects. + + + ARTICLE V. + +In like manner, the said United States and their ships of war, sailing +under their authority, shall protect and defend, in conformity with +the preceding article, all the vessels and effects belonging to the +subjects of his Danish Majesty, and shall use all their efforts to +recover and cause to be restored the said vessels and effects, which +shall have been taken within the extent of the jurisdiction of the +said States, and each of them. + + + ARTICLE VI. + +It is agreed and determined that every merchant, captains of merchant +vessels, or others, his Danish Majesty's subjects, shall have entire +liberty in all places within the dominions and jurisdiction of the +United States of America, to manage themselves, their own affairs, and +to employ whomsoever they please to manage them, and they shall not be +obliged to make use of any interpreter or broker, nor to pay them any +fee, unless they make use of them; and with respect to the time and +manner of loading or unloading their ships and whatever belongs to +them, they shall always be considered and treated as the most favored +nations, and shall pay no fee or salary, which the said nations are +not bound to pay in similar cases. The citizens, inhabitants, and +subjects of the United States of America shall reciprocally have and +enjoy the same privileges and liberties in all the places belonging to +his Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway. + + + ARTICLE VII. + +Whenever one of the contracting parties shall be at war with other +powers, the communication and free commerce of the subjects of the +other party with the States of the said powers, shall not on that +account be interrupted. On the contrary, in this case it is agreed and +stipulated, that every ship and vessel of the neutral party may +freely navigate from port to port, and on the coasts of the States at +enmity with the other party, and that the vessels and ships being +free, shall likewise secure the liberty of merchandise; so that +everything shall be judged free which shall be found on board of the +vessels belonging to the subjects of one of the contracting parties, +although the loading, or part of it, should belong to the enemies of +one of them; it being, nevertheless, well understood, that contraband +goods shall be always excepted; and it is also agreed, that this same +liberty shall extend to the persons of such as shall be found on board +of the free vessel, even though they should be enemies of one of the +two contracting parties, and they shall not be taken from on board the +said vessels, unless they are military characters, and actually in the +service of the enemy. + + + ARTICLE VIII. + +The merchant vessels of one of the two contracting parties, coming +either from a port belonging to the enemy, or from their own, or a +neutral port, and navigating towards a port of an enemy of the other, +shall be bound every time they shall be required, to exhibit, as well +on the high seas as in port, their passports, or sea letters, and +other public documents, which shall expressly prove that their loading +is not of that kind, which is prohibited as contraband; it being well +understood, nevertheless, that in all cases, where such merchant +vessels shall be escorted by one or more vessels of war, the simple +declaration of the officer commanding the convoy, that these vessels +do not carry any contraband goods, shall be considered as fully +sufficient, and they shall not require to examine the papers of the +escorted vessels. + + + ARTICLE IX. + +It shall no sooner be found by the sea letters, passports, or other +public documents, or by the verbal declaration of the commanding +officer of the convoy, that the merchant vessels are not laden with +contraband goods, than they shall be at liberty to continue their +voyage without any hinderance; but if, on the contrary, the exhibition +of the said passports or other documents, in case the vessels are not +escorted, tends to discover that the said vessels carry merchandise +reputed contraband, consigned to an enemy's port, it shall not, +however, be permitted to break open the hatches of the said vessels, +nor to open any chest, case, trunk, bale, package, or cask, which +shall be found on board, or to displace or overturn the least part of +the merchandise, whether the vessel belongs to his Danish Majesty's +subjects, or to the citizens or inhabitants of the United States, +until the cargo has been landed in presence of the officers of the +Courts of Admiralty, and that the inventory has been made of it. And +it shall not be permitted to sell, exchange, or alienate the +merchandise reputed contraband, in any manner whatever, before trial +has been held and legally finished, to declare them contraband, and +that the Courts of Admiralty shall have pronounced them confiscated, +without any prejudice, nevertheless, to the vessels or to the +merchandise, which by virtue of the treaty shall be considered free. +It shall not be permitted to retain these merchandises under pretence, +that they have been intermixed with the contraband merchandise, and +still less confiscate them as legal prizes. In case where a part only, +and not the whole of the loading, shall consist of contraband +merchandises, and that the commander of the vessel consents to deliver +them up to the privateer, which shall have discovered them, then the +captain, who shall have made the prize, after having received the +merchandise, must immediately release the vessel, and shall not in any +wise prevent the continuation of his voyage; but in case the +contraband merchandise cannot all be taken on board the captor, then +the captain of the said vessel shall be at liberty, notwithstanding +the offer to deliver the contraband goods, to conduct the master to +the nearest port, in conformity to what is prescribed above. + + + ARTICLE X. + +In order to obviate entirely every disorder and violence, it is +stipulated, that whenever the merchant vessels and ships of the +subjects and inhabitants of one of the two parties, navigating alone, +shall be met by any vessel of war, privateer, or armed vessel of the +other party, the said vessels of war, privateers, or armed vessels, +shall remain on their part constantly out of cannonshot, and shall not +send above two or three men in their boats on board the merchant +vessels or ships, to examine the passports or other documents, which +shall prove the property and cargoes of the said vessels or ships. +Such of the vessels of war, privateers, or armed vessels of the one +party, as shall molest or damage in any manner whatever the ships or +vessels of the other, shall be obliged to answer for it in their +persons and property, and consequently, to render satisfaction for all +damage and interest over and above the reparation due for the insult +shown the flag. + + + ARTICLE XI. + +It is agreed that everything that is found laden by the respective +subjects or inhabitants on board of vessels belonging to the enemies +of the other party, or to their subjects, shall be confiscated +without distinction of prohibited merchandise, in like manner as +though it belonged to the enemy, excepting always such effects and +merchandise as shall have been put on board of said vessels, before +the declaration of war, or even after said declaration, if, at the +time of lading, it was unknown, so that the merchandises of the +subjects of the two contracting parties, whether they are of the +number termed contraband or otherwise, which, as has just been said, +shall have been laden on board of a vessel belonging to the enemy +before the war, or even after the declaration, when it was not known, +shall in no wise be subject to confiscation, but shall be faithfully +and _bona fide_ returned without delay to their proprietors who shall +claim them, it being well understood, nevertheless, that it shall not +be permitted to carry into the enemy's ports merchandise of a +contraband nature. And in order that every dissension may be avoided, +it is agreed, that after the term of six months being elapsed from the +declaration of war, the respective subjects, from whatever part of the +world they may come, shall not allege the ignorance mentioned in the +present article. + + + ARTICLE XII. + +All vessels and merchandise of whatever nature soever, whenever they +shall have been recovered from the hands of pirates on the high seas, +shall be brought into some port of one of the two States, and shall be +delivered to the care of the officers of the said port, in order to be +restored entire to their true proprietor, as soon as he shall have +duly and sufficiently proved his property. + + + ARTICLE XIII. + +The ships of war belonging to the two parties, as also those of their +subjects which are armed, shall conduct at full liberty wheresoever +they please, the prizes they shall have made from their enemies, +without being obliged to pay any other duties than such as the most +favored nations; the said vessels or the said prizes, on entering into +the ports of his Danish Majesty, or of the said United States, shall +not be subject to be stopped or seized, nor shall the officers of the +places have any power to take cognizance of the validity of the said +prizes, which shall go out, and be freely conducted in full liberty, +to the places mentioned in the commissions, which the captains of the +said vessels shall be obliged to produce. + + + ARTICLE XIV. + +In order to favor as much as possible the commerce on both sides, it +is agreed, that if a war should happen between his Majesty, the King +of Denmark and Norway, and the United States of America, (which God +forbid) nine months after the declaration of war shall be granted to +the subjects on both sides to collect, sell, and transport freely, the +merchandise and effects belonging to them, and to withdraw themselves; +and if anything is taken from them, or if any injury is done to them +during the above prescribed time, by one of the two parties, full and +entire satisfaction shall be given them in this respect. + + + ARTICLE XV. + +No subject of his Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway, shall take +a commission or letter of marque (to arm any vessel or vessels, for +the purpose of acting as a privateer against the said United States, +or any of them, or against their subjects, people, or inhabitants, or +against their property, or that of any among them) from any Prince +whatever, with whom the said United States shall be at war. In like +manner no citizen, subject, or inhabitant of the said United States, +or of any of them, shall demand or accept of any commission or letter +of marque (to arm any vessel or vessels, to cruise against the +subjects of his said Majesty, or any of them, or their property) from +any Prince or State whatever, with whom his Majesty shall be at war; +and if any one of either nation should take such commissions or letter +of marque, he shall be punished as a pirate. + + + ARTICLE XVI. + +In case the vessels of the subjects and inhabitants of one of the two +contracting parties should approach the coasts of the other, without +however designing to enter into the port, or to discharge the cargo, +or to break bulk after having entered, they shall be at liberty to +depart, or to pursue their voyage without molestation, in the same +manner as is practiced by the vessels belonging to the most favored +nations. + + + ARTICLE XVII. + +The liberty of navigation and commerce, mentioned in the 7th article +of this treaty, shall extend to all kinds of merchandises, excepting +those which are designated by the name of contraband. Under this name +of contraband, or prohibited merchandise, are only to be comprehended, +arms, cannon, powder, matches, pikes, swords, lances, spears, +halberts, mortars, petards, grenades, saltpetre, fusils, balls, +bucklers, helmets, drums, coats of mail, and other arms of that kind +fit to arm soldiers, swivels, shoulder belts, horses with their +equipages, and all other instruments of war whatever, excepting always +the quantity that may be necessary for the defence of the vessel and +such as compose the crew. All other effects and merchandise not +expressly designated above, of whatever kind or denomination they may +be, and however fit they may be, even for the building, the repairing, +and equipment of vessels, or for the making of any machine or warlike +instrument by land or by sea, shall not be considered as contraband, +and they may consequently be transported and conducted in the freest +manner by the subjects of the two contracting parties to places +belonging to the enemy, excepting, nevertheless, such as shall be +actually besieged, blocked up or invested, and such shall only be +considered so, where the vessels of the power that attacks shall be so +near, and posted in such a manner, as that there shall be evident +danger to enter. + + + ARTICLE XVIII. + +The passports or sea letters, which shall prove the property of the +neutral vessels, according to the tenor of the 8th Article of the +present treaty, shall be prepared and distributed according to the +model which shall be agreed on. Every time that the vessel shall have +returned to its own country, it shall be furnished with new passports +of the like kind; at least, these passports must not be of an older +date than two years after the time the vessel has returned last to its +own country. Moreover, the vessels being loaded, must be provided with +such certificates, or manifests, or other public documents, as are +commonly given to vessels which depart from the ports from whence they +have last sailed, containing a specification of the cargo, of the +place from whence the vessel has departed, and that of her +destination, in order that it may be known whether there are any +contraband effects on board of the vessels, and whether they are +destined to carry them to an enemy's country, or not. If the names of +the persons to whom the effects on board belong, are not expressed in +the said documents, this omission shall not, however, give cause for +confiscation, as the freedom of the vessel secures the freedom of the +effects. + + + ARTICLE XIX. + +Should it happen that the ships or vessels of one of the two +contracting parties, or of their subjects, should strike against the +rocks, or strand, or be shipwrecked on the coast of the other, the +respective subjects shall enjoy both for their persons and their ships +and vessels, effects and merchandise, all the aid and assistance +possible, as the inhabitants of the country, and shall only pay the +same expenses and duties, which the proper subjects of the State on +whose coasts they shall have stranded or have been shipwrecked, are +subject to in similar cases. + + + ARTICLE XX. + +If the subjects or inhabitants of one of the two parties, compelled by +storm, or by the pursuit of pirates, or of the enemy, or by any other +accident, find themselves constrained to take refuge with their ships +in the rivers, bays, ports, and roads belonging to the other, they +shall be received and treated with every humanity and kindness, and +they shall be permitted likewise to refresh and to furnish themselves +at a just price with every kind of provisions, and everything +necessary for the maintenance and support of their persons, and for +the reparation of their ships, provided they carry on no commerce +contrary to the laws and ordinances of the place or port into which +they have entered. + + + ARTICLE XXI. + +It is agreed, that the subjects of each of the contracting parties, +and their ships, vessels, merchandise, and effects, shall not be +subject to an embargo or detention in any of the countries, islands, +towns, places, ports, or domains whatever of the other party, for any +military expedition, public or private use, in any manner whatever, +and in cases of seizure, detentions, or arrests for debts contracted, +or faults committed by any subject of one of the parties in the States +of the other, the said seizures, detentions, or arrests shall be made +only by order and authority of the justice, and according to the +ordinary means; and with regard to debts and faults, process ought to +be made by way of equity, and agreeably to the forms of the justice of +the place. + + + ARTICLE XXII. + +The two contracting parties have mutually granted permission to have +in their respective ports, consuls, vice consuls, agents, and +commissaries, which they shall appoint themselves, and whose functions +shall be regulated by a particular convention whenever either of the +parties wish to establish it. + + + ARTICLE XXIII. + +The subjects of his Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway, may in +the country of the United States of America dispose of their effects +by testament, donation, or otherwise; and their heirs, subjects of his +said Majesty, shall succeed them, without any impediment in all their +effects, moveable and immoveable, either by testament or ab intestat; +so that they may take possession of the inheritance, either by +themselves, or by attorney, and dispose of it as they please, after +having discharged the different duties established by the laws of the +State where the said succession shall have been left; and in case that +the heirs of the said dead subjects should be absent or minors, and +that the deceased shall not have appointed guardians or executors, the +property left shall then be inventoried by the Notary Public, or by +the magistrate of the place, and disposed of in such manner that they +may be kept and preserved for the legal proprietors; and, supposing +that there should arise a dispute about such inheritance among several +pretenders, then the Judges of the places where the effects of the +deceased shall be found, shall decide the process by a definitive +sentence agreeably to the laws of the country. The contents of the +present article shall be reciprocally observed, with respect to the +subjects of the United States of America, in the States of his Danish +Majesty. + + + ARTICLE XXIV. + +A perfect liberty of conscience shall be granted to the subjects and +inhabitants of each party within the respective States, and they may, +consequently, freely attend the worship of their religion without +being disturbed or molested, provided that they submit, as to the +public demonstration, to the ordinances and laws of the country. + + + ARTICLE XXV. + +His Majesty, the King of Denmark and Norway, and the United States of +North America, have agreed, that the present treaty shall be in full +effect during the space of fifteen successive years, reckoning from +the day of its ratification; and the two contracting parties reserve +to themselves the power of renewing it at the expiration of that time. + + + ARTICLE XXVI. + +The present treaty shall be ratified on both sides, and the +ratifications shall be exchanged within the space of eight months from +the date of the signature. + + + EXPLANATION OF THE COUNTER PROJECT + + _Of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce received from Denmark._ + + Translation. + +Although the simple comparison of the enclosed Counter Project, with +the Project proposed by Mr Franklin, evidently proves the attention +that has been shown on our part here to the negotiation set on foot, +and which, in the main, has been agreed upon as to the principles, +which have been adopted for the basis of a treaty, as well as the most +essential stipulations, we could not avoid, however, explaining more +distinctly certain points of the Counter Project; and the +eclaircissements that will be given of them will at the same time +prove the amicable intentions, with which it has been endeavored to +facilitate the consequences of an affair too important to the welfare +of the two nations, not to merit the attention and cares of the powers +which govern them. + +The second and third articles will regulate the conduct of the +reciprocal subjects in the respective States. Taking things as they +now are, it is easily perceived that the stipulations of the said +articles, although apparently reciprocal, give however superior +advantages to the United States. For, according to the system of +commerce, which subsists in Denmark and Norway, the most favored +nations pay there no greater imposts or other duties than the proper +subjects of the State, and the proper subjects of the State enjoy +considerable diminutions with respect to unprivileged nations, as well +for their vessels as their merchandise. It is evident, therefore, that +the subjects of the United States of America being received among the +most favored nations in Denmark and Norway, would not only gain by +that means a competition with the said most favored, but also a +preference over several other nations, even in the neighborhood of +Denmark, with whom no treaties of commerce have been concluded, and +who, therefore, are still in the number of unprivileged, as to +navigation and commerce, in the States of his Danish Majesty. + +On the other hand, if the advantages, which would result from these +articles, as to the commerce of the subjects of Denmark in the +territories of the United States, are considered, the said advantages +would be confined to the simple competition with every other foreign +nation; but, as there is no nation that we know of, which actually +pays in the territories of the United States other or greater duties, +than what the privileged or most favored nations are bound to pay, the +Danish subjects would not find in the territories of the United States +the same preference, which the subjects of the United States would +obtain in Denmark and Norway. The preceding considerations are not +advanced for the purpose of taking any advantage, but they are pointed +out only to show the impartiality and good will, with which we desire +to contribute to the mutual connexions of amity and commerce between +the two nations, who will, it is to be hoped, more and more unite. As +to the periods inserted in these articles, they do not essentially +change the stipulations projected by the Minister of the United +States; they only add therein some proper determination to prevent +every misunderstanding on the subject of the reciprocal liberties and +privileges, and to guaranty some rights, which the subjects of his +Danish Majesty enjoy with respect to certain countries and colonies, +as Iceland, Greenland, Finmarson, Faro, the establishment of +Tranquibar, and, in certain respects, the Islands of St Croix, St +Thomas, and St John; and if, at any time, it should please the United +States to reserve for its own subjects similar rights, with respect to +certain places, or certain kinds of merchandise, and to exclude +therefrom every foreign nation, the same stipulations shall then suit +their intentions. In like manner the same mark of reciprocity has been +given to every change, excepting only the last clause of the third +article, which has not been susceptible of the same turn, considering +the local position of the United States, and which, undoubtedly for +the same reason, has been inserted in the treaty of the United States +with Holland, in the same manner as it is here in the Counter Project. + +After having pointed out the privileges, which the subjects of his +Danish Majesty enjoy in the islands of St Croix, St Thomas, and St +John, it will not be useless to observe, that it is only the commerce +and navigation between the said islands and Europe, which Denmark has +appropriated to itself in any manner; but the commerce, which is +conducted between those islands and North America, although always +subject to the same interior regulations on both sides, has been for a +long while authorised by his Danish Majesty's commercial laws, and his +said Majesty has, moreover, granted to the islands of St Thomas and St +John privileges, which will give the commerce of these islands, with +America in particular, a freer course, and very different from that of +the commerce of the colony. The advantages, which the United States +may derive from a more close commercial connexion with the said +privileged islands, and whose ports, distinguished by the security +they insure to vessels, appear to invite the commercial subjects of +America, are too evident to need any circumstantial detail. There +shall only be added, therefore, to what has been said, this single +observation, that his Danish Majesty, having it very much at heart to +open every possible road to industry and commerce, finds himself much +disposed to favor the connexion in question, and that, if for this +purpose the United States, after the conclusion of the present treaty, +which shall fix the general commercial points between the contracting +parties, should desire a particular convention to agree upon the +reciprocal and local advantages proper to accomplish this object, his +said Majesty would willingly come into it, provided that the United +States were equally disposed on their part to facilitate the affair. + +The fourth and fifth articles have only been modified in order to +remove the doubts, which might arise with respect to the defence and +protection due to the vessels belonging to the respective subjects. It +is only in cases of attack from the common enemy, against whom it was +conceived possible to confine each other by these articles; for in +case that one of the parties was at war and the other at peace, the +vessels belonging to the neutral party could not protect the vessels +belonging to the belligerent party, without taking a part and quitting +its neutrality. + +The privileges of the most favored nations undoubtedly guaranty to the +respective subjects the favors mentioned in the sixth, eleventh, +fourteenth, and seventeenth articles of the Project. For this reason +it has appeared, that it would be better to reduce the points detailed +in these articles to the number of general liberties of the most +favored nations, and this is what has been done in the sixth, +thirteenth, sixteenth, and twentyfirst articles of the Counter +Project, contenting ourselves here with the assurance, that the +subjects of his Danish Majesty in the cases mentioned here, as well as +in any other, shall be regarded and treated in the territories within +the dominions of the United States as the most favored nations, and in +expectation that the United States will not demand anything more in +these respects. + +The seventh, eighth, and ninth articles of the Counter Project only +contain the spirit and ideas of the fifteenth, seventh, and eighth +articles of the Project, to which has been added some further +stipulations, conformable to the principles, which have been +established and acknowledged with respect to the commerce of neutral +nations in time of war. + +The term of two months, which has been proposed in the ninth article, +and that of six months named in the twelfth article of the Project, +did not appear to correspond with the extent of commerce, which is +carried on, particularly with the East Indies, nor with difficulties, +which the merchants or inhabitants sometimes find in arranging their +affairs to change their abode. It is for this reason, that instead of +two and six months, the terms six and nine months have been +substituted, it being nevertheless well understood, that from the +friendship and good understanding, which is about being strengthened +between the two nations, the subjects of neither party will ever have +cause to take refuge on account of a rupture. + +Although no fault has been found as to the merchandise, which the +Project has called contraband, or not contraband in time of war, there +is however reason to think, that it would still be better for the +conveniency of the contracting parties, only to name in express terms +the contraband, without detailing the free merchandise, with respect +to which no better explanation could be given, as it appears, than by +agreeing that everything that is not called contraband shall be +comprehended in the number of free merchandise; consequently, on this +principle, the seventeenth article of the Counter Project has been +arranged, and at the end of the article has been added the definition +of a port that is blocked up. + +The new articles that have been proposed on this side principally turn +on reciprocal points and favors, which justice and equity demand, and +which humanity and the rights of nations ordinarily grant, even +without stipulation by express conventions; but it is usage that has +introduced them into treaties, and it is conceived that it is no less +necessary to conform thereto. + +As to the passports mentioned in the eighteenth article of the Counter +Project, there is nothing easier than to agree about them after the +conclusion of the treaty, or at the time when it is concluded, and the +models that shall be agreed on can then be officially exchanged and +published in case of necessity. + + * * * * * + + GIACOMO F. CROCCO TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Cadiz, July 15th, 1783. + + Sir, + +His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Morocco, did me the honor to +appoint me to be the bearer of his answer to the United Provinces of +North America, with which he is willing to sign a treaty of peace and +commerce, and in consequence has already given orders to his Captains +of men of war not to molest on the open seas the American vessels, +which agreeable news I have already given to Mr Richard Harrison. +According to my instructions, I am to accompany to the Court of +Morocco the Ambassador, that will be appointed to conclude the treaty +of peace. I presume, that your Excellency is already acquainted, that +the travelling expenses and other charges of ambassadors, or envoys, +sent to Europe by the Emperor of Morocco, are to be paid by the Court, +or Republic, that demands his friendship. In a few days I intend to +set out for Madrid, where I will remain till I receive your +Excellency's answer to this letter, directed to William Carmichael, +the United States Chargé d'Affaires at the Court of Spain, who, I make +no doubt, will receive orders to supply me with the money I may want +on the occasion. + +As soon as I arrive at Paris I shall have the satisfaction to +entertain at large your Excellency on the present negotiation, not +doubting it will soon be concluded to the advantage of both Courts. + + In the meantime I remain, most truly, Sir, &c. + + GIACOMO FRANCISCO CROCCO. + +_P. S._ I was obliged to call on a friend to write you this letter in +English, otherwise I could only do it in the Italian language. + + G. F. C. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. + + Passy, July 22d, 1783. + + Sir, + +You have complained, sometimes with reason, of not hearing from your +Foreign Ministers; we have had cause to make the same complaint, six +full months having intervened between the latest date of your +preceding letters and the receipt of those by Captain Barney. During +all this time we were ignorant of the reception of the Provisional +Treaty, and the sentiments of Congress upon it, which, if we had +received sooner, might have forwarded the proceedings on the +Definitive Treaty, and, perhaps, brought them to a conclusion, at a +time more favorable than the present. But these occasional +interruptions of correspondence are the inevitable consequences of a +state of war, and of such remote situations. Barney had a short +passage, and arrived some days before Colonel Ogden, who also brought +despatches from you, all of which are come safe to hand. We, the +Commissioners, have in our joint capacity written a letter to you, +which you will receive with this. + +I shall now answer yours of March the 26th, May the 9th, and May the +31st. + +It gave me great pleasure to learn by the first, that the news of +peace diffused general satisfaction. I will not now take it upon me to +justify the apparent reserve, respecting this Court, at the signature, +which you disapprove. We have touched upon it in our general letter. I +do not see, however, that they have much reason to complain of that +transaction. Nothing was stipulated to their prejudice, and none of +the stipulations were to have force, but by a subsequent act of their +own. I suppose, indeed, that they have not complained of it, or you +would have sent us a copy of the complaint, that we might have +answered it. I long since satisfied Count de Vergennes about it here. +We did what appeared to all of us best at the time, and if we have +done wrong, the Congress will do right, after hearing us, to censure +us. Their nomination of five persons to the service seems to mark, +that they had some dependence on our joint judgment, since one alone +could have made a treaty by direction of the French Ministry as well +as twenty. + +I will only add, that with respect to myself, neither the letter from +M. Marbois, handed us through the British negotiators, (a suspicious +channel) nor the conversations respecting the fishery, the boundaries, +the royalists, &c. recommending moderation in our demands, are of +weight sufficient in my mind to fix an opinion, that this Court wished +to restrain us, in obtaining any degree of advantage we could prevail +on our enemies to accord, since those discourses are fairly +resolvable, by supposing a very natural apprehension, that we, relying +too much on the ability of France to continue the war in our favor, +and supply us constantly with money, might insist on more advantages +than the English would be willing to grant, and thereby lose the +opportunity of making peace, so necessary to all our friends. + +I ought not, however, to conceal from you, that one of my colleagues +is of a very different opinion from me in these matters. He thinks the +French Minister one of the greatest enemies of our country, that he +would have straitened our boundaries, to prevent the growth of our +people; contracted our fishery, to obstruct the increase of our +seamen; and retained the royalists among us, to keep us divided; that +he privately opposes all our negotiations with foreign Courts, and +afforded us, during the war, the assistance we received only to keep +it alive, that we might be so much the more weakened by it; that to +think of gratitude to France is the greatest of follies, and that to +be influenced by it would ruin us. He makes no secret of his having +these opinions, expresses them publicly, sometimes in presence of the +English Ministers, and speaks of hundreds of instances which he could +produce in proof of them. None, however, have yet appeared to me, +unless the conversations and letter abovementioned are reckoned such. + +If I were not convinced of the real inability of this Court to furnish +the further supplies we asked, I should suspect these discourses of a +person in his station might have influenced the refusal, but I think +they have gone no further than to occasion a suspicion, that we have a +considerable party of antigallicans in America, who are not tories, +and consequently, to produce some doubts of the continuance of our +friendship. As such doubts may hereafter have a bad effect, I think we +cannot take too much care to remove them; and it is, therefore, I +write this to put you on your guard, (believing it my duty, though I +know that I hazard by it a mortal enmity) and to caution you +respecting the insinuations of this gentleman against this Court, and +the instances he supposes of their ill will to us, which I take to be +as imaginary as I know his fancies to be, that Count de Vergennes and +myself are continually plotting against him, and employing the +newswriters of Europe to depreciate his character, &c. But as +Shakspeare says, "Trifles light as air," &c. I am persuaded, however, +that he means well for his country, is always an honest man, often a +wise one, but sometimes, and in some things, absolutely out of his +senses. + +When the commercial article, mentioned in yours of the 26th, was +struck out of our proposed preliminaries by the British Ministry, the +reason given was, that sundry acts of Parliament still in force were +against it, and must be first repealed, which I believe was really +their intention, and sundry bills were accordingly brought in for +that purpose; but new Ministers with different principles succeeding, +a commercial proclamation totally different from those bills has +lately appeared. I send enclosed a copy of it. We shall try what can +be done in the Definitive Treaty towards setting aside that +proclamation, but if it should be persisted in, it will then be a +matter worthy the attentive discussion of Congress, whether it will be +most prudent to retort with a similar regulation in order to force its +repeal, (which may possibly tend to bring on another quarrel) or to +let it pass without notice, and leave it to its own inconvenience, or +rather impracticability in the execution, and to the complaints of the +West India planters, who must all pay much dearer for our produce +under those restrictions. + +I am not enough master of the course of our commerce to give an +opinion on this particular question, and it does not behove me to do +it; yet I have seen so much embarrassment and so little advantage in +all the restraining and compulsive systems, that I feel myself +strongly inclined to believe, that a State, which leaves all her ports +open to all the world upon equal terms, will, by that means, have +foreign commodities cheaper, sell its own productions dearer, and be +on the whole the most prosperous. I have heard some merchants say, +that there is ten per cent difference between _Will you buy?_ and +_Will you sell?_ When foreigners bring us their goods, they want to +part with them speedily, that they may purchase their cargoes and +despatch their ships, which are at constant charges in our ports; we +have then the advantage of their _Will you buy?_ And when they demand +our produce, we have the advantage of their _Will you sell?_ And the +concurring demands of a number also contribute to raise our prices. +Thus both those questions are in our favor at home, against us +abroad. + +The employing, however, of our own ships and raising a breed of seamen +among us, though it should not be a matter of so much private profit +as some imagine, is nevertheless of political importance, and must +have weight in considering this subject. + +The judgment you make of the conduct of France in the peace, and the +greater glory acquired by her moderation than even by her arms, +appears to me perfectly just. The character of this Court and nation +seems, of late years, to be considerably changed. The ideas of +aggrandisement by conquest are out of fashion, and those of commerce +are more enlightened and more generous than heretofore. We shall soon, +I believe, feel something of this in our being admitted to a greater +freedom of trade with their Islands. The wise here think France great +enough; and its ambition at present seems to be only that of justice +and magnanimity towards other nations, fidelity and utility to its +allies. + +The Ambassador of Portugal was much pleased with the proceedings +relating to their vessel, which you sent me, and assures me they will +have a good effect at his Court. He appears extremely desirous of a +treaty with our States; I have accordingly proposed to him the plan of +one (nearly the same with that sent me for Sweden) and after my +agreeing to some alterations, he has sent it to his Court for +approbation. He told me at Versailles, last Tuesday, that he expected +its return to him on Saturday next, and anxiously desired that I would +not despatch our packet without it, that Congress might consider it, +and, if approved, send a commission to me or some other Minister to +sign it. + +I venture to go thus far in treating, on the authority only of a kind +of general power, given formerly by a resolution of Congress to Messrs +Franklin, Deane, and Lee; but a special commission seems more proper +to complete a treaty, and more agreeable to the usual forms of such +business. + +I am in just the same situation with Denmark; that Court by its +Minister here has desired a treaty with us. I have proposed a plan +formed on that sent me for Sweden; it has been under consideration +some time at Copenhagen, and is expected here this week, so that I may +possibly send that also by this conveyance. You will have seen by my +letter to the Danish Prime Minister, that I did not forget the affair +of the prizes. What I then wrote, produced a verbal offer made me +here, of £10,000 sterling, proposed to be given by his Majesty to the +captors, if I would accept it as a full discharge of our demand. I +could not do this, I said, because it was not more than a fifth part +of the estimated value. In answer, I was told that the estimation was +probably extravagant, that it would be difficult to come at the +knowledge of their true value, and that whatever they might be worth +in themselves, they should not be estimated as of such value to us +when at Bergen, since the English probably watched them, and might +have retaken them in their way to America; at least, they were at the +common risk of the seas and enemies, and the insurance was a +considerable drawback; that this sum might be considered as so much +saved for us by the King's interference; for that if the English +claimants had been suffered to carry the cause into the common courts, +they must have recovered the prizes by the laws of Denmark; it was +added, that the King's honor was concerned, that he sincerely desired +our friendship, but he would avoid, by giving this sum in the form of +a present to the captors, the appearance of its being exacted from him +as the reparation of an injury, when it was really intended rather as +a proof of his strong disposition to cultivate a good understanding +with us. + +I replied, that the value might possibly be exaggerated; but that we +did not desire more than should be found just on inquiry, and that it +was not difficult to learn from London what sums were insured upon the +ships and cargoes, which would be some guide; and that a reasonable +abatement might be made for the risk; but that the Congress could not, +in justice to their mariners, deprive them of any part that was truly +due to those brave men, whatever abatement they might think fit to +make (as a mark of their regard for the King's friendship) of the part +belonging to the public; that I had, however, no instructions or +authority to make any abatement of any kind, and could, therefore, +only acquaint Congress with the offer, and the reasons that +accompanied it, which I promised to state fully and candidly (as I +have now done) and attend their orders, desiring only that it might be +observed, we had presented our complaint with decency, that we had +charged no fault on the Danish government, but what might arise from +inattention or precipitancy, and that we had intimated no resentment, +but had waited with patience and respect the King's determination, +confiding, that he would follow the equitable disposition of his own +breast, by doing us justice as soon as he could do it with +conveniency; that the best and wisest Princes sometimes erred, that it +belonged to the condition of man, and was, therefore, inevitable, and +that the true honor in such cases consisted not in disowning or hiding +the error, but in making ample reparation; that, though I could not +accept what was offered on the terms proposed, our treaty might go on, +and its articles be prepared and considered, and, in the mean time, I +hoped his Danish Majesty would reconsider the offer, and make it more +adequate to the loss we had sustained. Thus that matter rests; but I +hourly expect to hear further, and perhaps may have more to say on it +before the ship's departure. + +I shall be glad to have the proceedings you mention respecting the +brig Providentia. I hope the equity and justice of our Admiralty +Courts, respecting the property of strangers, will always maintain +their reputation, and I wish particularly to cultivate the disposition +of friendship towards us, apparent in the late proceedings of Denmark, +as the Danish Islands may be of use to our West India commerce, while +the English impolitic restraints continue. + +The Elector of Saxony, as I understand from his Minister here, has +thoughts of sending one to Congress, and proposing a treaty of +commerce and amity with us. Prussia has likewise an inclination to +share in a trade with America, and the Minister of that Court, though +he has not directly proposed a treaty, has given me a packet of lists +of the several sorts of merchandise they can furnish us with, which he +requests me to send to America for the information of our merchants. + +I have received no answer yet from Congress to my request of being +dismissed from their service. They should, methinks, reflect, that if +they continue me here, the faults I may henceforth commit, through the +infirmities of age, will be rather theirs than mine. I am glad my +journal afforded you any pleasure. I will, as you desire, endeavor to +continue it. I thank you for the pamphlet; it contains a great deal +of information respecting our finances. We shall, as you advise, avoid +publishing it. But I see they are publishing it in the English papers. +I was glad I had a copy authenticated by the signature of Secretary +Thompson, by which I could assure Count de Vergennes, that the money +contract I had made with him was ratified by Congress, he having just +before expressed some uneasiness to me at its being so long neglected. +I find it was ratified soon after it was received, but the +ratification, except in that pamphlet, has not yet come to hand. I +have done my best to procure the further loan directed by the +resolution of Congress. It was not possible. I have written on that +matter to Mr Morris. I wish the rest of the estimates of losses and +mischiefs were come to hand; they would still be of use. + +Mr Barclay has in his hands the affair of the Alliance and Bon Homme +Richard. I will afford him all the assistance in my power, but it is a +very perplexed business. That expedition, though for particular +reasons under American commissions and colors, was carried on at the +King's expense, and under his orders. M. de Chaumont was the agent +appointed by the Minister of Marine to make the outfit. He was also +chosen by all the captains of the squadron, as appears by an +instrument under their hands, to be their agent, receive, sell, and +divide prizes, &c. The Crown bought two of them at public sale, and +the money I understand is lodged in the hands of a responsible person +at L'Orient. M. de Chaumont says he has given in his accounts to the +Marine, and that he has no more to do with the affair, except to +receive a balance due to him. That account, however, is I believe +unsettled, and the absence of some of the captains is said to make +another difficulty, which retards the completion of the business. I +never paid or received anything relating to that expedition, nor had +any other concern in it, than barely ordering the Alliance to join the +squadron at M. de Sartine's request. I know not whether the other +captains will not claim a share in what we may obtain from Denmark, +though the prizes were made by the Alliance, when separate from the +squadron. If so, that is another difficulty in the way of making +abatement in our demand, without their consent. + +I am sorry to find, that you have thoughts of quitting the service. I +do not think your place can be easily well supplied. You mention, that +an entire new arrangement, with respect to foreign affairs, is under +consideration. I wish to know whether any notice is likely to be taken +in it of my grandson. He has now gone through an apprenticeship of +near seven years in the Ministerial business, and is very capable of +serving the States in that line, as possessing all the requisites of +knowledge, zeal, activity, language, and address. He is well liked +here, and Count de Vergennes has expressed to me in warm terms his +very good opinion of him. The late Swedish Ambassador, Count de +Creutz, who has gone home to be Prime Minister, desired I would +endeavor to procure his being sent to Sweden, with a public character, +assuring me, that he should be glad to receive him there as our +Minister, and that he knew it would be pleasing to the King.[18] The +present Swedish Ambassador has also proposed the same thing to me, as +you will see by a letter of his, which I enclose.[19] One of the +Danish Ministers, M. Walterstorff, who will probably be sent in a +public character to Congress, has also expressed his wish, that my +grandson may be sent to Denmark. But it is not my custom to solicit +employments for myself, or any of my family, and I shall not do it in +this case. I only hope, that if he is not to be employed in your new +arrangement, I may be informed of it as soon as possible, that while I +have strength left for it, I may accompany him in a tour to Italy, +returning through Germany, which I think he may make to more advantage +with me than alone, and which I have long promised to afford him, as a +reward for his faithful service, and his tender filial attachment to +me. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [18] See the Swedish Ambassador's letter, p. 112. + + [19] See p. 112. + +_July 25th._ While I was writing the above M. Walterstorff came in, +and delivered me a packet from M. Rosencrone, the Danish Prime +Minister, containing the project of the treaty with some proposed +alterations, and a paper of reasons in support of them.[20] Fearing +that we should not have time to copy them, I send herewith the +originals, relying on his promise to furnish me with copies in a few +days. He seemed to think, that the interest of the merchants is +concerned in the immediate conclusion of the treaty, that they may +form their plans of commerce, and wished to know whether I did not +think my general power, above mentioned, sufficient for that purpose. +I told him I thought a particular commission more agreeable to the +forms, but if his Danish Majesty would be content for the present with +the general authority, formerly given to me, I believed I might +venture to act upon it, reserving by a separate article to Congress +the power of shortening the term in case any part of the treaty +should not be to their mind, unless the alteration of such part should +hereafter be agreed on. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [20] See M. de Rosencrone's letter, and the other papers here + mentioned, p. 115 et seqq. + +The Prince de Deuxponts was lately at Paris, and applied to me for +information, respecting a commerce which is desired between the +Electorate of Bavaria and America. I have it also from a good hand at +the Court of Vienna, that the Emperor is desirous of establishing a +commerce with us from Trieste, as well as Flanders, and would make a +treaty with us if proposed to him. Since our trade is laid open, and +no longer a monopoly to England, all Europe seems desirous of sharing +in it, and for that purpose to cultivate our friendship. That it may +be better known everywhere, what sort of people, and what kind of +government they will have to treat with, I prevailed with our friend, +the Duc de la Rochefoucault, to translate our book of Constitutions +into French, and I presented copies to all the Foreign Ministers. I +send you one herewith. They are much admired by the politicians here, +and it is thought will induce considerable emigrations of substantial +people from different parts of Europe to America. It is particularly a +matter of wonder, that in the midst of a cruel war, raging in the +bowels of our country, our sages should have the firmness of mind to +sit down calmly and form such complete plans of government. They add +considerably to the reputation of the United States. + +I have mentioned above the port of Trieste, with which we may possibly +have a commerce, and I am told that many useful productions and +manufactures of Hungary may be had extremely cheap there. But it +becomes necessary first to consider how our Mediterranean trade is to +be protected from the corsairs of Barbary. You will see by the +enclosed copy of a letter[21] I received from Algiers, the danger two +of our ships escaped last winter. I think it not improbable, that +those rovers may be privately encouraged by the English to fall upon +us, and to prevent our interference in the carrying trade; for I have +in London heard it is a maxim among the merchants, that if _there were +no Algiers, it would be worth England's while to build one_. I wonder, +however, that the rest of Europe do not combine to destroy those +nests, and secure commerce from their future piracies. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [21] See p. 96. + +I made the Grand Master of Malta a present of one of our medals in +silver, writing to him a letter, of which I enclose a copy;[22] and I +believe our people will be kindly received in his ports; but that is +not sufficient; and perhaps now we have peace, it will be proper to +send Ministers, with suitable presents, to establish a friendship with +the Emperor of Morocco, and the other Barbary States, if possible. Mr +Jay will inform you of some steps, that have been taken by a person at +Alicant, without authority, towards a treaty with that Emperor. I send +you herewith a few more of the abovementioned medals, which have given +great satisfaction to this Court and nation. I should be glad to know +how they are liked with you. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [22] See above, p. 95. + +Our people, who were prisoners in England, are now all discharged. +During the whole war, those who were in Forton prison, near +Portsmouth, were much befriended by the constant charitable care of Mr +Wren, a Presbyterian minister there, who spared no pains to assist +them in their sickness and distress, by procuring and distributing +among them the contributions of good Christians, and prudently +dispensing the allowance I made them, which gave him a great deal of +trouble, but he went through it cheerfully. I think some public notice +should be taken of this good man. I wish the Congress would enable me +to make him a present, and that some of our universities would confer +upon him the degree of Doctor. + +The Duke of Manchester, who has always been our friend in the House of +Lords, is now here as Ambassador from England. I dine with him today, +26th, and if anything of importance occurs, I will add it in a +postscript. Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to the Congress, +assure them of my most faithful services, and believe me to be, with +great and sincere esteem, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + PLAN OF A TREATY WITH PORTUGAL. + +Plan of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Her Most Faithful +Majesty, the Queen of Portugal and Algarva, and the United States of +North America. + +Her Most Faithful Majesty, the Queen of Portugal and Algarva, and the +United States of North America, anxious to fix in an equitable and +permanent manner the regulation, which ought to be observed with +regard to the commerce they wish to establish between their respective +countries, conceive that they cannot more effectually attain this end +than by observing as the basis of their arrangement the most perfect +equality and reciprocity, allowing each party the liberty of making +such interior regulations respecting their commerce and navigation as +may best suit them, resting the advantages of commerce on its +reciprocal utility and the laws of a just concurrence. In consequence +of these principles, and of a mature deliberation, Her Most Faithful +Majesty and the United States have agreed on the following articles. + + + ARTICLE I. + +There shall be a firm, inviolable, and universal peace, and a sincere +amity between Her Most Faithful Majesty, the Queen of Portugal, her +heirs and successors, and the United States of North America, as well +with respect to the citizens and subjects of the said two parties as +their people, islands, cities, and places situated within their +respective jurisdictions, and between their people and inhabitants of +all classes, without exception of persons and places, similar to what +has been already established with the most favorite powers. + + + ARTICLE II. + +The subjects of Her Most Faithful Majesty may freely frequent and +reside in the United States, and traffic in all kinds of effects and +merchandises, whose importation or exportation is not or shall not be +prohibited, and they shall not pay in the ports, harbors, roads, +countries, islands, cities, and places within the United States, other +or greater duties or imposts of any kind whatever, than such as the +most favored nations are, or shall be, obliged to pay. And they shall +enjoy all the rights, liberties, privileges, immunities, and +exemptions with respect to trade, navigation, and commerce, whether in +going from one port of the said States to another, or in going there, +or returning from any part or to any part of the world whatever, which +the said nations do or shall enjoy. + + + ARTICLE III. + +In the like manner the citizens and inhabitants of the United States +of North America shall freely frequent and reside in the States of Her +Most Faithful Majesty in Europe; also in Madeira and the Azores, and +trade there in all kinds of effects and merchandises, the importation +and exportation of which is not, or shall not be prohibited, and they +shall not pay in the ports, harbors, roads, countries, islands, +cities, and places of the Queen of Portugal, other or greater duties +of any kind whatsoever than such as the most favored nations are, or +shall be, bound to pay; and they shall enjoy all the rights, +liberties, privileges, immunities, and exemptions as to trade, +navigation, and commerce, whether in going from one port of Her Most +Faithful Majesty's States to another, or in going there, or returning +from any part of the world whatever, which the said nations do or +shall enjoy. + + + ARTICLE IV. + +Her Most Faithful Majesty shall use every means in her power to +protect and defend all the vessels and property belonging to the +subjects, people, and inhabitants of the said United States, which +shall be in her ports, harbors, or roads, against any violence +whatever that may be committed by the subjects of her said Majesty, by +punishing such as shall violate these principles. + + + ARTICLE V. + +The preceding article, shall be in like manner reciprocally and +exactly observed on the part of the United States, with respect to the +vessels and property belonging to the subjects of her said Majesty, +which shall be found in their ports, harbors, or roads, against any +violence that may be committed by the subjects of the United States. + + + ARTICLE VI. + +If any squadrons or vessels of war touch at the ports, or enter into +the seas in the neighborhood of Her Most Faithful Majesty's States, +they shall conform to the regulations already established with respect +to the other most favored maritime powers. + + + ARTICLE VII. + +The United States of America likewise oblige themselves reciprocally +to observe with exactitude the stipulations contained in the above +article. + + + ARTICLE VIII. + +It is likewise agreed and determined that every merchant, captains of +merchant vessels, or other subjects of Her Most Faithful Majesty, +shall have entire liberty in all places within the dominion or +jurisdiction of the United States of America, to manage themselves +their own affairs, and to employ therein whomsoever they please, and +that they shall not be obliged to make use of any interpreter or +broker, nor to pay them any fee, unless they do employ them. Moreover, +the masters of the vessels shall not be obliged, in loading or +discharging their vessels, to employ workmen, appointed for that +purpose by public authority, but they shall be entirely free to +discharge or load themselves their vessels, and to employ, in loading +or discharging, such persons as they shall think proper for the +purpose, without paying any fee, under the title of salary, to any +other person whatever, and they shall not be obliged to put any kind +of merchandise in other vessels, or to receive them on board, and wait +to be loaded any longer time than what they please, and all and every +of the citizens, people, and inhabitants of the United States of +America shall have, and shall reciprocally enjoy, the same privileges +and liberties in all the aforesaid places within Her Most Faithful +Majesty's jurisdiction in Europe. And, as to what concerns contraband +goods, which may be introduced in merchant vessels belonging to either +nation, they shall be obliged to submit to the visit of the officers +appointed in the two States, to prevent the said contraband, and, for +that purpose to conform to the established regulations, or such as +shall be established within the respective States. + + + ARTICLE IX. + +Full and entire liberty of conscience shall be granted to the +inhabitants and subjects of each party, and no one shall be molested +with respect to his worship, provided he submits, as far as respects +the public demonstration, to the laws of the country. The inhabitants +and subjects of either party, who shall die in the territory of the +other party, shall be permitted to be buried in suitable and decent +places, which shall be assigned for that purpose, and the two +contracting powers shall provide, each within its own jurisdiction, +that the respective subjects and inhabitants may obtain certificates +of death, in case they shall be required to deliver them. + + + ARTICLE X. + +The subjects of the contracting parties may, within the respective +States, freely dispose of their property, moveable and immoveable, +either by testament, donation, or otherwise, in favor of such persons +as they may think proper, and their heirs, wherever they may dwell, +shall receive these successions, even ab intestato, either in person +or by attorney, without the necessity of obtaining letters of +naturalization. These inheritances, as well as the capitals and +effects, which the subjects of the two parties, in changing their +residence, would carry from the place of their abode, shall be +exempted from any duties on the part of the government of the two +respective States. The contents of this article shall in no wise +derogate from the ordinances published against emigrations, or which +shall hereafter be promulgated within the dominions of the two powers, +the exercise of which they reserve to themselves. + + + ARTICLE XI. + +If, hereafter, a war should happen between Portugal and the United +States, which God forbid, the space of nine months shall be granted to +the merchants of either country residing at that time in the other, to +collect their debts and put their affairs in order, and they may +depart with all their effects without let or molestation. All +fishermen, farmers, artisans, or manufacturers, unarmed and residing +in cities, places, and villages not fortified, who work for the +subsistence and welfare of mankind, and who peaceably exercise their +respective employments, shall be allowed to continue their occupations +without molestation from the armed forces of the enemy, in whose power +they may fall through the events of war; but should it be necessary to +take anything from them for the use of the army, they shall be paid +for them at a reasonable price. All traders and merchants, whose +vessels shall not be armed for war, but employed in the commerce of +exchanging the productions of different countries, and thereby +rendering the wants, conveniences, and comforts of life easier to be +obtained and more universal, shall be permitted to pass freely, and +without molestation. Neither of the contracting powers shall grant a +commission to any privateer, authorising it to take or destroy such +merchant vessels, or to interrupt such commerce. + + + ARTICLE XII. + +In order to remove and prevent on both sides every difficulty and +misunderstanding, that commonly happen respecting merchandise +heretofore denominated contraband, and which shall be judged such by +the powers of Europe in their respective treaties, that is to say, +arms and warlike stores, it has been agreed, that in case where one of +the contracting parties shall be engaged in a war against any other +nation, none of these articles carried in the vessels, or by the +subjects of one of the parties to the enemies of the other, shall be +considered contraband under any pretext whatever, nor be confiscated +or taken away as such from any individual. It shall, nevertheless, be +lawful to stop such vessels, and to detain them as long as the captors +shall think necessary to prevent the inconveniencies or damages that +may result from the continuation of their voyage, by paying, however, +to the proprietors a reasonable compensation for the loss, which such +detention may occasion; moreover, the captors shall be permitted to +use, in whole or in part, the warlike stores thus detained, provided +that they pay the full value thereof to the proprietors. + + + ARTICLE XIII. + +All vessels and merchandise of whatsoever kind, that shall be +recovered from pirates of the high seas, shall be brought into some +port of one of the two States and delivered to the care of the +officers of the said port, in order that they may be completely +restored to their true proprietor, as soon as he shall have duly and +sufficiently proved his property. + + + ARTICLE XIV. + +None of Her Most Faithful Majesty's subjects shall take a commission +or letter of marque to arm any vessel or vessels for the purpose of +acting as privateers against the United States, or any of them, or +against their subjects, people, or inhabitants, or against their +property, or that of the inhabitants of either of them, from any +prince whatever, with whom the said States shall be at war. In like +manner, no citizen, or subject, or inhabitant of the aforesaid United +States, or any of them, shall demand any commission or letter of +marque to arm any vessel or vessels to cruise against the subjects of +Her Most Faithful Majesty, or any of them, or their property, from any +prince or State whatever with whom the said Queen shall be at war; and +if any one belonging to either nation takes such commission or letter +of marque, he shall be punished as a pirate. + + + ARTICLE XV. + +In case the vessels, subjects, and inhabitants of one of the two +contracting parties shall approach the coasts of the other, without +designing, however, to enter into the port, or, after having entered, +without intention to discharge their cargo, or to break bulk, they +shall be at liberty to depart or to pursue their voyage without +molestation. + + + ARTICLE XVI. + +It is stipulated by the present treaty, that free vessels shall secure +the liberty of the persons who shall be on board, even should they be +the enemies of one of the two contracting parties, and they shall not +be taken out of the said vessels unless they are military characters, +and actually in the enemy's service. + + + ARTICLE XVII. + +The two contracting parties mutually grant permission to maintain in +their respective ports, consuls, vice consuls, agents, and +commissaries, whose functions shall be regulated by a particular +convention, whenever either party may be pleased to establish it. + + + ARTICLE XVIII. + +The present treaty shall be ratified on both sides, and the +ratifications shall be exchanged in the space of eight months, or +sooner if possible, reckoning from the date of the signature. + + + ARTICLE XIX. + +Her Most Faithful Majesty, the Queen of Portugal and Algarva, and the +United States of North America, agree that the present treaty shall be +in full force, reckoning from the date of its ratification, and the +two contracting parties reciprocally promise to observe it exactly. + + * * * * * + + FROM THE POPE'S NUNCIO TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + +The Apostolical Nuncio has the honor to send Mr Franklin the enclosed +note, which he requests he will be pleased to forward to the Congress +of the United States of North America, and support it with his credit. + + July 28th, 1783. + + + NOTE. + +Before the revolution, which has just been completed in North America, +the Catholics and missionaries of those provinces depended, as to +their spiritual concerns, on the Apostolical Vicar, resident in +London. It is well known that this arrangement can no longer exist; +but as it is essential that the Catholic subjects of the United States +should have an ecclesiastic to govern them in their religious +concerns, the congregation _de Propagandâ Fide_ existing at Rome for +the establishment and conservation of missions, has come to the +determination of proposing to Congress to establish, in some city of +the United States of North America, one of their Catholic subjects, +with the powers of Apostolical Vicar, and in the character of Bishop, +or simply in quality of Apostolical Prefect. + +The establishment of an Apostolical Vicar Bishop appears the most +eligible, the more so as the Catholic subjects of the United States +would find themselves in a situation to receive confirmation and +orders in their own country, without being obliged to go for that +purpose to the country of a foreign power. And as it might sometimes +happen, that among the subjects of the United States, there might be +no person in a situation to be charged with the spiritual government, +either as Bishop or Apostolical Prefect, it would be necessary, in +such circumstances, that Congress should consent to choose him from +among the subjects of a foreign nation the most friendly with the +United States. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, August 16th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that the English Ministry +do not agree to any of the propositions that have been made, either +by us or by their Minister here; and they have sent over a plan for +the definitive treaty, which consists merely of the preliminaries +formerly signed, with a short introductory paragraph, and another at +the conclusion, confirming and establishing the said preliminary +articles. My colleagues seem inclined to sign this with Mr Hartley, +and so to finish the affair. + + I am, with respect, Sir, your Excellency's, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + M. DE RAYNEVAL TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, August 29th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have informed the Count de Vergennes of the difficulty, which Mr +Hartley has made to signing at Versailles, and this Minister has +directed me to say, that nothing ought to prevent your signing at +Paris on Wednesday next, the day proposed for the signature of the +other treaties; but I request you to fix the hour with Mr Hartley at +nine o'clock in the morning, and to send here an express immediately +after your signature is completed. + +M. de Vergennes is desirous of being informed of the completion of +your labors at the same time with his own. You receive for Wednesday a +note of invitation, as well as for your colleagues and Mr Hartley; I +presume that the latter will make no difficulty. + +I have the honor to be, Sir, with perfect consideration, your most +obedient humble servant, + + DE RAYNEVAL. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, August 31st, 1783. + + Sir, + +After a continued course of treating for nine months, the English +Ministry have at length come to a resolution to lay aside, for the +present, all the new propositions, that have been made and agreed to, +their own as well as ours; and they offer to sign again as a +Definitive Treaty, the articles of November the 30th, 1782, the +ratifications of which have already been exchanged. We have agreed to +this, and on Wednesday next, the third of September, it will be +signed, with all the definitive treaties, establishing a general +peace, which may God long continue. + +I am, with great respect, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, September 6th, 1783. + + My Dear Friend, + +Enclosed is my letter to Mr Fox. I beg you would assure him, that my +expressions of esteem for him are not mere professions. I really think +him a _great_ man, and I would not think so if I did not believe he +was at bottom, and would prove himself a _good_ one. Guard him against +mistaken notions of the American people. You have deceived yourselves +too long with vain expectations of reaping advantage from our little +discontents. We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with +respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under +Heaven. Every man among us reads, and is so easy in his circumstances +as to have leisure for conversations of improvement, and for acquiring +information. Our domestic misunderstandings, when we have them, are of +small extent, though monstrously magnified by your microscopic +newspapers. He who judges from them, that we are on the point of +falling into anarchy, or returning to the obedience of Britain, is +like one who being shown some spots in the sun should fancy, that the +whole disk would soon be overspread with them, and that there would be +an end of daylight. The great body of intelligence among our people, +surrounds and overpowers our petty dissensions, as the sun's great +mass of fire diminishes and destroys his spots. Do not, therefore, any +longer delay the evacuation of New York, in the vain hope of a new +revolution in your favor, if such a hope has indeed had any effect in +occasioning the delay. It is now nine months since the evacuations +were promised. You expect with reason, that the people of New York +should do your merchants justice in the payment of their old debts; +consider the injustice you do them in keeping them so long out of +their habitations, and out of their business, by which they might have +been enabled to make payment. There is no truth more clear to me than +this, that the great interests of our two countries is a thorough +reconciliation. Restraints on the freedom of commerce and intercourse +between us, can afford no advantage equivalent to the mischief they +will do, by keeping up ill humor and promoting a total alienation. Let +you and me, my dear friend, do our best towards advancing and securing +that reconciliation. We can do nothing, that will in a dying hour +afford us more solid satisfaction. + +I wish you a prosperous journey, and a happy sight of your friends. +Present my best respects to your good brother and sister, and believe +me ever, with sincere and great esteem, yours affectionately, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY. + + Passy, September 10th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have received a letter from a very respectable person in America, +containing the following words, viz. + +"It is confidently reported, propagated, and believed by some among +us, that the Court of France was at the bottom against our obtaining +the fishery and territory in that great extent, in which both are +secured to us by the treaty; that our Minister at that Court favored, +or did not oppose this design against us, and that it was entirely +owing to the firmness, sagacity, and disinterestedness of Mr Adams, +with whom Mr Jay united, that we have obtained these important +advantages." + +It is not my purpose to dispute any share of the honor of that treaty, +which the friends of my colleagues may be disposed to give them, but +having now spent fifty years of my life in public offices and trusts, +and having still one ambition left, that of carrying the character of +fidelity at least to the grave with me, I cannot allow that I was +behind any of them in zeal and faithfulness. I therefore think, that I +ought not to suffer an accusation, which falls little short of treason +to my country, to pass without notice, when the means of effectual +vindication are at hand. You, Sir, were a witness of my conduct in +that affair. To you and my other colleagues I appeal, by sending to +each a similar letter with this, and I have no doubt of your +readiness to do a brother Commissioner justice, by certificates, that +will entirely destroy the effect of that accusation. + +I have the honor to be, with much esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + JOHN JAY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Passy, September 11th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have been favored with your letter of yesterday, and will answer it +explicitly. I have no reason whatever to believe, that you were averse +to our obtaining the full extent of boundary and fishery secured to us +by the treaty. Your conduct respecting them throughout the negotiation +indicated a strong, a steady attachment to both those objects, and in +my opinion promoted the attainment of them. + +I remember, that in a conversation, which M. de Rayneval, the first +Secretary of Count de Vergennes, had with you and me, in the summer of +1782, you contended for our full right to the fishery, and argued it +on various principles. + +Your letters to me, when in Spain, considered our territory as +extending to the Mississippi, and expressed your opinion against +ceding the navigation of that river, in very strong and pointed terms. + +In short, Sir, I do not recollect the least difference in sentiment +between us respecting the boundaries or fisheries. On the contrary, we +were unanimous and united in adhering to, and insisting on them. Nor +did I perceive the least disposition in either of us to recede from +our claims, or be satisfied with less than we obtained. + +I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, &c.[23] + + JOHN JAY. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [23] See other letters from Mr Jay respecting Dr Franklin, above, + pp. 8, 9. + + * * * * * + + JOHN ADAMS TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, September 13th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on +the 10th of this month, in which you say you have received a letter +from a very respectable person in America, containing the following +words, viz. "It is confidently reported, propagated, and believed by +some among us, that the Court of France was at the bottom against our +obtaining the fishery and territory in that great extent, in which +both are secured to us by the treaty; that our Minister at that Court +favored, or did not oppose this design against us, and that it was +entirely owing to the firmness, sagacity, and disinterestedness of Mr +Adams, with whom Mr Jay united, that we have obtained those important +advantages." + +It is unnecessary for me to say anything upon this subject, more than +to quote the words which I wrote in the evening of the 30th of +November, 1782, and which have been received and read in Congress, +viz; "As soon as I arrived in Paris, I waited on Mr Jay, and learned +from him the rise and progress of the negotiation. Nothing that has +happened, since the beginning of the controversy in 1761, has ever +struck me more forcibly or affected me more intimately, than that +entire coincidence of principles and opinion between him and me. In +about three days I went out to Passy, and spent the evening with Dr +Franklin, and entered largely into conversation with him upon the +course and present state of our foreign affairs. I told him my opinion +without reserve of the policy of this Court, and of the principles, +wisdom, and firmness with which Mr Jay had conducted the negotiation +in his sickness and my absence, and that I was determined to support +Mr Jay to the utmost of my power in pursuit of the same system. The +Doctor heard me patiently and said nothing." + +"The first conference we had afterwards with Mr Oswald in considering +one point and another, Dr Franklin turned to Mr Jay and said, 'I am of +your opinion, and will go on with these gentlemen without consulting +this Court.' He has accordingly met us in most of our conferences, and +has gone on with us in entire harmony and unanimity throughout, and +has been able and useful, both by his sagacity and reputation, in the +whole negotiation."[24] + + I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir, + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [24] For further information on this subject, and particularly for an + account of the part taken by Dr Franklin in the negotiation before he + was joined by Mr Jay and Mr Adams, see the North American Review for + January, 1830, p. 15 et seqq. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, September 13th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I received a few days since, the private letter your Excellency did me +the honor of writing to me of the 13th of June. I regret with you the +resignation of the late Secretary. Your present cares are increased by +it, and it will be difficult to find a successor of equal abilities. + +We found no difficulty in deciphering the resolution of Congress. The +Commissioners have taken no notice of it in our public letter. + +I am happy to hear that both the device and workmanship of the medal +are approved with you, as they have the good fortune to be by the best +judges on this side of the water. It has been esteemed a well-timed, +as well as a well-merited compliment here, and has its good effects. +Since the two first, which you mention as received, I have sent by +different opportunities so many, as that every member of Congress +might have one. I hope they are come safe to hand by this time. + +I wrote a long letter to Mr Livingston by Mr Barney, to which I beg +leave to refer, enclosing a copy. + +We had, before signing the definitive treaty, received the +ratification of the preliminary articles by his Britannic Majesty, +exchanged with us by Mr Hartley for that of the Congress. I send +herewith a copy of the first and last clauses. + +In a former letter I mentioned the volunteer proceedings of a merchant +at Alicant, towards obtaining a treaty between us and the Emperor of +Morocco. We have since received a letter from a person who says, as +you will see by the copy enclosed, that he is sent by the Emperor to +be the bearer of his answer to the United States, and that he is +arrived in Spain on his way to Paris. He has not yet appeared here, +and we hardly know what answer to give him. I hope the sending a +Minister to that Court, as recommended in my last, has been taken into +consideration, or at least that some instructions respecting that +nation have been sent to your Minister in Spain, who is better +situated than we are for such a negotiation.[25] + +The Minister from Denmark often speaks to me about the proposed +treaty, of which a copy went by Mr Barney. No commission to sign it, +nor any instructions from Congress relating to it are yet arrived; and +though pressed, I have not ventured to do anything further in the +affair. + +I forward herewith a letter to the Congress from the city of +Hamburg.[26] I understand that a good disposition towards us prevails +there, which it may be well to encourage. + +No answer has yet been given me from the Court of Portugal, respecting +the plan of a treaty concerted between its Ambassador here and me. He +has been unwell and much in the country, so that I have not seen him +lately. I suspect that the false or exaggerated reports of the +distracted situation of our government, industriously propagated +throughout Europe by our enemies, have made an impression in that +kingdom to our disadvantage, and inclined them to hesitate in forming +a connexion with us. Questions asked me, and observations made by +several of the foreign Ministers here, convince me that the idle +stories of our disunion, contempt of authority, refusal to pay taxes, +&c. have been too much credited, and been very injurious to our +reputation. + +I sent before a copy of the letter I wrote to the Grand Master of +Malta, with a present of our medal. With this you will have a copy of +his answer.[27] I send also a copy of a note I received from the +Pope's Nuncio.[28] He is very civil on all occasions, and has +mentioned the possibility of an advantageous trade America might have +with the Ecclesiastical State, which he says has two good ports, +Civita Vecchia, and ----. + +This Court continues favorable to us. Count de Vergennes was resolute +in refusing to sign the definitive treaty with England before ours was +signed. The English Ministers were offended, but complied. I am +convinced that Court will never cease endeavoring to disunite us. We +shall, I hope, be constantly on our guard against those machinations, +for our safety consists in a steady adherence to our friends, and our +reputation in a faithful regard to treaties, and in a grateful conduct +towards our benefactors. + +I send herewith sundry memorials recommended to my care by Count de +Vergennes, viz. one respecting a claim of Messieurs Fosters, of +Bordeaux, one of M. Pequet, and one of M. Bayard. The Congress will +take such notice of them as they shall think proper. + +With great esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [25] See p. 135 of this volume. + + [26] See p. 88. + + [27] p. 112. + + [28] p. 158. + + * * * * * + + TO LEWIS R. MORRIS.[29] + + Passy, September 14th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I received by the Washington the bills and accounts mentioned in yours +of the 5th of June, and shall soon send you an account of the +disposition of the money. + +My account as stated by you appears to be correct. + +With much esteem, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [29] Mr Morris was a Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs. + + * * * * * + + DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Bath, September 24th, 1783. + + My Dear Friend, + +I am at present at Bath with my dearest sister, whom I have found as +well as I could have expected, and I hope with reasonable prospect of +recovery in time. I have seen my friends in the ministry, and hope +things will go on well; with them I am sure all is right and firm. The +chief part of the Cabinet Ministers are out of town, but there will be +a full cabinet held in a few days, in which a specific proposition, in +the nature of a temporary convention, will be given in instructions to +me. I imagine nearly upon the ground of my memorial of May 19th, 1783, +which I delivered to the American Ministers, viz. "American ships not +to bring foreign manufactures into Great Britain, nor to trade +directly between the British West Indies and Great Britain;" all the +rest to be as before the war. I expect that something to this effect +will be their determination in the affair, and if it should be so, I +shall hope not to meet with difficulty on your parts. I want to see +some specific beginning. As to any further proposition respecting the +trade between Great Britain and the British West Indies, I doubt +whether any such can be discussed before the meeting of Parliament. I +wish to look forward not only to the continuation of peace between our +two countries, but to the improvement of reconciliation into alliance, +and therefore I wish the two parties to be disposed to accommodate +each other, without the strict account by weights and scales, as +between aliens and strangers, actuated towards each other by no other +principle than cold and equalizing indifference. Friendly dispositions +presumed have their fairest chance of being realized, but if we should +set out presuming against them, the good which might have happened may +be prevented. Pray remember me to your three colleagues, and to all +friends. + + Yours, ever most affectionately, + + D. HARTLEY. + +_P. S._ I have put in a word for our Quaker article, and I hope with +some impression. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, September 27th, 1783. + + Sir, + +Mr Thaxter, late Secretary of Mr Adams, who is charged with all our +despatches, that were intended to go by the French packet boat, writes +from L'Orient, that though he arrived there two days before the time +appointed for her sailing, he missed reaching her by four hours; but +another light vessel was fitting, and would sail the 21st instant, in +which he hoped to arrive at New York, nearly as soon as the packet. We +shall send duplicates by the next from hence. + +In the meantime I enclose a printed copy of the Definitive Treaty, +which I hear is ratified. Indeed we have the ratification of the +preliminaries. + +Mr Hartley, when he left us, expected to return in three weeks, in +order to proceed with us in forming a treaty of commerce. The new +commission, that was intended for us, is not yet come to hand. + +With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, October 16th, 1783. + + My Dear Friend, + +I have nothing material to write to you respecting public affairs, but +I cannot let Mr Adams, who will see you, go without a line to inquire +after your welfare, to inform you of mine, and assure you of my +constant respect and attachment. + +I think with you, that your Quaker article is a good one, and that men +will in time have sense enough to adopt it, but I fear that time is +not yet come. + +What would you think of a proposition, if I should make it, of a +compact between England, France, and America? America would be as +happy as the Sabine girls, if she could be the means of uniting in +perpetual peace her father and her husband. What repeated follies are +those repeated wars! You do not want to conquer and govern one +another. Why then should you be continually employed in injuring and +destroying one another? How many excellent things might have been done +to promote the internal welfare of each country; what bridges, roads, +canals, and other useful public works and institutions, tending to the +common felicity, might have been made and established with the money +and men foolishly spent, during the last seven centuries by our mad +wars in doing one another mischief! You are near neighbors and each +have very respectable qualities. Learn to be quiet and to respect each +other's rights. You are all Christians. One is _The Most Christian +King_, and the other _Defender of the Faith_. Manifest the propriety +of these titles by your future conduct. "By this," says Christ, "shall +all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." Seek +peace, and insure it. + + Adieu, yours, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, October 22d, 1783. + +I received my dear friend's kind letter of the 4th instant from Bath, +with your proposed temporary convention, which you desire me to show +to my colleagues. They are both by this time in London, where you will +undoubtedly see and converse with them on the subject. The +apprehension you mention, that the cement of the confederation may be +annihilated, &c. has not, I think, any foundation. There is sense +enough in America to take care of their own china vase. I see much in +your papers about our divisions and distractions, but I hear little of +them from America; and I know that most of the letters, said to come +from there with such accounts, are mere London fictions. I will +consider attentively the proposition abovementioned, against the +return of my colleagues, when I hope our commission will have arrived. + +I rejoice to hear that your dear sister's recovery advances, and that +your brother is well. Please to present my affectionate respects to +them, and believe me ever yours, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, November 1st, 1783. + + Sir, + +Enclosed is a copy of my last, which went by the English packet. I +heard after I wrote it, that the French packet putting back by +contrary winds, Mr Thaxter had an opportunity of getting on board her, +and that she sailed the 26th of September. + +The mentioned new commission is not yet come to hand. Mr Hartley is +not returned, and I hear will stay for the meeting of Parliament, +which is to be the 11th instant, and he will not come hither till the +recess for the Christmas holidays. Mr Jay went to England about three +weeks since on some personal affairs; and Mr Adams followed last week +to see that country, and take some exercise during this vacancy of +business. + +This Court is now at Fontainbleau, but will return to Versailles in a +few days. Its good disposition towards us continues. The late failure +of payment in the Caisse d'Escompte, an institution similar to the +Bank of England, occasioned partly by its having gone too far in +assisting the government with money, and the inability of the +government to support their credit, though extremely desirous of doing +it, is a fresh proof that our not obtaining a further loan was not +occasioned by want of good will to assist us, as some have unjustly +supposed, but by a real want of the means. Money is at present +unaccountably scarce here; what is arrived and expected in Spain since +the peace it is thought will set things right. The government has +proposed a second lottery for this year, by which they borrow +twentyfour millions, and it is filled readily. This helps, and the +Caisse d'Escompte goes on again with its operations, but it is said +the interest paid by the lottery plan is nearly seven per cent. + +I have received the duplicates of your Excellency's letter, of the +15th of July, to the Commissioners, which is very satisfactory, +though it came to hand but lately. The first sent, via New York, has +not yet appeared. I have sent copies of it to the Hague and Madrid. +The substance is published in several papers. + +I have acquainted the Minister of Sweden, that I have received the +ratification of the treaty, and he has written to me that he shall be +in town in a few days, when he will make the exchange. The conclusion +of the Danish treaty waits only for the commission and instructions +from Congress. The Ambassador of Portugal informed me lately, that his +Court had our proposed plan under consideration, and that we should +soon hear from them. I sent it to Congress by Barney, and hear the +ship is arrived. A commission and instructions will be wanting for +that also, should the Congress be disposed to conclude a treaty with +that nation. + +I see by the public prints, that the Congress have ratified the +contract I made with the Minister here, respecting the loans and aids +we had received, but the ratification itself, though directed to be +sent me, has never come to hand, and I am often asked for it. I beg it +may be forwarded by the first opportunity. + +There has been with me lately M. Pierre du Calvet, a merchant of +Montreal, who, when our army was in Canada, furnished our generals and +officers with many things they wanted, taking their receipts and +promissory notes for payment; and when the English repossessed the +country, he was imprisoned, and his estate seized, on account of the +services he had rendered us. He has shown me the originals of his +papers, which I think are genuine. He produced also a quantity of +Congress paper, which he says he received in payment for some of the +supplies, and which appeared to me of our first emissions, and yet +all fresh and clean, as having passed through no other hands. When he +was discharged from prison, he could not obtain permission to go into +the United States to claim the debt, but was allowed to go to England; +and from thence he came hither to solicit payment from me. Having no +authority to meddle with such debts, and the sum being considerable, I +refused, and advised him to take passage for America, and make his +application to Congress. He said he was grown old, much broken and +weakened by near three years' imprisonment, and that the voyage from +Canada to London had like to have been too much for him, he being sick +all the way; so that he could not think of another, though distressed +for want of his money. He appears an honest man, and his case a hard +one. I have therefore undertaken to forward his papers, and I beg +leave to recommend them to the speedy consideration of Congress, to +whom I request you would be pleased to present my dutiful respects, +and assure them of my most faithful services. + +With great esteem and regard, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + GIACOMO FRANCISCO CROCCO TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Cadiz, November 25th, 1783. + + Sir, + +On the 15th of July last, I had the honor to acquaint your Excellency +of my arrival in Europe, and that I was appointed by his Majesty, the +Emperor of Morocco, bearer of the answer to the Congress, Sovereign of +the Thirteen United States of North America, and that according to my +instructions, I was to meet at Paris the Ambassador, that would be +appointed by the Congress, to sign at the Court of Morocco the treaty +of peace and commerce, agreeably to the proposals made to his Imperial +Majesty, by Robert Montgomery, in his letter dated at Alicant, the 4th +of January, 1783. Since I have been at the Court of Madrid, where I +had some commissions from the Emperor, and to see the execution of +them, I came to this place, from whence I intend to embark in three or +four months for Barbary, unless in the meantime I should receive an +answer from your Excellency, with orders, that Mr Richard Harrison +should give me for my travelling charges fifteen hundred hard dollars, +although the Courts of Europe are accustomed to allow the Ministers of +my master at the rate of ten pounds sterling per day, while they are +in Europe, to defray their expenses, besides presents for their good +offices in those important affairs. + +His Imperial Majesty was graciously pleased at my solicitation to +agree at the request of Congress, to grant them a treaty of peace, +(which other powers in Europe could not obtain but after many years) +and my return, without the full execution of his commands, I apprehend +may forever indispose him against the United Provinces. + + I remain most truly, Sir, &c. + + GIACOMO FRANCISCO CROCCO. + + * * * * * + + TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL. + + Passy, December 15th, 1783. + + My Dear Friend, + +I am much concerned to find by your letter to my grandson, that you +are hurt by my long silence, and that you ascribe it to a supposed +diminution of my friendship. Believe me, that is by no means the +case, but I am too much harassed by a variety of correspondence, +together with gout and gravel, which induce me to postpone doing what +I often fully intend to do, and particularly writing, where the urgent +necessity of business does not seem to require its being done +immediately, my sitting too much at the desk having already almost +killed me, besides, since Mr Jay's residence here, I imagined he might +keep you fully informed of what was material for you to know, and I +beg you to be assured of my constant and sincere esteem and affection. + +I do not know whether you have been informed, that a Mr Montgomery, +who lives at Alicant, took upon himself, (for I think he had no +authority,) to make overtures last winter in behalf of our States, +towards a treaty with the Emperor of Morocco. In consequence of his +proceedings I received a letter in August, from a person who +acquainted me, that he was arrived in Spain by the Emperor's order, +and was to come to Paris, there to receive and conduct to Morocco the +Minister of Congress appointed to make that treaty, intimating at the +same time an expectation of money to defray his expenses. I +communicated the letter to Mr Jay. The conduct of Mr Montgomery +appeared to us very extraordinary and irregular, and the idea of a +messenger from Morocco coming to Paris to meet and conduct a Minister +of Congress appearing absurd and extravagant, as well as the demand of +money by a person unknown, I made no answer to the letter, and I know +not whether Mr Jay made any to Mr Montgomery, who wrote about the same +time. But I have lately received another letter from the same person, +a copy of which I enclose, together with my answer open for your +perusal, and it is submitted to your discretion whether to forward it +or not. The Mr _Crocco_, who writes to me, having been, as he says, at +Madrid, you possibly may know more of him than I can, and judge +whether he is really a person in credit with the Emperor, and sent as +he pretends to be, or not rather an _Escroc_, as the French call +cheats and impostors. + +I would not be wanting in anything proper for me to do towards keeping +that Prince in good humor with us, till the pleasure of Congress is +known, and therefore would answer Mr Crocco if he be in his employ; +but am loth to commit myself in correspondence with a _Fripon_. It +will be strange if, being at Madrid, he did not address himself to +you. + +With great and unalterable regard, I am ever, my dear friend, yours +most affectionately, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO GIACOMO FRANCISCO CROCCO. + + Passy, December 15th, 1783. + + Sir, + +I have just received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me +the 25th past. I did indeed receive your former letter of July, but +being totally a stranger to the mentioned proceedings of Mr +Montgomery, and having no orders from Congress on the subject, I knew +not how to give you any satisfactory answer, till I should receive +further information; and I communicated your letter to Mr Jay, +Minister of the United States for Spain, in whose district Mr +Montgomery is, and who is more at hand than I am for commencing that +negotiation. + +Mr Jay, who is at present in England, has possibly written to you, +though his letter may have miscarried, to acquaint you, that Mr +Montgomery had probably no authority from Congress to take the step he +has done, and that it was not likely that they, desiring to make a +treaty with the Emperor, would think of putting his Majesty to the +trouble of sending a person to Paris to receive and conduct their +Minister, since they have ships, and could easily land him at Cadiz, +or present him at one of the Emperor's ports. We have, however, +written to Congress, acquainting them with what we had been informed, +of the good and favorable disposition of his Imperial Majesty, to +enter into a treaty of amity and commerce with the United States, and +we have no doubt but that, as soon as their affairs are a little +settled, which, by so severe a war carried on in the bowels of their +country, by one of the most powerful nations of Europe, have +necessarily been much deranged, they will readily manifest equally +good dispositions, and take all the proper steps to cultivate and +secure the friendship of a monarch, whose character I know they have +long esteemed and respected. + + I am, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, December 25th, 1783. + + Sir, + +Not having heard of the appointment of a new Secretary for Foreign +Affairs, I take the liberty of addressing this despatch directly to +your Excellency. I received by Captain Barney a letter from the late +President, directed to the Commissioners, dated November the 1st, with +a set of instructions, dated the 29th of October, a resolution of the +same date respecting Hamburg, and another of the 1st of November, +relating to Captain Paul Jones, all which will be duly regarded. + +Captain Jones, in passing through England, communicated these papers +to Mr Adams then at London. Mr Adams, disappointed in not finding +among them the commission we had been made to expect, empowering us to +make a treaty of commerce with England, wrote to me, that he imagined +it might be contained in a packet that was directed to me, and +requested to be immediately informed, adding, that in case no such +commission was come he should depart directly for Holland; so I +suppose he is now there. Mr Laurens is gone to England, with an +intention of embarking soon for America. Mr Jay is at Bath, but +expected here daily. The English Ministers, the Duke of Manchester and +Mr Hartley, are both at present in Parliament. As soon as either of +them returns, we shall endeavor to obtain an additional article to the +treaty, explaining that mentioned in the instructions. + +The affairs of Ireland are still unsettled. The Parliament and +volunteers are at variance; the latter are uneasy, that in the late +negotiations for a treaty of commerce between England and America, the +British Ministers had made no mention of Ireland, and they seem to +desire a separate treaty of commerce between America and that kingdom. + +It was certainly disagreeable to the English Ministers, that all their +treaties for peace were carried on under the eye of the French Court. +This began to appear towards the conclusion, when Mr Hartley refused +going to Versailles, to sign there with the other powers our +definitive treaty, and insisted on its being done at Paris, which we +in good humor complied with, but at an earlier hour, that we might +have time to acquaint Count de Vergennes before he was to sign with +the Duke of Manchester. + +The Dutch definitive treaty was not then ready, and the British Court +now insists on finishing it either at London or the Hague. If, +therefore, the commission to us, which has been so long delayed, is +still intended, perhaps it will be well to instruct us to treat either +here or at London, as we may find most convenient. + +The treaty may be conducted, even there, in concert and in the +confidence of communication with the Ministers of our friends, whose +advice may be of use to us. + +With respect to the British Court, we should, I think, be constantly +upon our guard, and impress strongly upon our minds, that though it +has made peace with us, it is not in truth reconciled either to us, or +to its loss of us, but still flatters itself with hopes, that some +change in the affairs of Europe, or some disunion among ourselves, may +afford them an opportunity of recovering their dominion, punishing +those who have most offended, and securing our future dependence. It +is easy to see by the general turn of the ministerial newspapers, +(light things, indeed, as straws and feathers, but like them they show +which way the wind blows) and by the malignant improvement their +Ministers make, in all the foreign Courts, of every little accident or +dissension among us, the riot of a few soldiers at Philadelphia, the +resolves of some town meetings, the reluctance to pay taxes, &c. all +which are exaggerated, to represent our government as so many +anarchies, of which the people themselves are weary, and the Congress +as having lost its influence, being no longer respected. I say it is +easy to see from this conduct, that they bear us no good will, and +that they wish the reality of what they are pleased to imagine. They +have, too, a numerous royal progeny to provide for, some of whom are +educated in the military line. In these circumstances we cannot be too +careful to preserve the friendships we have acquired abroad, and the +union we have established at home, to secure our credit by a punctual +discharge of our obligations of every kind, and our reputation by the +wisdom of our councils; since we know not how soon we may have a fresh +occasion for friends, for credit, and for reputation. + +The extravagant misrepresentations of our political state in foreign +countries, made it appear necessary to give them better information, +which I thought could not be more effectually and authentically done, +than by publishing a translation into French, now the most general +language in Europe, of the Book of Constitutions, which had been +printed by order of Congress. This I accordingly got well done, and +presented two copies handsomely bound to every foreign Minister here, +the one for himself, the other more elegant for his Sovereign. It has +been well taken, and has afforded matter of surprise to many, who had +conceived mean ideas of the state of civilization in America, and +could not have expected so much political knowledge and sagacity had +existed in our wilderness. And from all parts I have the satisfaction +to hear, that our constitutions in general are much admired. I am +persuaded, that this step will not only tend to promote the emigration +to our country of substantial people from all parts of Europe, by the +numerous copies I shall disperse, but will facilitate our future +treaties with foreign Courts, who could not before know what kind of +government and people they had to treat with. As, in doing this, I +have endeavored to further the apparent views of Congress in the first +publication, I hope it may be approved, and the expense allowed. I +send herewith one of the copies. + +Our treaties with Denmark and Portugal remain unfinished, for want of +instructions respecting them from Congress, and a commission +empowering some Minister or Ministers to conclude them. The Emperor of +Morocco, we understand, has expressed a disposition to make a treaty +of amity and commerce with the United States. A Mr Montgomery, who is +a merchant settled at Alicant, has been, it seems, rather forward in +proposing a negotiation, without authority for so doing, and has +embarrassed us a little, as may be seen by some letters I enclose.[30] +Perhaps it would be well for the Congress to send a message to that +Prince, expressing their respect and regard for him, till such time as +they may judge it convenient to appoint an Ambassador in form, +furnished with proper presents to make a treaty with him. The other +Barbary States, too, seem to require consideration, if we propose to +carry on any trade in the Mediterranean, but whether the security of +that trade is of sufficient importance to be worth purchasing, at the +rate of the tributes usually exacted by those piratical States, is a +matter of doubt, on which I cannot at present form a judgment. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [30] The letters from G. F. Crocco, see pp. 135 and 176. + +I shall immediately proceed, in pursuance of the first instruction, to +take the proper steps for acquainting his Imperial Majesty of Germany +with the dispositions of Congress, having some reason to believe the +overture may be acceptable. His Minister here is of late extremely +civil to me, and we are on very good terms. I have likewise an +intimate friend at that Court. + +With respect to other powers, it seems best not to make advances at +present, but to meet and encourage them when made, which I shall not +fail to do, as I have already done those of Sweden, Denmark, and +Portugal. Possibly Hamburg, to whom I have forwarded the letter of +Congress, may send a Minister to America if they wish for a treaty to +conclude it there. They have no Minister here. + +I have lately received a memorial from the Minister of Denmark, +respecting a ship of that nation, the Providentia, taken by one of our +privateers and carried into Boston. I enclose a copy of it, and +request to be furnished with directions and informations for the +answer. It may be well to send me a copy of the proceedings in the +Courts. From a perusal of the papers communicated with it, I am +satisfied that the cargo was clearly British property. + +We have hitherto entered into no engagements respecting the armed +neutrality, and, in obedience to the fifth instruction, we shall take +care to avoid them hereafter. The treaty between this Court and the +United States for regulating the powers, privileges, &c. of consuls, +is at length completed, and is transcribing in order to be signed. I +hope to transmit a copy by the next packet. I have received the +Congress ratification of the two money treaties, which will be soon +exchanged, when I shall send copies of them with that of Sweden. + +I have given, and shall continue to give, Captain Paul Jones all the +assistance in my power, towards recovering the prize money; and I hope +it may soon be accomplished. + +When Mr Jay returns, I shall desire him to make the inquiry directed +in the fourth instruction, respecting the expedition under that +Commodore, and report thereon to Congress. In the meantime I can +answer respecting one of the questions, that the King paid the whole +expense, and that no part of it has ever been placed to the account of +Congress. There exists indeed a demand of one Puchelberg, a person in +the employ of M. Schweighauser, of about thirty-thousand livres, for +provisions and other things furnished to Captain Landais, after he +took the Alliance out of the hands of Captain Jones; but as the ship +was at that time under the King's supply, who having borrowed her for +the expedition when fitted for sea, and just ready to sail with Mr +Adams, had ordered her to be delivered in the same condition, free of +all charges accrued, or accruing, by her being in Holland and in +L'Orient, and as M. Puchelberg had not only no orders from me to +furnish Captain Landais, but acted contrary to my orders given to M. +Schweighauser, and contrary to the orders of M. Schweighauser himself, +I refused to pay his account, which besides appeared extravagant, and +it has never yet been paid. + +I shall do my best in executing the third instruction, respecting our +claim upon Denmark. I have written to London to obtain if possible an +account of the sums insured upon the ships delivered up, as such an +account may be some guide in the valuation of the prizes. + +A Captain Williams, formerly in the British service, and employed upon +the lakes, has given me a paper containing information of the state of +the back country. As those informations may possibly be of some use, I +send herewith the paper. Mr Carmichael has sent me the accounts of the +money transactions at Madrid. As soon as Mr Jay returns they will be +examined. + +Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to Congress, and assure them +of my most faithful services. + +With great esteem and regard I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO ROBERT MORRIS. + + Passy, December 25th, 1783. + + Sir, + +The remissness of our people in paying taxes is highly blameable, the +unwillingness to pay them is still more so. I see in some resolutions +of town meetings, a remonstrance against giving Congress a power to +take, as they call it, _the people's money_ out of their pockets, +though only to pay the interest and principal of debts duly +contracted. They seem to mistake the point. Money justly due from the +people is their creditor's money, and no longer the money of the +people, who if they withhold it should be compelled to pay by some +law. All property indeed, except the savage's temporary cabin, his +bow, his matchuat, and other little acquisitions absolutely necessary +for his subsistence, seems to me to be the creature of public +convention. Hence the public has the right of regulating descents, and +all other conveyances of property, and even of limiting the quantity +and uses of it. All the property that is necessary to a man for the +conservation of the individual, and the propagation of the species, is +his natural right, which none can justly deprive him of; but all +property superfluous to such purposes is the property of the public, +who by their laws have created it, and who may therefore by other laws +dispose of it whenever the welfare of the public shall desire such +disposition. He that does not like civil society on these terms, let +him retire and live among the savages. He can have no right to the +benefits of society, who will not pay his club towards the support of +it. + +The Marquis de Lafayette, who loves to be employed in our affairs, and +is often very useful, has lately had several conversations with the +Ministers and persons concerned in forming new regulations, respecting +the commerce between our two countries, which are not yet concluded. I +thought it therefore well to communicate to him a copy of your letter, +which contains so many sensible and just observations on that subject. +He will make a proper use of them, and perhaps they may have more +weight, as appearing to come from a Frenchman, than they would have if +it were known, that they were the observations of an American. I +perfectly agree with you in all the sentiments you have expressed on +this occasion. + +I am sorry for the public's sake, that you are about to quit your +office, but on personal considerations, I shall congratulate you; for +I cannot conceive of a more happy man, than he who having been long +loaded with public cares finds himself relieved from them, and +enjoying private repose in the bosom of his friends and family. + +With sincere regard and attachment, I am ever, dear Sir, yours, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, December 26th, 1783. + + Sir, + +If the Congress should think it fit to have a consul for the United +States in London, and do not appoint one of our own countrymen to that +office, I beg leave to mention the merits of Mr William Hodgson, a +merchant of that city, who has always been a zealous friend of +America, was a principal promoter of the subscription for the relief +of American prisoners, and chairman of the committee for dispensing +the money raised by that subscription. He also took the trouble of +applying the monies I furnished him with, when the subscription was +exhausted, and constantly assisted me in all the negotiations I had +with the British Ministers, in their favor, wherein he generally +succeeded, being a man of weight and credit, very active, and much +esteemed for his probity and integrity. These his services, continued +steadily during the whole war, seem to entitle him to the favorable +notice of Congress, when any occasion offers of doing him service or +pleasure. + +With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + London, March 2d, 1784. + + My Dear Friend, + +Will you be so good as to transmit the enclosed to Mr Jay? I am sorry +that we are going to lose him from this side of the Atlantic. If your +American ratification should arrive speedily, I might hope to have the +pleasure of seeing him again before his departure. As soon as I hear +from you of the arrival of your ratification I will immediately apply +for the despatch of the British ratification. I wish very much to have +the pleasure of conversing with you again. In hopes that that time may +come soon, I have nothing further to say at present. Believe me always +to be, what you have always known me to have been, a friend of general +philanthropy, and particularly your ever, most affectionate + + D. HARTLEY. + + * * * * * + + TO CHARLES THOMPSON. + + Passy, March 9th, 1784. + + Sir, + +I received a few days since a letter from Annapolis, dated June the +5th, in your hand writing, but not signed, acquainting the +Commissioners with the causes of delay in sending the ratification of +the Definitive Treaty. The term was expired before that letter came to +hand, but I hope no difficulty will arise from a failure in a point +not essential, and which was occasioned by accidents. I have just +received from Mr Hartley a letter on the subject, of which I enclose a +copy. + +We have had a terrible winter, too, here, such as the oldest men do +not remember, and indeed it has been very severe all over Europe. + +I have exchanged ratifications with the Ambassador of Sweden, and +enclose a copy of that I received from him. + +Mr Jay is lately returned from England. Mr Laurens is still there, but +proposes departing for America next month, as does also Mr Jay, with +his family. Mr Adams is in Holland, where he has been detained by +business and bad weather. These absences have occasioned some delays +in our business, but not of much importance. + +The war long expected between the Turks and Russians is prevented by a +treaty, and it is thought an accommodation will likewise take place +between them and the Emperor. Everything here continues friendly and +favorable to the United States. I am pestered continually with numbers +of letters from people in different parts of Europe, who would go to +settle in America, but who manifest very extravagant expectations, +such as I can by no means encourage, and who appear otherwise to be +very improper persons. To save myself trouble, I have just printed +some copies of the enclosed little piece, which I purpose to send +hereafter in answer to such letters. + +Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to Congress, and believe me +to be, with sincere esteem, dear Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, May 12th, 1784. + + Sir, + +In my last I acquainted your Excellency, that Mr Hartley was soon +expected here to exchange ratifications of the Definitive Treaty. He +is now arrived, and proposes to make the exchange this afternoon. I +shall then be enabled to send a copy. Enclosed is the new British +Proclamation respecting our trade with their Colonies. It is said to +be a temporary provision, till Parliament can assemble and make some +proper regulating law, or till a commercial treaty shall be framed and +agreed to. Mr Hartley expects instructions for planning with us such a +treaty. The Ministry are supposed to have been too busy with the new +elections, when he left London, to think of those matters. + +This Court has not completed its intended new system for the trade of +their Colonies, so that I cannot yet give a certain account of the +advantages that will in fine be allowed us. At present it is said we +are to have two free ports, Tobago and the Mole, and that we may carry +lumber and all sorts of provisions to the rest, except flour, which is +reserved in favor of Bordeaux, and that we shall be permitted to +export coffee, rum, molasses, and some sugar, for our own +consumption. + +We have had under consideration a commercial treaty proposed to us by +the King of Prussia, and have sent it back with our remarks to Mr +Adams, who will I suppose transmit it immediately to Congress. Those +planned with Denmark and Portugal wait its determination, + +Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to the Congress, and believe +me to be, with sincere and great esteem, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_May 13th._ I now enclose a copy of the ratification of the Definitive +Treaty, on the part of his Britannic Majesty. + + * * * * * + + DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, June 1st, 1784. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform you, that I have transmitted to London the +ratification on the part of Congress of the Definitive Treaty of +peace, between Great Britain and the United States of America, and I +am ordered to represent to you, that a want of form appears in the +first paragraph of that instrument, wherein the United States are +mentioned before his Majesty, contrary to the established custom in +every treaty in which a crowned head and a republic are parties. It is +likewise to be observed, that the term definitive _articles_ is used +instead of definitive _treaty_, and the conclusion appears likewise +deficient, as it is neither signed by the President, nor is it dated, +and consequently, is wanting in some of the most essential points of +form necessary towards authenticating the validity of the instrument. + +I am ordered to propose to you, Sir, that these defects in the +ratification should be corrected, which might very easily be done, +either by signing a declaration in the name of Congress for preventing +the particular mode of expression, so far as it relates to precedency +in the first paragraph, being considered as a precedent to be adopted +on any future occasion, or else by having a new copy made out in +America, in which these mistakes should be corrected, and which might +be done without any prejudice arising to either of the parties from +the delay. + +I am, Sir, with great respect and consideration, &c. + + DAVID HARTLEY. + + * * * * * + + TO DAVID HARTLEY. + + Passy, June 2d, 1784. + + Sir, + +I have considered the observations you did me the honor of +communicating to me, concerning certain inaccuracies of expression, +and supposed defects of formality, in the instrument of ratification, +some of which are said to be of such a nature as to affect the +validity of the instrument. + +The first is, "that the United States are named before his Majesty, +contrary to the established custom observed in every treaty in which a +crowned head and a republic are the contracting parties." With respect +to this, it seems to me we should distinguish between that act in +which both join, to wit, the treaty, and that which is the act of each +separately, the ratification. It is necessary, that all the modes of +expression in the joint act should be agreed to by both parties, +though in their separate acts each party is master of, and alone +unaccountable for its own mode. And, on inspecting the treaty, it will +be found that his Majesty is always regularly named before the United +States. Thus, "the established custom _in treaties_ between crowned +heads and republics," contended for on your part, is strictly +observed; and the ratification following the treaty contains these +words. "Now know ye, that we, the United States in Congress assembled, +having seen and considered the definitive articles aforesaid, have +_approved_, _ratified_, and _confirmed_, and by these presents do +_approve_, _ratify_, and _confirm_ the said articles, AND EVERY PART +AND CLAUSE THEREOF," &c. Hereby all those articles, parts, and +clauses, wherein the King is named before the United States, are +_approved_, _ratified_, and _confirmed_, and this solemnly under the +signature of the President of Congress, with the public seal affixed +by their order, and countersigned by their Secretary. + +No declaration on the subject more determinate or more authentic can +possibly be made or given, which, when considered, may probably induce +his Majesty's Ministers to waive the proposition of our signing a +similar declaration, or of sending back the ratification to be +corrected in this point, neither appearing to be really necessary. I +will, however, if it be still desired, transmit to Congress the +observation, and the difficulty occasioned by it, and request their +orders upon it. In the meantime I may venture to say, that I am +confident there was no intention of affronting his Majesty by their +order of nomination, but that it resulted merely from that sort of +complaisance, which every nation seems to have for itself, and of that +respect for its own government, customarily so expressed in its own +acts, of which the English among the rest afford an instance, when in +the title of the King they always name Great Britain before France. + +The second objection is, "that the term definitive _articles_ is used +instead of definitive _treaty_" If the words _definitive treaty_ had +been used in the ratification instead of _definitive articles_, it +might have been more correct, though the difference seems not great +nor of much importance, as in the treaty itself it is called the +present _Definitive Treaty_. + +The other objections are, "that the conclusion likewise appears +deficient, as if is neither signed by the President, nor is it dated, +and consequently is wanting in some of the most essential points of +form necessary towards authenticating the validity of the instrument." +The situation of seals and signatures, in public instruments, differs +in different countries, though all equally valid; for when all the +parts of an instrument are connected by a ribband, whose ends are +secured under the impression of the seal, the signature and seal +wherever placed are understood as relating to and authenticating the +whole. Our usage is, to place them both together in the broad margin +near the beginning of the piece, and so they stand in the present +ratification, the concluding words of which declare the intention of +such signing and sealing to be giving authenticity to the whole +instrument, viz. "_In testimony_ whereof, We have _caused_ the seal of +the United States to be hereunto affixed; Witness his Excellency +Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, President;" and the date supposed to be +omitted, perhaps from its not appearing in figures, is nevertheless to +be found written in words at length, viz. "this fourteenth day of +January, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred +eightyfour," which made the figures unnecessary. + +With great esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, June 16th, 1784. + + Sir, + +My letter by Mr Jay acquainted your Excellency, that the ratifications +of the Definitive Treaty were exchanged. A copy of the British part +was also sent by him. + +Mr Hartley remained here expecting instructions to treat with us on +the subject of commerce. The bustle attending a new election and +meeting of Parliament, he imagined might occasion the long delay of +those instructions. He now thinks that the affair of the American +trade, being under the consideration of Parliament, it is probable no +treaty will be proposed till the result is known. Mr Jay, who sailed +for America the first instant from Dover, and who saw there several of +our friends from London before his departure, and Mr Laurens who left +London the 6th to go on in the Falmouth packet, will be able to give +you more perfect informations than I can, of what may be expected as +the determination of the British government respecting our intercourse +with their Islands; and, therefore, I omit my conjectures, only +mentioning, that from various circumstances there seems to be some +lurking remains of ill humor there, and of resentment against us, +which only wants a favorable opportunity to manifest itself. + +This makes it more necessary for us to be upon our guard, and prepared +for events, that a change in the affairs of Europe may produce; its +tranquillity depending, perhaps, on the life of one man, and it being +impossible to foresee in what situation a new arrangement of its +various interests may place us. Ours will be respected in proportion +to the apparent solidity of our government, the support of our credit, +the maintenance of a good understanding with our friends, and our +readiness for defence. All which I persuade myself will be taken care +of. + +Enclosed I send a copy of a letter from Mr Hartley to me, respecting +some supposed defects in the ratification, together with my answer, +which he has transmitted to London. The objections appeared to me +trivial and absurd, but I thought it prudent to treat them with as +much decency as I could, lest the ill temper should be augmented, +which might be particularly inconvenient, while the commerce was under +consideration. There has not yet been time for Mr Hartley to hear +whether my answer has been satisfactory, or whether the Ministers will +still insist on my sending for an amended copy from America, as they +proposed. + +I do not perceive the least diminution in the good disposition of this +Court towards us, and I hope care will be taken to preserve it. + +The Marquis de Lafayette, who will have the honor of delivering this +to you, has, ever since his arrival in Europe, been very industrious +in his endeavors to serve us and promote our interests, and has been +of great use on several occasions. I should wish the Congress might +think fit to express in some proper manner their sense of his merit. + +My malady prevents my going to Versailles, as I cannot bear a carriage +upon pavement, but my grandson goes regularly on Court days to supply +my place, and is well received there. The last letters I have had the +honor of receiving from you, are of the 14th of January. + + With great respect, I am, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + CONSULAR CONVENTION. + +Convention between His Most Christian Majesty and the Thirteen United +States of North America, for the purpose of determining and fixing the +functions and prerogatives of their respective consuls, vice consuls, +agents, and commissaries. + +His Majesty, The Most Christian King, and the Thirteen United States +of North America, having, by the 29th article of the Treaty of Amity +and Commerce concluded between them, mutually granted the liberty of +having in their respective States and ports, consuls, vice consuls, +agents, and commissaries, and being willing in consequence thereof, to +determine and fix in a reciprocal and permanent manner the functions +and prerogatives of the said consuls, vice consuls, agents, and +commissaries, His Most Christian Majesty has nominated the Sieur +Charles Gravier, Count of Vergennes, Baron of Welfording, &c. +Counsellor of the King in all his Councils, Commander of his Orders, +Head of the Royal Council of Finances, Counsellor of the State of the +Sword, Minister and Secretary of State, and of his Commands and +Finances; and the United States, Mr Benjamin Franklin, their Minister +Plenipotentiary to His Most Christian Majesty, who, after having +communicated to each other their respective full powers, agreed upon +what follows. + + + ARTICLE I. + +The consuls and vice consuls, nominated by His Most Christian Majesty +and the United States, shall be bound to present their commissions on +their arrival in their respective States, according to the form which +shall be there established. There shall be delivered to them without +any charges the _Exequatur_ necessary for the exercise of their +functions; and, on the exhibition they shall make of the said +Exequatur, the governors, commanders, heads of justice, public bodies, +tribunals, and other officers, having authority in the ports and +places of their consulates, shall cause them to enjoy, as soon as +possible, and without difficulty, the pre-eminences, authority, and +privileges, reciprocally granted, without exacting from said consuls +and vice consuls, any duty under any pretext whatever. + + + ARTICLE II. + +The respective consuls shall have power to establish vice consuls in +the different ports and places of their departments, where necessity +shall require. There shall be delivered to them likewise the Exequatur +necessary to the exercise of their functions, in the form pointed out +in the preceding article, and on the exhibition, which they shall make +of the said Exequatur, they shall be admitted and acknowledged in the +terms and according to the powers, authority, and privileges, +stipulated by the 1st, 4th and 5th articles of the present convention. + + + ARTICLE III. + +The respective consuls and vice consuls may establish agents in the +different ports and places of their departments, where necessity shall +require; these agents may be chosen among the merchants, either +national or foreign, and furnished with a commission from one of the +said consuls. It shall be their business, respectively, to render to +their respective merchants, navigators, and vessels, all possible +service, and to inform the nearest consul or vice consul of the wants +of the said merchants, navigators, and vessels, without the said +agents otherwise participating in the immunities, rights, and +privileges, attributed to the consuls and vice consuls, and without +power to exact from the said merchants any duty or emolument whatever, +under any pretext whatever. + + + ARTICLE IV. + +The consuls and vice consuls, officers of the consulate, and in +general, all persons attached to the consular functions, shall enjoy +respectively a full and entire immunity for their persons, their +papers, and their houses. The list of the said persons shall be +approved and inspected by the executive power of the place of their +residence. + +They shall be exempt from all personal service and public offices, +from soldier's billets, militia, watch guard, guardianship and +trusteeship, as well as from all duties, taxes, impositions, and +charges whatsoever, except the real estates of which they may be +proprietors, which shall be subject to the taxes imposed on the +estates of all other individuals. + +They shall place over the outward door of their house the arms of +their sovereign, without this mark of distinction giving to the said +house the right of asylum for any malefactor or criminal, so that in +case it should happen that any malefactor or criminal take refuge +there, he shall be instantly delivered up on the first requisition, +and without difficulty. + + + ARTICLE V. + +Generally, in all cases whatever, which concern the police or +administration of justice, where it may be necessary to have a +juridical declaration from the said consuls and vice consuls +respectively, the governors, commandants, chief justice, public +bodies, tribunals, or other officers whatever of their respective +residence there, having authority, shall be bound to inform them of +it, by writing to them, or sending to them a military or civil officer +to let them know, either the object which is proposed, or the +necessity there is for going to them to demand from them this +declaration, and the said consuls end vice consuls shall be bound on +their part to comply faithfully with what shall be desired of them on +these occasions. + + + ARTICLE VI. + +The consuls and vice consuls respectively may establish a chancery, +where shall be deposited the consular acts and deliberations, all +effects left by deceased persons, or saved from shipwreck, as well as +testaments, obligations, contracts, and, in general, all the acts and +proceedings done between, or by, persons of their nations. + +They may, in consequence, appoint for the _business_ of the said +chancery capable persons, receive them, administer an oath to them, +give to them the keeping of the seal, and the right of seal, +commissions, judgments, and other acts of the consulate, as well as +there to discharge the functions of notaries and registers. + + + ARTICLE VII. + +The consuls and vice consuls respectively shall have the exclusive +right of receiving in their chancery, or on board of vessels, the +declarations and all other acts, which the captains, masters, seamen, +passengers, and merchants of their nation would make there, even their +testaments and other dispositions of last will, and the copies of the +said acts duly authenticated by the said consuls, or vice consuls, and +under the seal of their consulate shall receive faith in law in all +the tribunals of France and the United States. + +They shall have also, and exclusively, the right to inventory, +liquidate, and proceed to the sale of the moveable effects of the +estates left by subjects of their nation who shall die within the +extent of the consulate. They shall proceed therein with the +assistance of two merchants of their said nation, of their own +choosing, and shall deposit in their chancery the effects and papers +of the said estates, and no officer, military or civil, or of the +police of the country, shall trouble them or interfere therein, in any +manner whatsoever; but the said consuls and vice consuls shall not +deliver up the same and their product to the lawful heirs, or _their +attornies_, until they shall have discharged all the debts, which the +deceased shall have contracted in the country, by judgment, by acts, +or by notes, the writing and signing of which shall be known and +certified by two principal merchants of the nation of the said +deceased, and in all other cases the payment of debts cannot be +ordered but on the creditor's giving sufficient and local security to +repay the sums unduly received, principal, interest, and costs, which +securities, however, shall remain duly discharged after a year in time +of peace, and two years in time of war, if the demand in discharge +cannot be formed before these delays, against the heirs who shall +present themselves. + + + ARTICLE VIII. + +The respective consuls and vice consuls shall receive the +declarations, "_consulats_," and other consular acts from all captains +and masters of their respective nations on account of average losses +sustained at sea by leakage, or throwing merchandises overboard, and +these captains and masters shall leave in the chancery of the said +consuls and vice consuls, the "consulats," and other consular acts, +which they may have had made in other ports on account of the +accidents, that may have happened to them on their voyage. If a +subject of His Most Christian Majesty and a citizen of the United +States are interested in the said cargo, the average shall be fixed by +the tribunals of the country, and not by the consuls or vice consuls; +and the tribunals shall admit the acts and declarations; if any should +have been passed before the said consuls and vice consuls; but when +only the subjects of their own nation, or foreigners, shall be +interested, the respective consuls or vice consuls, and in case of +their absence or distance, their agents furnished with their +commission, shall officially nominate skilful persons of their said +nation to regulate the damages and averages. + + + ARTICLE IX. + +In case, by storms or other accidents, French ships or vessels shall +run ashore on the coasts of the United States, or the ships and +vessels of the United States shall run ashore on the coasts of France, +the consul or vice consul nearest to the place of shipwreck shall do +whatever he may judge proper, as well for the purpose of saving the +said ship or vessel, its cargo and appurtenances, as for the storing +and security of the effects and merchandise saved. He may take an +inventory, without any officers military, of the custom house, +justices, or the police of the country interfering, otherwise than to +facilitate to the consuls, vice consuls, captain and crew of the +vessel shipwrecked, or run ashore, all the assistance and favor, which +they shall ask, either for the celerity and security of the salvage +and effects saved, or to prevent all disturbances. + +To prevent even any kind of dispute and discussion in the said cases +of shipwreck, it has been agreed that where no consul or vice consul +shall be found to attend to the salvage, or that the residence of the +said consul or vice consul, (he not being at the place of shipwreck) +shall be further distant from the said place than that of the +competent territorial judge, the latter shall immediately there +proceed therein with all the celerity, safety, and precautions +prescribed by the respective laws; but the said territorial judge +shall retire on the coming of the consul or vice consul, and shall +resign to him the procedures by him done, the expenses of which the +consul or vice consul shall cause to be reimbursed to him. + +The merchandise and effects saved shall be deposited in the custom +house, or other nearest place of safety, with the inventory of them, +which shall be made by the consul or vice consul, or in their absence +by the judge who shall have had cognizance thereof, and the said +merchandises and effects shall be afterwards delivered, after levying +therefrom the costs, and without form of process to the proprietors, +who being furnished with a _replevy_ from the nearest consul or vice +consul, shall reclaim them by themselves, or their attornies, either +for the purpose of re-exporting the merchandises, and in that case +they shall pay no kind of duties of exportation, or for the purpose of +selling them in the country if they are not prohibited; and in this +latter case, the said merchandises being averaged, there shall be +granted them an abatement of the entrance duties proportioned to the +damages sustained, which shall be ascertained by the _verbal process_ +formed at the time of the shipwreck, or of the vessels running +ashore. + + + ARTICLE X. + +The consuls and vice consuls shall have, on board of the vessels of +their respective nations, full power and jurisdiction in matters +civil. They shall cause to be executed the respective laws, +ordinances, and rules concerning navigation, on board the said +vessels, and for this purpose, they shall go there without being +interrupted by any officer or other person whatsoever. + +They may cause to be arrested every vessel carrying the flag of their +respective nation. They may sequester them, and even send them back +respectively, from the United States to France, or from France to the +United States. They may cause to be arrested without difficulty, every +captain, master, sailor, or passenger of their said respective nation. + +They may cause to be arrested or detained in the country the sailors +and deserters of their respective nations, or send them back, or +transport them out of the country. + +It shall be sufficient proof, that the sailors and deserters belong to +one of the respective nations, that their names be written in the +ships' registers, or inserted in the roll of the crew. + +One and the other of these proofs concerning sailors and deserters +being thus given, no tribunals, judges, and officers whatsoever shall +in any manner whatever take cognizance of the complaints, which the +said sailors and deserters may make, but they shall, on the contrary, +be delivered up on an order signed by the consul, or vice consul, +without its being in any one's power in any manner to detain, engage, +or withdraw them. And to attain to the complete execution of the +arrangements contained in this article, all persons having authority +shall be bound to assist the said consuls or vice consuls, and, on a +simple requisition signed by them, they shall cause to be detained and +guarded in prison at the disposal and expense of the said consuls and +vice consuls the said sailors and deserters, until they shall have an +opportunity to send them out of the country. + + + ARTICLE XI. + +In cases where the respective subjects shall have committed any crime, +they shall be amenable to the judges of the country. + + + ARTICLE XII. + +All differences and suits between the subjects of His Most Christian +Majesty settled in the United States, or between the citizens and +subjects of the United States settled in France, and all differences +and suits concerning commerce between the subjects of His Most +Christian Majesty, and one of the parties residing in France or +elsewhere, and the other in the United States, or between the citizens +and subjects of the United States, one of the parties residing in the +United States, or elsewhere, and the other in France, shall be +determined by the respective consuls, either by a reference to +arbitration, or by a summary judgment, and without costs. + +No officer, civil or military, shall interfere or take any part +whatever in the affair. Appeals shall be carried before the tribunals +of France, or the United States, to whom it may appertain to take +cognizance thereof. The consuls or vice consuls shall not take +cognizance of disputes or differences, which shall arise betwixt a +subject of His Most Christian Majesty and a citizen of the United +States. But the said disputes shall be brought before the tribunals, +to which the defendant shall be amenable. + + + ARTICLE XIII. + +The general utility of commerce having caused to be established in +France tribunals and particular forms to accelerate the decision of +commercial affairs, the merchants of the United States shall enjoy the +benefit of these establishments in France, and the Congress of the +United States shall recommend to the Legislatures of the different +States to provide equivalent advantages, in favor of the French +merchants, for the prompt despatch and decision of affairs of the same +nature. + + + ARTICLE XIV. + +The subjects of His Most Christian Majesty and those of the United +States, who shall prove that they belong to the body of the respective +nations, by the certificate of the consul or vice consul of the +district, mentioning their names, surnames, and place of their +settlement, as inscribed in the register of the consulate, shall not +lose, for any cause whatever in the respective domains and States, the +quality of subjects of the country of which they originally were, +conformably to the eleventh article of the treaty of amity and +commerce, of the 6th of February, 1778, of which the present article +shall serve as an interpretation in case of necessity, and the said +subjects respectively shall enjoy in consequence exemption from all +personal service in the place of their settlement. + + + ARTICLE XV. + +If any other nation acquires, by virtue of any convention whatever, +either in France or in the United States, a treatment more favorable +with respect to the consular pre-eminences, powers, authority, and +privileges, the consuls, vice consuls, and agents of His Most +Christian Majesty, or the United States, reciprocally shall +participate therein, agreeably to the terms stipulated by the second, +third, and fourth articles of the treaty of amity and commerce, +concluded between His Most Christian Majesty and the United States. + + + ARTICLE XVI. + +The ratification of the present convention shall be given in proper +form and exchanged on both sides, within the space of six months, or +sooner if possible. + +In faith whereof, we, the underwritten, Ministers Plenipotentiaries of +His Most Christian Majesty, and the United States of North America, +have signed the present convention, and have thereto affixed the seal +of our arms. + +Done at Versailles, the 29th of July, one thousand seven hundred and +eightyfour. + + GRAVIER DE VERGENNES. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE MERCY ARGENTEAU. + + Passy, July 30th, 1784. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to communicate to your Excellency an extract from the +instructions of Congress to their late Commissioners for treating of +peace, expressing their desire to cultivate the friendship of his +Imperial Majesty, and to enter into a treaty of commerce for the +mutual advantage of his subjects and the citizens of the United +States, which I request you will be pleased to lay before his Majesty. +The appointing and instructing Commissioners for treaties of commerce +with the powers of Europe generally has, by various circumstances, +been long delayed, but is now done, and I have just received advice, +that Mr Jefferson, late Governor of Virginia, commissioned with Mr +Adams, our Minister in Holland, and myself, for that service, is on +his way hither, and may be expected by the end of August, when we +shall be ready to enter into a treaty with his Imperial Majesty for +the above purpose, if such should be his pleasure. + +With great and sincere respect, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE MERCY ARGENTEAU TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Paris, July 30th, 1784. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter you did me the honor to write to me this +morning, and I shall lose no time to transmit the contents to my +Court. + +The sentiments of the Emperor towards the United States of America +make me foresee the satisfaction, which his Majesty will have to enter +into reciprocal, suitable, and advantageous connexions with them. I +have not the least doubt but that measures will be instantly taken on +this subject to concert with you, Sir, and with the appointed +Ministers Plenipotentiary, and as soon as the answer from my Court +shall come, I shall instantly communicate it to you. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE MERCY ARGENTEAU. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, August 27th, 1784. + + Sir, + +You have communicated to me an extract from the instructions, which +Congress addressed to you on the 11th of May last, which imports that +the United States will in no case treat any other nation with respect +to commerce more advantageously than the French. This disposition is +much the wisest, as it will prevent those misunderstandings, which +might arise from the equivocal terms in which the 2d article of the +Treaty of Amity and Commerce, signed February 6th, 1778, is conceived. +But that the resolution of Congress on this subject may be clearly +stated, it would be best, Sir, that you furnish me with it in the form +of a declaration, or at least in an official note, signed by yourself. +I have no doubt that you will adopt one of these two forms. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, September 3d, 1784. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, by order of Congress, +a resolution of theirs, dated the 11th of May last, which is in the +words following, viz. + +"_Resolved_, That Doctor Franklin be instructed to express to the +Court of France, the constant desire of Congress to meet their wishes; +that these States are about to form a general system of commerce, by +treaties with other nations; that, at this time, they cannot foresee +what claim might be given to those nations by the explanatory +propositions from the Count de Vergennes, on the 2d and 3d articles of +our Treaty of Amity and Commerce with His Most Christian Majesty, but +that he may be assured it will be our constant care to place no people +on more advantageous ground than the subjects of his Majesty." + + With great respect, I am, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, September 9th, 1784. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me the +3d instant. You there declare in the name of Congress, that the United +States will be careful not to treat any other nation, in matters of +commerce, more advantageously than the French nation. This +declaration, founded on the treaty of the 6th of February, 1778, has +been very agreeable to the King; and you, Sir, can assure Congress, +that the United States shall constantly experience a perfect +reciprocity in France. + + I have the honor to be, very sincerely, Sir, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE MERCY ARGENTEAU TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Paris, September 28th, 1784. + + Sir, + +With respect to the proposition of the United States of America, that +I forwarded to my Court, concerning the arrangements of commerce to +be adopted by the respective dominions, I have received the order, +Sir, which I have the honor to communicate to you, that his Majesty, +the Emperor, has agreed to the said proposition, and that he has +directed the Government General of the Low Countries to adopt measures +to put it in execution. + +When the particulars respecting this matter shall be sent to me, I +shall instantly communicate them. + +I avail myself of this opportunity to renew the assurances of the most +perfect attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE MERCY ARGENTEAU. + + * * * * * + + TO CHARLES THOMPSON. + + Passy, October 16th, 1784. + + Dear Sir, + +It was intended by the Commissioners to write a joint letter to +Congress, but I am afraid the opportunity may be missed. This may +serve to inform you, that propositions of treating have been made by +us to all the powers of Europe according to our instructions, and we +are waiting for their answers. There are apprehensions here of a war +between the Emperor and Holland, but, as the season is not proper for +opening a campaign, I hope the winter will give time for mediators to +accommodate matters. We have not yet heard that Mr Jay has accepted +the Secretaryship of Foreign Affairs. + +I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO CHARLES THOMPSON. + + Passy, November 11th, 1784. + + Dear Friend, + +I received your kind letter of August 13th, with the papers annexed, +relative to the affair of Longchamps. I hope satisfaction will be +given to M. Marbois. The Commissioners have written a joint letter to +Congress. This serves to cover a few papers relative to matters with +which I was particularly charged in the instructions. I shall write to +you fully by the next opportunity, having now only time to add, that I +am, as ever, + + Yours most affectionately, + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ I executed the instructions of October 29th, 1783, as soon as +I knew the commissions for treating with the Emperor, &c. were issued, +which was not till July, 1784. The three letters between the Emperor's +Minister and me are what passed on that occasion. + + B. F. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, February 8th, 1785. + + Sir, + +I received by the Marquis de Lafayette the two letters you did me the +honor of writing to me the 11th and 14th of December, the one +enclosing a letter from Congress to the King, the other a resolve of +Congress respecting the convention for establishing consuls. The +letter was immediately delivered and well received. The resolve came +too late to suspend signing the convention, it having been done July +last, and a copy sent so long since, that we now expected the +ratification. As that copy seems to have miscarried I now send +another. + +I am not informed what objection has arisen in Congress to the plan +sent me. Mr Jefferson thinks it may have been to the part, which +restrained the consuls from all concern in commerce. That article was +omitted, being thought unnecessary to be stipulated, since either +party would always have the power of imposing such restraints on its +own officers, whenever it should think fit. I am, however, of opinion +that this or any other reasonable article or alteration may be +obtained at the desire of Congress, and established by a supplement. + +Permit me, Sir, to congratulate you on your being called to the high +honor of presiding in our national councils, and to wish you every +felicity, being with the most perfect esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, April 12th, 1785. + + Sir, + +M. de Chaumont, who will have the honor of presenting this line to +your Excellency, is a young gentleman of excellent character, whose +father was one of our most early friends in this country, which he +manifested by crediting us with a thousand barrels of gunpowder and +other military stores in 1776, before we had provided any apparent +means of payment. He has, as I understand, some demands to make on +Congress, the nature of which I am unacquainted with; but my regard +for the family makes me wish, that they may obtain a speedy +consideration, and such favorable issue as they may appear to merit. + +To this end, I beg leave to recommend him to your countenance and +protection, and am, with great respect, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, May 3d, 1785. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that I have at length +obtained, and yesterday received, the permission of Congress to return +to America. As my malady makes it impracticable for me to pay my +devoirs at Versailles personally, may I beg the favor of you, Sir, to +express respectfully for me to his Majesty, the deep sense I have of +all the inestimable benefits his goodness has conferred on my country; +a sentiment that it will be the business of the little remainder of +life now left me, to impress equally on the minds of all my +countrymen. My sincere prayers are, that God may shower down his +blessings on the King, the Queen, their children, and all the royal +family, to the latest generations! + +Permit me, at the same time, to offer you my thankful acknowledgments +for the protection and countenance you afforded me at my arrival, and +your many favors during my residence here, of which I shall always +retain the most grateful remembrance. + +My grandson would have had the honor of waiting on you with this +letter, but he has been some time ill of a fever. + +With the greatest esteem and respect, and best wishes for the constant +prosperity of yourself, and all your amiable family, I am, Sir, your +Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + M. DE RAYNEVAL TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, May 8th, 1785. + + Sir, + +I have learned with the greatest concern, that you are soon to leave +us. You will carry with you the affections of all France, for nobody +has been more esteemed than you. I shall call on you at Passy, to +desire you to retain for me a share in your remembrance, and renew to +you personally the assurances of the most perfect attachment, with +which I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. + + DE RAYNEVAL. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY, SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + Passy, May 10th, 1785. + + Dear Sir, + +I received your kind letter of the 8th of March, enclosing the +resolution of Congress, permitting my return to America, for which I +am very thankful, and am now preparing to depart the first good +opportunity. Next to the pleasure of rejoining my own family will be +that of seeing you and yours well and happy, and embracing once more +my little friend, whose singular attachment to me I shall always +remember. + +I shall be glad to render any acceptable service to Mr Randall. I +conveyed the bayberry wax to Abbé de Chalut, with your compliments, as +you desired. He returns his with many thanks. Be pleased to make my +respectful compliments acceptable to Mrs Jay, and believe me ever, +with sincere and great respect and esteem, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ The striking of the medals being now in agitation here, I send +the enclosed for consideration. + + B. F. + + * * * * * + + TO CHARLES THOMPSON. + + Passy, May 10th, 1785. + + Dear Sir, + +An old gentleman in Switzerland, long of the Magistracy there, having +written a book entitled _Du Gouvernement des Moeurs_, which is thought +to contain many matters, that may be useful in America, desired to +know of me how he could convey a number of the printed copies, to be +distributed gratis among the members of Congress. I advised his +addressing the package to you by way of Amsterdam, whence a friend of +mine would forward it. It is accordingly shipped there on board the +Van Berckel, Captain W. Campbell. There are good things in the work, +but his chapter on the liberty of the press appears to me to contain +more rhetoric than reason. + + With great esteem I am, ever, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, May 22d, 1785. + + Sir, + +I have learnt with much concern of your retiring, and of your +approaching departure for America. You cannot doubt but that the +regrets, which you will leave, will be proportionate to the +consideration you so justly enjoy. + +I can assure you, Sir, that the esteem the King entertains for you, +does not leave you anything to wish, and that his Majesty will learn +with real satisfaction, that your fellow citizens have rewarded, in a +manner worthy of you, the important services that you have rendered +them. + +I beg, Sir, that you will preserve for me a share in your remembrance, +and never doubt the sincerity of the interest I take in your +happiness. It is founded on the sentiments of attachment of which I +have assured you, and with which I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO THOMAS BARCLAY. + + Passy, June 19th, 1785. + + Sir, + +With respect to my continuing to charge £2500 sterling per annum as my +salary, of which you desire some explanation, I send you, in support +of that charge, the resolution of Congress, which is in these words. + +"In Congress, October 5th, 1779. Resolved, that each of the Ministers +Plenipotentiary be allowed at the rate of two thousand five hundred +pounds sterling per annum, and each of their Secretaries at the rate +of one thousand pounds sterling per annum, in full for their services +and expenses respectively. That the salary of each of the said +officers be computed from the time of his leaving his place of abode, +to enter on the duties of his office, and be continued three months +after the notice of his recall." + +The several bills I afterwards received, drawn on the Congress banker, +Mr Grand, for my salary, were all calculated on that sum, as my +salary; and neither the banker nor myself has received notice of any +change respecting me. He has accordingly, since the drawing ceased, +continued to pay me at the same rate. I have, indeed, heard that a +resolution was passed last year, that the salaries of Plenipotentiaries +should be no more than £2000 sterling per annum. But the resolution, I +suppose, can relate only to such Plenipotentiaries as should be +afterwards appointed; for I cannot conceive that the Congress, after +promising a Minister £2500 a year, and when he has thereby been +encouraged to engage in a way of living for their honor, which only +that salary can support, would think it just to diminish it a fifth, +and leave him under the difficulty of reducing his expenses +proportionably; a thing scarce practicable; the necessity of which he +might have avoided, if he had not confided in their original promise. + +But the article of salary, with all the rest of my accounts, will be +submitted to the judgment of Congress, together with some other +considerable articles I have not charged, but on which I shall expect, +from their equity, some consideration. If, for want of knowing +precisely the intention of Congress, what expenses should be deemed +public, and what private, I have charged any article to the public, +which should be defrayed by me, their banker has my order, as soon as +the pleasure of Congress shall be made known to him, to rectify the +error, by transferring the amount to my private account, and +discharging by so much that of the public. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + M. DE CASTRIES TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Versailles, July 10th, 1785. + + Sir, + +I was not apprized, until within a few hours, of the arrangements +which you have made for your departure. Had I been informed of it +sooner, I should have proposed to the King to order a frigate to +convey you to your own country, in a manner suitable to the known +importance of the services you have been engaged in, to the esteem you +have acquired in France, and the particular esteem which his Majesty +entertains for you. + +I pray you, Sir, to accept my regrets, and a renewed assurance of the +most entire consideration, with which I have the honor to be, Sir, +your very humble and very obedient servant, + + DE CASTRIES. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY, SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + Philadelphia, September 19th, 1785. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to acquaint you, that I left Paris the 12th of July, +and, agreeable to the permission of Congress, am returned to my own +country. Mr Jefferson had recovered his health, and was much esteemed +and respected there. Our joint letters have already informed you of +our late proceedings, to which I have nothing to add, except that the +last act I did, as Minister Plenipotentiary for making treaties, was +to sign with him, two days before I came away, the treaty of +friendship and commerce that had been agreed on with Prussia,[31] and +which was to be carried to the Hague, by Mr Short, there to be signed +by Baron Thulemeyer on the part of the King, who, without the least +hesitation, had approved and conceded to the new humane articles +proposed by Congress. Mr Short was also to call at London for the +signature of Mr Adams, who I learnt, when at Southampton, was well +received at the British Court. + +The Captain Lamb, who, in a letter of yours to Mr Adams, was said to +be coming to us with instructions respecting Morocco, had not +appeared, nor had we heard anything of him; so nothing had been done +by us in that treaty. + +I left the Court of France in the same friendly disposition towards +the United States, that we have all along experienced, though +concerned to find that our credit is not better supported in the +payment of the interest money due on our loans, which, in case of +another war, must be, they think, extremely prejudicial to us, and +indeed may contribute to draw on a war the sooner, by affording our +enemies the encouraging confidence, that those who take so little care +to pay, will not again find it easy to borrow. I received from the +King, at my departure, the present of his picture set round with +diamonds, usually given to Ministers Plenipotentiary, who have signed +any treaties with that Court; and it is at the disposition of +Congress, to whom be pleased to present my dutiful respects. + + I am, with great esteem and regard, &c. + + B FRANKLIN. + +_P. S._ Not caring to trust them to a common conveyance, I send by my +late Secretary, who will have the honor of delivering them to you, all +the original treaties I have been concerned in negotiating, that were +completed. Those with Portugal and Denmark continue in suspense. + + B. F. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [31] See this Treaty at large in the public _Journals of Congress_, + Vol. IV. p. 639. + + * * * * * + + TO MR GRAND, BANKER AT PARIS. + + Philadelphia, July 11th, 1786. + + Sir, + +I send you enclosed some letters, that have passed between the +Secretary of Congress and me, respecting three millions of livres, +acknowledged to have been received, before the treaty of February, +1778, as _don gratuit_ from the King, of which only two millions are +found in your accounts; unless the million from the Farmers-General be +one of the three. I have been assured, that all the money received +from the King, whether as loan or gift, went through your hands; and +as I always looked on the million we had of the Farmers-General to be +distinct from what we had of the Crown, I wonder how I came to sign +the contract, acknowledging three millions of gift, when, in reality, +there was only two, exclusive of that from the Farmers; and, as both +you and I examined the project of the contract before I signed it, I +am surprised, that neither of us took notice of the error. + +It is possible, that the million furnished ostensibly by the Farmers, +was in fact a gift of the Crown, in which case, as Mr Thompson +observes, they owe us for the two ship loads of tobacco, which they +received on account of it. I must earnestly request of you to get this +matter explained, that it may stand clear before I die, lest some +enemy should afterwards accuse me of having received a million not +accounted for. + + I am, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + + * * * * * + + M. DURIVAL TO MR GRAND. + + Translation. + + Versailles, August 30th, 1786. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the +28th of this month, touching the advance of a million, which you say +was made by the Farmers-General to the United States of America, the +3d of June, 1777. I have no knowledge of that advance. What I have +verified is, that the King, by the contract of the 25th of February, +1783, has confirmed the gratuitous gift, which his Majesty had +previously made, of the three millions hereafter mentioned, viz. one +million delivered by the Royal Treasury, the 10th of June, 1776, and +two other millions advanced also by the Royal Treasury, in 1777, on +four receipts of the Deputies of Congress, of the 17th of January, 3d +of April, 10th of June, and 15th of October, of the same year. This +explanation will, Sir, I hope, resolve your doubt, touching the +advance of the 3d of June, 1777. I further recommend to you, Sir, to +confer on this subject with M. Gojard, who ought to be better informed +than we, who had no knowledge of any advances, but those made by the +Royal Treasury. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DURIVAL. + + * * * * * + + M. DURIVAL TO MR GRAND. + + Translation. + + Versailles, September 5th, 1786. + + Sir, + +I laid before the Count de Vergennes the two letters, which you did me +the honor to write, touching the three millions, the free gift of +which the King has confirmed in favor of the United States of America. +The Minister, Sir, observed that this gift has nothing to do with the +million, which the Congress may have received from the Farmers-General +in 1777; consequently he thinks, that the receipt, which you desire +may be communicated to you, cannot satisfy the object of your view, +and that it would be useless to give you the copy which you desire. + +I have the honor to be, with perfect attachment, &c. + + DURIVAL. + + * * * * * + + MR GRAND TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Paris, September 9th, 1786. + + My Dear Sir, + +The letter you honored me with, covered the copies of three letters, +which Mr Thompson wrote you to obtain an explanation of a million, +which is not to be found in my accounts. I should have been very much +embarrassed in satisfying and proving to him, that I had not put that +million in my pocket, had I not applied to M. Durival, who, as you +will see by the answer enclosed, informs me, that there was a million +paid by the Royal Treasury, on the 10th of June, 1776. This is the +very million about which Mr Thompson inquires, as I have kept an +account of the other two millions, which were also furnished by the +Royal Treasury, viz. the one million in January and April, 1777, the +other in July and October of the same year, as well as that furnished +by the Farmers-General in June, 1777. + +Here then are the three millions exactly, which were given by the King +before the treaty of 1778, and that furnished by the Farmers-General. +Nothing then remains to be known, but who received the first million +in June, 1776. It could not be myself, as I was not charged with the +business of Congress until January, 1777. I therefore requested of M. +Durival a copy of the receipt for the one million. You have the +answer, which he returned to me. I wrote to him again, renewing my +request, but as the courier is just setting off, I cannot wait to give +you his answer, but you will receive it in my next, if I obtain one. + +In the meanwhile, I beg you will receive the assurances of the +sentiments of respect, with which I have the honor to be, my dear Sir, +&c. + + GRAND. + + * * * * * + + M. DURIVAL, TO MR. GRAND. + + Translation. + + Versailles, September 10th, 1786. + + Sir, + +I have laid before the Count de Vergennes, as you seemed to desire, +the letter which you did me the honor to write yesterday. The Minister +persists in the opinion, that the receipt, the copy of which you +request, has no relation to the business with which you were intrusted +on behalf of Congress, and that this piece would be useless in the new +point of view in which you have placed it. Indeed, Sir, it is easy +for you to prove, that the money in question was not delivered by the +Royal Treasury into your hands, as you did not begin to be charged +with the business of Congress until January, 1777, and the receipt for +that money is of the 10th of June, 1776. + +I have the honor to be, with perfect attachment, Sir, &c. + + DURIVAL. + + * * * * * + + MR GRAND TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Translation. + + Paris, September 12th, 1786. + + Sir, + +I hazard a letter in hopes it may be able to join that of the 9th at +L'Orient, in order to forward to you the answer I have just received +from M. Durival. You will there see, that notwithstanding my entreaty, +the Minister himself refuses to give me a copy of the receipt which I +asked for. I cannot conceive the reason for this reserve, more +especially since, if there has been a million paid, he who has +received it has kept the account, and it must in time be known. I +shall hear with pleasure, that you have been more fortunate in this +respect in America than I have been in France; and I repeat to you the +assurance of the sentiments of regard, with which I have the honor to +be, &c. + + GRAND. + + * * * * * + + TO CHARLES THOMPSON. + + Philadelphia, January 27th, 1787. + + Dear Friend, + +You may remember, that in the correspondence between us in June last, +on the subject of a million _free gift_ of the King of France, +acknowledged in our contract to have been received, but which did not +appear to be accounted for in our banker's accounts, unless it should +be the same with the million said to be received from the +Farmers-General, I mentioned, that an explanation might doubtless be +easily obtained by writing to Mr Grand, or Mr Jefferson. I know not +whether you have accordingly written to either of them, but being +desirous that the matter should speedily be cleared up, I wrote myself +to Mr Grand a letter upon it, of which I now enclose a copy, with his +answers, and several letters from M. Durival,[32] who is _Chef du +Bureau des Fonds_ (and has under his care the finance) _des Affaires +Etrangeres_. + +You will see by these letters, that the million in question was +delivered to somebody, on the 10th of June, 1776, but it does not +appear to whom. It is clear, however, that it could not be to Mr +Grand, nor to the Commissioners from Congress, for we did not meet in +France till the end of December, 1776, or beginning of January, 1777, +and that banker was not charged before with our affairs. + +By the Minister's reserve in refusing him a copy of the receipt, I +conjecture it must be money advanced for our use, to M. de +Beaumarchais, and that it is a _Mystère du Cabinet_, which perhaps +should not be further inquired into, unless necessary to guard against +more demands than may be just from that agent; for it may well be +supposed, that if the Court furnished him with the means of supplying +us, they may not be willing to furnish authentic proofs of such a +transaction, so early in our dispute with Britain. Pray tell me, has +he dropped his demands, or does he still continue to worry you with +them? + +I should like to have these original letters returned to me, but you +may if you please keep copies of them. It is true the million in +question makes no difference in your accounts with the King of France, +it not being mentioned or charged, as so much lent and to be repaid, +but stated as freely given. Yet, if it was put into the hands of any +of your agents, or ministers, they ought certainly to account for it. +I do not recollect whether Mr Deane had arrived in France before the +10th of June, 1776;[33] but from his great want of money, when I +joined him a few months after, I hardly think it could have been paid +to him. Possibly Mr Jefferson may obtain the information, though Mr +Grand could not, and I wish he may be directed to make the inquiry, as +I know he would do it directly; I mean if, by Hortalez and Co's +further demands, or for any other reason, such an inquiry should be +thought necessary.[34] + + I am, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [32] See these letters, pp. 223, 224, 225. + + [33] Deane did not arrive in Paris till the first week in July. + + [34] This matter was not cleared up till 1794, when Gouverneur Morris + was American Minister in Paris. By application to the government he + procured a copy of the receipt of the person, who received the million + of francs on the tenth of June, 1776. It proved to be Beaumarchais, as + Dr Franklin had conjectured. See _Pitkin's History of the United + States_, Vol. I. p. 422. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Philadelphia, November 29th, 1788. + + Sir, + +When I had the honor of being the Minister of the United States at the +Court of France, Mr Barclay arriving there, brought me the following +resolution of Congress. + +"Resolved, that a commissioner be appointed by Congress, with full +power and authority to liquidate, and _finally to settle_, the +accounts of all the servants of the United States, who have been +intrusted with the expenditure of public money in Europe, and to +commence and prosecute such suits, causes, and actions, as may be +necessary for that purpose, or for the recovery of any property of the +said United States in the hands of any person, or persons, whatsoever. + +"That the said commissioner be authorised to appoint one or more +clerks, with such allowance as he may think reasonable. + +"That the said commissioner and clerks, respectively, take an oath +before some person duly authorised to administer an oath, faithfully +to execute the trust reposed in them respectively. + +"Congress proceeded to the election of a commissioner, and ballots +being taken, Mr T. Barclay was elected." + +In pursuance of this resolution, and as soon as Mr Barclay was at +leisure from more pressing business, I rendered to him all my +accounts, which he examined, and stated methodically. By his statement +he found a balance due me on the 4th of May, 1785, of 7,533 livres, 19 +sols, 3 den. which I accordingly received of the Congress banker; the +difference between my statement and his being only seven sols, which +by mistake I had overcharged; about three pence halfpenny sterling. + +At my request, however, the accounts were left open for the +consideration of Congress, and not finally settled, there being some +articles on which I desired their judgment, and having some equitable +demands, as I thought them, for extra services, which he had not +conceived himself empowered to allow, and therefore I did not put them +in my account. He transmitted the accounts to Congress, and had advice +of their being received. On my arrival at Philadelphia, one of the +first things I did was to despatch my grandson, William T. Franklin, +to New York, to obtain a final settlement of those accounts; he having +long acted as my secretary, and being well acquainted with the +transactions, was able to give an explanation of the articles, that +might seem to require explaining, if any such there were. He returned +without effecting the settlement, being told that it could not be made +till the arrival of some documents expected from France. What those +documents were, I have not been informed, nor can I readily conceive, +as all the vouchers existing there had been examined by Mr Barclay. +And I, having been immediately after my arrival engaged in the public +business of this State, waited in expectation of hearing from +Congress, in case any part of my accounts had been objected to. + +It is now more than three years that those accounts have been before +that honorable body, and, to this day, no notice of any such objection +has been communicated to me. But reports have, for some time past, +been circulated here, and propagated in the newspapers, that I am +greatly indebted to the United States for large sums, that had been +put into my hands, and that I avoid a settlement. This, together with +the little time one of my age may expect to live, makes it necessary +for me to request earnestly, which I hereby do, that the Congress +would be pleased, without further delay, to examine those accounts, +and if they find therein any article or articles, which they do not +understand or approve, that they would cause me to be acquainted with +the same, that I may have an opportunity of offering such explanations +or reasons in support of them as may be in my power, and then that the +accounts may be finally closed. + +I hope the Congress will soon be able to attend to this business for +the satisfaction of the public, as well as in condescension to my +request. In the meantime, if there be no impropriety in it, I would +desire that this letter, together with another[35] relating to the +same subject, the copy of which is hereto annexed, may be put upon +their minutes. + +With every sentiment of respect and duty to Congress, I am, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [35] A letter to Mr Barclay, written in France, see p. 218. + + * * * * * + + + + + THE + + CORRESPONDENCE + + OF + + JOHN ADAMS, + + + ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO FRANCE, MINISTER + PLENIPOTENTIARY TO HOLLAND, AND ONE OF THE + COMMISSIONERS FOR NEGOTIATING THE + TREATY OF PEACE. + + + + +John Adams was a delegate in the first Continental Congress, and one +of the most active, zealous, and efficient members of that body. For +three years his labors in Congress were incessant, and of the most +valuable kind. It is said of him, that he belonged to more committees +than any other individual, and he discharged the duties of each with +remarkable promptness and energy. + +The foreign affairs of the United States having assumed an important +aspect, Mr Adams was appointed a Commissioner to France in the place +of Silas Deane, who had been recalled. This appointment took place on +the 28th of November, 1777, and in the following February he embarked +from Boston. After a long and disagreeable passage of fortyfive days +he arrived in France. Here he devoted himself to the duties of his +mission, in conjunction with his colleagues, till Dr Franklin was +appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of France, and the +commission was dissolved. Having no longer any charge to execute in +Europe, Mr Adams left Paris on the 8th of March, 1779, for Nantes, +where he proposed to embark for his own country. Various accidents and +unexpected causes of delay kept him there till the 14th of June, when +he sailed in the French frigate, the Sensible, in company with M. de +la Luzerne, who was coming to the United States in the character of +Minister Plenipotentiary, as successor to M. Gerard. The French +government had voluntarily proffered to Mr Adams a passage in this +vessel, after his disappointment in not sailing in the American +frigate Alliance, as he at first expected. The Sensible arrived in +Boston on the 3d of August. + +But he was not long allowed to remain a spectator only of public +events. On the 27th of September he was again chosen by Congress to +represent his country abroad, as Minister Plenipotentiary for +negotiating a treaty of peace and a treaty of commerce with Great +Britain, when that nation should be found in a humor to recognise the +independence of the United States, and enter into bonds of friendship. +A task more honorable, momentous, and difficult could not have awaited +him, nor one bearing more emphatical testimony of the confidence of +his countrymen in his wisdom, abilities, integrity, and patriotism. On +this second mission he sailed in the same frigate, which had brought +him from France; accommodations for this purpose having been offered +to Congress by the French Minister in Philadelphia. The vessel sprang +a leak on the passage, and the captain was obliged to put into Ferrol, +in Spain, where he arrived on the 8th of December. From this place, +that he might avoid further hazards and uncertainty of a sea voyage in +the depth of winter, Mr Adams resolved to proceed by land to the point +of his destination. He reached Paris on the 9th of February, 1780. The +extreme badness of the travelling at this season had detained him +nearly two months on the road. + +By the terms of his commission, the place of his residence was not +prescribed, but for the present he chose to fix himself in Paris, as +amicable relations already subsisted between the French Court and +Congress, and he was instructed to consult the French Ministry in +regard to any movements, that might be made in effecting a treaty with +England. He held a correspondence with Count de Vergennes, respecting +the time and manner of carrying his instructions into execution, and +on other topics; in all of which, however, his opinions and those of +the French Minister were somewhat at variance. There seeming no +prospect that Great Britain would soon be inclined to peace, and Mr +Adams having no special reasons for remaining at the French Court, he +made a tour to Holland in the beginning of August, leaving his +Secretary, Mr Dana, in Paris. + +Meantime Congress had assigned to him another duty. Mr Henry Laurens +had been appointed, as early as November, 1779, to negotiate a loan of +ten millions abroad, but having been prevented by various causes from +departing on this service, Congress, on the 20th of June following, +authorised Mr Adams to engage in the undertaking, and prosecute it +till Mr Laurens, or some other person in his stead, should arrive in +Europe. This commission reached Paris four weeks after he had left +that city, and Mr Dana proceeded with it to Holland. Efforts were +immediately made to procure a loan in that country, which were for a +long time ineffectual, but which at last succeeded. + +Mr Laurens sailed for Holland in August, 1780, but was captured a few +days afterwards by a British frigate, which conveyed him to +Newfoundland, whence he was sent to England and imprisoned in the +Tower. When this intelligence reached Congress, it was resolved to +transfer his appointment to another person, and on the 29th of +December Mr Adams was commissioned to negotiate a treaty of amity and +commerce with the United Provinces, and he was furnished with separate +letters of credence as Minister Plenipotentiary to the States-General +and to the Prince of Orange. The state of parties in Holland, and +particularly the influence of England there, rendered unavailing all +advances of the American Minister towards a treaty. + +It having been intimated to Mr Adams, by the Duc de la Vauguyon, +French Ambassador in Holland, that a treaty of peace was in prospect +through the mediation of Russia and Austria, and that Count de +Vergennes would be glad to see him on the subject at Versailles, he +set off for Paris on the 6th of July, 1781. He had several interviews +with the Count de Vergennes, and a correspondence of some length. +After remaining three weeks at Paris and Versailles, without +perceiving any apparent indications, that this project for a +negotiation would come to maturity, he returned again to Holland. + +On the 14th of June Congress appointed four other Commissioners, in +conjunction with Mr Adams, to negotiate a treaty of peace, namely, +Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, Henry Laurens, and Thomas Jefferson, and +the first commission of Mr Adams for this purpose was annulled. + +A misunderstanding having grown up between England and the United +Provinces, chiefly on account of the part taken by the latter in +joining the northern powers to carry into operation the plan of the +armed neutrality, the French Court thought it a good opportunity for +the United States to seek a treaty of alliance with Holland. This step +was accordingly recommended to Congress through the French Minister at +Philadelphia, and, in consequence of this suggestion, new powers were +conferred on Mr Adams, dated August the 16th, by which he was +commissioned to negotiate a treaty of alliance with Holland, limited +in duration to the continuance of the war with England, and +conformable to the treaties then subsisting with France. + +The political relations between the several Provinces of Holland were +such, however, that the process of negotiation went on heavily and +slowly. The English interest still continued strong, even after the +war had begun, and embarrassments of various kinds were thrown in the +way, which required no common share of sagacity, firmness, and +perseverance to overcome. All these at length yielded, and on the 8th +of October, 1782, a treaty of commerce between the United States and +Holland, and a convention concerning recaptures, were signed at the +Hague. + +Dr Franklin and Mr Jay had now been for three or four months actively +engaged in the negotiation of peace at Paris. Having thus brought +affairs to a happy issue in Holland, Mr Adams hastened to join the +Commissioners, and arrived in Paris before the end of October. From +that time till the Preliminary Articles were signed, November the +30th, he applied himself unremittingly with his colleagues to the +details of the negotiation. He also took part in the discussions +respecting the Definitive Treaty, which followed from time to time, +and was one of the signers of that instrument. + +In the winter of 1784 he was in Holland. In January, 1785, he was +appointed the first American Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of +St James's. While in England, he wrote his Defence of the American +Constitutions. In the year 1788 permission was granted him to return +home, where he arrived after an absence of almost nine years, during +the whole of which period he had been employed in services of the +highest responsibility and importance. He was shortly afterwards +elected Vice President of the United States, under the first +Presidency of Washington. + + + + +THE + +CORRESPONDENCE + +OF + +JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO JOHN ADAMS. + + York, in Pennsylvania, December 3d, 1777. + + Dear Sir, + +With great pleasure to ourselves we discharge our duty, by enclosing +to you your commission for representing these United States at the +Court of France. We are by no means willing to admit a thought of your +declining this important service, and therefore we send duplicates of +the commission, and the late resolves, in order that you may take one +set with you, and send the other by another vessel. + +These are important papers, and therefore we wish they may be put into +the hands of a particular and careful person, with directions to +deliver them himself into the hands of the Commissioners. Mr Hancock, +before he left this place, said that he intended to send a gentleman +to France on some particular business. Cannot we prevail to get this +gentleman to undertake the delivery of our packet to the +Commissioners, they paying the expense of travel to Paris, and back +again to his place of business? + +It is unnecessary to mention the propriety of directing these +despatches to be bagged with weight proper for sinking them, on any +immediate prospect of their otherwise falling into the enemy's hands. + +We sincerely wish you a quick and pleasant voyage, being truly your +affectionate friends, + + R. H. LEE, + JAMES LOVELL. + + * * * * * + + TO HENRY LAURENS, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, December 23d, 1777. + + Sir, + +Having been absent on a journey, I had not the honor of receiving your +letters until yesterday, when one, of the 28th of November, enclosing +a resolution of Congress of the same day, and another of the 3d of +December, enclosing a commission for Dr Franklin, Dr Lee, and myself, +to represent the United States at the Court of France, were delivered +to me in Boston. + +As I am deeply penetrated with a sense of the high honor, which has +been done me in this appointment, I cannot but wish I were better +qualified for the important trust, but as Congress are perfectly +acquainted with all my deficiencies, I conclude it is their +determination to make the necessary allowances; in the humble hope of +which, I shall submit my own judgment to theirs, and devote all the +faculties I have, and all that I can acquire, to their service. + +You will be pleased to accept of my sincere thanks, for the polite +manner in which you have communicated to me the commands of Congress, +and believe me to be, with the most perfect respect and esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + Braintree, December 24th, 1777. + + Gentlemen, + +Having been absent from this State, I had not the honor of your favor +of December 3d, until the 22d, when it was delivered to me with its +enclosures, viz. a letter from the President to the Navy Board at +Boston, and a private letter of December 8th, from Mr Lovell. At the +same time, I received a packet directed to Benjamin Franklin, Arthur +Lee, and John Adams, Commissioners of the United States of America, in +France, under seal. I also received a packet unsealed, containing + +1. Copy of a letter dated the 2d of December, from the Committee of +Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. + +2. A duplicate of a commission of the 27th of November, to the +Commissioners. + +3. A duplicate of a resolve of December 3d; duplicates of resolves of +November 20th and 21st, and duplicates of resolves of November 10th +and 22d. + +4. Two letters unsealed, to Silas Deane, Paris. + +5. Two printed handbills, one containing messages, &c. between the +Generals Bourgoyne and Gates; the other, a copy of a letter, &c. from +Mr Strickland. The packet under seal, I shall do myself the honor to +forward by the first conveyance, and the other shall be conveyed, God +willing, with my own hand. + +I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL ADAMS. + + Passy, May 21st, 1778. + + Dear Sir, + +I have never yet paid my respects to you since my arrival in Europe, +for which seeming neglect of duty, the total novelty of the scenes +about me, and the incessant avocations of business, and ceremony, and +pleasure, (for this last, I find in Europe, makes an essential part of +both the other two,) must plead my excuse. + +The situation of the general affairs of Europe is still critical and +of dubious tendency. It is still uncertain whether there will be war +between the Turks and the Russians, between the Emperor and the King +of Prussia, and indeed between England and France, in the opinion of +many people. My own conjecture, however, is that a war will commence, +and that soon. + +Before this reaches you, you will be informed that a strong squadron +of thirteen capital ships and several frigates has sailed from Toulon, +and that another squadron is ordered to sail from Spithead. Whatever I +may have heard of the destination of the first, I am not at liberty to +mention it. We have no intelligence that the latter has sailed. + +Chatham the great is no more, but there is so much of his wild spirit +in his last speech yet left in the nation, that I have no doubt but +the administration will put all to the hazard. + +We are happy to hear by the frigate, La Sensible, which has returned +to Brest, that the treaty arrived safe at Casco Bay. We hope to have +the earliest intelligence of the ratification of it. The Commissioners +from England, of the 22d of April, will meet, as we suppose, with +nothing but ridicule. The King of Prussia is yet upon the reserve +concerning America, or rather forgetting his promise, has determined +not to acknowledge our independence at present. His reason is obvious; +he wants the aid of those very German princes, who are most +subservient to Great Britain, who have furnished her with troops to +carry on the war against us, and, therefore, he does not choose to +offend them by an alliance with us at present. Spain is on the reserve +too, but there is not the least doubt entertained here of her +intention to support America. In Holland there is more friendship for +us than I was aware of before I came here; at least, they will take no +part against us. + +Our affairs in this kingdom I find in a state of confusion and +darkness, that surprises me. Prodigious sums of money have been +expended, and large sums are yet due; but there are no books of +account, nor any documents from whence I have been able to learn what +the United States have received as an equivalent. + +There is one subject which lies heavily on my mind, and that is the +expense of the Commissioners. You have three Commissioners at this +Court, each of whom lives at an expense of at least three thousand +pounds sterling a year, I fear at a greater expense; few men in the +world are capable of living at a less expense than I am. But I find +the other gentlemen have expended from three to four thousand a year +each, and one of them from five to six. And by all the inquiries I +have been able to make, I cannot find any article of expense which can +be retrenched.[36] + +The truth is, in my humble opinion, our system is wrong in many +particulars. + +1. In having three Commissioners at this Court; one in the character +of Envoy is enough. At present, each of the three is considered in the +character of a public Minister Plenipotentiary, which lays him under +an absolute necessity of living up to this character, whereas, one +alone would be obliged to incur no greater expense, and would be quite +sufficient for all the business of a public Minister. + +2. In leaving the salaries of these Ministers at an uncertainty, you +will never be able to obtain a satisfactory account of the public +monies while this system continues; it is a temptation to live at too +great an expense, and gentlemen will feel an aversion to demanding a +vigorous account. + +3. In blending the business of a public Minister with that of a +commercial agent. The business of various departments is by this means +so blended, and the public and private expenses so confounded with +each other, that I am sure no satisfaction can ever be given to the +public of the disposition of their interests, and I am very confident, +that jealousies and suspicions will hereafter arise against the +characters of gentlemen, who may, perhaps, have acted with perfect +integrity and the fairest intentions for the public good. + +My idea is this; separate the offices of public Ministers from those +of commercial agents;[37] recall, or send to some other Court, all +the public Ministers but one at this Court; determine with precision +the sum that shall be allowed to the remaining one for his expenses, +for his salary, and for his time, risk, trouble, &c.; and when this is +done, see that he receives no more than his allowance. The +inconveniences arising from the multiplicity of Ministers and the +complication of business are infinite. + +Remember me with the most tender affection to my worthy colleagues, +and to all others to whom you know they are due. + + I am your friend and servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [36] In another letter, which Mr Adams afterwards wrote to Mr Samuel + Adams, he says the account of the Commissioners' expenses here given + is "exaggerated," and "put much too high," owing to his having been + but a short time in Paris, and not being accurately informed on the + subject. See this letter hereafter, dated February 14th, 1779, in the + present volume. + + By a letter from Mr Arthur Lee, dated May 9th, 1778, containing a + transcript from the banker's books, it appears, that from December, + 1776, to March, 1778, a period of fifteen months, Silas Deane received + on his private account, $20,926; Arthur Lee, $12,749; and Dr Franklin, + $12,214. _See Arthur Lee's Correspondence_, Vol. II. p. 159, where the + above sums are stated in livres, and they are here reduced to dollars + by the rule practised at that time, of allowing five livres and eight + sols to the dollar. The fractions are omitted in the reduction. It + must be observed, that the above payments are not a specification of + the amounts actually received for the period in question, because the + Commissioners may have had other expenses for which they afterwards + drew on the banker, but these sums may serve as a tolerably correct + indication of their expenses, and were probably intended as such by Mr + Lee. At this time no fixed salary was allowed, but Congress resolved + that all expenses should be paid, and that such an additional + compensation should be granted, as might afterwards be deemed + expedient by Congress. + + On the 1st of June, 1778, Mr Lee wrote to Congress; "I am of opinion, + with our colleague, Mr Adams, that it would be better for the public, + that the appointment of your public Ministers were fixed, instead of + being left at large, and their expenses indefinite. From experience, I + find the expense of living in that character cannot well be less than + three thousand pounds sterling a year, ($13,333) which I believe is as + little as is allowed to any public Minister beyond the rank of + consul." _Arthur Lee's Correspondence_, Vol. II. p. 165. + + The original mode of paying Ministers abroad continued, however, till + October 4th, 1779, when Congress, + + _Resolved_, That each of the Ministers Plenipotentiary, be allowed at + the rate of two thousand five hundred pounds sterling ($11,111) per + annum; and each of their Secretaries at the rate of one thousand + pounds sterling ($4,444) per annum, in full for their services and + expenses respectively. + + "That the salary of each of the said officers be computed from the + time of leaving his place of abode to enter on the duties of his + office, and be continued three months after notice of his recall." + _Secret Journals_, Vol. II. p. 272. + + The salaries continued fixed at the above sums during the remainder of + the revolution, and till May 7th, 1784, when the salary of Ministers + was reduced to $9000, and that of Secretaries to $3000 per annum. + + [37] Dr Franklin expresses this opinion very strongly on several + occasions; and after he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary, with + the duties of commercial agent attached to his office, he repeatedly + solicited Congress to separate these duties, and to leave him in + charge only of those branches of business, which pertained to him in + the character of Minister. See _Franklin's Correspondence_, Vol. III. + pp. 90, 108, 119, 131. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COMMERCIAL COMMITTEE. + + Passy, May 24th, 1778. + + Gentlemen, + +I find that the American affairs on this side of the Atlantic are in a +state of disorder, very much resembling that which is so much to be +regretted on the other, and arising, as I suppose, from the same +general causes, the novelty of the scenes, the inexperience of the +actors, and the rapidity with which great events have succeeded each +other. Our resources are very inadequate to the demands made upon us, +which are perhaps unnecessarily increased by several irregularities of +proceeding. + +We have in some places two or three persons, who claim the character +of American agents, agent for commercial affairs, and continental +agent, for they are called by all these different appellations. In one +quarter, one gentleman claims the character from the appointment of +Mr William Lee, another claims it from the appointment of the +Commissioners at Passy, and a third from the appointment of the +Commercial Committee of Congress. This introduces a triple expense, +and much confusion and delay. These evils have been accidental, I +believe, and unavoidable, but they are evils still, and ought to be +removed. + +One person at Bordeaux, another at Nantes, and a third perhaps at +Havre de Grace, or Dunkirk, would be amply sufficient for all public +purposes, and to these persons all orders from Congress, or the +Commercial Committee, or the Commissioners at Paris, ought to be +addressed. To the same persons all public ships of war, and all other +ships belonging to the United States, and their prizes, ought to be +addressed; and all orders for the supplies of provisions, clothing, +repairs of vessels, &c. as well as all orders for shipping of +merchandises, or warlike stores for the United States, ought to go +through their hands. We have such abuses and irregularities every day +occurring, as are very alarming. Agents of various sorts are drawing +bills upon us, and the commanders of vessels of war are drawing upon +us for expenses and supplies, which we never ordered, so that our +resources will soon fail, if a speedy stop is not put to this career. + +And we find it so difficult to obtain accounts from agents of the +expenditure of monies, and of the goods and merchandises shipped by +them, that we can never know the true state of our finances, or when +and in what degree we have executed the orders of Congress for sending +them arms, clothes, medicines, or other things. + +In order to correct some of the abuses, and to bring our affairs into +a little better order, I have constantly given my voice against +paying for things we never ordered, against paying persons who have +never been authorised, and against throwing our affairs into a +multiplicity of hands in the same place. But the consequence has been +so many refusals of demands and requests, that I expect much +discontent will arise from it, and many clamors. Whether the +appointment by Congress of one or more consuls for this kingdom would +remedy these inconveniences, I must submit to their wisdom. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS + + * * * * * + + TO JAMES LOVELL. + + Passy, July 9th, 1778. + + My Dear Friend, + +I had yesterday the honor of receiving the despatches from Congress, +which were sent by the Saratoga from Baltimore, arrived at Nantes, +convoyed in by the Boston, Captain Tucker, (who was returning from a +short cruise, and who has sent in four prizes,) and those by the Spy, +from New London, arrived at Brest, and the inexpressible pleasure of +your private letters by the same vessels. You acquaint me, that you +had written to me eight or nine times, which has given me some +anxiety, as these letters are the first I have received from you or +from any member of Congress, since my arrival in France. + +The ratification of the treaty gives universal joy to this Court and +nation, who seem to be sincerely and deeply rejoiced at this connexion +between the two countries. + +There is no declaration of war as yet at London or Versailles, but the +ships of the two nations are often fighting at sea, and there is not +the smallest doubt but war will be declared, unless Britain should +miraculously have wisdom given her to make a treaty with the Congress +like that which France has made. Spain has not made a treaty, but be +not deceived nor intimidated, all is safe in that quarter. + +The unforeseen dispute in Bavaria has made the Empress Queen and King +of Prussia cautious of quarrelling with Great Britain, because her +connexion with a number of the German Princes, whose aid each of those +potentates is soliciting, makes her friendship, or at least her +neutrality in the German war, of importance to each. But this will do +no hurt to America. + +You have drawn so many bills of exchange upon us, and sent us so many +frigates, every one of which costs us a large sum of money, so many +merchandises and munitions of war have been sent, whether arrived or +not, and we expect so many more drafts upon us, that I assure you I am +very uneasy concerning our finances here. We are laboring to hire +money, and have some prospect of success, but I am afraid not for such +sums as will be wanted. + +Let me entreat you to omit no opportunity of writing me; send me all +the newspapers, journals, &c. and believe me your friend and servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JAMES LOVELL. + + Passy, July 26th, 1778. + + My Dear Friend, + +Your favors of May 16th and 25th, by Captain Barnes reached me +yesterday. These, with those by Niles from Connecticut, and those by +the Saratoga from Baltimore, are all that I have received from you, or +from anybody at Congress; which gives me pain, because your other +letters must have miscarried, and I hold your letters in so high +esteem, that I cannot be willing to lose one. + +The robbery of Folger's packet, by all that I can learn, must have +been committed by a traitor, who made his escape to England. But Dr +Franklin and Mr Lee, who were acquainted with this transaction, will, +I suppose, develope the mystery as far as they are able. One of these +gentlemen has some other suspicions, but I believe the fugitive to +England was the only thief. + +Mr Deane, whom you mention, is no doubt with you before now, but if +the Count d'Estaing has not been able to strike a decisive blow before +the arrival of Byron, I should fear that some misfortune has befallen +him since the junction of Byron and Howe. We are, however, anxious to +know the naval manoeuvres in America, as well as those of the armies. +Mr Deane complains of ill treatment, and claims great merit for his +services. I shall not add to the ill treatment, nor depreciate the +merit, but it will never do for Congress to dread the resentment of +their servants. I have heard a great deal in this country concerning +his conduct; great panegyrics and harsh censures. But I believe he has +neither the extravagant merit that some persons ascribe to him, nor +the gross faults to answer for, which some others impute or suspect. I +believe he was a diligent servant of the public, and rendered it +useful service. His living was expensive, but whether he made the vast +profit to himself that some persons suspect, I know not, or whether +any profit at all. One thing I know, that my family will feel that I +shall not imitate him in this faculty, if it really was his; for which +reason I wish Congress would determine, what allowance we shall have +for our time, that I might know whether my family can live upon it or +not. + +Extravagant claims to merit are always to be suspected. General Gates +was the ablest negotiator you ever had in Europe,[38] and next to him, +General Washington's attack upon the enemy at Germantown. I do not +know, indeed, whether this last affair had not more influence upon the +European mind than that of Saratoga. Although the attempt was +unsuccessful, the military gentlemen in Europe considered it as the +most decisive proof that America would finally succeed. + +And you may depend upon it, although your agents in Europe were to +plead with the tongues of men and angels, although they had the +talents and the experience of Mazarin, or the integrity of d'Asset, +your army in America will have more success than they. + +I foresee there will be diversities of sentiment concerning this +gentleman, (Deane,) and perhaps warm debates. Perhaps there will be as +much as there has been about a General in the northern department. All +that I request is, that I may not be drawn into the dispute. Europe +has not charms enough for me to wish to stay here to the exclusion of +abler negotiators, much less at the expense of heat and divisions in +Congress. How well united you were in the choice of me I never was +informed, and how soon attempts may be made to displace me I know not. +But one thing I beg of my friends, and one only, that if any attempt +of that kind should be made, they would give me up, rather than +continue my residence at the expense of debates in Congress, and by +the favor of small majorities. + +If I were capable of speculating in English funds, or of conducting +private trade, I might find opportunities here to make a private +profit, and might have inducements from private considerations to +continue here; but this will never be my case, and I am very well +persuaded that Congress will never grant me so much for my services +here, as I could earn by my profession in Boston, to which I will +return with submission to old ocean, old Boreas, and British men of +war, the moment I am released from this station. I wish however that +Congress would determine what allowance they will grant, that honest +men may not be made or suspected otherwise. As to the public, I am +fully persuaded that its interests are not at all concerned in my +residence here, as there is a great plenty of persons quite as well +qualified. + + I am, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [38] The capture of Burgoyne was the immediate cause of the treaty of + alliance between France and the United States. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, July 27th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I thank you for your kind congratulations on the favorable appearances +in our American concerns, and for so politely particularizing one of +the most inconsiderable of them, my safe arrival in France, which was +after a very inconvenient passage of fortyfive days. + +Your letter to Mr Izard I had the pleasure to send to him immediately +in Paris, where he resides, the Court of Tuscany being so connected +with that of Vienna, as to discourage hitherto his departure for +Italy. He did me the honor of a visit yesterday, when we had much +conversation upon American affairs. + +Your other letter to your daughter-in-law, I have forwarded by a safe +opportunity. You may depend upon my conveying your letters to any of +your friends by the best opportunities, and with despatch. The more of +your commands you send me, the more pleasure you will give me. + +War is not declared, that is, no manifesto has been published, but +each nation is daily manufacturing materials for the other's +manifesto, by open hostilities. In short, Sir, the two nations have +been at war ever since the recall of the Ambassadors. The King of +France has given orders to all his ships to attack the English, and +has given vast encouragement to privateers. + +The King of Great Britain and his council have determined to send +instructions to their Commissioners in America to offer us +independency, provided we will make peace with them, separate from +France. This appears to me to be the last effort to seduce, deceive, +and divide. They know that every man of honor in America must receive +this proposition with indignation. But they think they can get the men +of no honor to join them by such a proposal, and they think the men of +honor are not a majority. What has America done to give occasion to +that King and council to think so unworthily of her. + +The proposition is in other words this; "America, you have fought me +until I despair of beating you, you have made an alliance with the +first power of Europe, which is a great honor to your country and a +great stability to your cause, so great that it has excited my highest +resentment, and has determined me to go to war with France. Do you +break your faith with that power and forfeit her confidence, as well +as that of all the rest of mankind forever, and join me to beat her, +or stand by neuter and see me do it, and for all this I will +acknowledge your independency, because I think in that case you cannot +maintain it, but will be an easy prey to me afterwards, who am +determined to break my faith with you, as I wish you to do yours with +France." + +My dear countrymen, I hope you will not be allured upon the rocks, by +the syren song of peace. They are now playing a sure game. They have +run all hazards, but now they hazard nothing. + +I know your application is incessant and your moments precious, and, +therefore, that I ask a great favor in requesting your correspondence, +but the interests of the public, as well as private friendship, induce +me to do it. + + I am, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL ADAMS. + + Passy, July 28th, 1778. + + My Dear Sir, + +The Sovereign of Britain and his Council have determined to instruct +their Commissioners to offer you independence, provided you will +disconnect yourselves from France. + +The question arises, how came the King and Council by authority to +offer this? It is certain that they have it not. + +In the next place, is the treaty of alliance between us and France now +binding upon us? I think there is not room to doubt it; for +declarations and manifestos do not make the state of war, they are +only publications of the reasons of war. Yet the message of the King +of Great Britain to both houses of Parliament, and their answers to +that message were as full a declaration of war as ever was made, and +accordingly hostilities have been frequent ever since. This proposal, +then, is a modest invitation to a gross act of infidelity and breach +of faith. It is an observation that I have often heard you make, that +"France is the natural ally of the United States." This observation +is, in my opinion, both just and important. The reasons are plain. As +long as Great Britain shall have Canada, Nova Scotia, and the +Floridas, or any of them, so long will Great Britain be the enemy of +the United States, let her disguise it as much as she will. + +It is not much to the honor of human nature, but the fact is certain, +that neighboring nations are never friends in reality. In the times of +the most perfect peace between them, their hearts and their passions +are hostile, and this will certainly be the case forever between the +thirteen United States and the English colonies. France and England, +as neighbors and rivals, never have been and never will be friends. +The hatred and jealousy between the nations are eternal and +irradicable. As we, therefore, on the one hand, have the surest ground +to expect the jealousy and hatred of Great Britain, so on the other we +have the strongest reasons to depend upon the friendship and alliance +of France, and no one reason in the world to expect her enmity or her +jealousy, as she has given up every pretension to any spot of ground +on the Continent. The United States, therefore, will be for ages the +natural bulwark of France against the hostile designs of England +against her, and France is the natural defence of the United States +against the rapacious spirit of Great Britain against them. France is +a nation so vastly eminent, having been for so many centuries what +they call the dominant power of Europe, being incomparably the most +powerful at land, that united in a close alliance with our States, and +enjoying the benefit of our trade, there is not the smallest reason to +doubt, but both will be a sufficient curb upon the naval power of +Great Britain. + +This connexion, therefore, will forever secure a respect for our +States in Spain, Portugal, and Holland too, who will always choose to +be upon friendly terms with powers, who have numerous cruisers at sea, +and indeed in all the rest, of Europe. I presume, therefore, that +sound policy as well as good faith will induce us never to renounce +our alliance with France, even although it should continue us for some +time in war. The French are as sensible of the benefits of this +alliance to them as we are, and they are determined as much as we to +cultivate it. + +In order to continue the war, or at least that we may do any good in +the common cause, the credit of our currency must be supported. But +how? Taxes, my dear Sir, taxes. Pray let our countrymen consider and +be wise; every farthing they pay in taxes is a farthing's worth of +wealth and good policy. If it were possible to hire money in Europe to +discharge the bills, it would be a dreadful drain to the country to +pay the interest of it. But I fear it will not be. The house of +Austria has sent orders to Amsterdam to hire a very great sum, England +is borrowing great sums, and France is borrowing largely. Amidst such +demands for money, and by powers who offer better terms, I fear we +shall not be able to succeed. + +Pray write me as often as you can, and believe me your friend and +servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JAMES WARREN. + + Passy, August 4th, 1778. + + My Dear Sir, + +Your kind favor of July the 1st was brought here yesterday from +Bordeaux, where Captain Ayres has arrived, but was not delivered to me +till this day. This is the second only received from you. I have +infinite satisfaction in learning from all parts of America the +prosperous train of our affairs, and the unanimity and spirit of the +people. Every vessel brings us fresh accessions of ardor to the +French, and of depression to the English, in the war that is now begun +in earnest. + +The resolutions of Congress upon the Conciliatory Bills, the address +to the people, the ratification of the treaty, the answer to the +Commissioners, the President's letter, the message of G. Livingston, +and the letter of Mr Drayton, are read here with an avidity that would +surprise you. It is not one of the least misfortunes of Great Britain, +that she has to contend with so much eloquence; that there are such +painters to exhibit her atrocious actions to the world, and transmit +them to posterity. Every publication of this kind seems to excite the +ardor of the French nation, and of their fleets and armies, as much as +if they were Americans. + +While American orators are thus employed in perpetuating the +remembrance of the injustice and cruelty of Great Britain towards us, +the French fleet has been giving such a check to her naval pride, as +she has not experienced before for many ages. The vessel, which is to +carry this, will carry information of a general engagement between +d'Orvilliers and Keppel, which terminated in a disgraceful flight of +the English fleet. We hope soon to hear of d'Estaing's success, which +would demonstrate to the universe, that Britain is no longer mistress +of the ocean. But the events of war are always uncertain, and a +misfortune may have happened to the French fleet in America. But even +if this should be the case, which I do not believe, still Britain is +not mistress of the sea, and every day will bring fresh proofs that +she is not. The springs of her naval power are dried away. + +I have hitherto had the happiness to find that my pulse beat in exact +unison with those of my countrymen. I have ventured with some freedom +to give my opinion, as to what Congress would do with the Conciliatory +Bills, with the Commissioners, with the treaty, &c. &c. and every +packet brings us proceedings of Congress, according in substance, but +executed in a manner infinitely exceeding my abilities. Nothing has +given me more joy, than the universal disdain that is expressed both +in public and private letters, at the idea of departing from the +treaty and violating the public faith. This faith is our American +glory, and it is our bulwark. It is the only foundation on which our +union can rest securely, it is the only support of our credit both in +finance and commerce; it is our sole security for the assistance of +foreign powers. If the British Court with their arts could shake it, +or the confidence in it, we should be undone forever. They would +triumph over us, after all our toil and danger. They would subjugate +us more entirely than they ever intended. The idea of infidelity +cannot be treated with too much resentment or too much horror. The man +who can think of it with patience is a traitor in his heart, and ought +be execrated as one, who adds the deepest hypocrisy to the blackest +treason. + +Is there a sensible hypocrite in America, who can start a jealousy, +that religion may be in danger? From whence can this danger arise? Not +from France, she claims no inch of ground upon your continent. She +claims no legislative authority over you, no negative upon your laws, +no right of appointing you bishops, nor of sending you missionaries. +Besides, the spirit of crusading for religion is not in France. The +rage for making proselytes, which has existed in former centuries, is +no more. There is a spirit more liberal here in this respect, than I +expected to find. Where has been the danger to the religion of the +Protestant cantons of Switzerland, from an alliance with France, which +has subsisted with entire harmony for one hundred and fifty years, or +thereabouts? But this subject is fitter for ridicule than serious +argument, as nothing can be clearer than that in this enlightened +tolerant age, at this vast distance, without a claim or color of +authority, with an express acknowledgment and warranty of sovereignty, +this, I had almost said tolerant nation, can never endanger our +religion. + +The longer I live in Europe, and the more I consider our affairs, the +more important our alliance with France appears to me. It is a rock +upon which we may safely build. Narrow and illiberal prejudices, +peculiar to John Bull, with which I might perhaps have been in some +degree infected when I was John Bull, have now no influence over me. I +never was, however, much of John Bull. I was John Yankee, and such I +shall live and die. Is Great Britain to be annihilated? No such thing. +A revolution in her government may possibly take place. But whether in +favor of despotism or republicanism, is the question. The scarcity of +virtue, and even the semblance of it, seems an invincible obstacle to +the latter. But the annihilation of a nation never takes place. It +depends wholly on herself to determine whether she shall sink down +into the rank of the middling powers of Europe, or whether she shall +maintain the second place in the scale. If she continues this war, the +first will be her fate, if she stops short in her mad career and makes +peace, she may still be in the second predicament. America will grow +with astonishing rapidity, and England, France, and every other nation +in Europe will be the better for her prosperity. Peace, which is her +dear delight, will be her wealth and her glory, for I cannot see the +seed of a war with any part of the world in future, but with Great +Britain, and such States as may be weak enough, if any such there +should be, to become her allies. That such a peace may be speedily +concluded, and that you and I may return to our farms to enjoy the +fruits of it, spending our old age in recounting to our children the +toils and dangers we have encountered for their benefit, is the wish +of your friend, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO RICHARD HENRY LEE. + + Passy, August 5th, 1778. + + My Dear Sir, + +Your letter of the 20th of June, by Captain Ayres, from Boston, had a +quick passage. He sailed on the 4th of July, and your letters were +brought to Passy from Bordeaux, where she arrived the 3d of August. + +I thank you, Sir, for the kind expressions of your obliging anxiety +for me. The uncertainty in which you remain so long, concerning the +fate of the Boston, must have been occasioned by the capture of many +vessels by which the news was sent, together with many bundles of +English newspapers and pamphlets. The prompt ratification of the +treaties, as well as the dignity with which you have received the +letters from the British Commissioners, has given great satisfaction +here. The two articles, the Count de Vergennes agreed, when we +presented your instructions to him on that head, should be given up. + +The confederation is an important object, and nothing is more wished +for in Europe than its completion, and the finishing of the separate +governments. The eagerness to complete the American code, and the +strains of panegyric in which they speak and write of those parts of +it, which have been published in Europe, are very remarkable, and seem +to indicate a general revolution in the sentiments of mankind upon the +subject of government. Our currency cannot engage our attention too +much. And the more we think of it, the more we shall be convinced, +that taxation, deep and broad taxation, is the only sure and lasting +remedy. Loans in Europe will be very difficult to obtain. The powers +at war, or at the eve of war, have such vast demands, and offer terms +so much better than ours, that nothing but sheer benevolence to our +cause can induce any person to lend us. Besides a large foreign debt +would be a greater evil, for what I know, than a paper currency. +Moreover, your large drafts upon the Commissioners here, from various +quarters, are like to consume more money than we can borrow. We shall +do however all we can. + +I have hitherto had the good fortune to preserve a good understanding +with the gentleman you mention, and shall endeavor to continue it. I +have long known him to be employed very ably and usefully for our +country, and his merits and services, his integrity and abilities, +will induce me to cultivate his friendship, as far as I can, +consistently with the public service. I wish I could converse with you +freely upon this subject, but it would lead me into too long a detail. +It has given me much grief, since my arrival here, to find so little +harmony among many respectable characters; so many mutual jealousies, +and so much distrust of one another. As soon as I perceived it, I +determined neither to quarrel with any man here, because he had +quarrelled with another, or because another had quarrelled with him; +nor to make any man my bosom friend, because he was the bosom friend +of any other; but to attend solely to the public service, and give my +voice upon all occasions, as I should think that justice and policy +required, whether it agreed with the opinion of one man or another. I +cannot be more particular. If I were to take every man's word, I +should think there was not one disinterested American here, because it +is very certain, that there is nobody here, that everybody speaks well +of. There is no doubt to be made, that private interest has some +influence here upon some minds, and that our mercantile affairs and +competitions have occasioned some altercation. But there is, I think, +rather more of mutual reproaches of interested views and designs, +rather more of animosity among the Americans here, than I remember to +have seen anywhere else. I will have nothing to do with any of these +things. I will have nothing to do with designs and endeavors to run +down characters, to paint in odious colors indifferent actions, to +excite or propagate suspicions without evidence, or to foment or +entertain prejudices of any kind, if I can possibly avoid it. I am +really ashamed to write to you in this enigmatical manner, which is +not natural to me; but I know not how to write clearer at present. I +sometimes differ in sentiment from each of my colleagues, and +sometimes agree with each; yet I do not trim, or at least I think I do +not. It has been and shall be my endeavor to heal and reconcile, to +the utmost of my power, Yet I fear, that some gentlemen are gone over +to America, heated with altercation and inflamed with prejudice. +Others still remain here, it is to be feared, in the same temper of +mind, and probably many letters are gone over loaded. These things +will probably make you uncomfortable, as they have and will make us. I +really wish, however, that you would remove the cause of this, and +appoint consuls to do the mercantile business. If you do not, however, +I am determined to go on, giving my voice clearly and without +equivocation, and at the same time without wrangling or ill will. + +We expect on Sunday, the 9th, the English accounts of the sea fight +between d'Orvilliers and Keppel, which happened on the 27th ult. in +which the former obtained the laurels, whatever representation the +latter may make of it. There are so many facts, attested by so many +respectable witnesses, that there is no room to doubt, but that the +Britons lost the day; a terrible loss indeed to a nation, who have the +empire of the sea to maintain, in order almost to preserve their +existence. It is not being equal to France at sea; they must support a +clear and decided superiority, not only to France, but to France and +Spain in conjunction, not to mention our States, in order to preserve +their rank among the powers of Europe. My tenderest respects to all +good men. + + I am, dear Sir, affectionately yours, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO HENRY LAURENS, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, August 27th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose the last gazettes, by which Congress will +see the dearth of news in Europe at present. We expect an abundance of +it at once soon, as we have nothing from America since the 4th of +July. + +The French fleet went out again from Brest the 17th, but we have not +yet heard that the English fleet is out. While the two fleets were in +the harbor, the British East India fleet, and another small West India +fleet, got in; a misfortune of no small moment, as the British +finances will receive by means of it a fresh supply of money for the +present, and their fleet a considerable reinforcement of seamen. + +I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, September 7th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress all the newspapers I have by +me, enough to show that we have nothing very important here at +present. The French and British fleets are again at sea, and we hourly +expect intelligence of a second battle; but our expectations from +America are still more interesting and anxious, having nothing from +them since the 3d of July, except what is contained in the English +gazettes. + +Events have probably already passed in America, although not known in +Europe, which will determine the great question, whether we shall +have a long war or a short one. The eyes of all Europe are fixed upon +Spain, whose armaments by sea and land are vastly expensive and +extremely formidable, but whose designs are a profound, impenetrable +secret; time, however, will discover them. In the meantime, we have +the satisfaction to be sure, that they are not inimical to America. +For this, we have the word of a King, signified by his Ministers, a +King, who they say never breaks his word, but, on the contrary, has +given many striking proofs of his sacred regard to it. + +I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, September 11th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress the latest gazettes. We have +no other intelligence, than is contained in them. + +Since the 11th of July, the date of Lord Howe's announcing the arrival +of the Count d'Estaing off Sandy Hook, we have not a syllable from +America, by the way of England. In France, we have nothing from +America since July 3d. This long interval leaves a vast scope for +imagination to play, and, accordingly, there is no end to the +speculations prompted by the hopes and fears of the nations of Europe. +We are weary of conjectures, and must patiently wait for time to end +them. + + I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO M. RAY DE CHAUMONT. + + Passy, September 15th, 1778. + + Sir, + +As our finances are, at present, in a situation seriously critical, +and as I hold myself accountable to Congress for every part of my +conduct, even to the smallest article of my expenses, I must beg the +favor of you to consider what rent we ought to pay you for this house +and furniture, both for the time past and to come. Every part of your +conduct towards me, and towards our Americans in general, and in all +our affairs, has been polite and obliging, as far as I have had an +opportunity of observing, and I have no doubt it will continue so; yet +it is not reasonable, that the United States should be under so great +an obligation to a private gentleman, as that two of their +representatives should occupy, for so long a time, so elegant a seat, +with so much furniture and so fine accommodations without any +compensation; and in order to avoid the danger of the disapprobation +of our constituents on the one hand, for living here at too great or +at too uncertain an expense, and on the other, the censure of the +world for not making sufficient compensation to a gentleman, who has +done so much for our convenience, it seems to me necessary that we +should come to an eclaircissement upon this head. + +As you have an account against the Commissioners, or against the +United States, for several other matters, I should also be obliged to +you, if you would send it in as soon as possible, as every day renders +it more and more necessary for us to look into our affairs with the +utmost precision. + +I am, Sir, with much esteem and respect, your most obedient, humble +servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + M. RAY DE CHAUMONT TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Passy, September 18th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write to me +on the 15th inst, making inquiry as to the rent of my house, in which +you live, for the past and the future. When I consecrated my house to +Dr Franklin, and his associates, who might live with him, I made it +fully understood that I should expect no compensation, because I +perceived that you had need of all your means to send to the succor of +your country, or to relieve the distresses of your countrymen escaping +from the chains of their enemies. I pray you, Sir, to permit this +arrangement to remain, which I made when the fate of your country was +doubtful. When she shall enjoy all her splendor, such sacrifices on my +part will be superfluous, or unworthy of her, but, at present, they +may be useful, and I am most happy in offering them to you. + +There is no occasion for strangers to be informed of my proceeding in +this respect. It is so much the worse for those, who would not do the +same if they had the opportunity, and so much the better for me, to +have immortalized my house by receiving into it Dr Franklin and his +associates. + +I have the honor to be, Sir, with the most perfect respect, &c. + + LE RAY DE CHAUMONT. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, September 20th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose the latest gazettes, which contain all the +news of Europe. The news from America by the way of London, which are +contained in the _Courier de l'Europe_ of the 15th instant, have +raised our expectations and increased our anxiety. We are not without +apprehensions, that the Count d'Estaing may fall in with the combined +fleets of Howe and Byron. + +The English are beginning to elevate their heads a little, and to +renew their old insolent language, both in coffee houses and in daily +papers. The refugees from America, unable to bear the thought of being +excluded forever from that country, and still less that of soliciting +for pardon from their injured countrymen, and returning to see +established principles, which they detest, and forms of government, +against which they have ever combated, are said to be indefatigable in +instilling hopes into the King and Ministers, that by persevering +another campaign, and sending twenty thousand more men to America, the +people will be worn out, and glad to petition for dependence upon +them. + +They flatter themselves and others with hopes, that Spain will remain +neuter, and that by intriguing in France, they can get the French +Ministry changed, and then that they shall have little trouble from +this quarter. Nothing can be more whimsical, more groundless or +ridiculous, than all this. Yet it is said to amuse and please the +credulous multitude in that devoted island. Those, who pretend to know +the bosoms of the persons highest in power in that kingdom, say, that +they delight themselves with the thought, that if it is not in their +power to reduce America once more to their yoke, yet they are able to +harass, to distress, and to render miserable those whom they cannot +subdue. That they have some little compunction at the thought, that +they shall be ranked in history with the Philips and Alvas, the +Alberts and Gislers of this world; but this, instead of producing +repentance and reformation as it ought, engenders nothing but rage, +envy, and revenge. This revenge, however, is impotent. Their marine +and their finances are in so bad a condition, that it is with infinite +difficulty they can cope with France alone, even at sea; and it seems +to be the intention of Providence, that they shall be permitted to go +on with their cruelties, just long enough to wean the affection of +every American heart, and make room for connexions between us and +other nations, who have not the ties of language, of acquaintance, and +of custom to bind us. + +I am, with the most perfect respect, Sir, your most obedient, humble +servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO RALPH IZARD. + + Passy, September 25th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have received with much pleasure your favor of yesterday's date. No +apology was necessary for the delay of so few days to answer a letter, +the contents of which did not, from any public consideration, require +haste. My most fervent wishes mingle themselves with yours, that the +happy time may soon arrive when we may enjoy the blessings of peace, +uninterrupted by disputes with any power whatever. But alas! my +apprehensions are very strong, that we are yet at a distance from so +great a felicity. + +You will readily acknowledge the impropriety of my entering into the +question concerning the duty of the Commissioners here, to have made +the communications of the treaty, which you mention. But of this you +may be assured, that I shall at all times hold myself obliged to you +for the communication of your sentiments upon any public affair. I am +therefore sorry, that in your letter you have confined yourself to +that part of the treaty, upon which I particularly requested your +sentiments. And I now take the liberty to request your sentiments upon +every part of the treaty, which you conceive liable to doubtful +construction, or capable of producing discontent or dispute, for I +have the honor to be fully of your opinion, that it is of very great +importance to be upon our guard, and avoid every cause of controversy +with France as much as possible. She is, and will be, in spite of the +obstacles of language, of customs, religion, and government, our +natural ally against Great Britain as long as she shall continue our +enemy, and that will be at least as long as she shall hold a foot of +ground in America, however she may disguise it, and whatever peace or +truce she may make. + +Your sentiments of the fishery, as a source of wealth, of commerce and +naval power, are perfectly just, and therefore this object will and +ought to be attended to with precision, and cherished with care. +Nevertheless, agriculture is the most essential interest of America, +and even of the Massachusetts Bay, and it is very possible to injure +both, by diverting too much of the thoughts and labor of the people +from the cultivation of the earth to adventures upon the sea. And +this, in the opinion of some persons, has been a fault in the +Massachusetts Bay. Experience has taught us in the course of this war, +that the fishery was not so essential to our welfare as it was once +thought. Necessity has taught us to dig in the ground instead of +fishing in the sea for our bread, and we have found that the resource +did not fail us. + +The fishery was a source of luxury and vanity, that did us much +injury; yet this was the fault of the management, not of the fishery. +One part of our fish went to the West India Islands for rum, and +molasses to be distilled into rum, which injured our health and our +morals; the other part went to Spain and Portugal for gold and silver, +almost the whole of which went to London, sometimes for valuable +articles of clothing, but too often for lace and ribands. If, +therefore, the cessation of the fishery for twenty years to come was +to introduce the culture of flax and wool, which it certainly would do +as far as would be necessary for the purposes of decency and comfort, +if a loss of wealth should be the consequence of it, the acquisition +of morals and of wisdom would perhaps make us gainers in the end. + +These are vain speculations I know. The taste for rum and ribands will +continue, and there are no means for the New England people to obtain +them so convenient as the fishery, and therefore the first opportunity +will be eagerly embraced to revive it. As a nursery of seamen, and a +source of naval power, it has been, and is an object of serious +importance, and perhaps indispensably necessary to the accomplishment +and the preservation of our independence. I shall therefore always +think it my duty to defend and secure our rights to it with all +industry and zeal, and shall ever be obliged to you for your advice +and co-operation. + +Pardon the length of this letter, and believe me, with much esteem, +your friend and servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO RALPH IZARD. + + Passy, October 2d, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the pleasure of yours of the 28th, and agree with you in +sentiment, that if the money, which has heretofore been squandered +upon articles of luxury, could for the future be applied to discharge +our national debt, it would be a great felicity. But is it certain +that it will? Will not the national debt itself be the means, at least +a temptation to continue, if not increase the luxury? It is with great +pleasure that I see you mention sumptuary laws. But is there room to +hope that our Legislatures will pass such laws? Or that the people +have, or can be persuaded to acquire those qualities, that are +necessary to execute such laws? I wish your answer may be in the +affirmative, and that it may be found true in fact and experience. But +much prudence and delicacy will be necessary, I think, to bring all +our countrymen to this just way of thinking upon this head. There is +such a charm to the human heart in elegance, it is so flattering to +our self-love to be distinguished from the world in general by +extraordinary degrees of splendor, in dress, in furniture, equipage, +buildings, &c. and our countrymen, by their connexion with Europe, are +so much infected with the habit of this taste and these passions, that +I fear it will be a work of time and difficulty, if not quite +impracticable, to introduce an alteration; to which the late condition +of our trade and currency, besides the great inequality of fortune, +and the late enterprises introduced by privateers, are dangerous +enemies. + +You ask my opinion, whether the reasons in your last letter are well +founded. It is observable, that the French Court were not content +with the treaty proposed by Congress, which contained all, in my +opinion, which is contained in the article as it now stands in the +treaty of the 6th of February. What motive they had for inserting the +words, "indefinite and exclusive," is left to conjecture.[39] The +suspicion, that they meant more than the treaty proposed by Congress +expressed, arises from a fact, which you remember, viz. that the +French at the time of the last peace claimed more. I wish to know if +there is any letter or memorial extant, in which such a claim is +contained, or whether it was only a verbal claim made by their +Ambassadors. Whether any of the magazines of that time mention and +discuss any such claim. If the fact is incontestible, that they made +such a claim, it is possible that it may be revived under the words +"indefinite and exclusive." But I hope it will not, and I hope it was +not intended when these words were inserted. Yet I confess I cannot +think of any other reason for inserting them. The word indefinite is +not amiss, for it is a right of catching fish and drying them on land, +which is a right indefinite enough. But the word exclusive is more +mysterious. It cannot mean that Americans and all other nations shall +be "excluded" from the same right of fishing and drying on land, +between the same limits of Bonavista and Riche. It would be much +easier to suppose, that the following words, "in that part only, and +in no other besides that," gave rise to the word "exclusive;" that is, +that right of fishing and drying within those limits, for which we +have excluded ourselves from all others. I will undertake to show +better reasons, or at least as good, for this sense of the word +exclusive, as the most subtle interpreter of treaties can offer for +the other, although I think them both untenable. + +My opinion further is this, that as contemporaneous exposition is +allowed by all writers on the law of nations to be the best +interpreter of treaties, as well as of all other writings, and as +neither the treaty of Utrecht, or the treaty of Paris in 1763, ever +received such an interpretation as you are apprehensive may hereafter +be contended for, and as the uninterrupted practice has been against +such a construction, so I think that the treaty of Paris of the 6th of +February, 1778, is not justly liable to such a construction, and that +it cannot be attempted with any prospect of success. I agree with you, +however, that as we are young States, and not practised in the art of +negotiation, it becomes us to look into all these things with as much +caution and exactness as possible, and furnish ourselves with the best +historical light, and every other honest means of securing our rights. +For which reason I requested your sentiments upon this subject in +writing, and continue to desire in the same way your observations on +other parts of the treaty. Reduced to writing, such things remain in +letters and letter books, as well as more distinctly in the memory, +and the same men or other men may recur to them at future +opportunities, whereas transient conversations, especially among men +who have many things to do and to think of, slip away and are +forgotten. I shall make use of all the prudence I can, that these +letters may not come to the knowledge of improper persons, or be used +to the disadvantage of our country, or to you or me in our present +capacity. + + I am, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [39] This alludes to a clause in the 10th Article of the Treaty of + Amity and Commerce between France and the United States. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, October 2d, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose the latest gazettes, by which Congress +will perceive, that we have no intelligence from America since the +departure of the Count d'Estaing from Sandy Hook; our anxiety is very +great, but we hope that a few hours will relieve it. In the midst of a +war in Germany, and between France and England, there was scarcely +ever a greater dearth of news in a profound peace. + +Captain Mc Neil, the bearer of this, makes the most conversation, +having taken and destroyed, I think, thirteen vessels in the course of +his last cruise, six of which have safely arrived in France, the +others, not destroyed, he sent to America. His cruise will prove a +great disappointment to the enemy, having deprived them of a great +quantity of naval stores, upon which they depended. + +I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Philadelphia, October 28th, 1778. + + Sir, + +While we officially communicate to you the enclosed resolve, the +foundation of which you cannot remain a stranger to, we must entreat +you to be assiduous in sending to those Commissioners who have left +France, and gone to the Courts for which, they were respectively +appointed, all the American intelligence, which you have greater +opportunity than they of receiving from hence, particularly to Mr +Izard and Mr William Lee. We do not often send more than one set of +gazettes by one opportunity; and we hear of several vessels which have +miscarried. + +Congress must and will speedily determine upon the general arrangement +of their foreign affairs. This is become, so far as regards you, +peculiarly necessary, upon a new commission being sent to Dr Franklin. +In the meantime we hope you will exercise your whole extensive +abilities on the subject of our finances. The Doctor will communicate +to you our situation in that regard. + +To the gazettes, and to conversation with the Marquis de Lafayette, we +must refer you for what relates to our enemies, and close with our +most cordial wishes for your happiness. + + Your affectionate friends, + + R. H. LEE, + JAMES LOVELL. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, December 3d, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress the latest newspapers. As they +contain the speech at the opening of Parliament, and some of the +debates in both Houses, upon the addresses in answer to it, they are +of very great importance. I learn by some newspapers and private +letters, that an opinion has been prevalent in America, that the enemy +intended to withdraw from the United States; and considering the cruel +devastations of the war, and the unfortunate situation of our +finances, nothing would give me so much joy, as to see reasons to +concur in that opinion, and to furnish Congress with intelligence in +support of it. But I am sorry to say the reverse is too apparent. We +may call it obstinacy or blindness, if we will, but such is the state +of parties in England, so deep would be the disgrace, and perhaps so +great the personal danger to those who have commenced and prosecuted +this war, that they cannot but persevere in it at every hazard, and +nothing is clearer in my mind, than that they never will quit the +United States until they are either driven or starved out of them. I +hope, therefore, Congress will excuse me for suggesting, that there is +but one course for us to take, which is to concert every measure, and +exert every nerve, for the total destruction of the British power +within the United States. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO ELBRIDGE GERRY. + + Passy, December 5th, 1778. + + Dear Sir, + +It is necessary that you should be minutely informed of the minutest +and most secret springs of action here, if it is possible. Yet the +danger is so great of our letters being taken, and getting into +English newspapers, that it is very discouraging to a free +correspondence. I will, however, take all the precaution in my power +to have the letters sunk, but if all these fail, and my letters become +public, the world must take them as they find them, and I hope they +will do more good upon the whole than harm. + +This Court and nation appear to me, to be well convinced of the +utility to their interests of the American alliance. But +notwithstanding this, they appear to me to have too much diffidence of +us, too much diffidence of the people of America, and too much +reserve towards the Commissioners here. I am not satisfied in the +cause of this. Whether they think, that the obstacles of language, +religion, laws, customs and manners, are obstacles in the way of a +perfect friendship, which cannot be removed, and therefore that they +shall lose our connexion as soon as Britain comes to her senses; or +whether they are embarrassed by the conduct of Spain, and are acting +in this reserved manner, and with an appearance of irresolution in +hopes of her coming in; or whether they have any prejudices against +the personal characters of the Commissioners, and are loth to be +unreserved with them, for fear they shall communicate either +indiscreetly or by design anything to the English, or to anybody here, +who might convey it to England; or whether all these motives together +have a share in it, I know not. Thus much is certain, that ever since +I have been here, I have never seen any disposition in any Minister of +State to talk with any of the Commissioners, either upon intelligence +from Spain or England, upon the designs or negotiations of either, or +any other Court in Europe, or upon the conduct of the war by sea or +land, or upon their own plans or designs of policy or war. If this +reserve was ever thrown off to any one, I should think, that putting +it on to others had some personal motive. But it is exactly equal and +alike to all three. + +Each Commissioner here, before I came, had his own set of friends, +admirers, and dependents, both among the French and Americans. Two +households united in some degree against one, very unjustly, I fear, +and very impolitically. But this set the friends of the two to +injuring the third in conversation, and they cannot forbear to do it, +to this day. This dissension, I suspect, has made the Ministry +cautious, lest in the course of altercations, improper use should be +made of free communications. For my own part, however odd you may +think it in me to say it, I have no friends, much less dependents, +here, and am determined to have none, for I am convinced, that +competitions among these have done the evil; but I am determined, if I +am continued here, to have free communication with the Ministry upon +these subjects and to search them to the bottom. The Ministry are +candid men and sensible, and I am sure, that some eclaircissements +would do good. + +However, I am reckoning without my host, for by the bruits, which Mr +Deane's letters have scattered, I may expect, that the first vessel +will bring my recall or removal to some other Court. But wherever I +am, my heart will ever be anxious for the good of our country, and +warm with friendship for her friends, among whom you will ever be +reckoned in the foremost rank, by your most obedient, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, December 6th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have had the honor to enclose to Congress the speech at the opening +of the British Parliament by several opportunities, but as it opens +the intention of the enemy, and warns us to be prepared for all the +evils, which are in their power to inflict, and not in our power to +prevent, I enclose it again in another form. + + I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO ROGER SHERMAN. + + Passy, December 6th, 1778. + + Dear Sir, + +From the long series of arduous services in which we have acted +together, I have had experience enough of your accurate judgment, in +cases of difficulty, to wish very often that I could have the benefit +of it here. To me it appears, that there will be no more cordial +friendship, nor for many years to come any long peace between Great +Britain and America, and therefore the French alliance is and will be +an important barrier to us, and ought to be cultivated with perfect +faith and much tenderness. But still it is a delicate and dangerous +connexion. There is danger to the simplicity of our manners, and to +the principles of our constitution, and there may be danger that too +much will be demanded of us. There is danger, that the people and +their representatives may have too much timidity in their conduct +towards this power, and that your ministers here may have too much +diffidence of themselves, and too much complaisance for the Court. +There is danger, that French councils, and emissaries, and +correspondents may have too much influence in our deliberations. + +I hope that this Court will not interfere, by attaching themselves to +persons, parties, or measures in America. It would be ill policy, but +no Court is always directed by sound policy, and we cannot be too much +upon our guard. Some Americans will naturally endeavor to avail +themselves of the aid of the French influence, to raise their +reputation, to extend their influence, to strengthen their parties, +and in short to promote the purposes of private ambition and +interest. But these things must be guarded against. + +I wish for a letter from you as often as you can, and that you would +believe me your friend, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, December 8th, 1778. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress one other copy of the speech +at the opening of Parliament, together with the debates in consequence +of it. + +The hints in those debates, especially those given out by Lord +Suffolk, are confirmed by the general strain of intelligence from +London. Letters from persons, who are supposed to know, announce the +determination of the cabinet to be, that Clinton and Byron, with their +fleet and army, shall ravage the coast, and bombard and pillage the +towns, that their army in Canada shall be reinforced, and that parties +of regulars, with such tories and Indians as they can persuade to join +them, shall ravage, burn, and massacre on the frontiers of +Massachusetts Bay, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and +the Carolinas. + +Their magnificent menaces we know it is not in their power to execute +entirely, yet we may depend they will do as much as they can. They +will neither acknowledge our independence, nor withdraw their fleets +and armies, nor shall we get rid of them, but by destroying them, or +making them prisoners, until the nation is so exhausted, and their +credit so sunk, that the Minister can raise no more money. + +It has been usual to consider this as a ministerial war, but I have +ever thought, they would some time or other discover it to be a +national war; the few men of the nation, who think seriously of the +business, see clearly in the long train of consequences of American +independence the loss of their West India Islands, a great part of +their East India trade, the total loss of Canada, Nova Scotia, the +Floridas, all the American fisheries, a diminution of their naval +power, as well as national bankruptcy, and a revolution in their +government in favor of arbitrary power. And the nation in general has +a confused dread of all these things upon its spirits. + +The inference they draw from all this is to go on with the war, and +make it more cruel, which is the way in the opinion of impartial +persons to make all their gloomy visions realities, whereas the only +way to prevent them is to make peace now, before a total alteration +takes place on both sides. However, all we can do is to be prepared +for the worst they can do. + + I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + THE COMMISSIONERS TO JOHN PAUL JONES. + + Passy, May 25th, 1778. + + Sir, + +Your favors of May 9th and 16th from Brest, we duly received. We +congratulate you on your success, and safe arrival at Brest, as well +as on the honor you have acquired by your conduct and bravery in +taking one of the King's ships. + +As we have some expectation of obtaining an exchange of prisoners from +England, we would advise you to keep those you have made securely +confined, though in a manner most consistent with humanity, till we +have an answer from thence. For if we can get an equal number of our +own seamen to man the Drake, she will be an additional strength to you +in a future expedition. Whereas sending her with the prisoners to +America, will not only weaken you by the hands you must spare to +navigate her, and to keep the prisoners in subjection, but will also +hazard their being retaken. We should have been happy to have been +early informed of the particulars of your cruise, and of the prizes +you have made, of which we have no authentic advice to this hour. + +Your bill of exchange in favor of M. Bussolle for twentyfour thousand +livres, which you inform us you mean to distribute among the brave +officers and men to whom you owe your late success has been presented +to us by M. Chaumont. We are sorry to inform you, that we have been +under the disagreeable necessity of refusing payment, and that for +several reasons; first, because your application should have been made +to M. Schweighauser, who is the person regularly authorised to act as +Continental Agent at Brest, and we are determined that all American +concerns, within our department, shall go through his hands, as long +as he shall continue in the character of American Agent, or at least +until we shall find it necessary to order otherwise. Secondly, because +the bill is drawn for an expense, which we have no right or authority +to defray. We have no authority to make presents of the public money +to officers or men, however gallant and deserving, for the purpose of +providing their families with clothing, or for any other purpose, nor +to advance them money upon the credit of their share of prizes, nor +have we authority to advance them any part of their pay or bounties; +all these things belong to Congress alone, and must be done by the +proper Boards in America. Our authority extends no further than to +order the necessary repairs to be made to your ship, to order her to +be furnished with necessary victuals, which we are ready to order M. +Schweighauser to do as soon as we shall be informed by you what +repairs and victuals are wanted, with an estimate of the amount of the +expenses. + +There is one thing further, which we should venture to do for the +benefit of your men. Upon a representation from you of the quantity of +slops necessary for them, we should order M. Schweighauser to furnish +your ship with them; not more however than one suit of clothes for +each man, that you may take them on board of your ship, and deliver +them out to the men as they shall be wanted, charging each man upon +the ship's books with what he shall receive, that it may be deducted +out of his pay. + +Lieutenant Simpson has stated to us your having put him under arrest +for disobeying orders. As a court martial must, by order of Congress, +consist of three captains, three lieutenants, and three captains of +marines, and these cannot be had here, it is our desire that he may +have a passage procured for him by the first opportunity to America, +allowing him whatever may be necessary for his defence. As the +consequences of an arrest in foreign countries are thus extremely +troublesome, they should be well considered before they are made. If +you are in possession of any resolution of Congress, giving the whole +of ships of war when made prizes to the captors, we should be obliged +to you for a copy of it. We should also be obliged to you for a +particular account in whose hands the prizes made by you are, and in +what forwardness is the sale of them. We have the honor to be, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN, + ARTHUR LEE, + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + THE COMMISSIONERS TO JOHN PAUL JONES. + + Passy, June 3d, 1778. + + Sir, + +We have received sundry letters from Lieutenant Simpson, and sundry +certificates from officers and others, concerning his behavior in +general, and particularly upon that occasion in which he is charged +with disobedience of orders. Without giving or forming any decided +opinion concerning his guilt or innocence of the crime laid to his +charge, we may venture to say, that the certificates we have received +are very favorable to his character, and at least afford reason to +hope, that he did not mean to disobey his orders. Be this however as +it may, we are constrained to say, that his confinement on board of +any other ship than the Ranger, and much more his confinement in a +prison on shore, appears to us to carry in it a degree of severity, +which cannot be justified by reason or law. We therefore desire you +would release Mr Simpson from his imprisonment, and permit him to go +at large upon his parole to go to Nantes, there to take his passage to +America by the first favorable opportunity, in order to take his trial +by a court martial. + +We request you to transmit to us as soon as possible, an account of +what is due to Lieutenant Simpson, according to the ship's books, for +wages. + +An application has been made to us in behalf of Mr Andrew Fallen, one +of the prisoners lately made by you, and his case represented with +such circumstances as have induced us to request you to let Mr Fallen +go where he will, after taking his parole in writing, that he will not +communicate any intelligence, which may be prejudicial to the United +States, that he will not take arms against them during the war, and +that he will surrender himself prisoner of war, whenever called upon +by Congress, or their Ministers at Paris. We are, Sir, &c. + + B. FRANKLIN, + ARTHUR LEE, + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + THE COMMISSIONERS TO LIEUT. SIMPSON, OF THE RANGER. + + Passy, June 3d, 1778. + + Sir, + +We have received several letters from you, and several certificates +from officers and others, respecting your behavior in general, as well +as particularly relative to the charge of disobedience of orders, for +which you have been confined. It would be improper for us to give any +opinion concerning this charge, which is to be determined only by a +court martial. But we have requested Captain Jones to set you at +liberty upon your parole to go to Nantes, there to take your passage +to America by the first favorable opportunity, in order to take your +trial by a court martial.[40] + + We are, Sir, your humble servants, + + B. FRANKLIN, + ARTHUR LEE, + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [40] See a letter from Paul Jones on this subject in the + Commissioners' Correspondence, Vol. I. p. 399. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + Passy, February 1st, 1779. + + Gentlemen, + +I had yesterday the honor of your favor of the 28th of October, +enclosing a resolution of Congress, of the 22d of the same month, to +which I shall give all the attention in my power.[41] I have much +satisfaction in the reflection, that I have hitherto endeavored with +much sincerity to conform to the spirit of it. What you recommend to +me, viz. to communicate to the Ministers of other Courts such +intelligence as I may receive, will not in future be so much in my +power; but as far as I can, while I stay in Europe, I shall endeavor +to comply. Indeed, it is a long time that we have had no intelligence +to communicate. Three vessels we know have been taken, each of which +had many letters, and two of them public despatches; one that sailed +from Philadelphia the 4th of November, another that sailed from the +same port the 24th, and another that sailed from Boston on the 20th. +These letters and despatches were all sunk, and we fear that others +are lost. + +It would be agreeable to me, indeed, if I were able to throw any light +on the subject of finances. As to a loan in Europe, all has been done +that was in our power to this end, but without the desired effect. +Taxation and economy comprehend all the resources that I can think of. + +We expect the honor of a visit from the Marquis de Lafayette this +morning, whom we shall receive with gratitude for his gallant and +glorious exertions in one of the best causes in which a hero ever +fought. + +Be pleased to accept my thanks for your kind wishes for my happiness, +and believe me to be your affectionate friend, + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [41] See the proceedings of Congress on Foreign Affairs, October 22d, + 1778, in the Secret Journals, Vol. II. p. 107. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL ADAMS. + + Passy, February 14th, 1779. + + My Dear Sir, + +The Marquis de Lafayette did me the honor of a visit yesterday, and +delivered me your favor of the 25th of October. I am not sorry, as +things have been ordered, that mine of May 24th did not reach you till +the 24th of October, because, as the new arrangement[42] was +previously made, it cannot be said that I had any hand in +accomplishing it. Yet I am glad the letter has arrived, because it +will show that the new system is quite agreeable to me, that is, the +appointment of a single Minister here. Believe me, Sir, it was become +very necessary. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [42] Dissolving the commission in Paris, and appointing Dr Franklin + Minister Plenipotentiary. + +How Congress will dispose of me, I do not know. If it is intended that +I shall return, this will be very agreeable to me; and I think that +this is the most probable opinion, because Mr Deane's "Address" was on +the 5th of December. Congress soon after resolved to enter on foreign +affairs and go through them. The Alliance sailed on the 14th of +January, and there is no resolution arrived here respecting me. I +think, therefore, that it is my duty to return, and that is my present +determination; but whether I shall go to Amsterdam, and from thence to +St Eustatia, or to Spain, and thence home, or in a French man-of-war +to Martinique, or an American frigate to America, I have not decided. +Some hint that I am to go to Holland, others to Spain. This last +implies the removal of Mr Lee, which would give me much pain on many +accounts. I think him a faithful man and able. Yet what the +determination will be upon the complaint of Mr Deane, I cannot say. +This is a subject which I cannot write or talk about; I would not feel +such another sensation to be made a prince. I confess I expected the +most dismal consequences from it, because I thought it would render +business and confidence between us three totally impracticable; that +it would destroy all confidence between this Court and us, and that it +would startle Spain; that it would alienate many in Holland from us, +and that it would encourage the Ministry in England and disconcert +opposition so much, that they would even make another vigorous +campaign, besides all the evils it would produce among you. But the +arrival of Dr Franklin's commission has relieved me from many of these +fears. This Court have confidence in him alone. But I think they were +cautious, even of him, when he had two colleagues, to whom he was +obliged to communicate everything, one of whom was upon as bad terms +with him as with Mr Deane. I have had a kind of a task here, as Mr +Lovell expresses himself; determined to be the partizan of neither, +yet to be the friend of both, as far as the service would admit. I am +fixed in these two opinions, that leaving the Doctor here alone is +right, and that Mr Lee is a very honest and faithful man. + +You say that France should be our polar star in case war should take +place. I was, I confess, surprised at this expression. Was not war +sufficiently declared in the King of England's speech, and in the +answers of both Houses, and in the recall of his Ambassador? Has it +not been sufficiently declared by actual hostilities in most parts of +the world? I suspect there will never be any other declaration of war. +Yet, there is in fact as complete a war as ever existed, and it will +continue, for you may depend upon it, the King of France is immovably +fixed in your support, and so are his Ministers. Every suspicion of a +wavering disposition in this Court concerning the support of American +independence is groundless, is ridiculous, is impossible. You may +remember, that several years ago, several gentlemen were obliged to +reason, to show that American independence was the interest of France. +Since my arrival in this Kingdom, I never yet found one man, nor heard +of more than one, who doubted it. If the voice of popularity is +anything, I assure you that this voice was never so unanimous in +America in favor of our independence as it is here. It is so much so, +that if the Court were to depart from its present system in this +respect, it is my clear opinion it would make this nation very +unhappy, and the Court too; but I again repeat, that the Court is as +fixed as the nation. And this union of sentiment arises out of such +principles in nature, as, without a miracle, cannot alter. Common +sense in America supported independence; common sense in France +supports the alliance, and will support it to the last. Nay, the +common sense of Europe supports the common sense of France. + +By the way, my regards to Mr Paine, and tell him, that I do not agree +with him in his ideas about natural enemies. It is because England is +the natural enemy of France, that America in her present situation is +her natural friend; at least, this is one cause, although there are +many others. Some of them are more glorious, for human nature. + +France scarcely ever made a war before, that was popular in Europe. +There is not a State, that I can hear of, but applauds her, and wishes +her success. And in point of finance and naval strength, and in skill +and bravery of officers, she seems to be superior to England. You may +be surprised to hear me say naval strength, yet if you consider the +wretched state of the British Navy, as to masts, yards, rigging, and +men, you will not wonder, although their number of ships may be +superior. I therefore think, that all is safe. We may have further +trouble, and trials of our faith and patience. But trouble is to you +and me familiar, and I begin to think it necessary for my health. + +There is one thing in my letter to you exaggerated; the expenses of +the Commissioners. I had been here but a short time, and wrote +according to the best guess I could make, from what I had heard; but I +now think I put it much too high, yet I cannot say exactly.[43] + +_February 20th._ There is not the least appearance of the embarkation +of troops for America, nor any intelligence of transports taken up. +The national discontent is great, and tumults have arisen in Edinburgh +and London. According to present appearances, they will have occasion +for so many of their troops to keep their populace in order, as to be +able to spare few for America. Their proclamations are all alike from +Burgoyne's to those of the Commissioners. The weaker they are, the +more they puff. + + I am, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [43] See the statement here referred to, in a letter dated May 21st, + 1778, p. 245, of the present volume. + + * * * * * + + TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, February 16th, 1779. + + Sir, + +Last evening I had the honor of your letter of the 13th of this month, +in answer to mine of the 11th.[44] + +I thank your Excellency for the politeness with which you have agreed +to my proposition, of a conference upon the subject of Mr Deane's +"Address to the People of the United States." + +At the time when my letter of the 11th was written and sent to your +Excellency, there were three Commissioners here, representatives of +Congress, between whom it appeared to me Mr Deane's Address had a +tendency to destroy all confidence, as well as between your Excellency +and them, for which reason I thought it my duty to endeavor, by a +conference with your Excellency, to lessen those evils as far as +should be in my power. + +But within a few hours after my letter of the 11th was sent, the +Aid-de-Camp of the Marquis de Lafayette arrived, with despatches from +Congress to Dr Franklin, and from their Committee of Foreign Affairs +to me, informing me of the new arrangement by which Dr Franklin is +constituted Minister Plenipotentiary here, and I am restored to the +character of a private citizen; by which, so wholly changed are the +scene and the characters here, that I now think I have no right to do +what, if I had continued in the character of a Commissioner, I should +have thought it my indispensable duty to do. + +This masterly measure of Congress, which has my most hearty +approbation, and of the necessity of which I was fully convinced +before I had been two months in Europe, has taken away the +possibilities of those dissensions, which I so much apprehended. I +shall not, therefore, give your Excellency any further trouble, than +to take an opportunity of paying my respects in order to take leave, +and to assure you, that I shall leave this kingdom with the most +entire confidence in his Majesty's benevolence to the United States, +and inviolable adherence to the treaties between the two powers, with +a similar confidence in the good disposition of his Majesty's +Ministers of State and of this nation towards us, and with a heart +impressed with gratitude for the many civilities which I have +received, in the short space I have resided here, at Brest, in the +city, and in the country, and particularly from your Excellency. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [44] These letters relate to Silas Deane and Arthur Lee, and may be + found in Arthur Lee's Correspondence, Vol. II, pp. 224, 227. + + * * * * * + + TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. + + Passy, February 21st, 1779. + + My dear Marquis, + +The conversation with which you honored me last evening, has induced +me to give you the trouble of this letter upon the same subject. + +It is certain that a loan of money is very much needed to redeem the +redundancy of our paper bills, and without it, it is impossible to +foresee what will be the consequence to their credit, and therefore +every service, that may be rendered in order to obtain it from this +kingdom, from Spain, or Holland, will be a most acceptable service. + +But without some other exertions, even a loan perhaps would be but a +temporary relief; with them a smaller loan might suffice. You know +perfectly well, that the enemy in America are at present very weak, +and in great distress in every part. They are weak in Canada, weak in +Halifax, weak in Rhode Island, weak in New York, weak in the Floridas, +and weak in every one of the West India Islands. A strong armament of +ships of the line, with five thousand troops, directed against +Halifax, Rhode Island, or New York, must infallibly succeed. So it +must against the Floridas, so it must against Canada, or any one of +the West India Islands. + +You are very sensible, that in this state of weakness, the British +possessions in America depend upon each other for reciprocal support. +The troops and ships derive such supplies of provisions from Canada +and Nova Scotia, that if these places or either of them were lost, it +would be difficult, if not impossible, for the other to subsist. The +West India Islands derive such supplies from the Floridas, that if +they were lost the others could hardly subsist. Their fleets and +armies in Canada, Halifax, Rhode Island, New York, and the Floridas, +receive supplies of rum, sugar, molasses, &c. from the West India +Islands, without which they could scarcely subsist. Every part of +their possessions in America, both on the continent and in the +islands, receives constant supplies from Europe, from England, +Scotland, and Ireland, without which they must fall. You perceive, +therefore, that their dominions in America at present form such a +chain, that the links mutually support each other in such a manner, +that if one or two were taken away, the whole, or at least the greater +part, must fall. In this state of things then, the obvious policy is +to send a strong squadron of ships of the line to co-operate with the +Count d'Estaing and the American army, in some expedition directed +against New York, Rhode Island, Halifax or perhaps all of them in +course. Five or six thousand troops would be quite enough. Above all, +it is indispensably necessary to keep a clear naval superiority, both +on the coast of the continent, and in the West Islands. This together +with French and American privateers would make such havoc among the +enemy's transports, passing from one of their possessions to another, +as must ruin their affairs. The French have a great advantage in +carrying on this kind of war in America, at present. The British ships +are badly manned and in bad repair. They cannot send them into the +American seas, without the utmost terror for their own coasts. And +when they are in America, they have not such advantages for supplies +of provisions, naval stores, &c. as the French. + +The devastation, which was made among their ships of the line, +frigates, transports, and traders, in the American seas the last +summer, shows how much might be done, if a stronger force were sent +there. As long as the enemy have possession of New York and Rhode +Island, so long it will be necessary for us to keep up large armies, +to watch their motions, and defend the country against them, which +will oblige us to emit more paper, and still further to increase the +depreciation. Now as long as they maintain the dominion of those seas, +their troops will be protected by the cannon of their ships, and we +could not dislodge them with an army, however large, at least we could +not keep possession of those places. But if their force was captivated +in those seas, as it might easily be by a sea force, co-operating with +the land forces, we might reduce our army and innumerable other +articles of expense. We need not emit any more paper, and that already +out would depreciate no further. I should be happy to have further +conversation with you, Sir, upon these subjects, or to explain +anything by letter, which may be in my power. + +With the highest sentiments of esteem and respect, I have the honor to +be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Versailles, February 21st, 1779. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you have done me the honor to write +me on the 16th of this month. Although you are to be henceforth +without a public character in France, be persuaded that the esteem and +consideration, which you have justly acquired, are by no means +diminished, and I flatter myself, Sir, that you will not deprive me of +the pleasure of assuring you of it by word of mouth, and being at the +same time the interpreter of the favorable sentiments with which the +King honors you. They are the consequence of the particular +satisfaction, which his Majesty has received from the wise conduct you +have held during the whole time of your commission, as well as the +zeal you have constantly displayed, both for the cause of your +country, and for the support of the alliance which attaches it to his +Majesty. + + I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Passy, February 27th, 1779. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to +write me on the 21st of this month. This testimony from your +Excellency of those indulgent sentiments, with which his Majesty is +pleased to honor my sincere intentions, cannot fail to be preserved by +me and my posterity as a most precious monument; and what is of +infinitely more importance, it cannot fail to give great satisfaction +to my country, to find that a servant of theirs, who has been honored +with no small share of their confidence in the most dangerous of +times, and most critical circumstances, has been so happy as not to +forfeit the confidence of their illustrious ally. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, February 27th, 1779. + + Sir, + +By the new arrangement, which was brought by the Marquis de Lafayette, +I find myself restored to the character of a private citizen. + +The appointment of a single Minister at the Court of Versailles was +not unexpected to me, because I had not been two months in Europe +before I was convinced of the policy, and indeed of the necessity, of +such a measure. But I ever entertained hopes, that when the news of +such an alteration should arrive, the path of my own duty would have +been made plain to me by the directions of Congress, either to return +home or go elsewhere. But as no information that we have received from +Congress has expressed their intentions concerning me, I am obliged to +collect them by implication, according to the best of my +understanding, and as the election of the new Minister Plenipotentiary +was on the fourteenth of September, and the Alliance sailed from +Boston the fourteenth of January, and in this space of four months no +notice appears to have been taken of me, I think the only inference +that can be made is, that Congress have no further service for me on +this side the water, and that all my duties are on the other. I have +accordingly given notice to his Excellency, M. de Sartine, and to his +Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary here, of my intentions to +return, which I shall do by the first frigate that sails for any part +of the United States, unless I should receive counter orders in the +meantime. In a matter of so much uncertainty, I hope I shall not incur +the disapprobation of Congress, even if I should not judge aright of +their intentions, which it is my desire as well as my duty to observe, +as far as I can know them. + +By the papers enclosed with this, Congress will perceive the +discontented and tumultuous state of the three kingdoms of England, +Scotland, and Ireland, which is so great and so rapidly increasing, +that the United States will have little to fear from reinforcements of +their enemies the ensuing campaign. All their forces will be necessary +to keep in order their own riotous populace, and to replace those +which are daily consuming in the West Indies. There is, however, no +prospect of their evacuating either New York or Rhode Island. The +possession of those places is so indispensable for the preservation of +their West India and other trade, as well as of their other dominions +in America, that nothing but the last necessity will induce them to +give them up. + +The greatest source of danger and unhappiness to the States then +probably will be a depreciating currency. The prospect of a loan in +Europe, after every measure that has been or could be taken, I think +it my duty to say frankly to Congress, is very unpromising. The causes +of this are very obvious, and cannot be removed; the state of our +country itself, and the course of exchange, would be sufficient to +discourage such a loan, if there were no other obstruction, but there +are many others. There are more borrowers in Europe than lenders, and +the British loan itself will not be made this year at a less interest +than seven and a half per cent. + +I see no hope of relief, but from economy and taxation, and those I +flatter myself will be found sufficient, if the people are once +convinced of the necessity of them. When a people are contending not +only for the greatest object, that any people ever had in view, but +for security from the greatest evil that any nation ever had to dread, +(for there is at this hour no medium between unlimited subjugation to +Parliament and entire sovereignty) they must be destitute of sense as +well as of virtue, if they are not willing to pay sufficient sums +annually to defray the necessary expense of their defence in future, +supported as they are by so powerful an ally, and by the prospect of +others, against a kingdom already exhausted, without any ally at all, +or a possibility of obtaining one. As this is the first time I have +had the honor to address myself to Congress, since we received the +news of your Excellency's appointment to the chair, you will please +to accept of my congratulations on that event. + + I have the honor to be, with the highest esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Passy, March 1st, 1779. + + Sir, + +My last letter to Congress was on the twentyseventh of last month; +since which an account of the new loan is received from London, and as +this may, perhaps, afford to Congress the clearest proof of the +weakness of their enemies, it is of importance, that it should be +transmitted to them. Some accounts say, that the loan is to be seven +millions, others eight. The conditions of the loan are, in general, +the established interest of three per cent, an annuity for three and +three quarters per cent for twentynine years, and seven lottery +tickets for every thousand pounds. + +In one account the advantages are thus stated. + + 100 3 per cent, £61 00 00 + £3 15s. annuity for twentynine years, at + twelve years' purchase, 45 00 00 + Two fifths of a year's interest and annuity, gained + by both beginning from the 5th of January, + although the money is paid monthly, and + not ended until December, 2 14 00 + £3 premium of seven lottery tickets for each + £1000, gives for each hundred, 2 2 00 + --------- + For each £100 paid, there is received £110 16 00 + +This statement for the first year is pretty accurate. Another account +makes it ten and one quarter per cent for the first year. The +subsequent years, however it will not be so much. Yet for all the +subsequent years, during the term of the annuity, it will be six and +three quarters per cent. Upon the whole, it is generally looked upon +as good as seven and a half per cent. In a country where the highest +interest, that is tolerated by the standing laws, is five per cent, +this is a terrible symptom. + +While this system has any credit among the money lenders in Holland, +Switzerland, Geneva, &c. Congress will perceive, that there is little +hope of procuring a private loan for the United States from any of +those places. Whether any may be procured from any State, or Prince, +time must discover. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + M. DE LAFAYETTE TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + St Germain, April 9th, 1779. + + Dear Sir, + +I beg leave to apply to you, in an instance where I am much concerned. +The case I shall lay before you, and recommend to your care. There is +an officer in Paris, whom I wish to send over to America on board the +Alliance, and who I know would be of service in the American army. For +that reason, besides his recommendations, I have a great regard for +him. I wish the gentleman may find a passage in the frigate. Dr +Franklin cannot officially send an officer, but I beg you would take +him along with you, as I take upon myself the charge of presenting him +to Congress. All the marks of kindness I ever met with from them, and +the knowledge which the strictest friendship has given me of General +Washington's sentiments, make me as certain as possible, that my +officer will meet with the best reception in Philadelphia and in the +army, who know I am acquainted with what may be convenient to them. + +It is with a great concern, that I hear of discontents between Captain +Landais and his officers, and I flatter myself, that you will again +establish harmony and concord among them. I will take the opportunity +of this frigate to write over to my friends in America. + +The articles alluded to in your letter from Passy, I have been very +busy about, but I did not meet with great success till now, and what +is done is not equal to what I could wish. It is true, our +circumstances are rather narrow at this moment, and I believe, that +the Ministers are willing to do what they think possible, or +advantageous, but we do not always agree in opinion. I hope, however, +America will have more and more occasions of knowing the true +attachment of this nation for her. + +With great impatience I wait for your answer, that I may send the +officer to Nantes. I hope you will not refuse your patronage on this +occasion, and I may answer Congress will have no objection to take a +gentleman whom I send them. You will, my dear Sir, in settling his +passage, much oblige your humble servant, + + LAFAYETTE. + + * * * * * + + TO ARTHUR LEE. + + L'Orient, June 9th, 1779. + + Dear Sir, + +Your favors of June the 2d and 5th are now before me; that of the 29th +of March I have answered, if I ever received it, for I have answered +every one I have received from you, but not having my papers at hand +cannot be particular. I thank you for the manuscript and the pamphlet. + +I am happy to hear from you, and from all others, so agreeable a +character of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, and M. Marbois, the last of +whom I have had the pleasure to see. + +I wish it was in my power to do more for Mr Ford, and to take him with +me, but the frigate will be so crowded, I fear it will be impossible. + +The declarations of the northern powers against the right of England +to stop their merchant vessels, and arming to support their rights, +are important events. The displacing of Mr Paine is a disagreeable and +alarming one. + +It is with no small astonishment, that I learn by your letter of the +5th, that by advices from America since your last to me, your enemies +are determined to impeach your attachment to our country and her +cause. Your request that I would give my opinion on that subject, from +the knowledge I have had of your conduct, while we acted in commission +together, can meet with no objection from me. But I hope I need not +inform you, that my opinion upon this point is no secret at +Versailles, Paris, Nantes, or elsewhere. Enclosed is a copy of a +letter I did myself the honor to write to his Excellency the Count de +Vergennes some time ago, which, for anything I know, is communicated +to all the Court, but the answer shows that it was received. I had my +reasons then for keeping it to myself, which exist now no more. I +would transcribe the whole correspondence if it was in my power, but I +have not time, and it is sufficient to say, that it was conducted by +his Excellency with the most obliging politeness. It is my duty now to +furnish you with a copy, lest any accident may befal me, which is by +no means improbable. I thought then, and am confirmed in that opinion +more and more, that it was my duty to communicate my sentiments at +Court, upon that very extraordinary occasion, and from regard to my +own reputation, I am very glad you have given me an opportunity of +furnishing you with evidence, that I did this part of my duty so far +forth. The letter was written, sent to Versailles, and received by his +Excellency before the arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette, his +Aid-de-Camp, or Dr Winship; that is, before the news reached Passy of +the new arrangement.[45] But lest that letter should not be +sufficient, I shall enclose another certificate, not without a +heartfelt grief, that malice should have been so daring and so +barbarous, as to make either such a letter or such a certificate from +me either necessary or even pardonable.[46] Your hint, that I must +correct some things that are amiss, extorts from me an involuntary +sigh. I shall be in a situation critical and difficult without +example, my own character at stake from various quarters, and without +anything to support me but truth and innocence, and you need not be +informed, that these are not always sufficient. I have little +expectation of doing good; God grant I may do no harm. I shall not +designedly. But I suppose Congress intend to examine me as a witness, +and I must tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, +as far as I know it. If the task should end here, I should not be much +embarrassed, but if they should proceed to demand of me opinions and +judgments of men and things, as there is reason to expect they will, +although I hope they will not, what will be the consequences? Upon the +whole, truth must be my shield, and if the shafts of interested malice +can pierce through this, they shall pierce me. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [45] See this letter in Arthur Lee's Correspondence, Vol. II. p. 224. + + [46] See as above, p. 249. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, August 3d, 1779. + + Sir, + +On the 27th of February, I had the honor of writing to Congress, +informing them of my intention of returning home, in consequence of +the commission which superseded mine. On the first of March, I had +again the honor of writing some information concerning the +unprecedented interest, which the British Government are obliged to +give for the loan of money for the service of the present year. On the +8th of March, I took my leave of the American Minister, and left Paris +for Nantes, in expectation of there meeting the Alliance, and sailing +in her for America in a few weeks. Upon my arrival at Nantes, I +learned the Alliance was yet at Brest, and so embarrassed with nearly +forty prisoners, who were supposed to have been concerned in a +conspiracy to carry her to England, and with other difficulties, that +it was uncertain when she would be ready. + +The agent at Nantes at this time receiving a letter from his +Excellency, Dr Franklin, desiring him to consult me about the +direction of the Alliance, I thought it would expedite the public +service for me to make a journey to Brest, about two hundred miles, +which I undertook accordingly, and arrived at that port without loss +of time. There, after an attendance of some weeks, and much +negotiation with the Commandant, Intendant, and Agent, all things were +prepared for the frigate to sail for Nantes, with about one hundred +British prisoners, to be exchanged for a like number of American +prisoners, arrived there from England in a cartel. I returned to +Nantes, and the Alliance in a few days arrived in the river, the +prisoners were exchanged, about sixty enlisted in the Alliance, and +the rest in the Poor Richard, Captain Jones. + +After accommodating all the difficulties with the British prisoners, +the American prisoners, the officers and crew of the Alliance, and +supplying all their necessary wants, Captain Landais, having orders to +sail for America, and everything ready to proceed to sea in a few +days, received unexpected orders to proceed to L'Orient, and wait +there for further orders. I had the honor of a letter at the same time +from his Excellency, enclosing one from the Minister of Marine, by +which I learned, that the King had been graciously pleased to grant me +a passage on board the frigate, which was to carry His Majesty's new +Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, that the frigate was at +L'Orient, and that the Minister would be there in a few days. I went +in the Alliance from Nantes to L'Orient, where after some time the +frigate, the Sensible, arrived, but his Excellency, the Chevalier de +la Luzerne, did not arrive until the 10th of June. On the 14th of +June, and not before, I had the pleasure to be under sail, and on the +3d of August, arrived in Nantasket Roads. + +I have entered into this detail of disappointments to justify myself +for not returning sooner, and to shew that it was not my fault, that I +was not at home in eight weeks from the first authentic information, +that I had nothing further to do in France. There is nothing remaining +for me to do but to settle my accounts with Congress; but as part of +my accounts are in conjunction with my late colleagues, with whom I +lived in the same house during my residence in Paris, I am not able to +judge whether Congress will choose to receive my accounts, or to wait +until the other Commissioners shall exhibit theirs, and have the whole +together, under one view, so as to do equal justice to all. I am +ready, however, to render all the account in my power, either jointly +or separately, whenever Congress shall order it, and I shall wait +their directions accordingly. + +It is not in my power, having been so long from Paris, to give +Congress any news of importance, except that the Brest fleet, under +the Count d'Orvilliers, was at sea the beginning of June, that Admiral +Arbuthnot was at Plymouth the 31st of May, and that there was a +universal persuasion, arising from letters from Paris and London, that +Spain had decided against the English. The Chevalier de la Luzerne +will be able to give Congress satisfactory information upon this head. + +I ought not to conclude this letter, without expressing my obligations +to Captain Chavagne, and the other officers of the Sensible, for their +civilities in the course of my passage home, and the pleasure I have +had in the conversation of his Excellency, the new Minister +Plenipotentiary from our august ally, and the Secretary to the +embassy, Monsieur Marbois. + +The Chevalier de la Luzerne is a Knight of the Order of St John of +Jerusalem, of an ancient and noble family, connected by blood with +many characters of principal name in the kingdom, a grandson of the +celebrated Chancellor de la Moignon, a nephew of Monsieur Malesherbes, +perhaps still more famous as first President of the Court of Aids and +as a Minister of State, a brother to the Count de la Luzerne, and of +the Bishop of Sangres, one of the three Dukes and Peers who had the +honor to assist in the consecration of the King, a near relation of +the Marcéhal de Broglie and the Count his brother, and of many other +important personages in that country. Nor is his personal character +less respectable than his connexions, as he is possessed of much +useful information of all kinds, and particularly of the political +system of Europe, obtained in his late embassy in Bavaria; and of the +justest sentiments of the mutual interests of his country and ours, +and of the utility to both of that alliance, which so happily unites +them, and at the same time divested of all personal and party +attachments and aversions. Congress and their constituents, I flatter +myself, will have much satisfaction in his negotiations, as well as in +those of the Secretary to the embassy, who was recently Secretary to +the embassy in Bavaria, and who is a counsellor of the Parliament of +Metz, a gentleman whose abilities, application, and disposition cannot +fail to make him useful in the momentous office he sustains. + + I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, August 4th, 1779. + + Sir, + +At the close of the service on which Congress have done me the honor +to send me, it may not be amiss to submit a few remarks to their +consideration on the general state of affairs in Europe, as far as +they relate to the interests of the United States. As the time +approaches, when our relations with the most considerable States in +Europe will multiply and assume a greater stability, they deserve the +attention of Americans in general, but especially of those composing +their supreme council. + +France deserves the first place among those powers, with which our +connexions will be the most intimate, and it is with pleasure I am +able to assure Congress, that from the observations I have made during +my residence in that Kingdom, I have the strongest reasons to believe, +that their august ally, his Ministers, and nation, are possessed of +the fullest persuasion of the justice of our cause, of the great +importance of our independence to their interests, and the firmest +resolution to preserve the faith of treaties inviolate, and to +cultivate our friendship with sincerity and zeal. This is of the more +consequence to us, as this power enjoys in Europe at this hour an +influence, which it has not before experienced for many years. + +Men are so sensible of a constant tendency in others to excesses, that +a signal superiority of power never appears, without exciting +jealousies and efforts to reduce it. Thus, when Spain, under Charles +the Fifth and his successor, made herself dangerous, a great part of +Europe united against her, assisted in severing the United Provinces +from her, and by degrees greatly diminished her power. Thus, when +France, under Lewis the Fourteenth, indulged the spirit of conquest +too far, a great part of mankind united their forces against her, with +such success as to involve her in a train of misfortunes, out of which +she never emerged before the present reign. The English, in their +turn, by means of their commerce and extensive settlements abroad, +arose to a degree of opulence and naval power, which excited more +extravagant passions in her own breast, and more tyrannical exertions +of her influence, than appeared in either of the other cases. The +consequence has been similar, but more remarkable. Europe seems to be +more universally and sincerely united in the desire of reducing her, +than they ever were in any former instance. This is the true cause why +the French Court never made war with so universal a popularity among +their own subjects, so general an approbation of other Courts, and +such unanimous wishes among all nations for her success, as at this +time. + +The personal character of the King, his declared patronage of morals +and economy, and the great strokes of wisdom, which have marked the +commencement of his reign, the active spring which has been given to +commerce by the division of the British empire, and our new connexions +with his subjects; all these causes, together with the two treaties of +peace, which have been lately signed under his auspices and his +mediation, have given to this power a reputation, which the last reign +had lost. + +The first of these treaties has determined those controversies, which +had for a long time divided Russia and the Porte, and the parties have +been equally satisfied with the conditions of their reconciliation, a +circumstance the more honorable for the French Ministry, and the +Chevalier de St Priest, their Ambassador at Constantinople, as it is +uncommon. The ancient confidence of the Porte in the Court of +Versailles has revived, and the coolness, or rather enmity, which +divided France and Russia for near twenty years, gives place to a +friendship, which is at this time in all its fervor, and will probably +be durable, as these powers have no interest to annoy each other, but, +on the contrary, are able to assist each other in a manner the most +essential. + +The peace of Germany, signed at Teschin, the 13th of last May, has not +equally satisfied the belligerent powers, who were on the one part the +Emperor, and on the other, the King of Prussia and the Elector of +Saxony his ally. + +From the multitudes of writings, which have appeared before and during +this war, in which the causes, the motives, and the rights of it are +discussed, it appears, that in 1768, at the extinction of one of the +branches of the House of Bavaria, which has been separated from its +trunk for near five centuries, the House of Austria thought itself +able, and priests and lawyers among their own subjects were +complaisant enough to tell her, that she had a right to put herself in +possession of the best part of the patrimony of the extinguished line. + +The King of Prussia, to whose interest this augmentation of power +would have been dangerous, has crowned an illustrious reign, by +displaying all the resources of military genius and profound policy in +opposition to it. While he contended in the field, France negotiated, +and the work, begun by his arms, was completed by the cabinet of +Versailles. + +The Palatine House of Bavaria, the Duke of Deux Ponts, and +particularly the Elector of Saxony, have obtained all they could +reasonably demand, and the empire has preserved its balance of power +in spite of its head. The King of Prussia had covered himself with +glory, to which he put the finishing stroke, by not demanding any +compensation for the expenses of the war. All parties have been +satisfied except the Emperor, who has disordered his finances, ruined +his Kingdom of Bohemia with immense fines, has not obtained any +advantage over his adversary, and consequently has destroyed among his +own troops the opinion they had of their superiority, and, in fine, +has sustained a loss the most sensible for a young Prince just +beginning to reign, the reputation of justice and moderation. It is +the influence, the address, and ability of the French Minister, joined +to the firmness of Russia, which have completed this work; and Lewis +the Sixteenth has restored in Germany to the nation over which he +reigns, that reputation which his grandfather had lost. + +The merit of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who was Ambassador in +Bavaria during the transaction of this business, and that of M. +Marbois, the Secretary to that embassy, in accomplishing an affair of +such importance, which was rendered peculiarly delicate by the late +family connexion between the Courts of Vienna and Versailles, was +probably a motive for sending them now to America, a mission of no +less importance and no less delicacy. + +It is not probable, however, that they could have succeeded so soon, +if England could have afforded subsidies to the Emperor. The +Revolution in America, in which the French King has taken an earlier +and a greater part than any other Sovereign in Europe, has operated so +as to conciliate to him a consideration that is universal. The new +Minister will give to Congress information the most precise in this +respect, and touching the part which Spain is taking at this time, for +which reason I shall refrain from entering into it, and content myself +with observing, that all these considerations ought to induce us to +cherish the alliance of France; and that every good citizen of the +United States ought to endeavor to destroy the remains of those +prejudices, which our ancient rulers have endeavored to inspire us +with; that we have nothing to fear and much to hope from France, while +we conduct ourselves with good sense and firmness, and that we cannot +take too much pains to multiply the commercial relations, and +strengthen the political connexions between the two nations; provided +always, that we preserve prudence and resolution enough to receive +implicitly no advice whatever, but to judge always for ourselves, and +to guard ourselves against those principles in government, and those +manners, which are so opposite to our own Constitution and to our own +characters, as a young people, called by Providence to the most +honorable and important of all duties, that of forming establishments +for a great nation and a new world. + +In the opinion of some, the power with which we shall one day have a +relation the most immediate, next to that of France, is Great Britain. +But it ought to be considered, that this power loses every day her +consideration, and runs towards her ruin. Her riches, in which her +power consisted, she has lost with us, and never can regain. With us +she has lost her Mediterranean trade, her African trade, her German +and Holland trade, her ally, Portugal, her ally, Russia, and her +natural ally, the House of Austria; at least, as being unable to +protect these as she once did, she can obtain no succor from them. In +short, one branch of commerce has been lopped off after another, and +one political interest sacrificed after another, She resembles the +melancholy spectacle of a great wide spreading tree, that has been +girded at the root. Her endeavors to regain these advantages, will +continually keep alive in her breast the most malevolent passions +towards us. Her envy, her jealousy, and resentment, will never leave +us, while we are what we must unavoidably be, her rivals in the +fisheries, in various other branches of commerce, and even in naval +power. If peace should unhappily be made, leaving Canada, Nova Scotia, +or the Floridas, or any of them, in her hands, jealousies and +controversies will be perpetually arising. The degree, therefore, of +intercourse with this nation, which will ever again take place, may +justly be considered as problematical, or rather the probability is, +that it will never be so great as some persons imagine; moreover, I +think that every citizen in the present circumstances, who respects +his country, and the engagements she has taken, ought to abstain from +the foresight of a return of friendship between us and the English, +and act as if it never was to be. + +But it is lawful to consider, that which will probably be formed +between the Hollanders and us. The similitude of manners, of religion, +and in some respects of constitution, the analogy between the means by +which the two republics arrived at independency, but above all the +attractions of commercial interest, will infallibly draw them +together. This connexion will not probably show itself, before a peace +or a near prospect of peace. Too many motives of fear or interest +place the Hollanders in a dependance on England, to suffer her to +connect herself openly with us at present. Nevertheless, if the King +of Prussia, could be induced to take us by the hand, his great +influence in the United Provinces might contribute greatly to +conciliate their friendship for us. Loans of money, and the operations +of commercial agents or societies, will be the first threads of our +connexions with this power. From the essays and inquiries of your +Commissioners at Paris, it appears, that some money may be borrowed +there, and from the success of several enterprises by the way of St +Eustatia, it seems that the trade between the two countries is likely +to increase, and possibly Congress may think it expedient to send a +Minister there. If they should, it will be proper to give him a +discretionary power to produce his commission or not, as he shall find +it likely to succeed, to give him full powers and clear instructions +concerning the borrowing of money; and the man himself above all +should have consummate prudence, and a caution and discretion, that +will be proof against every trial. + +If Congress could find any means of paying the interest annually in +Europe, commercial and pecuniary connexions would strengthen +themselves from day to day, and if the fall of the credit of England +should terminate in bankruptcy, the Seven United Provinces, having +nothing to dissemble, would be zealous for a part of those rich +benefits, which our commerce offers to the maritime powers, and by an +early treaty with us secure those advantages, from which they have +already discovered strong symptoms of a fear of being excluded by +delays. It is scarcely necessary to observe to Congress, that Holland +has lost her influence in Europe to such a degree, that there is +little other regard for her remaining but that of a prodigal heir for +a rich usurer, who lends him money at a high interest. The State +which is poor and in debt has no political stability. Their army is +very small, and their navy is less. The immense riches of individuals +may possibly be in some future time the great misfortune of the +nation, because the means of defence are not proportioned to the +temptation which is held out for some necessitous, avaricious, and +formidable neighbor to invade her. + +The active commerce of Spain is very inconsiderable; of her passive +commerce, we shall not fail to have a part; the vicinity of this +power, her forces, her resources, ought to make us attentive to her +conduct, but if we may judge of the future by the past, I should hope +we had nothing to fear from it. The genius and interest of the nation +incline it to repose. She cannot determine upon war but in the last +extremity, and even then she sighs for peace. She is not possessed of +the spirit of conquest, and we have reason to congratulate ourselves, +that we have her for the nearest and principal neighbor. Her conduct +towards us at this time will perhaps appear equivocal and indecisive, +her determinations appear to be solely the fruit of the negotiations +of the Court of Versailles. But it ought to be considered, she has not +had motives so pressing as those of France to take in hand our +defence. Whether she has an eye upon the Floridas, or what other terms +she may expect from Congress, they are no doubt better informed than I +am. To their wisdom it must be submitted to give her satisfaction, if +her terms are moderate, and her offers in proportion. This conduct may +conciliate her affection and shorten delays, a point of great +importance, as the present moment appears to be decisive. + +Portugal, under the administration of the Marquis de Pombal, broke +some of the shackles by which she was held to England. But the +treaty, by which a permanent friendship is established between the +Crowns of Spain and Portugal, was made in 1777, an event that the +English deplore as the greatest evil, next to the irrecoverable loss +of the colonies, arising from this war, because they will now no +longer be able to play off Portugal against Spain, in order to draw +away her attention as well as her forces, as in former times. But as +Portugal has not known how to deliver herself entirely from the +influence of England, we shall have little to hope from her; on the +other hand, such is her internal weakness, that we have absolutely +nothing to fear. We shall necessarily have commerce with her, but +whether she will ever have the courage to sacrifice the friendship of +England for the sake of it is uncertain. + +It would be useless to consider that infinite number of little +sovereignties into which Germany is divided, and develope all their +political interests. This task is as much beyond my knowledge as it +would be useless to Congress. They will have few relations friendly or +hostile with this country, excepting in two branches of commerce, that +of merchandise and that of soldiers. The latter, infamous and +detestable as it is, has been established between a nation, once +generous, humane, and brave, and certain princes, as avaricious of +money as they are prodigal of the blood of their subjects; and such is +the scarcity of cash, and the avidity for it in Germany, and so little +are the rights of humanity understood and respected, that sellers will +probably be found as long as buyers. America will never be found in +either class. The State of Germany, with which we may have commerce of +an honorable kind, is the House of Austria, one of the most powerful +in Europe. She possesses very few countries, however, near the sea. +Ostend is the principal city, where she might have established a trade +of some consequence, if the jealousy of the maritime Powers had not +constantly opposed it. France, Spain, Holland, and England, have been +all agreed in their opposition, and the treaty of Utrecht, ratified +more than once by subsequent treaties, has so shackled this port, that +it will be impossible to open a direct trade to it, without some new +treaty, which possibly may not be very distant. England may possibly +make a new treaty with Austria, and agree to privileges for this port, +in order to draw away the advantages of the American trade from France +and Spain; and in such a treaty Holland may possibly acquiesce, if not +accede to it. The port of Trieste enjoys liberty without limits, and +the Court of Vienna is anxious to make its commerce flourish. Situated +as it is at the bottom of the Gulf of Trieste, the remotest part of +the Gulf of Venice, tedious and difficult as the navigation of those +seas is, we could make little use of it at any time, and none at all +while this war continues. + +This Court would seize with eagerness the advantages, that are +presented to her by the independence of America, but an interest more +powerful restrains her, and although she is certainly attentive to +this revolution, there is reason to believe she will be one of the +last powers to acknowledge our independence. She is so far from being +rich, that she is destitute of the means of making war without +subsidies, as is proved by the peace which has lately been made. She +has occasion for the succors of France or of England to put in motion +her numerous armies. She conceives easily, that the loss of the +resources and credit of the English has disabled them to pay the +enormous subsidies, which, in former times, they have poured into the +Austrian coffers. She sees therefore with a secret mortification, that +she shall be hereafter more at the mercy of France, who may choose her +ally, and prefer at her pleasure either Austria or Prussia, while +neither Vienna nor Berlin will be able, as in times past, to choose +between Paris and London, since the latter has lost her past opulence +and pecuniary resources. It is our duty to remark these great changes +in the system of mankind, which have already happened in consequence +of the American war. The alienation of Portugal from England, the +peace of Germany, and that between Petersburg and Constantinople, by +all which events England has lost, and France gained, such a +superiority of influence and power, are owing entirely to the blind +division of that policy and wealth, which the English might have still +enjoyed, from the objects of their true interests and honor, to the +ruinous American war. + +The Court of Berlin flatters itself, that the connexions which have +heretofore so long united France and Prussia will renew themselves +sooner or later. This system is more rational than that which subsists +at this day. The king of Prussia may then wait without anxiety the +consequences of the present revolution, because it tends to increase +the resources of his natural ally. The jealousy between the Emperor +and the King of Prussia, and that between the Houses of Bourbon and +Austria, are a natural tie between France and Prussia. The rivalry +between France and Great Britain is another motive, too natural and +too permanent for the former to suffer the King of Prussia to be long +the ally of the latter. One of the favorite projects of Prussia, that +of rendering the port of Emden a place of flourishing trade, interests +him most powerfully in our independence. Silesia, one of his best +provinces, has already felt the influence of it, and, sensible of the +force that empires derive from commerce, he is earnestly desirous to +see it introduced between America and his States; which gives ground +to believe, that as Austria will be one of the last so Prussia will be +one of the first to acknowledge our independence; an opinion which is +rendered more probable by the answer, which was given by the Baron de +Schulenburg to Mr Arthur Lee, and the influence of the King of Prussia +in the United Provinces, which is greater than that of any other +Power, arising from his great military force, and the vicinity of his +dominions. His near relation to the Stadtholder and the Prince of +Brunswick, is an additional motive to cultivate his friendship. The +Electorate of Saxony, with a fruitful soil, contains a numerous and +industrious people, and most of the commerce between the east and the +west of Europe passes through it. The fairs of Leipsic have drawn +considerable advantages for these four years from our trade. This +Power will see with pleasure the moment, which shall put the last hand +to our independence. The rest of Germany, excepting Hamburgh and +Bremen, have no means of opening a direct commerce with us; with the +latter we have no connexion at present; in the former all the commerce +of Lower Germany is transacted; here we shall soon have occasion to +establish an agent or consul. + +Poland, depopulated by the war and a vicious government, reduced by a +shameful treaty to two thirds of her ancient dominion, destitute of +industry and manufactures, even of the first necessity, has no +occasion for the productions of America. Dantzic sees her ancient +prosperity diminish every day. There is, therefore, little probability +of commerce, and less of any political connexion between that nation +and us. + +Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, comprehended under the denomination of +the northern powers, have been thought by some to be interested in our +return to the domination of Great Britain. Whether they consider +themselves in this light or not, their late declarations against the +right of England to interrupt their navigation, and their arming for +the protection of their commerce on the ocean, and even in the English +channel, are unequivocal proofs of their opinion concerning the right +in our contest, and of their intentions not to interfere against us. +It is very true, that the articles of commerce which they produce, are +in many respects the same with those of America. Yet if we consider +that we shall have occasion to purchase from them large quantities of +hemp and sailcloth, and that our productions of timber, pitch, tar, +and turpentine, are less profitable with us without bounties, than +some other branches of labor, it is not probable that we shall lower +the price of these articles in Europe so much as some conjecture, and +consequently our increased demand upon those countries for several +articles will be more than a compensation to them for the small loss +they may sustain, by a trifling reduction in the price of those +articles. It is not probable that the Courts of Petersburg, Stockholm, +and Copenhagen have viewed with indifference the present revolution, +if they have been apprehensive of being hurt by it in some respects, +which however I think must have been a mistaken apprehension; yet the +motive of humbling the pride of the English, who have endeavored to +exercise their domination, even over the northern seas, and to render +the Danish and Swedish flag dependent on theirs, has prevailed over +all others, and they are considered in Europe as having given their +testimony against the English in this war. + +Italy, a country which declines every day from its ancient prosperity, +offers few objects to our speculations. The privileges of the port of +Leghorn, nevertheless, may render it useful to our ships, when our +independence shall be acknowledged by Great Britain, if, as we once +flattered ourselves, the Court of Vienna might receive an American +Minister. We were equally in error respecting the Court of the Grand +Duchy of Tuscany, where an Austrian prince reigns, who receives all +his directions from Vienna, in such a manner that he will probably +never receive any person in a public character, until the chief of his +house has set him the example. The King of the two Sicilies is in the +same dependence on the Court of Madrid, and we may depend upon it, he +will conform himself to all it shall suggest to him. This prince has +already ordered the ports of his dominions to be open to American +vessels, public and private, and has ordered his Ambassador at Paris +to apply to your Commissioners for a description of the American flag, +that our vessels might be known, and receive no molestation upon their +appearance in his harbors. + +The Court of Rome, attached to ancient customs, would be one of the +last to acknowledge our independence, if we were to solicit for it. +But Congress will probably never send a Minister to his Holiness, who +can do them no service, upon condition of receiving a Catholic Legate +or Nuncio in return, or in other words, an ecclesiastical tyrant, +which it is to be hoped the United States will be too wise ever to +admit into their territories. + +The States of the King of Sardinia are poor, and their commerce is +very small. The little port of Villa Franca will probably see few +American vessels, nor will there be any close relations, either +commercial or political, between this prince and us. + +The republic of Genoa is scarcely known at this day in Europe, but by +those powers who borrow money. It is possible that some small sums +might be obtained there, if Congress would fall upon means of insuring +a punctual payment of interest in Europe. + +Venice, heretofore so powerful, is reduced to a very inconsiderable +commerce, and is in an entire state of decay. + +Switzerland is another lender of money, but neither her position nor +her commerce can occasion any near relation with us. + +Whether there is anything in these remarks worth the trouble of +reading, I shall submit to the wisdom of Congress, and subscribe +myself, with the highest consideration, your most obedient and humble +servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JAMES LOVELL. + + Braintree, August 13th, 1779. + + My Dear Sir, + +Since I have had opportunity to converse a little in this country, and +to read a few gazettes, I find that questions have been agitated here +in the newspapers, and in private circles, as well as in Congress, +concerning his Excellency, the Count de Vergennes, and Mr Arthur Lee, +which seem to make it necessary that I should send the enclosed +copies.[47] You can judge better than I whether it will be of any +public utility to lay them before Congress. My first letter, and his +Excellency's answer, I can see no objection to laying before +Congress; but as the rest[48] contain little else besides mutual +compliments, perhaps it will be as well to conceal them. I submit the +whole, however, to your discretion, and am, with much esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [47] See these letters in Arthur Lee's Correspondence, Vol. II. pp. + 224, 227. + + [48] See the present volume, under the dates of February 16th, 1779, + p. 294; February 21st, p. 298; February 27th, p. 299. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, September 10th, 1779. + + Sir, + +Looking over the printed journals of the 15th of last April, I find in +the report of the Committee appointed to take into consideration the +foreign affairs of the United States, and also the conduct of the late +and present Commissioners of these States, the two following articles. + +1. "That it appears to them, that Dr Franklin is Plenipotentiary for +these States at the Court of France; Dr Arthur Lee, Commissioner for +the Court of Spain; Mr William Lee, Commissioner for the Courts of +Vienna and Berlin; Mr Ralph Izard, Commissioner for the Court of +Tuscany; that Mr John Adams was appointed one of the Commissioners at +the Court of France, in the place of Mr Deane, who had been appointed +a joint Commissioner with Dr Franklin and Dr Arthur Lee, but that the +said commission of Mr Adams is superseded by the Plenipotentiary +commission to Dr Franklin. + +2. "That in the course of their examination and inquiry, they find +many complaints against the said Commissioners, and the political and +commercial agency of Mr Deane, which complaints, with the evidence in +support thereof, are herewith delivered, and to which the Committee +beg leave to refer." + +The word "said" in the second article, refers to the Commissioners +mentioned in the first, and as my name is among them, I learn from +hence, that there were some complaints against me, and that the +evidence in support of them was delivered to Congress by the +Committee. + +I therefore pray, that I may be favored with copies of those +complaints, evidences, and the names of my accusers, and the witnesses +against me, that I may take such measures as may be in my power to +justify myself to Congress. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Boston, September 23d, 1779. + + Sir, + +I had yesterday the honor of your letter of the 7th of this month. I +thank you, Sir, for your obliging congratulations on my return to my +family and country. + +The reason why my letters of the 27th of February, and the 1st of +March, arrived so late was, that they were delivered at the time of +their dates to gentlemen then bound to the seaports, who expected to +sail directly for America, but were disappointed of passages, until +the vessels sailed under the convoy of the Sensible. + +I have not my letter book here, but I do not remember that they +contained anything of much consequence, so that I suppose the +inconvenience of their late arrival was not much. + +You will be pleased to make my most respectful compliments to the +members of Congress, and believe me, with great esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JAMES LOVELL. + + Braintree, October 17th, 1779. + + My Dear Sir, + +What shall I say to your favors of the 27th and 28th of September, +which came by the last post? The unanimity of my election surprises +me, as much as the delicacy, importance, and danger of the trust +distress me. The appointment of Mr Dana to be Secretary pleases me +more than my own to be Minister, Commissioner, Negotiator, call it +what you will. I have communicated to him your letters in confidence, +and all other material intelligence I had, and hope he will not +decline, but you know the peculiarities of his situation, and if he +should refuse, I hope you will not force your name out of nomination +again. I did not suppose that such characters would be willing to go +as Secretaries, because I did not know your plan, otherwise I should +not have mentioned Mr Jennings to Mr Gerry for one to Dr Franklin. +Your mastery of the language, and your indefatigability, would make +you infinitely useful in any of these departments. + +I rejoice that you produced my letter to the Count de Vergennes and +his answer before the choice, because it contained a testimony in +favor of Mr Lee, which was his due.[49] I am very much affected at his +recall, because I know his merit, and, therefore, I am glad I was not +placed in his stead, for suspicions would have arisen, and +reflections would have been cast upon me, as having favored his +removal in order to make room, which I certainly did not. I am +infinitely obliged to you for those letters, and for that received the +post before last, but I really tremble for your health. Let me entreat +you, for the sake of our country, to take care of it. If I was to +apply myself as you do, I should soon go to study politics in another +sphere. Yet I am so selfish as to beg the continuance of your favors +to me, and I pledge myself to you, I will not be in debt any more than +may be made by the intrinsic difference in the value of the letters, +which will be unavoidable. + +I thank you for the extract from Mr Izard's letter. I am not a little +surprised at its contents. It was written, I see, to his friend, and I +suppose intended in confidence. I am fully persuaded he did not +intend, that the whole should have been laid before Congress.[50] I +utterly deny that I ever used to him any such language, as the +indecent paragraph that closes what he says about me. Indeed, that is +manifestly his own inference, and in his own words, from what he says +he had heard me say, and he draws the same from what Dr Franklin and +Mr Deane had said upon the same subject. I further deny that I ever +_threatened_ him with the displeasure of Congress, for writing his +opinion concerning these articles to Congress, or for suggesting them +to the Commissioners. But to enter into all the conversations that +have passed between Mr Izard and me respecting those articles, and +many other points in order to give a full and fair representation of +those conversations, would fill a small volume. Yet there never was +any angry or rude conversation between him and me, that I can +recollect. I lived with him on good terms, visited him and he me, +dined with his family, and his family with me, and I ever told him, +and repeated it often, that I should be always obliged to him for his +advice, opinions, and sentiments upon any American subject, and that I +should always give it its due weight, although I did not think myself +bound to follow it any further than it seemed to me to be just. As +Congress have declined giving me the charges against me by their +authority, and have, upon the whole, acquitted me with so much +splendor, it would look like a littleness of soul in me to make myself +anxious, or give them any further trouble about it. And as I have in +general so good an opinion of Mr Izard's attachment to his country, +and of his honor, I shall not think myself bound to take any further +notice of this fruit of his inexperience in public life, this peevish +ebullition of the rashness of his temper. I have written a few other +observations to Mr Gerry on the same subject. You and he will compare +these with them for your private satisfaction, but be sure that they +are not exposed where they will do harm to the public, to Mr Izard, or +me, unnecessarily. + +If I should go abroad, cannot you lend me twenty or thirty complete +sets of the journals? They are much wanted in Europe. A set of them is +a genteel present, and perhaps would do me and the public more service +than you are aware of. If Congress, or some Committee would order it, +I should be very glad. + + I am, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [49] See these letters in Arthur Lee's Correspondence, Vol. II. pp. + 224, 227. + + [50] See Izard's Correspondence, Vol. II. p. 434. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, October 19th, 1779. + + Sir, + +I had in Paris an opportunity of procuring information concerning the +British whale fishery on the coast of Brazil, which it is proper to +communicate to Congress, that if any advantage can be made of it the +opportunity may not be lost. + +The last year and the year before the English carried on this fishery +to very great advantage, off the river Plate in South America, in the +latitude of 35° south, and from thence to 40°, just on the edge of +soundings, off and on, as the sailors express it, and about longitude +65° from London. They had about seventeen vessels in this fishery, +which all sailed from London in the months of September and October. +All the officers and men Americans from Nantucket and Cape Cod, two or +three from Rhode Island, and one from Long Island. Four or five of +these vessels went to Greenland, to which place they sail yearly, the +last of February or the beginning of March. + +The year before last, there was published in the English newspapers, a +letter from the Lords of the Admiralty to Dennis de Bredt, in Coleman +Street, informing him, that a convoy should be appointed to the Brazil +fleet. But this I had certain information was a forgery, calculated +merely to deceive American privateers, and no convoy actually went or +was appointed, either last year or the year before, although the +imposture was repeated both times, and will no doubt be renewed this. + +For the capture or destruction of a fishery so wholly defenceless, not +one of the vessels having any arms, a single frigate, or indeed a +privateer of four and twenty guns, would be sufficient. The beginning +of December would be the best time to proceed from Boston or +Philadelphia, because the frigate would then find the whaling vessels +nearly loaded. The cargoes of bone and oil are very valuable, and at +least four hundred and fifty of the best kind of seamen would be taken +out of the hands of the English, and might be gained into the American +service. Most of the officers and men wish well to this country, and +would gladly be in its service, if they could be delivered from that +they are engaged in. Whenever the English men of war or privateers, +have taken an American vessel, they have given to all the whalemen +found among the crew, by order of government, their choice, either to +go on board a man of war and fight against their country, or into the +whale fishery. Such numbers have chosen the latter, as have made up +the crews of seventeen vessels. + +I thought it my duty to communicate this, that if so profitable a +branch of commerce, and so valuable a nursery of seamen, can be taken +from the English, it may be done. I prevailed with my colleagues last +year to represent these facts to his Excellency, M. de Sartine, but it +appears that his Majesty's service would not admit of any enterprise +from France in consequence of it. Since my return I have represented +them to the Council of this State, but whether anything can be done by +them, after the disaster at Penobscot, I doubt. If Congress should not +deem it consistent with the public service to send a frigate upon this +service, nothing will be lost but the trouble of this letter. + +I have the honor to congratulate your Excellency on your advancement +to the chair, and to subscribe myself with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, October 20th, 1779. + + Sir, + +M. Schweighauser of Nantes, who is a native of Switzerland, observing +me as I was one day at his house looking with some attention upon a +stamp of the heroic deed of William Tell, asked me to take a few of +them to America, as a present from him, which I agreed to do with +pleasure. He accordingly sent on board the frigate a box containing, +as he told me, one stamp for each State, neatly framed and glazed, +which he desired me to present to Congress, as a small token of his +respect. The box has never been opened, but I hope the pictures are +safe, and with permission of Congress I will deliver it to the Navy +Board in Boston, to be by them transmitted to the delegates from the +several States, or to their order. + + I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, October 21st, 1779. + + Sir, + +So many advantages might be derived to the United States in the +conduct of the war, in furnishing the army and navy, in augmenting the +value, or at least in preventing the further depreciation of their +currency, in lowering the prices of goods, in supplying the wants of +the people, and in preventing murmurs and discontents, that I have +ever thought it of very great importance, in some way or other, to +procure convoys to their trade, to and from the West India Islands, +and Europe. + +France and Spain have such advantages of England in carrying on the +war in the American seas, and would receive such assistance from our +commerce, privateers, and growing navy, that I have ever thought it a +main principle of their policy to maintain a constant and decided +superiority of naval power in the West Indies, and upon the coasts of +this continent. I would, therefore, with due deference to the superior +wisdom of Congress, beg leave to submit to their consideration, +whether it would not be expedient for them, either by a direct +representation from themselves to the French and Spanish Courts, or by +instructions to their Plenipotentiary Ministers, to convince those +Courts, that their true interest lies in adopting this plan. It is +certainly their interest, reasoning upon French and Spanish principles +simply, to conduct this war in such a manner as has a tendency in the +shortest time, and with the least expense, to diminish the power of +their enemies, and increase their own. Now I would submit it to +Congress whether it may not be easily demonstrated, that these ends +may be obtained the most easily in this way. A representation from +Congress, either directly or by instructions to their Ministers, +showing what assistance in provisions, artists, materials, vessels of +war, privateers, land armies, or in any other way, France and Spain +might depend upon receiving from these States, either for money or as +the exertions of an ally, would have great weight. + +Much has been already said to the French Ministry upon these subjects, +and not wholly without effect; yet much more may be said to greater +advantage, and perhaps to better purpose, for they are extremely well +disposed to do what can be made to appear to them for the advantage of +the common cause. + +I have the honor to enclose some papers on this subject. One is a +letter from the Commissioners to his Excellency the Count de +Vergennes, which he received the beginning of January last,[51] the +other is a letter from me to the Marquis de Lafayette[52] in February, +with his answer. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTES: + + [51] See the Correspondence of the Commissioners in France, Vol. I. p. + 500. + + [52] See above, p. 295. The answer of M. de Lafayette is missing. + + * * * * * + + TO HENRY LAURENS. + + Braintree, October 25th, 1779. + + My Dear Sir, + +Your favor of the 4th of this month gave me great pleasure, but I am +afraid that you and some others of my friends felt more for me in the +awkward situation you mention than I did for myself, though I cannot +say that I was wholly insensible. I could compare it to nothing, but +Shakspeare's idea of Ariel, wedged in the middle of a rifted oak, for +I was sufficiently sensible, that it was owing to an unhappy division +in Congress, and pains enough were taken to inform me, that one side +were for sending me to Spain, and the other to Holland, so that I was +flattered to find that neither side had any decisive objection against +trusting me, and that the apparent question was only _where_. + +That I was sent without the least solicitation of mine, directly or +indirectly, is certainly true; and I had such formidable ideas of the +sea and of British men of war, such diffidence in my own +qualifications to do service in that way, and such uncertainty of the +reception I should meet, that I had little inclination to adventure. +That I went against my interest is most undoubtedly so, for I never +yet served the public without losing by it. I was not, however, as you +suppose, kept unemployed. I had business enough to do, as I could +easily convince you. There is a great field of business there, and I +could easily show you that I did my share of it. There is so much to +do, and so much difficulty to do it well, that I am rejoiced to find a +gentleman of such abilities, principles, and activity as Colonel +Laurens undoubtedly is, without a compliment, appointed to assist in +it.[53] I most sincerely hope for his friendship, and an entire +harmony with him, for which reason I should be very happy in his +company in the passage, or in an interview with him as soon as +possible in Europe. He will be in a delicate situation, but not so +much so as I was; and plain sense, honest intentions, and common +civility will, I think, be sufficient to secure him, and do much good. + +Your kind compliments on my safe return and most honorable re-election +are very obliging. I have received no commission, nor instructions, +nor any particular information of the plan; but from the advice and +information from you and several other of my friends at Philadelphia +and here, I shall make no hesitation to say, that, notwithstanding the +delicacy and danger of this commission, I suppose I shall accept it +without delay and trust events to Heaven, as I have been long used to +do. + +The convulsions at Philadelphia are very affecting and alarming, but +not entirely unexpected to me. The state of parties, and the nature of +their government, have a long time given me disagreeable +apprehensions. But I hope they will find some remedy. Methods will be +found to feed the army, but I know of none to clothe it without +convoys to trade, which Congress, I think, will do well to undertake, +and persuade France and Spain to undertake as soon as possible. Your +packets for your friends in Europe will give me pleasure, and shall be +forwarded with care and despatch. + + With great truth and regard, I am, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [53] This alludes to the appointment of Colonel John Laurens to be + Secretary to the Minister Plenipotentiary in France. _Secret + Journals_, Vol. II. p. 261. It does not appear that Colonel Laurens + accepted the appointment. He was the son of Henry Laurens, to whom + this letter from Mr Adams is addressed. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, November 4th, 1779. + + Sir, + +I had yesterday the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th of +October, enclosed with two commissions, appointing me Minister +Plenipotentiary from the United States, to negotiate peace and +commerce with Great Britain, together with instructions for my +government in the execution of these commissions, copies of +instructions to the Ministers Plenipotentiary at Versailles and +Madrid, and two acts of Congress of the 4th and 15th of October. + +Peace is an object of such vast importance, the interests to be +adjusted in the negotiations to obtain it are so complicated and so +delicate, and the difficulty of giving even general satisfaction is so +great, that I feel myself more distressed at the prospect of executing +the trust, than at the thought of leaving my country, and again +encountering the dangers of the seas and of enemies. Yet, when I +reflect on the general voice in my favor, and the high honor that is +done me by this appointment, I feel the warmest sentiments of +gratitude to Congress, and shall make no hesitation to accept it, and +devote myself without reserve or loss of time to the discharge of it. +My success, however, may depend, in a very great degree, on the +intelligence and advices that I may receive from time to time from +Congress, and on the punctuality with which several articles in my +instructions may be kept secret. It shall be my most earnest endeavor +to transmit to Congress the most constant and exact information in my +power of whatever may occur, and to conceal those instructions, which +depend in any measure on my judgment. And I hope I need not suggest to +Congress the necessity of communicating to me, as early as possible, +their commands from time to time, and of keeping all the discretionary +articles an impenetrable secret, a suggestion, however, that the +constitution of that sovereignty, which I have the honor to represent, +might excuse. + +As the frigate has been some time waiting, I shall embark in eight or +ten days at furthest. Your Excellency will please to present my most +dutiful respects to Congress, and accept my thanks for the polite and +obliging manner in which you have communicated their commands. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TREATY OF PEACE WITH GREAT BRITAIN.[54] + +FOOTNOTE: + + [54] These instructions, and those for a treaty of commerce which + follow were agreed to unanimously in Congress on the 14th of August, + nearly six weeks before the Minister was chosen. They were drawn up by + Gouverneur Morris. + +Sir, + +You will herewith receive a commission, giving you full power to +negotiate a treaty of peace with Great Britain, in doing which you +will conform to the following information and instructions. + +1. The United States are sincerely desirous of peace, and wish by +every means, consistent with their dignity and safety, to spare the +further effusion of blood. They have, therefore, by your commission +and these instructions, labored to remove the obstacles to that event, +before the enemy have evidenced their disposition for it. But as the +great object of the present defensive war, on the part of the allies, +is to establish the independence of the United States, and as any +treaty whereby this end cannot be obtained must be only ostensible and +illusory, you are, therefore, to make it a preliminary article to any +negotiation, that Great Britain shall agree to treat with the United +States, as sovereign, free, and independent. + +2. You shall take especial care also, that the independence of the +said States be effectually assured and confirmed by the treaty or +treaties of peace, according to the form and effect of the treaty of +alliance with His Most Christian Majesty. And you shall not agree to +such treaty or treaties, unless the same be thereby so assured and +confirmed. + +3. The boundaries of these States are as follows, viz. These States +are bounded north, by a line to be drawn from the northwest angle of +Nova Scotia along the highlands, which divide those rivers which empty +themselves into the river St Lawrence, from those which fall into the +Atlantic ocean, to the northwesternmost head of Connecticut river; +thence down along the middle of that river to the fortyfifth degree of +north latitude; thence due west in the latitude fortyfive degrees +north from the equator to the northwesternmost side of the river St +Lawrence or Cadaraqui; thence straight to the south end of Nepissing; +and thence straight to the source of the river Mississippi; west, by a +line to be drawn along the middle of the river Mississippi from its +source to where the said line shall intersect the thirtyfirst degree +of north latitude; south, by a line to be drawn due east, from the +termination of the line last mentioned in the latitude of thirtyone +degrees north from the equator to the middle of the river +Appalachicola, or Catahouchi; thence along the middle thereof to its +junction with the Flint river; thence straight to the head of St +Mary's river; and thence down along the middle of St Mary's river to +the Atlantic ocean; and east, by a line to be drawn along the middle +of St John's river from its source to its mouth in the Bay of Fundy, +comprehending all islands within twenty leagues of any part of the +shores of the United States, and lying between lines to be drawn due +east from the points where the aforesaid boundaries between Nova +Scotia on the one part, and East Florida on the other part, shall +respectively touch the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic ocean. You are, +therefore, strongly to contend that the whole of the said countries +and islands lying within the boundaries aforesaid, and every citadel, +fort, post, place, harbor, and road to them belonging, be absolutely +evacuated by the land and sea forces of his Britannic Majesty, and +yielded to the powers of the States to which they respectively belong, +in such situation as they may be at the termination of the war. But, +notwithstanding the clear right of these States, and the importance of +the object, yet they are so much influenced by the dictates of +religion and humanity, and so desirous of complying with the earnest +request of their allies, that if the line to be drawn from the mouth +of the lake Nepissing to the head of the Mississippi cannot be +obtained without continuing the war for that purpose, you are hereby +empowered to agree to some other line between that point and the river +Mississippi; provided the same shall in no part thereof be to the +southward of latitude fortyfive degrees north. And in like manner, if +the eastern boundary above described cannot be obtained, you are +hereby empowered to agree, that the same shall be afterwards adjusted, +by commissioners to be duly appointed for that purpose, according to +such line as shall be by them settled and agreed on, as the boundary +between that part of the State of Massachusetts Bay, formerly called +the province of Maine, and the colony of Nova Scotia, agreeably to +their respective rights. And you may also consent, that the enemy +shall destroy such fortifications as they may have erected. + +3. Although it is of the utmost importance to the peace and commerce +of the United States that Canada and Nova Scotia should be ceded, and +more particularly that their equal common right to the fisheries +should be guarantied to them, yet a desire of terminating the war has +induced us not to make the acquisition of these objects an ultimatum +on the present occasion. + +5. You are empowered to agree to a cessation of hostilities during the +negotiation, provided our ally shall consent to the same, and provided +it shall be stipulated that all the forces of the enemy shall be +immediately withdrawn from the United States. + +6. In all other matters not abovementioned, you are to govern yourself +by the alliance between His Most Christian Majesty and these States, +by the advice of our allies, by your knowledge of our interests, and +by your own discretion, in which we repose the fullest confidence. + + * * * * * + + INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TREATY OF COMMERCE WITH GREAT BRITAIN. + +Sir, + +You will herewith receive a commission, giving you full power to +negotiate a treaty of commerce with Great Britain, in doing which, you +will consider yourself bound by the following information and +instructions. + +1. You will govern yourself principally by the treaty of commerce with +His Most Christian Majesty, and as, on the one hand, you shall grant +no privilege to Great Britain not granted by that treaty to France, +so, on the other, you shall not consent to any peculiar restrictions +or limitations whatever in favor of Great Britain. + +2. In order that you may be the better able to act with propriety on +this occasion, it is necessary for you to know, that we have +determined, 1st, that the common right of fishing shall in no case be +given up; 2dly, that it is essential to the welfare of all these +United States that the inhabitants thereof, at the expiration of the +war, should continue to enjoy the free and undisturbed exercise of +their common right to fish on the Banks of Newfoundland, and the +other fishing banks and seas of North America, preserving inviolate +the treaties between France and the said States; 3dly, that +application shall be made to His Most Christian Majesty to agree to +some article or articles for the better securing to these States a +share in the said fisheries; 4thly, that if, after a treaty of peace +with Great Britain, she shall molest the citizens or inhabitants of +any of the United States, in taking fish on the banks and places +hereinafter described, such molestation, being in our opinion a direct +violation and breach of the peace, shall be a common cause of the said +States, and the force of the union be exerted to obtain redress for +the parties injured; and 5thly, that our faith be pledged to the +several States, that, without their unanimous consent, no treaty of +commerce shall be entered into, nor any trade or commerce carried on +with Great Britain, without the explicit stipulation hereinafter +mentioned. You are therefore not to consent to any treaty of commerce +with Great Britain without an explicit stipulation on her part, not to +molest or disturb the inhabitants of the United States of America in +taking fish on the Banks of Newfoundland and other fisheries in the +American seas anywhere, excepting within the distance of three leagues +of the shores of the territories remaining to Great Britain at the +close of the war, if a nearer distance cannot be obtained by +negotiation. And in the negotiation you are to exert your most +strenuous endeavors to obtain a nearer distance to the gulf of St +Lawrence, and particularly along the shores of Nova Scotia, as to +which latter we are desirous that even the shores may be occasionally +used for the purpose of carrying on the fisheries by the inhabitants +of these States. + +In all matters you are to govern yourself by your own discretion, as +shall be most for the interest of these States, taking care that the +said treaty be founded on principles of equality and reciprocity, so +as to conduce to the mutual advantage of both nations, but not to the +exclusion of others. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Braintree, November 7th, 1779. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress a copy of the letter book of +the Commissioners at the Court of Versailles, during the time I had +the honor to be one of them. As the letter book was kept by me, and +almost wholly in my hand writing, the Minister Plenipotentiary +consented, that I should bring it home with me, leaving him a copy, +which was done. + +As there may be many things in it which Congress may have occasion to +know, I have prevailed with Mr Thaxter to copy it. I shall submit to +the consideration of Congress, whether he ought to have any allowance +for this service, and how much. As Mr Thaxter will accompany me to +Europe, in the character of my private Secretary, if Congress think +proper to allow him anything for these copies, I can pay him in Europe +if it is thought proper. + +I chose to mention Mr Thaxter's going with me to Congress, because +jealousies have arisen heretofore concerning private Secretaries. Mr +Thaxter is known to Congress, and I think I can safely confide in his +fidelity, diligence, and discretion, and from the experience I have +had in Europe I am fully convinced, that it is my duty to take with me +some one of this character. + +I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO B. FRANKLIN. + + Ferrol, December 8th, 1779. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that, Congress having +judged it proper to appoint me to a new mission in Europe, I embarked +on the 13th of November, at the instance of the Chevalier de la +Luzerne and M. Gerard, on board the same frigate, that carried me to +America. Soon after we got to sea, a formidable leak in the ship +discovered itself, so as to oblige us to keep two pumps constantly +going by night and day, which induced the captain to think it +necessary to put into this place, where we have just now cast anchor. +Whether I shall go to Paris by land or wait for the frigate is +uncertain; I believe the former, as the latter might detain me four or +five weeks. I have despatches for your Excellency from Congress, which +I shall carry with me, and newspapers. These latter contain little +remarkable save the evacuation of Rhode Island by the enemy, and the +Count d'Estaing's progress in Georgia, in co-operation with General +Lincoln, which was in a fair course of success. + +I hope the Confederacy, which sailed from Philadelphia three or four +weeks before us, with M. Gerard and Mr Jay, who is appointed Minister +Plenipotentiary for Spain, has happily arrived, and made it +unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the general state of affairs in +America, which were upon the whole in a favorable train. I hope to +have the honor of saluting you at Passy in a few weeks, and am, with +great respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Ferrol, December 11th, 1779. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform Congress, that on the 13th of November I +embarked on board the French frigate, la Sensible, and on the 14th +came on board Mr Francis Dana, the Secretary to my commission, when we +fell down to King's Roads, and on the 15th we sailed for France. + +A leak was soon discovered in the ship, which obliged us to ply the +pumps; as it seemed a steady leak, it gave little alarm at first, but +continuing to increase to such a degree as to make two pumps +constantly necessary night and day, obliging the passengers to take +their turns in common with the ship's people, the captain judged it +necessary to make the first port he could find. Accordingly, on the +7th of December, we happily discovered Cape Finisterre, and on the 8th +arrived in the magnificent Spanish port of Ferrol, where we found a +squadron of French ships of the line, the officers of which think we +were very happy in making this port, as the frigate, since she has +been in this harbor, is found to make seven or eight feet of water an +hour. + +The advice of all the gentlemen here is to make the best of my way to +Paris by land, as it is the opinion of many, that the frigate will be +condemned, but if not, she certainly will not be ready to sail again +from this port in less than four or five weeks. + +This is unfortunate to me, because, by all the information I can +obtain, travelling in this kingdom is attended with many difficulties +and delays, as well as a very great expense, there being no regular +posts as in France, and no possibility of passing over the mountainous +part of this country in carriages. + +I find there has been no engagement in the European seas between the +English and the combined fleets of France and Spain, as was reported +in America. There has been an epidemic sickness on board the French +fleet, which caused it to return rather sooner than was intended. +There are twentyfive Spanish ships of the line in Brest harbor with +the French. It is reported that M. du Chaffault is appointed commander +in chief of the French fleet, and that the Count d'Orvilliers has +retired. + +Captain Jones has done another brilliant action, by taking a fortyfour +gun ship, after an obstinate engagement, which he carried into the +Texel, but I cannot learn the particulars with much certainty or +exactness. + +I have been treated with the utmost attention and politeness since my +arrival in this place, both by the Spanish and French officers, +particularly by the Spanish Lieutenant General of Marine, Don Joseph +St Vincent, who is commander in chief of the marine, by M. de Sade, +the French _Chef d'Escadré_, and by the French consul and vice consul, +who have all obligingly offered me every assistance in their power. + +I shall endeavor to inform Congress of every step of my progress, as I +may find opportunity. I have heard nothing as yet, which makes it +probable to me, that I shall have anything to do openly and directly, +in pursuance of my commission very speedily. There is a confused rumor +here of a mediation of Russia and Holland, but I am persuaded without +foundation. It seems to be much more certain, that the English +continue in their old ill humor and insolent language, notwithstanding +their impotence grows every day more apparent. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Corunna, December 16th, 1779. + + Sir, + +By the opportunity of a small vessel accidentally in this harbor, +bound to Newburyport, I have the honor to inform Congress that I have +been detained by violent rains, and several accidents, in Ferrol until +yesterday, when I set out with my family for this place, and arrived +last evening without any accident. I awaited immediately on the +Governor of the province, and on the Governor of the town, and +received many civilities from both, and particularly from his +Excellency the Governor of the province of Galicia, an assurance that +he was not only disposed personally to render me every hospitality and +assistance in his power, but that he had received express orders from +his Court, to treat all Americans who should arrive here like their +best friends. These personages were very inquisitive about American +affairs, particularly the progress of our arms, and the operations of +the Count d'Estaing, and more particularly still about the appointment +of a Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Madrid. They requested +his name, character, nativity, age, whether he was a member of +Congress, and whether he had been President, with many other +particulars. + +To all these questions I made the best answers in my power, and with +regard to his Excellency, the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court +of Madrid, I gave them the most exact information, and such a +respectable character as the high offices he has sustained, and his +own personal merit require. It is the prevailing opinion here, that +the Court of Madrid is well disposed to enter into a treaty with the +United States, and that the Minister from Congress will be immediately +received, American independence acknowledged, and a treaty concluded. +The frigate la Sensible is found to be in so bad a condition, that I +am advised by everybody to go to France by land. The season, the +roads, the accommodations for travelling are so unfavorable, that it +is not expected I can get to Paris in less than thirty days. But if I +were to wait for the frigate, it would probably be much longer. I am +determined, therefore, to make the best of my way by land. And it is +possible that this journey may prove of some service to the public, +although it will be tedious and expensive to me, at least, I hope the +public will sustain no loss by it. + +There are six battalions of Irish troops in Spain, in three regiments, +several of whose officers have visited me to assure me of their regard +to the United States. I have been this afternoon to the Tower de Fer +to see the Island of Cezarga, which was rendered famous in the course +of the last summer by being appointed the rendezvous of the French and +Spanish fleets. The French fleet arrived at this Island on the 9th of +June last, but were not joined by the Spanish fleet from Ferrol, till +some time in July, nor by the fleet from Cadiz till much later, so +that the combined fleets were not able to sail for the English +Channel, until the 30th of July. To prevent a similar inconvenience +another campaign, there are about twentyfive Spanish ships of the line +now in Brest, which are to winter there, and to be ready to sail with +the French fleets the approaching summer, at the first opening of the +season. + +God grant them success and triumph, although no man wishes for peace +more sincerely than I, or would take more pleasure, or think himself +more highly honored in being instrumental in bringing it about, yet, I +confess, I see no prospect or hope of it, at least before the end of +another summer. America will be amused with rumors of peace, and +Europe too, but the English are not yet in a temper for it. + +The Court of Russia has lately changed its Ambassador at the Court of +London, and sometime in the month of October, M. Simolin, the new +Minister Plenipotentiary from the Court of Petersburg to the Court of +London, passed through France in his way to England, and resided three +weeks in Paris. From this circumstance, a report has been spread in +Europe, that the Court of Russia is about to undertake the office of +mediator between the belligerent powers. But from conversation with +several persons of distinction since my arrival in Spain, particularly +with the Count de Sade, the Chef d'Escadré, commanding the French men +of war now in Ferrol, I am persuaded, that if Russia has any thoughts +of a mediation, the independence of the United States will be insisted +upon by her as a preliminary, and Great Britain will feel much more +reluctance to agree to this, than to the cession of Gibraltar, which +it is said Spain absolutely insists upon. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE GOVERNOR OF CORUNNA. + + Corunna, December 18th, 1779. + +Mr Adams presents his compliments to the Governor of Corunna, and +informs him, according to his desire expressed last evening, that the +names of the persons for whom he requests a passport from his +Excellency, the Governor of this Province, are as follows. + +John Adams, a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of +America. + +Francis Dana, Secretary to Mr Adams's commission, a member of +Congress, and a member of the Council of Massachusetts Bay. + +John Thaxter, private Secretary to Mr Adams. + +John Quincy Adams, a son of Mr Adams, about twelve years of age. + +Charles Adams, another son of Mr Adams, nearly ten years of age. + +Jeremiah Allen of Boston, in Massachusetts, a private gentleman +accidentally in company; he is a merchant travelling with the view of +establishing a private commerce in Spain, as well as France. + +Samuel Cooper Johonnot, ten or eleven years of age, a grandson of a +particular friend of Mr Adams in Boston, going to Paris for an +education in the University there. + +Joseph Stevens, a servant of Mr Adams. + +John William Christian Frieke, a servant of Mr Dana. + +Andrew Desmia, a servant of Mr Allen. + +Mr Adams requests a passport for all these persons to go to Madrid, +and from thence to Bilboa, and from thence to Bayonne, in their way to +Paris; with liberty at the same time to go directly to Bayonne by the +nearest road, without going to Madrid, or to Bilboa; as it is +uncertain whether Mr Adams will have the time to gratify his +inclination with the sight of those cities. + + * * * * * + + M. DE SARTINE TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Versailles, December 31st, 1779. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write to me +on the 6th of October last. + +I was well persuaded, that M. de Chavagne[55] would endeavor to +procure for you everything in his power to render your passage +agreeable. This was conformable to the instructions I had given him +respecting the intentions of the King. + +I learn with pleasure, that, being again charged with an important +mission by Congress, you will be able to profit by the frigate +Sensible a second time in your voyage to France. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE SARTINE. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [55] These instructions, and those for a treaty of commerce which + follow were agreed to unanimously in Congress on the 14th of August, + nearly six weeks before the Minister was chosen. They were drawn up by + Gouverneur Morris. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Bilboa, January 16th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform Congress, that last night, and not before, +I arrived at this place. + +At Ferrol and Corunna I was advised by all the friends of America, to +undertake a journey by land. The consul of France and M. Lagoanere, a +gentleman who has acted for some time as the American agent at +Corunna, obligingly offered me all the assistance in their power, and +accordingly used their utmost diligence to procure me the necessary +mules and carriages, for the transportation of the small number of +persons in company with me, and the small quantity of baggage we found +it indispensably necessary to take with us, having left more than two +thirds of what we had with us to take the chance of a passage by sea +to France. From the 8th of December, when we arrived at Ferrol, to the +26th of the same month, when we set off from Corunna, we were detained +by the violent rains, and the impossibility of getting accommodations +for travelling. All our beds and provisions we were obliged to carry +with us. We travelled through the ancient kingdoms of Galicia, Leon, +Old Castile, and Biscay, and although we made the best of our way +without loss of time, we found it impossible to go more than eight +leagues a day, and sometimes not more than four. The roads and inns +are inconvenient to a degree that I should blush to describe, and the +pain we suffered in a cold season of the year for want of fire, in a +country where there are no chimnies, gave us all such violent colds, +that I was under great apprehensions of our being seized with fevers. + +As we were so near Madrid, within about forty leagues, I balanced some +time in my own mind, whether to go to that fine city, but considering +that this would lengthen our journey near a hundred leagues, the +severe season of the year, and above all the political situation that +I might be in, my country not being yet acknowledged as a sovereign +State by any formal act of that Court, it being known, that another +gentleman had a commission for that Court, and he being expected soon +to arrive, I thought it upon the whole the least hazardous to the +public interest to avoid that route. + +It may be of some use to my countrymen to transmit a few observations +upon the country I have passed through, because it appears to me that +a commerce extremely advantageous to both countries may be opened +between us and Spain, as soon as our independence shall be +acknowledged by that power, at least as soon as we shall obtain the +great object of all our wishes, peace. + +The province of Galicia is one of the largest in Spain, and said to be +one of the best peopled. Corunna is in effect the principal city, +although St Jago, in respect to its patron Saint, or more probably to +the Archbishop who resides there, is in name the capital. This +province, one of those whereof the ancient Crown of Castile was +formed, is washed by the ocean for more than seventy leagues from +Ribadeo, on the frontiers of Asturias, to the mouth of the river +Minks, which separates it from Portugal. This coast, which is divided +by Cape Finisterre, is provided on both sides of the Cape with ports +equally safe and convenient, which nature seems to have prepared +around this Cape, an object oftentimes so necessary to be made by +navigators, both at their departure from Europe, and at their return, +as so many asylums both from the apprehensions and the consequences of +storms. The most known of these ports are Ribadeo, Ferrol, Corunna, +and Camarinas, to the eastward of Cape Finisterre; Corubios, Muros, +Pontevidia, and Vigo to the westward; all proper to receive vessels of +the first rate, especially Ferrol and Vigo; the first, the most +considerable department of the marine of Spain, is embellished with +everything that art and the treasures, profusely spent upon it for +thirty years past, could add to its happy situation. Vigo, represented +to be one of the most beautiful ports in the world, is another +department of the marine, more extensive and proper, for such an +establishment than Ferrol itself. Besides these ports, there are a +multitude of harbors and bays round Cape Finisterre, which afford a +safe and convenient shelter to merchant vessels. With all these +advantages for foreign commerce, this province has very little but +what is passive. It receives from abroad some objects of daily +consumption, some of luxury, some of convenience, and some even of the +first necessity. At present it offers little for exportation to +foreign countries. The Sardiné of its coast, the famous fish which it +furnishes to all Spain, the cattle which it fattens for the provision +of Madrid, and a few coarse linens which are its only manufacture, and +are well esteemed, are the objects of its active commerce, and form +its balance with the other provinces. The wine and the grain, the +chief productions of its lands, seldom suffice for its consumption, +and never go beyond it. + +The liberty of commerce with the Windward Islands, granted by the +Court within a few years, and the particular establishment of ---- +opened the ports of that part of the new world to this province; and +although without manufactures herself, or any of those productions +proper for America, she renders to foreign hands the product of those +which she receives from them and carries thither. In this circulation +of so many treasures, she enriches herself with parts that she +detaches from the whole. + +The civil government of this province is formed by a superior tribunal +called the _Audience_, to which an appeal lies from all the subaltern +jurisdictions, public and private. This Court hears and determines, +as sovereign and without appeal, all civil affairs of a less value +than a thousand ducats, or three thousand livres. Appeals in those +which exceed that value are carried to the Chancery of Valladolid, or +to the Council of Castile. Although justice is gratis on the part of +the judges, who are paid by the government, it is said to be not less +costly, tedious, and vexatious. It may not be useless to observe that +the Criminal Chambers, whose decrees extend to the punishment of +death, and are executed without any application to the King or any +other authority, is composed only of three judges, and these three are +the youngest of the whole tribunal, and this order is generally +followed in Spain in the composition of the criminal tribunals, +although no one pretends to conjecture the motive of so singular a +reverse of the rational order of things. The administration of the +royal police belongs also to the Audience, and forms the third chamber +into which this tribunal is divided. + +All the military authority, and the government of the troops in this +department, are in the hands of the Captain General of the province. +There is not any one under him who has even the title of commandant. +But in case of his death or absence, he is succeeded by the general +officer, the most ancient in the province. To this title of Captain +General is added, commonly, that of President of the Audience, a +prerogative which, by uniting in his hands the civil authority to all +that of his place, gives a power the most absolute and unlimited. + +The inspection general, and all the economy of the affairs of the King +in the province, belong to the Intendant. The different branches of +the public revenue are all administered by officers appointed by the +King, as in the rest of the kingdom, and there are no Farmers-General +as in France. Their product is about twentysix millions of reals, or +six millions five hundred thousand livres, the expense of collection +being deducted. The expenses of the administration, including the +maintenance of three regiments of infantry scattered about in +different places, do not exceed two millions five hundred thousand +livres. The surplus goes into the dry docks, arsenals, and fund of +fortifications, to the support of which this sum is far from being +sufficient. Such is in general the government, military, political, +and civil of this province, and nearly pf all the others, except +Biscay, Guipuscoa, and Alaba. + +There is not in this province any particular jurisdiction of commerce, +but there is a tribunal, under the name of the Judge Considerator of +Commerce, which takes cognizance of all their causes, civil and +criminal, except the case of contraband. At this day, the Judge +Considerator of Strangers is the governor of the province himself, and +the appeals from his judgment are carried directly to the Council of +War, which is said to be a precious privilege, by the form and brevity +of procedure compared with the expensive and insupportable delays of +the ordinary jurisdiction. + +I cannot but think that if some measures could be taken to convince +the Court, that it is their interest to take off the vast duties with +which commerce is overloaded in this port, fifteen per cent being to +be paid upon all commodities exported and upon all imported, and if +the rigid prohibitions of tobacco could be relaxed or repealed, +several of the productions of America would find a good market here, +and a commerce be opened that would put a new face upon this province, +and be profitable to America too. The conveniency of such a number of +excellent ports would be a vast advantage, which Bilboa cannot have, +as her harbor is neither safe nor convenient, besides its being so +much further down the stormy, turbulent Gulf of Biscay; yet Biscay, +which is commonly used to comprehend Biscay proper, the principal city +of which is Bilboa, although Orduna is the capital; Guipuscoa, the +capital of which is St Sebastian, and Alaba, the capital of which is +Vittoria, three free provinces, whose laws the Kings of Spain have +hitherto been sworn to observe inviolate, have attracted almost the +whole of the American trade, because the King has no custom house or +officers here, and there are no duties to be paid. + +It may seem surprising to hear of free provinces in Spain, but such is +the fact, that the high and independent spirit of the people, so +essentially different from the other provinces, that a traveller +perceives it even in their countenances, their dress, their air, and +their ordinary manner of speech, has induced the Spanish nation and +her kings to respect the ancient liberties of these people so far, +that each monarch at his accession to the throne takes an oath to +observe the laws of Biscay. The government here is therefore +diametrically opposite to that of Galicia, and the other provinces. +The King of Spain has never assumed any higher title than Lord of +Biscay. He has no troops of any sort in the lordship, nor is there any +standing array, instead of which every man is obliged to serve in the +militia. The King has no custom house officers, nor other revenue +officers, nor any other officers whatsoever in the lordship except a +corregidor, and lately a commissary of marine. This last is considered +as an encroachment and a grievance, and the authority of the +corregidor is very small, as there lies an appeal from his judgment +to another tribunal, that of the two deputy generals, who are +biennially elected by the people. Few of the grandees of Spain have +any considerable estates here. The Duke of Medina Coeli, and the Duke +of Berwick, have some lands here of no great value. The lands, +generally, belong to the inhabitants and possessors, who hold them of +no lord but the King of Spain, who is Lord of Biscay. + +There is a Board of Trade here, which is annually instituted by the +merchants of the place, partly by lot and partly by election, which +decides all controversies arising in trade, and all the affairs of +strangers. They have never admitted any foreign consul to reside here, +although it has been solicited by Holland, England, and France. + +It is not at all surprising, that a constitution in its nature so +favorable to commerce, should have succeeded. + +In travelling through the provinces of Leon and Castile, and observing +the numerous flocks of sheep, with the most beautiful fleeces of wool +in the world, I could not but wish that some communication might be +opened, by which the United States of America might be furnished with +this necessary article from this country. There are few of our +articles of exportation but might be sent to the Spanish market to +advantage, rice, pitch, tar, turpentine, tobacco, wheat, flour, ship +timber, masts, yards, bowsprits, and salt fish might be supplied to +Spain, and at an advantage, and in return, she might furnish us wine, +oil, fruits, some silks, some linens, perhaps, and with any quantity +of wool, which is now exported to foreign countries for manufacture, +and might as well be sent to us, but above all with silver and gold. + +It must be the work of time and a free intercourse between the two +nations, and a future negotiation to ripen these hints into a plan +that may be beneficial to both. The system of revenue, which it is +dangerous and difficult to alter in Spain, as well as in all other +countries of Europe, will be the principal objection. I have collected +together with some difficulty a few gazettes, which I have the honor +to transmit to Congress, from which all the news may be collected that +I have been able to learn. Congress will easily perceive the eagerness +with which the belligerent powers are bent on war, without manifesting +the least disposition for peace, and most of all, Great Britain, whose +ostentatious display of trifling successes, and whose weak exultation +shows, that nothing can divert her from her furious course. But she is +exhausting and sinking her forces every day, without gaining any +lasting or solid advantage, and she has reason to fear, from the +combined fleets of France and Spain, under such enterprising, +experienced, and approved officers, as d'Estaing and du Chaffault, the +entire ruin of her commerce and navy in the course of a campaign or +two more. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, February 12, 1780. + + Sir, + +Having obtained permission from your Excellency yesterday, when I did +myself the honor to wait on you at Versailles, to write on the subject +of my mission, I have now the honor to acquaint you, that on the 29th +day of September last the Congress of the United States of America did +me the honor to elect me their Plenipotentiary to negotiate a peace +with Great Britain, and also to negotiate a treaty of commerce with +that kingdom, and Mr Francis Dana, member of Congress, and of the +Council of Massachusetts Bay, Secretary to both commissions. + +As I was not at Congress when this transaction took place, I am not +able to inform your Excellency very particularly of the rise and +progress of it. But from conversation with gentlemen at Boston, who +were members of Congress, and from private letters, I learned in +general, that it was not the result of any sudden deliberation, or the +fruit of any particular event of the war, prosperous or adverse, but a +measure that has been more than a year under consideration, and +finally agreed to on this principle, that as it was uncertain at what +time the belligerent powers might be disposed to treat of peace, which +could not be concluded without a Minister from the United States, it +would save a great deal of time for this power to have a Minister in +Europe fully authorised to treat, and in concert with Ministers from +the other powers at war, conclude a peace with great Britain, and a +treaty of commerce consistent with that already made with His Most +Christian Majesty, and such others as might be made with other powers. +I am persuaded it is the intention of my constituents and of all +America, and I am sure it is my own determination, to take no steps of +consequence in pursuance of my commissions, without consulting his +Majesty's Ministers. And as various conjectures have been, and may be +made concerning the nature of my appointment and powers, and as it may +be expected by some, that I should take some measures for announcing +these to the public, or at least to the Court of London, I beg the +favor of your Excellency's opinion and advice upon these questions. + +1. Whether, in the present state of things, it is prudent in me to +acquaint the British Ministry that I am arrived here, and that I shall +be ready to treat, whenever the belligerent powers shall be inclined +to treat? + +2. Whether it is prudent in me to publish in any manner, more than the +journals of Congress may have already done, the nature of my mission? + +3. Or whether to remain on the reserve, as I have hitherto done since +my arrival in Europe? + +If any propositions should be made to me directly or indirectly from +the British Ministry, I shall not fail to communicate them without +loss of time to your Excellency, and I beg the favor of your +Excellency, as I am the only person in Europe who has authority to +treat of peace, that if any propositions on the part of Great Britain +should be made to his Majesty's Ministers, that they may be +communicated to me, at least as far as they may relate to the interest +of the United States. + +Although I am not confined by commissions, nor instructions, nor by +any intimations from Congress to reside in any one place in Europe +more than another, yet my own inclinations as well as those of the +public would be most gratified, and the public service most promoted, +by my residing here. I must, therefore, request his Majesty's +protection and permission to reside in this kingdom for some time, +with or without assuming any public character, as your Excellency may +think most advisable. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO M. DE SARTINE. + + Paris, February 13th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It was not until my arrival at Passy, that I had the honor of your +Excellency's letter of the 31st of December last. + +When his Majesty's intentions of granting me a passage to America were +communicated to me, I had little expectation of returning in the same +frigate; but the Congress having honored me with a fresh mission to +Europe, their Excellencies, the late and present Ministers from his +Majesty to the United States, concurred in a proposal to Congress, and +a requisition to the commander of the frigate, to afford me a passage +in her voyage home, which Captain Chavagne agreed to with particular +marks of politeness to me and Mr Dana, and the others who accompanied +me. + +I have again to express to your Excellency the obligations I am under +to the captain, and all the officers of the Sensible, for their +goodness to me and mine. But it is more particularly my duty to +express again my thanks to his Majesty, for this fresh favor, to M. +Gerard and the Chevalier de la Luzerne, who procured it for me, and to +your Excellency, for your approbation of it. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Versailles, February 15th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on +the 12th of this month. I think before I reply to the different +points on which you consult me, that it is proper to wait for the +arrival of M. Gerard, because he is probably the bearer of your +instructions, and will certainly be able to make me better acquainted +with the nature and extent of your commission. But in the mean time, I +am of opinion, that it will be prudent to conceal your eventual +character, and above all to take the necessary precautions, that the +object of your commission may remain unknown to the Court of London. +Besides, Sir, you may be assured, that his Majesty sees you with +pleasure in his dominions, that you will constantly enjoy his +protection, and the prerogatives of the law of nations. For my own +part, Sir, I shall be eager to give you proofs of my confidence, as +well as of the sentiments with which I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 15th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to inform Congress, that on the 9th of this month, +and not before, I had the good fortune to arrive in this city, from +Ferrol (where I arrived on the 8th of December) with Mr Dana, Mr +Thaxter, and the rest of the company in tolerable health, after a +journey of near five hundred leagues, in the dead of winter, through +bad roads, and worse accommodations of every kind. We lost no time +more than was indispensably necessary to restore our health, which was +several times affected, and in great danger; yet we were more than +twice as long in making the journey by land, as we had been in +crossing the Atlantic ocean. + +The next morning after our arrival at Paris, Mr Dana and myself went +out to Passy, and spent the day with his Excellency Dr Franklin, who +did us the honor the next day to accompany us to Versailles, where we +had the honor to wait on their Excellencies the Count de Vergennes, M. +de Sartine, and the Count Maurepas, with each of whom we had the honor +of a short conference, upon the state of public affairs. It is +sufficient for me to say in general, that I never heard the French +Ministry so frank, so explicit, so decided, as each of these gentlemen +was in the course of this conversation, in his declarations to persue +the war with vigor, and to afford effectual aid to the United States. +I learned with great satisfaction, that they are sending, under +convoy, clothing and arms for fifteen thousand men to America, that +seventeen ships of the line were already gone to the West Indies, +under M. de Guichen, and that five or six more at least are to follow, +in addition to ten or twelve they have already there. I asked +permission of the Count de Vergennes to write to him on the subject of +my mission, which he cheerfully and politely agreed to. I have +accordingly written to his Excellency, and shall forward copies of my +letter and his answer, as soon as it may be safe to do it. + +The English are to borrow twelve millions this year, and it is said, +that the loan is filled up. They have thrown a sop to Ireland, but +have not appeased her rage. They give out exactly such threats as they +did last year, and every other year, of terrible preparations. But +Congress knows perfectly well how these measures have been +accomplished. They will not be more fully executed the next year than +the last, and if France and Spain should throw more of their force, +especially by sea, into America the next year, America will have no +essential injury to fear. + +I have learned since my arrival at Paris, with the highest pleasure, +the arrival of M. Gerard, Mr Jay, and Mr Carmichael, at Cadiz, for +whose safety we had been under great apprehensions. I have now very +solid hopes, that a treaty will soon be concluded with Spain, hopes +which everything that I saw and heard seemed to favor. + +The Alliance frigate, now under the command of Captain Jones, with +Captain Cunningham on board, is arrived at Corunna, where she is to be +careened, after which she is to return to L'Orient, and from thence to +go to America, as I am informed by Dr Franklin. + +Mr Auther Lee, and Mr Izard, are still in Paris, under many +difficulties in procuring a passage home. Mr William Lee is at +Brussels. Mr Izard has been to Holland, to obtain a passage from +thence, but unfortunately missed his opportunity and returned +disappointed. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 17th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It is necessary, that I should inform Congress in what manner I have +been able to procure money to defray my expenses in my long journey, +through the greatest part of Spain and France to this city. + +On my arrival at Ferrol, I was offered the loan of money by the French +consul, M. de Tournelle, who, at the same time told me, there was a +gentleman at Corunna, M. Michael Lagoanere, who had heretofore acted +as an American agent at that place, and who would be very happy to +supply me. On my arrival at Corunna, M. Lagoanere did me the honor of +a visit, and offered me every assistance in cash, otherwise telling me +at the same time, he had some money in his hands, which he supposed +belonged to the United States, being part of the proceeds of some +prizes heretofore made by Captain Cunningham. That this money, +however, had been attached in his hands by some Spanish merchant, who +had commenced a lawsuit against Captain Cunningham. I accordingly +received three thousand dollars for myself and Mr Dana, and a letter +of credit on the house of Cabarous at Bayonne, for as much more as I +should have occasion for. On our arrival at Bayonne, Mr Dana and I +received of that house fifty louis d'ors, and a bill of exchange on +another house of the same name and family at Bordeaux for the like +sums, our expenses having exceeded all our computations at Corunna, as +our journey was necessarily much longer than we expected, on account +of the uncommon bad weather and bad roads. This bill was paid upon +sight. So that, upon the whole, we have received the amount of +seventeen thousand four hundred livres, all on account of M. Lagoanere +of Corunna. Of this sum, Mr Dana has received the amount of four +thousand nine hundred and seventyone livres and fifteen sols, and I +have received twelve thousand four hundred and twentyeight livres and +five sols, for which sums we desire to be respectively charged in the +treasury books of Congress. + +As this money is expended, if M. Lagoanere should draw upon us for it, +all the authority we have to draw upon his Excellency the Minister +here will not enable us to pay it, and if M. Lagoanere should be so +happy as to avoid the attachment and leave us to account with Congress +for this money, the small sum we are empowered to receive from his +Excellency will go a very little way in discharging our expenses. We +must therefore pray, that Congress would forward us authority to draw +upon his Excellency for the amount of our salaries annually, which, +without all doubt, will be paid. + +I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. + + Paris, February 18th, 1780. + + My Dear General, + +You know extremely well the skill of our enemies in forging false +news, and their artifice in circulating it, not only through the +various parts of Europe, but in the United States of America, to keep +up the spirits of their friends and depress those of their +adversaries. It is their annual custom in the winter to send abroad +large cargoes of these lies, and they meet with a success in making +them believed, that is really astonishing. + +Since my arrival here, I find they have been this winter at their old +game again, and have circulated reports here, in Holland, and other +parts of Europe, that they have made new contracts with other petty +Princes in Germany, by which, together with those made before, they +will be able to draw seven thousand fresh troops from that country to +serve in America. That by appeasing the troubles in Ireland, they +shall be able to avail themselves even of the military associations +in that kingdom, by depending upon them for the defence of the +country, and to draw near ten thousand men from thence for the service +in America. That they have concluded a treaty with the Court of +Petersburg, by which Russia is to furnish them with twelve ships of +the line and twenty thousand men, which they say is of the more +importance, on account of the intimate connexion between Russia and +Denmark, as the latter will be likely by this means to be drawn into +the war, with their numerous fleet of fortyfive ships of the line. The +greatest part of these tales are false. I know very well what is said +of Russia is so contrary to all that I have seen and heard of the good +understanding between Versailles and Russia, that I have no doubt of +its falsehood. But as I am very lately arrived, and, consequently, +have not opportunity to examine these reports to the bottom, I beg the +favor of you to inform me, with all the exactness possible, how much +truth there is in them, if any at all. + +You are very sensible that it is of the utmost importance, that +Congress should have the exactest information of these things, and +that you and I cannot render a more useful service to our country at +present, than by collecting such intelligence with precision, and +transmitting it without delay. Knowing the pleasure you take in +serving the United States in every way in your power, I thought I +could beg this favor of you with propriety, and that you would believe +me always your friend and servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO M. GENET, FIRST SECRETARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. + + Paris, February 18th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +Whether it is, that the art of political lying is better understood in +England than in any other country, or whether it is more practised +there than elsewhere, or whether it is accidental that they have more +success in making their fictions gain credit in the world, I know not. +But it is certain, that every winter since the commencement of the +present war with America, and indeed for some years before, they sent +out large quantities of this manufacture over all Europe, and +throughout all America, and what is astonishing is, that they should +still find numbers in every country ready to take them off their +hands. + +Since my arrival in this city, I find they have been this winter at +their old trade, and have spread reports here and in Holland, and in +various other parts of Europe, and no doubt they have found means to +propagate them in America too, tending to keep up the spirits of their +friends, and to sink those of their opponents. Such as, that they have +made new contracts with several German Princes, by which they are to +obtain seven thousand men to serve in America; that they have so +skilfully appeased the troubles in Ireland, that they shall ever be +able to take advantage of the military associations there, by +depending upon them for the defence of the kingdom, while they draw +from thence ten thousand regular troops for the service in America; +that they have even concluded a treaty with Russia, by which the +Empress is to furnish them with twelve ships of the line and twenty +thousand men, as some say, and twenty ship of the line and twelve +thousand men as others relate. This they say is of the greater moment, +because of an intimate connexion, I know not of what nature it is, +between Russia and Denmark, by which the latter will be likely to be +drawn into the war against the House of Bourbon and America; and +Denmark, they say, has fortyfive ships of the line. + +I know very well that the greatest part of these reports is false; and +particularly what is said of Russia is so contrary to all those +reports, which I have heard for these twelve months past of the +harmony between Versailles and Petersburg, that I give no credit to it +at all, but I find that all these reports make impressions on some +minds, and among the rest some Americans. + +I therefore beg the favor of you to inform me of the exact truth in +all these matters, that I may take the earliest opportunity of +transmitting the intelligence to Congress, where it is of importance +it should be known. + +I was much mortified when I was at Versailles the other day, that I +could not have the honor of paying my respects to you, but I was so +connected with other gentlemen, who were obliged to return to dinner, +that I could not; but I shall take the first opportunity I can get to +wait on you, and assure you that I am, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + M. DE LAFAYETTE TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Paris, February 19th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +As I came but this morning from Versailles, it was not in my power +sooner to answer the letter you have honored me with, and this duty I +now perform with the more pleasure, as it is of some importance to the +interests of America. Since the first day, when I had the happiness of +making myself and of being considered in the world as an American, I +have always observed, that among the many ways of attacking our +liberties, and among the most ungenerous ones, misrepresentations have +ever been the first weapons on which the British nation has the most +depended. + +I am glad it is in my power generally to assure you, that the many +reports propagated by them and alluded to in your letter are not +founded upon truth. New contracts with petty princes in Germany have +not, I believe, taken place, and if any such merchandise were sent to +America, it would at most consist of a few recruits. The troubles in +Ireland, if there is the least common sense among the first patriots +of that country, are not I hope at an end, and it seems they now begin +to raise our expectations. The Russian troops, so much talked of in +their gazettes, I take to be mere recruits for those thirty thousand +Russians, that Mr Rivington had three years ago ordered to embark for +America. + +Those intelligences, my dear Sir, must be counteracted by letters to +our friends in America. But as the respect, which we owe to the free +citizens of the United States, makes it a point of duty never to +deceive them, and as the most candid frankness must ever distinguish +our side of the question from the course of tyranny and falsehood, I +intend paying tomorrow morning a visit to the Minister of Foreign +Affairs, and from him get such minute intelligence as shall answer +your purpose. + +With the most sincere regard, I have the honor to be, &c. + + LAFAYETTE. + +_P. S._ On my return from Versailles, my dear Sir, where I will settle +the affairs of arms that I have undertaken, I will impart to you a +project privately relating to me, that is not inconsistent with my +sentiments for our country, America. + + L. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Enclosed are copies of former letters to Congress, and I shall +continue to transmit copies, until I learn that some have arrived, for +which reason I must request the favor that his Excellency the +President, or some committee, may be desired to acknowledge the +receipt of letters, so that I may know as soon as may be, what letters +have arrived, and which have been less fortunate. + +The art of making and spreading false news to answer political +purposes is not peculiar to Great Britain, but yet she seems to +possess this art, and the talent of giving to her fictions the colors +of probability beyond other nations; at least, she seems to have more +success in making her impostures believed than any other. It is her +annual practice in the winter to fabricate and export large quantities +of this merchandise to all parts of Europe and America, and she finds +more customers to take them off her hands than she ought, considering +how illicit the traffic is. + +This winter her emissaries have been more assiduous than ever in +propagating reports, that they have entered into new engagements with +several other petty principalities in Germany, by which they shall +hire seven thousand men, for the service of the next campaign in +America. That by compromising with Ireland, they shall be able to take +advantage even of the military associations in that kingdom, and draw +from them a large number of regular troops for the service in America, +depending on the volunteer militia, or associators for the defence of +the country; that they have made a treaty with Russia, whereby that +power has engaged to furnish them with twelve ships of the line and +twenty thousand troops, as some say, and twenty ships of the line and +twelve thousand troops, according to others. This alliance they say +too is of the more consequence, on account of some connexion between +Russia and Denmark, who, it is insinuated, will follow Russia into the +war, and Denmark they add has fortyfive ships of the line, not manned +it is true, but England they say can man them. + +These tales one would think are so extravagant and absurd, that they +would not find a believer in the world. Yet there are persons, who +believe them in all nations of Europe, particularly in Holland, and +there is no doubt the same song will be sung in America, and many will +listen to it. There is nothing further from the truth; they will find +the utmost difficulty to draw from Germany troops enough to repair the +breaches in the German troops made in America the last year; the same +with regard to Ireland. And as to what is said of Russia, there is not +even a color of truth in it, but on the contrary, the same good +understanding continues between Versailles and Petersburg, which +subsisted last winter, spring, and summer. As to Denmark, I have no +reason to think that she is disposed to assist Great Britain, but on +the contrary that she has armed to defend herself at sea against Great +Britain; but if it were otherwise, to what purpose would her ships of +the line be unmanned, when Great Britain cannot man the ships of the +line she already has. + +France seems determined to pursue the naval war with vigor and +decision in the American seas. M. de Guichen sailed the beginning of +January with seventeen or eighteen ships of the line. Seven more are +now preparing at Brest with all possible expedition, supposed to be +for America. Those, if they all happily join the twelve ships left +there by the Count d'Estaing, will make a fleet of six and thirty +ships of the line. And the Court seems determined to maintain the +superiority in the American seas. This will give scope to our +privateers to weaken and distress the enemies of their country, while +they are enriching themselves. + +There is no news of Admiral Rodney; from whence I conclude he is gone +to the West Indies. + +The English have derived such a flush of spirits from their late +successes, which are mostly however of the negative kind, that they +talk in a style very different from that of peace. There are two +reflections, which the English cannot bear, one is that of losing the +domination of the colonies as indispensable to the support of their +naval superiority over France and Spain, or either of them, in +possession of a powerful fleet at the peace. Their maxim is to make +themselves terrible at sea to all nations, and they are convinced that +if they make a peace leaving America independent, and France and Spain +powerful at sea, they shall never again be terrible to any maritime +power. These reasons convince me, that Great Britain will hazard all +rather than make peace at present. Thompson's "Britannia," which +expresses the feelings as well as the sentiments of every Briton, is +so much to the present purpose, that I hope I shall be pardoned for +referring to it, even in a letter to Congress. + +I have the honor to be, with the highest esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, February 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to +write me on the 15th of this month, and lest I should not have +explained sufficiently in my letter of the 12th the nature and extent +of my commissions, I have now the honor to enclose attested copies of +both, as well as of that to Mr Dana. + +With regard to my instructions, I presume your Excellency will not +judge it proper, that I should communicate them any further than to +assure you, as I do in the fullest manner, that they contain nothing +inconsistent with the letter or spirit of the treaty between his +Majesty and the United States, or the most perfect friendship between +France and America, but, on the contrary, the clearest orders to +cultivate both. I have hitherto conducted according to your advice, +having never communicated to any person since my arrival in Europe the +nature of my mission, excepting to your Excellency and Dr Franklin, to +whom it was indeed communicated by a resolution of Congress, and to +him in confidence. I shall continue to conceal, as far as may depend +upon me, my actual character, but I ought to observe to your +Excellency, that my appointment was as notorious in America as that +of Mr Jay, or Dr Franklin, before my departure. So it is probably +already known to the Court of London, although they have not regular +evidence of it. I mention this, lest some persons might charge me with +publishing what I certainly did not publish. + +I thank your Excellency for the assurances of his Majesty's protection +and of your confidence, which it shall be my study and endeavor at all +times to deserve. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + M. GENET TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Versailles, February 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +You have been afraid to trouble the Count de Vergennes, and you have +done me the honor of addressing yourself to me, in order to know what +you are to think of several rumors, which the English have endeavored +to spread. I am infinitely flattered by the mark of confidence, which +you have been pleased to give me, but I have thought myself obliged to +lay the letter before the Minister. He has directed me to assure you, +that on every occasion he will be very happy that you should address +yourself directly to him, and that you will always find him ready to +satisfy your inquiries. + +He has remarked, as well as yourself, the address which our enemies +use to circulate false reports, and to make Europe believe that the +Americans are making advances to them, in order to treat of an +arrangement with them. The Count de Vergennes is likewise persuaded +of the contrary, as he is assured that no new treaty has been +negotiated with the Princes of Germany, and that no levies are making +there, but for the sake of filling up the old ones. He does not think +that the news of the treaty with Russia, nor that which relates to the +Court of Denmark, are better founded. He told me that I might do +myself the honor to write you, that all those rumors are false, and +that you run no risk in presenting them as such to the persons, on +whom you think they have made some impression, both in Europe and +America. + +I am extremely anxious to have the honor to see you, and congratulate +you on your happy return. As I but seldom go to Paris, I wish your +business may permit you to do me the honor to call at my house and +accept of a family dinner. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + GENET. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Since my arrival in Europe, I have had the mortification to see in the +public papers a series of little successes, which our enemies have had +in the prosecution of the war. The first was a very exaggerated +account in the English Court Gazette, of their successes against the +Spaniards in South America. The next was the history of the repulse of +General Lincoln and the Count d'Estaing at Savannah, and the raising +of the siege at that post. These were soon followed by the capture of +the Spanish fleet of transport ships by Rodney's squadron, and the +advantage gained by that Admiral over the Spanish ships of war, after +a most gallant resistance, however, off Gibraltar. + +These small triumphs, although chiefly of the defensive and negative +kind, and a poor compensation for the blood and the millions they are +annually wasting, are, however, sufficient to cheer the spirits of the +British populace, and to banish from the minds of the Ministry all +thoughts of peace upon reasonable terms; for the English in the +present war act upon a maxim diametrically opposite to that of the +Romans, and never think of peace upon any event fortunate to them, but +are anxious for it under every great adversity. + +A report of my appointment having also been carried to England by the +cartels from Boston, and being spread in Europe by various other ways, +by passengers in the Committee, by French passengers in the Sensible, +of whom there were a great number who had heard of it in all companies +in America, and by many private letters, and the English ministerial +writers having made use of this as evidence of a drooping spirit in +America in order to favor their loan of money, I thought it my best +policy to communicate my appointment and powers to the French Court, +and ask their advice, as our good allies, how to proceed in the +present emergency. I accordingly wrote to his Excellency, the Count de +Vergennes, the letter of the 12th of February, a copy of which is +enclosed; and received his answer of the 15th, a copy of which is +enclosed; to which I replied in a letter of the 19th, a copy of which +is also enclosed. When I shall receive his Excellency's answer, I +shall do myself the honor to enclose that. + +If there is anything in these letters of mine, which is not +conformable to the views and sentiments of Congress, I wish to be +instructed in it, or if Congress should not concur with his Excellency +the Count, I shall obey their orders with the utmost punctuality and +alacrity. I have ever understood, that Congress were first advised to +the measure of appointing a Minister to negotiate peace, by the French +Minister then at Philadelphia, in the name of the Count de Vergennes. +However this may have been, it cannot be improper to have some one in +Europe empowered to think and treat of peace, which some time or other +must come. + +Since my last, which was of yesterday's date, I have had opportunity +to make more particular inquiries concerning the pretended treaty with +Russia, and am informed, that the English Ministry did, not long +since, make a formal application by their Ambassador to the Empress of +Russia for a body of troops and a number of ships; but that the +application was opposed with great spirit and ability in the Russian +Council, particularly by the Minister for foreign affairs, and +rejected in council with great unanimity, and that the harmony between +Versailles and Petersburg remains as perfect as when I left France. + +I have the honor to be, with very great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JOHN JAY, MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY AT MADRID. + + Paris, February 22d, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I most sincerely congratulate you on your happy arrival in Europe, +which must be the more agreeable to you, for the terrible voyages you +have had. Every good American in Europe, I believe, suffered a great +anxiety from the length of time that passed between the day when it +was known, that the Confederacy sailed, and the time when the news +arrived of your being in Cadiz. I, too, have had my hairbreadth +escapes, and, after my arrival, a very tedious journey in the worst +season of the year by land. Happy, however, shall we be, if all our +hazards and fatigues should contribute to lay the foundation of a free +and prosperous people. + +I hope no accident or disagreeable circumstance has happened to your +family, to whom I shall be obliged to you to present my respects. From +what I saw and heard in Spain, from the strong assurances I received +of the good will of the Court and nation, and from the great attention +and respect, that were paid me by officers of government of the +highest rank in the provinces through which I passed, I am persuaded +you will meet with the most distinguished reception, and I hope will +soon have the honor and satisfaction of concluding a treaty with +Spain. You will have the advantage of more frequent and speedy +intelligence from home, than we can have here, at least you will have +it in your power. There are vessels oftener arriving from America at +Bilboa and Cadiz, I think, than in France. Many of these vessels come +from Boston and Newburyport, perhaps the most of them. So that by +directing your correspondents to send their letters that way, you will +have them much sooner than we can commonly obtain them; and by +transmitting yours to Messrs Gardoqui & Co. at Bilboa, and Mr +Montgomery, or some other, at Cadiz, your despatches will go more +speedily, and more safely than ours, for we find it almost impossible +to get a letter across the Bay of Biscay from France in a merchant +vessel, there are so many privateers in the route; the danger of whom +is avoided chiefly by vessels from Bilboa keeping near the coast, and +running into harbor in case of danger, and wholly by those from Cadiz. +You will excuse my mentioning to you this channel of intelligence, +which might not possibly have occurred to you, and my wishing to make +some advantage of it to myself, by asking the favor of your +correspondence, and that you will impart to me the advices you may +receive through it. + +We have nothing new here at present, but what you have had before. +Pray what think you of peace? It seems to be the will of Heaven, that +the English should have success enough to lead them on to final +destruction. They are quite intoxicated with their late advantages, +although a poor compensation for what they cost. + +My respects to Mr Carmichael, and believe me to be, with respect and +esteem, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 23d, 1780. + + Sir, + +Having been informed this morning by the Marquis de Lafayette, of +another opportunity for America, I have the honor to enclose to +Congress triplicates of former letters, and copies of some other +letters, which I have written and received lately. I have also packed +up all the newspapers and pamphlets I can obtain. The _Mercure de +France_ is a weekly publication of very ancient origin, and is become +lately very interesting to America, because those political +intelligences and speculations, which were formerly published in +another pamphlet, under the title of _Affaires de l'Angleterre et de +l'Amérique_ are now published in this, the other having been dropped. +The _Courrier de l'Europe_ has the most extensive circulation of any +gazette, although supposed to be rather too much under the influence +of the British Ministry sometimes; the _Gazette de France_ is +published by authority here, and has a great reputation for integrity; +in the _Gazette de la Hague_ the English find means to publish many +false reports. These papers and pamphlets, together with one or two +English papers, for which I shall subscribe as soon as possible, I +shall do myself the honor to transmit to Congress constantly as they +come out. From these, Congress will be able to collect from time to +time all the public news of Europe. + + I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL ADAMS. + + Paris, February 23d, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +You will see by the public papers, that your Committee of +Correspondence is making greater progress in the world, and doing +greater things in the political world, than the electrical rod ever +did in the physical; Ireland and England have adopted it, but mean +plagiaries as they are, they do not acknowledge who was the inventor +of it. Mr Lee and Mr Izard will go with this letter in the Alliance, +and probably go to Boston. They will be able to inform you of +everything of a public nature much better than I can do, as I have +scarcely had opportunity to look about me as yet. They will give you +few hopes of peace, at least very speedily. + +The associations of counties and committees of correspondence in +England, are very ominous to our old acquaintances the refugees, as +they attack unmerited pensions in the first place. But they must do +greater things than distressing these gentry; they must necessarily +produce great commotions in the nation. The speeches at these meetings +go great lengths, some of them openly justifying and applauding the +Americans, and others even applauding France and Spain for stepping in +to our assistance. The Court here seems determined more than ever to +pursue the war with vigor, especially by sea, and above all in the +American seas. They have already sent seventeen ships of the line +under M. de Guichen, to reinforce M. de la Motte Piquet, and seven +others are preparing at Brest. They are sending out clothing and arms +for fifteen thousand men for our army, and seem confident, that the +next campaign will be better than the last. I hope the spirit of +privateering among us will increase, because I think this is the way +in which we can do the most service to the common cause. I hope you +will be so good as to inform me of what passes, particularly what +progress the Convention makes in the constitution.[56] I assure you it +is more comfortable making constitutions in the dead of winter at +Cambridge or Boston, than sailing in a leaky ship, or climbing on +foot, or upon mules, over the mountains of Galicia, and the Pyrenees. + + Believe me your friend and servant, + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [56] Convention of Massachusetts, of which Mr Adams had been chosen a + member soon after his return from France. + + * * * * * + + TO GENERAL JAMES WARREN. + + Paris, February 23d, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +The French Court seems to be now every day more and more convinced of +the good policy, and indeed the necessity of prosecuting the war with +vigor in the American seas. They have been, and are making great +preparations accordingly, and are determined to maintain a clear +superiority. + +M. de la Motte Piquet has with him the Hannibal, the Magnifique, the +Diadème, the Dauphin Royal, the Artisane, the Réfléchi, and the +Vengeur, and if M. de Grace has joined him from the Chesapeake Bay, +the Robuste, the Fendant, and the Sphinx; in all ten ships of the +line. M. de Guichen has gone to join him with the Couronne, eighty +guns, the Triumphant, eighty; the Palmier, the Victoire, the Destin, +the Conquérant, the Citoyen, the Intrépide, the Hercule, and the +Souverain, all of seventyfour; the Jason, the Actionnaire, the Caton, +the Julien, the Solitaire, the St Michael, and the Triton, all of +sixtyfour; the frigates, the Medea, Courageuse, Gentille, and the +Charmante, all of thirtytwo. He had above a hundred sail of vessels +under his convoy, and the regiment of Touraine and Enghien, of more +than thirteen hundred men each, and the second battalions of Royal +Corntois, and of Walsh, of seven hundred men each, making in the whole +more than four thousand troops. Besides these, there are seven more +preparing at Brest to sail. + +M. Gerard, Mr Jay, and Mr Carmichael are arrived at Cadiz in a French +frigate, the Confederacy having been dismasted, and driven to +Martinique. The Alliance carries this with Mr Lee and Mr Izard, who +will no doubt be treated with all respect at Boston. + +Notwithstanding the commotions in England and Ireland, the success of +Provost at Savannah, and of Rodney off Gibraltar, and even the silly +story of Omoa, in South America, is enough to embolden the Ministry to +go on with a debt of two hundred millions, already contracted, to +borrow twelve or fourteen millions a year, in the beginning of a war +with France and Spain, each having a greater navy than they ever had, +each discovering a greater fighting spirit than they ever did before, +and obliging the English to purchase every advantage at a dear rate. +The premiums and bounties, that they are obliged to give to raise men, +both for the service by sea and land, and the interest of money they +borrow, are greater than were ever given in any former wars, even in +the last year of the last war. This cannot always last, nor indeed +long. Yet I do not expect to see peace very soon. + +Pray write me as often as possible, and send the newspapers to me. + + Your friend and servant, + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Versailles, February 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you have done me the honor to write +me the 19th of this month. Your full powers, of which you have been +pleased to send me a copy, are perfectly conformable to what M. Gerard +has written to me about them, and they leave us nothing to wish for, +as to the form or matter. I think there will be no inconveniency in +informing the public of the principal object of your mission, I mean +the future pacification. It will be announced in the Gazette of +France, when it will mention your presentation to the King and royal +family, and you will be at liberty to give your eventual character a +greater publicity, by having it published in the Dutch papers. I could +only wish, that you would be so kind as to communicate the article to +me before you transmit it. With regard to the full powers, which +authorise you to negotiate a treaty of commerce with the Court of +London, I think it will be prudent not to communicate them to any body +whatever, and to take every necessary precaution, that the British +Ministry may not have a premature knowledge of them. You will no doubt +easily feel the motives, which induce me to advise you to take this +precaution, and it would be needless to explain them. + +With regard to your instructions, Sir, I am satisfied that they have +for their certain and invariable basis, the treaties subsisting +between the King and the United States. M. Gerard has assured the King +of it, in the most positive manner, and his Majesty does more justice +to the uprightness of Congress, and to the stability of the sentiments +which they have hitherto manifested, than to have ever entertained, or +to entertain, the least doubt on this subject. This way of thinking +will convince you, Sir, that we have no need of seeing your +instructions, to appreciate properly the principles and dispositions +of Congress towards Great Britain. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, February 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I had last evening the honor of your Excellency's letter of +yesterday's date, and shall conform myself to your advice. + +I shall esteem myself highly honored by a presentation to the King and +royal family, and shall wait your Excellency's directions concerning +the time of it, and shall not think myself at liberty to make any +publication of my powers to treat of peace, until it shall have been +announced in the Gazette. After which, I shall transmit to your +Excellency any paragraph, which may be thought proper to publish in +the gazettes of Holland, and take your advice upon it, before it is +sent. My other powers shall be concealed, according to your advice, +and I shall have the honor to pay my respects to your Excellency very +soon at Versailles. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 25th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Since my letter of the 20th, I have received another letter from his +Excellency the Count de Vergennes, dated the 24th of February, which I +answered this day. Copies of both letters are enclosed. + +I have also the honor to enclose a gazette, and an application from Mr +Comyn, of Marseilles, to be a consul for the ports of Provence and +Languedoc. I know nothing of this gentleman but what he says of +himself. + +By the enclosed gazette, as well as by many others, Congress will see +of what wonderful efficacy in pulling down tyranny a committee of +correspondence is likely to be. Ireland has done great things by means +of it, England is attempting great things with it, after the example +of the Americans, who invented it, and first taught its use. Yet all +does not seem to produce the proper gratitude on the minds of the +English towards their benefactors. However, the glory of the invention +is as certainly ours, as that of electrical rods, Hadley's quadrant, +or inoculation for the smallpox. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 27th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There are so many gentlemen of rank going out to America, that there +can be no doubt Congress will be fully informed of the state of public +affairs. + +Mr Lee, Mr Izard, the Marquis de Lafayette, Mr Wharton, and many +others, are going by different vessels. Besides these, Monsieur de +l'Etombe, who is appointed Consul General of France for the northern +district of America, as M. Holker for the middle, (I have not yet +learned who for the southern,) will go soon. + +There is an armament preparing with the greatest expedition at Brest, +which is to be commanded by M. de Ternay, and to consist of eight or +ten ships of the line and frigates, six of the line and several +frigates, as it is said, (perhaps it is not yet certain nor determined +exactly how many of either,) with several thousand men; all numbers +are mentioned from six to ten thousand men, under the General officers +de Rochambeau and Jaucourt. Whether this force is destined to the +continent or the West Indies, time will discover; at present, it ought +not to be known. On the other hand, I see by a paragraph in a London +paper of the 16th of this month, that the Thunderer, Torbay, Ramilies, +Royal Oak, Triumph, and Egmont, are ordered for the West Indies, under +Captain Walsingham; the Southampton, St Albans, and Winchelsea, which +were talked of to go with him, are found unfit for service, and in so +bad a condition as to be ordered to be paid off. Thus the French are +likely to be drawn into the American seas in sufficient force, where +they have great advantages in carrying on the war. It is much to be +wished, that the Spaniards could be drawn into the same field of +battle, for Gibraltar must be taken in America if ever. + +There are some persons, however, who think that the English will +avenge the French, the Spaniards, and above all the Americans, upon +one another, and it is certain that parties in England are working up +to a crisis. The petitions of the counties, their numerous committees +of correspondence, their hints of associations, have most certainly +alarmed the King and his Ministers to so great a degree, that for some +time their conduct was equivocal, giving hopes at times to the people, +that the Crown would favor the desired reformation in the expenditure +of money. But upon the news of Rodney's successes they grew bolder, +and determined to exert all the authority of the Crown to suppress the +meetings of the people. Accordingly the cry of faction, sedition, and +rebellion, was set up in Parliament by the majority, and the King was +advised to dismiss those lieutenants of counties, who had favored the +meetings of the people, advice which he has certainly taken. This is +a decisive measure. It will either discourage and suppress those +meetings, petitions, correspondence, and associations altogether, or +it will give them greater force. + +By a debate in the House of Commons on the 14th of this month, one +would think that the nation was nearly on the brink of a civil war. +Yet, I confess, I cannot think that there are any characters at +present in whom the nation have sufficient confidence, to venture +themselves any lengths under their guidance, and I believe that this +spirited conduct of the King will defeat the measures of the counties, +unless, indeed, in the course of the next campaign, his arms, +especially by sea, should meet with any signal defeat, which would +perhaps reanimate the people. But supposing the people go on and +succeed so far as to effect a change in the Ministry, the question is, +whether this would be an advantage to us or our allies? I am myself +very far from being convinced that it would. + +There are none of the principal leaders of the people, who avow any +fixed principle, that we can depend upon. None that avow a design of +acknowledging our independence, or even of making peace. + +By letters, which I have received from Brussels and Holland, since my +arrival, I am told that the late desperate step of the English in +seizing the Dutch ships has made a great change in the minds of the +people there, and the government too in our favor; even the Prince +declares he has been deceived by the English, and that he will promote +unlimited convoys; that an American Minister is much wished for, who, +although he might not yet be publicly received, would be able to do as +much good as if he was; that money might be borrowed there by such a +Minister directly sent by Congress, applying directly to solid Dutch +houses. I hope every hour to hear of Mr Laurens' arrival. + +I have subscribed for the English papers, but have not yet received +any, which I am sorry for, because I can get none to enclose. As fast +as they come to me I will send them. I have the honor to enclose +another _Mercure de France_. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO DR COOPER OF BOSTON. + + Paris, February 28th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +This will be delivered to you by the Marquis, your friend. Your +grandson is well and very contented. He has seen the world, to be +sure, such a part of it, that none of the rest can ever be +superlatively disagreeable to him hereafter.[57] + +Instead of wishing and hoping for peace, my dear countrymen must +qualify themselves for war, and learn the value of liberty by the +dearness of its purchase. The foundations of lasting prosperity are +laid in great military talents and virtues. Every sigh for peace, +until it can be obtained with honor, is unmanly. If our enemies can be +obstinate and desperate in a wicked and disgraceful cause, surely we +can be determined and persevering in the most just, the most +honorable, and the most glorious cause, that was ever undertaken by +men. + + I am, with great affection, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + +FOOTNOTE: + + [57] Alluding to the journey through the north of Spain. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, February 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have this moment received a letter from M. Genet, who is one of the +first Secretaries in the office of Foreign Affairs, and who has the +care of publishing all things relative to America, and has already +translated the constitutions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, +Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina, requesting me to assist him in +procuring those of Georgia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Rhode Island, +Massachusetts Bay, and New Hampshire. + +There is so great a curiosity through all Europe to see our new +constitutions, and those already published in the languages of Europe +have done us so much honor, that I thought I should be excusable in +making a direct request to Congress for their assistance in procuring +those, which M. Genet still desires. + +Those of Rhode Island and Connecticut, being according to their +ancient charters, M. Genet has already; those of Massachusetts and New +Hampshire, whenever they shall be formed and established, will be +easily obtained. But those of North Carolina and Georgia, I could not +obtain when I was at Boston, and these are therefore the ones which M. +Genet wants at present, and which I have ventured to beg the aid of +Congress to procure. + +I have the honor to enclose the gazette of the day, in which Congress +will see the news from England and Holland. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 3d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The news of the day is, that Rodney has gone with his whole fleet to +the West Indies, that Du Chaffault is to command the French fleet in +America, and the Count d'Estaing in the channel; that a large force is +to go to America, either to the Islands or to the Continent, both of +ships and troops in two divisions; that the last letters from Holland +breathe a spirit somewhat warlike, and indeed the English have treated +them with so much indignity and contempt as well as injustice, that +one would think it was not always to be borne. + +It is not agreeable to my principles, nor to my feelings, to injure +the character even of an enemy at war; but it is often possible to +draw important inferences from the true known character of a commander +of the forces of an enemy. It is therefore my duty to mention, that +Rodney is reported to be a man of dissipation and prodigality, a great +spendthrift, and virulent against us; that he has often declared, that +if he had a command in America, his mode to humiliate and subdue us +should be, to burn every town and every house, that he could come at +upon the seacoast. + +That such a plan of military execution will be sooner or later adopted +by the Court of London, I have not the least doubt, from their known +principles, tempers, characters, and past conduct, provided it should +ever be in their power to attempt it in the whole or in part. And if +this is the disposition and system of their Admiral Rodney, the +appointment of him raises a presumption, that they have given him +express orders to this purpose at this time. An uncommon coincidence +of favorable circumstances has thrown the whole Caracas fleet into his +hands, and given a victory, although pretty dearly paid for, over a +much inferior fleet of Spanish men of war. If he is therefore a man of +such levity as is represented, and so malicious against us, and has +such malignant orders from his Court, and goes to America flushed and +giddy with success, we may expect he will do mischief if he can, and +we ought to be upon our guard. + +My business is peace, but I think of nothing but war. While our +enemies think of nothing else, we ought not to think more of peace +than to be ready to treat of it, as soon as it shall be put into the +hearts of our foes to be willing for it. Americans must be soldiers, +they must war by sea and land, they have no other security. + +I have the honor to enclose the gazette of the day, and to be with +much respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 4th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose the _Mercure de France_ of this day, which +contains among other interesting intelligence Admiral Rodney's +narration, after his good fortune on the 8th of January last in +meeting the Spanish Caracas fleet, which sailed from St Sebastian the +1st of January, under convoy of seven armed vessels belonging to the +Caracas company. The Guipuscoa, of sixtyfour guns, and five hundred +and fifty men; the San Carlos, of thirtytwo guns, and two hundred men; +the San Raphael, of thirty guns, and one hundred and fiftyfive men; +the Santa Theresa, of twentyeight guns, and one hundred and fifty +men; the Corbetta San Firmin, of sixteen guns, and sixty men; these +armed vessels were all taken, and the Guipuscoa was christened Prince +William, in honor of his royal highness, in whose presence she was +taken and given to one of the English captains, as a better ship than +his former one, the Bienfaisant. + +The merchant vessels under this convoy are the Nostra Senora de +l'Ores, the San Francisco, the Conception, the San Nicholas, the +Jeronimo, the Divina Providentia, the San Gibilan, the San Pactora, +the San Lauren, the Bellona, and the Esperanza, all loaded with flour +and corn. The Cervidada de Merica, loaded with provisions for the +navy, the Amisted, the San Michael, loaded with anchors and cables, +and the Bilboa, loaded with tobacco. Those with provisions for the +navy, and that with tobacco, were sent to England under convoy of the +America and the Pearl, and those with corn and flour were carried into +Gibraltar. + +This fleet seems to have been met at sea by the Admiral by perfect +accident, of which the English do not appear to have had the least +hope, nor the Spaniards the smallest fear. It must therefore be +allowed to be one instance of the good fortune of the English Ministry +and their Admiral, or rather as it is reported, of the King and his +Admiral. + +Their good fortune, however, did not end here, for eight days +afterwards, on the 16th of January, they fell in with Don Juan de +Langura, with eleven vessels of the line, who being so much inferior, +could not hope for a victory. He fought the English, however, upon the +retreat with so much bravery, skill, and success, that they were able +to take only three of his ships. The Phoenix, of eighty guns, and the +Princessa, and Diligent, of seventyfour, were taken, and the San +Domingo blown up. The S. Genero, the S. Justo, and the Monarcha, +having separated before the battle, and the S. Juliano, the S. +Eugenio, the S. Augustine, and S. Lorenzo, having since arrived in +Cadiz, although in a bad condition. + +Thus the English have been permitted, against probabilities and +appearances, to throw succor into Gibraltar, and perhaps Mahon, to +give a little fresh confidence to the Ministry, and make a few +bonfires for the populace, but have added very little to their riches +or their power. In the meantime, Rodney must have been retarded by +these lucky accidents, in his course to the West Indies, and given +opportunity to the Count de Guichen to arrive before him in the West +Indies, and prevent the reconquest of the Grenadas, and perhaps do +more, but of this Congress will be informed sooner than I. + +These successes have not suppressed the independent spirit of Ireland, +which is going on in a regular train, deliberating upon bills for the +independence of the judges, the habeas corpus, the restriction, of +subsidies, and discipline of their troops, and they seem determined to +throw off all the authority of the British Parliament; nor that of the +Committees of Correspondence and petitioners in the counties of +England, which threaten associations, and, as the Ministry themselves +say, sedition, faction, tumults, and rebellion; nor provided a fleet +for the British channel for the ensuing summer, nor assuaged the +serious resentment of Holland, for the piracies committed in violation +of the faith of treaties, as well as the laws of nature and nations, +upon their commerce. As it is most interesting to us to know the +forces to be employed in America, by which word I comprehend the West +India Islands, as well as the coasts of the Continent, all these being +connected together in such a manner as to make but one whole, I beg +leave to lay before Congress in one view, the French force that is +intended to be in that service. + +There are actually at Cape François, the Touant of eightyfour guns, +the Robuste, and the Fendant, of seventyfour, the Sphinx of sixtyfour, +and the Amphion of fifty, in all five. At Martinique, the Admirable, +the Magnifique, the Dauphin Royal, and the Diadème, of seventyfour; +the Réfléchi, the Vengeur, the Artisane, of sixtyfour, and the Fiers +of fifty. In all eight, making in the whole thirteen ships of the +line, reckoning as such two fiftys. If the Count de Guichen should +happily arrive, he has seventeen, which will amount to the number of +thirty, besides frigates. Six others are preparing at Brest with all +possible expedition, under the command of M. de Ternay. The Duc de +Burgone of eighty guns, the Neptune of seventyfour, M. Destouches; the +Magnanime of seventyfour, M. de Vaudreuil; the Eveille of sixtyfour, +M. de Trobuiand; the Jason of sixtyfour, M. de Marigny. With this +fleet the troops are to be embarked, and there are many conjectures, +that it is intended for North America. The Languedoc, the Cæsar, the +Provence, and the Fantasque, of the fleet of the Count d'Estaing, are +careened and refitted, and the Royal Louis of one hundred and ten +guns, the Northumberland, and the Astrea are to be launched +immediately. + +In the course of my peregrinations, at Brest, L'Orient, and Ferrol, I +have had an opportunity to see most of these ships, and to be on board +many of them, and one would think there was force enough to protect +us, and quiet our fears, but the battle is not always to the strong, +and we must wait patiently for time to decide events. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO SAMUEL ADAMS. + + Paris, March 4th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +This will be delivered to you by Mr Izard, who goes out in the +Alliance with Mr Lee, Mr Wharton, Mr Brown, and others. He will wait +on you of course, and will be able to give you good information +concerning the intentions of the English, and their military +preparations by sea and land, and those of the French and Spaniards, +at the same time. He will also give his opinion very freely concerning +American and other characters here, as well as measures. + +In many things his opinions may be just, but in some and those not a +few, I am sure they are wrong. The great principle, in which I have +differed from him, is this, in the mode of treating with this Court. +He has been always of opinion, that it was good policy and necessary +to hold a high language to this Court; to represent to them the danger +of our being subdued, if they did not do this and the other thing for +us, in order to obtain money and other aids from them. He is confident +they would not have dared to refuse anything. + +Although no man in America, or in the world, was earlier convinced +than I was, that it was the interest of France and Spain to support +the independence of America, and that they would support it, and that +no man is more sensible than I am of the necessity they are under to +support us, yet I am not, nor ever was, of opinion, that we could +with truth or with good policy assume the style of menace, and +threaten them with returning again to Great Britain, and joining +against France and Spain, even telling them that we should be subdued, +because I never believed this myself, and the Court here would not +have believed it from us. The Court have many difficulties to manage, +as well as we, and it is delicate and hazardous to push things in this +country. Things are not to be negotiated here as they are with the +people of America, even with the tories in America, or as with the +people of England. There is a frankness, however, that ought to be +used with the Ministry, and a candor with which the truth may be and +has been communicated, but there is a harshness, that would not fail +to ruin, in my opinion, the fairest negotiation in this country. + +We are anxious to hear from you, having nothing since the beginning of +December, and very little since we left you. + + Your friend and servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Yesterday I went to Court, in company with the American Minister +Plenipotentiary, and had the honor to be presented to the King, by the +Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, after which, I had the honor +to go round with all the foreign Ambassadors, and make a visit to the +Queen, the King's brothers, sister, aunts, and daughters, which are +all the branches of the royal family, and to be presented to each of +them in turn, and after them to the Count de Maurepas. + +After these ceremonies were over, we were all invited to dine with the +Count de Vergennes. + +As ceremonies of this kind are so much attended to in this and all +other countries of Europe, and have often such important effects, it +is proper that Congress should have information of them. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress the gazettes of France, of the +Hague, and Amsterdam, of the 1st, 3d, and 4th of this month. They +contain all the news, which makes the subject of conversation at this +time, except that M. du Chaffault is to command in the West Indies, +and the Count d'Estaing in the Channel, which, although it is not +announced by the Court, seems to be very generally believed in the +world. + +I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Enclosed are the _Courrier de l'Europe_, of the 3d, and the _Gazette +de France_ of this day. The House of Lords and the House of Commons +are voting thanks to Admiral Rodney for his good fortune, for they all +seem to confess, that his brilliant successes were not owing to more +skill, valor, or vigilance than others have shown, but merely to his +good luck, which, by a report that spreads and gains credit today, did +not end with his advantage over Langara, and his safe departure from +Gibraltar. It is said that two French ships of the line and several +frigates with transports, bound to the Isle of France, in the East +Indies, have been doomed to fall in his way, and be taken. + +Whether this is true or not, he has done enough it seems to be in a +fair way of paying his creditors some part of their demands for money, +which he has gambled away, and which they had despaired of ever +receiving. This run of good luck, however, could never have happened +to the gambler, if the game had been played otherwise by the opposite +party; if France and Spain, instead of keeping immense fleets in +Europe with nothing to do, or employed in blocking up Gibraltar, which +is a trifle, if taken in comparison of other objects in view, had but +employed but a fourth part of them in the American seas, where they +had, and still have, the enemies in their power, Rodney's creditors +had still been in despair, together with the British government and +nation. + +I would not desire a better proof, that the English are in the power +of their enemies in the American world, than the list of the prizes +printed in the _Courrier de l'Europe_, as condemned by N. Cushing, +Judge of Admiralty for the middle district of Massachusetts Bay. I am +very glad to see this method taken of publishing to the world the +success of our privateers, because it will in time show our allies +where our strength lies, and the weakness of our enemies. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 12th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It is an observation made some years ago by a great writer of this +nation, de Mably, that the project of being sole master of the sea, +and of commanding all the commerce, is not less chimerical nor less +ruinous, than that of universal monarchy on land, and it is to be +wished, for the happiness of Europe, that the English may be convinced +of this truth, before they shall learn it by their own experience. +France has already repeated several times, that it was necessary to +establish an equilibrium, a balance of power at sea, and she has not +yet convinced anybody, because she is the dominant power, and because +they suspect her to desire the abasement of the English, only that she +may domineer the more surely on the Continent. But if England abuses +her power, and would exercise a kind of tyranny over commerce, +presently all the States that have vessels and sailors, astonished +that they had not before believed France, will join themselves to her +in avenging her injuries. + +The present conjuncture of affairs resembles so exactly the case here +put, that it seems to be a literal fulfilment of a prophecy. + +A domination upon the sea is so much the more dangerous to other +maritime powers and commercial nations, as it is more difficult to +form alliances and combine forces at sea than at land. For which +reason it is essential, that the sovereign of every commercial State +should make his nation's flag respected in all the seas, and by all +the nations of the world. The English have ever acted upon this +principle, in supporting the honor of their own flag, but of late +years have grown less and less attentive to it, as it respects the +honor of other flags. Not content with making their flag respectable, +they have grown more and more ambitious of making it terrible. +Unwilling to do as they would be done by, and to treat other +commercial nations as they have insisted upon being treated by them, +they have grown continually more and more haughty, turbulent, and +insolent upon the seas, and are now never satisfied until they have +made all other nations see, that they despise them upon that element. +It is said by the Baron de Bielfield, that piracies and robberies at +sea are so odious, so atrocious, and so destructive to the interest of +all the European nations, that everything is permitted to repress +them. Providence has not granted to any people an exclusive empire +upon the seas. To aim at setting up a master there, to prescribe laws +to other free nations, is an outrage to all Europe. + +I have quoted these authorities, because they contain the true +principle, upon which as I have ever conceived, the English began this +war, and upon which they will assuredly continue it, as long as they +can get men and money, which will be as long as they have success. +They contain also the true principles of France, Spain, and Holland, +and all the powers of Europe. The outrages committed upon the Dutch +commerce, and the insults offered to their flag, ought to be, and are, +alarming to all the maritime powers. The late successes of the English +will have no tendency to allay the fears of these powers; on the +contrary they will increase the alarm, by showing the precarious +situation they will all be in if England should finally succeed, which +some of them may perhaps apprehend from the late brilliant fortune of +Admiral Rodney. + +One cannot but be struck with the rapid series of fortunate incidents +for the English, which have been published here in about the course of +three months, that I have been in Europe. The little affair of Omoa +began it, the repulse at Savannah succeeded, with all its +consequences, the Curraçoa fleet was next, Langara's fleet soon +followed; Gibraltar was relieved; Don Gaston's squadron was dispersed +by a storm; and Admiral Rodney had opportunity to get safe out of +Gibraltar. The French East India fleet brings up the rear. There is +hardly in history such a series of events, that no human wisdom could +provide against or foresee. Yet after all, the advantages gained are +by no means decisive, although no doubt it will raise the ambition of +the English, and in some degree damp the ardor of their enemies. + +It must not have this effect however upon America. Let the maritime +powers fare as they will, we must be free, and I trust in God we shall +be so, whatever be their fate. The events of war are uncertain at sea, +more than even by land; but America has resources for the final +defence of her liberty, which Britain will never be able to exhaust, +though she should exhaust France and Spain, and it may not impossibly +be our hard fate, but it will be our unfading glory finally to turn +the scale of the war, to humble the pride, which is so terrible to the +commercial nations of Europe, and to produce a balance of power on the +seas. To this end Americans must be soldiers and seamen. + +It is proper, however, to keep constantly in sight, the power against +which we have to contend; the English have in all the ports of +England, in a condition for actual service, or at least given out and +reported to be so, twenty ships of the line. In the course of the +spring and the month of June, eight others which are now repairing, +and three new ones in the course of the year. The whole squadron for +the Channel will be thirtyone. The squadron of Arbuthnot, at New York, +consists of five. That of Jarvis at the Western Islands is two, +including the Dublin, which was detached from Admiral Rodney, and is +now in bad condition at Lisbon. One only at Jamaica, for the Lion is +too far ruined to be counted. The fleet at the other islands, joined +by the Hector, detached from Rodney, the Triumph and the Intrepid, +lately sailed from England, are nineteen, seven of which at least are +in too bad a condition for actual service. That of India, including +two which serve for convoys, consists of ten, two of which however are +returning to be repaired or condemned; the Lenox is a guard ship in +Ireland. + +Rodney entered Gibraltar with four Spanish ships of the line, the +Phoenix of eighty guns, the Monarca, the Princessa, and the Diligente +of seventy, besides the Guipuscoa, now the Prince William, of +sixtyfive, which he took with the convoy on the 8th of January. He +entered, also, with the Shrewsbury of seventyfour, which joined him +from Lisbon. His squadron must therefore have consisted of twentyfour +ships of the line. If he left the Panther and another at Gibraltar, he +must have gone out with twentytwo. + +Whether he has gone with the whole fleet to the West Indies, or +whether with part of it, and what part, is yet undetermined by the +public. + +France and Spain, however, have a vast superiority still remaining, +which, if it should be ably managed, will easily humble the English; +but if it should be unwisely managed, or continue to be as unfortunate +as it has been from the moment of the Count d'Estaing's sailing from +Toulon, it will even in this case last long enough to consume and +exhaust their enemies. + +I have the honor to enclose the _Mercure de France_, of the 11th of +March, the Hague Gazette of the 6th, and 8th, the Amsterdam Gazette of +the 7th, and the Leyden of the 7th. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO EDMUND JENNINGS.[58] + +FOOTNOTE: + + [58] Mr Jennings was an American, and although he resided in London + during the war, he was a warm friend to the cause of his country. + + Paris, March 12th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I have to acknowledge the receipt of three excellent letters, one of +the 1st, the others of the 5th and 8th of March. I thank you for the +copy of your letter to the pensioner, and for your dialogue between +York and Chatham. + +It is undoubtedly the duty of every commercial nation, to make their +flag respected in all the seas, and by all the nations, not by +insulting and injuring all others, like Great Britain, but by doing +justice to all others, and by insisting upon justice from them. But +how is Holland to obtain justice from the English, who take a manifest +pleasure and pride in showing her and all Europe, that they despise +her? Holland seems to be as corrupted and unprincipled as Great +Britain, but there is one great difference between them. Great Britain +has a terrible naval force, Holland has next to none. Great Britain +has courage and confidence in her power, Holland has none. I do not +mean that the Dutch are destitute of personal courage, but national +courage is a very different thing. + +The curious doctrine of a constitutional impossibility of +acknowledging our independence is well exposed in your dialogue. I +suppose the idea was taken from Lord Chatham's dying speech, when he +conjured up the ghost of the Princess Sophia of Hanover, to whose +posterity, being Protestants, the act of settlement had consecrated +the succession of the crown and its authority over all parts of the +dominions. This was a masterly stroke of oratory, to be sure, and +shows, that my Lord Chatham in his last moments had not lost the +knowledge of the prejudices in the character of the English nation, +nor the arts of popularity. But a more manifest address to the +passions and prejudices of the populace, without the least attention +to the justice or policy of the principle, never fell from a popular +orator, ancient or modern. Could my Lord Chatham contend, that the +heirs of the Princess Sophia of Hanover, provided they should be +Protestants, had the throne and its prerogatives entailed upon them, +to everlasting ages, over all parts of the British dominions, let them +do what they would? Govern without Parliament, by laws without law, +dismiss judges without fault, suspend laws, in short do everything +that the Stewarts did, and ten times more, yet so long as they were +Protestants, could there be no resistance to their will, and no +forfeiture of their right to govern? I said this was a figure of +rhetoric, employed by his Lordship _ad captandum vulgus_. I believe so +still, but I believe he meant it also _ad captandum regem_, and that +he thought, by throwing out this idea, that he was not for +acknowledging our independence, the King, who at that time was +distressed for a Minister able in conducting a war, would call him +into the Ministry. I ever lamented this black spot in a very bright +character. I do not remember anything in his Lordship's conduct, which +seemed to me so suspicious to have proceeded from a perverted heart as +this flight. Allowance, however, ought to be made; perhaps he was +misunderstood, and would have explained himself fairly if he had +lived. + +I have not seen the pamphlet entitled _Facts_, nor that by Lloyd, nor +the _Examen_. I should be glad to see all of them. I find a difficulty +in getting pamphlets from England, but I shall have a channel to +obtain them by and by. I went to Mr Grant's as soon as I received +yours of the 8th. Mr Grant the father was out, and no other in the +house knew anything of your letter, or maps, or other things. I will +speak to the father the first opportunity. Mr Lee is gone to L'Orient. + +What think you of luck? Had any gambler ever so much as Rodney. One of +our tories in Boston, or half way whigs, told me once, God loves that +little island of Old England, and the people that live upon it. I +suppose he would say now, God loves Rodney. I do not draw the same +conclusion from the successes, that the island or the hero have had. +Who can be persuaded to believe, that he loves so degenerate and +profligate a race? I think it more probable, that heaven has permitted +this series of good fortune to attend the wicked, that the righteous +Americans may reflect in time, and place their confidence in their own +patience, fortitude, perseverance, political wisdom, and military +talents, under the protection and blessing of his providence. + +There are those who believe, that if France and Spain had not +interposed, America would have been crushed. There are in other parts +of Europe, I am told, a greater number who believe, that if it had not +been for the interposition of France and Spain, American independence +would have been acknowledged by Great Britain a year or two ago. I +believe neither the one nor the other. I know the deep roots of +American independence on one side of the water, and I know the deep +roots of the aversion to it on the other. If it was rational to +suppose, that the English should succeed in their design, and endeavor +to destroy the fleets and naval power of France and Spain, which they +are determined to do if they can, what would be the consequence? There +are long lists of French and Spanish ships of the line yet to be +destroyed, which would cost the English several campaigns and a long +roll of millions, and after this they may send sixty thousand men to +America, if they can get them, and what then? Why, the glory of +baffling, exhausting, beating, and taking them, will finally be that +of the American yeomanry, whose numbers have increased every year +since this war began, as I learnt with certainty in my late visit +home, and will increase every year, in spite of all the art, malice, +skill, valor, and activity of the English and all their allies. I +hope, however, that the capricious goddess will bestow some of her +favors upon France and Spain, and a very few of them would do the +work. If Rodney's fortune should convince Spain, that she is attacking +the bull by the horns, and France and Spain, that the true system for +conducting this war, is by keeping just force enough in the Channel to +protect their coasts and their trade, and by sending all the rest of +their ships into the American seas, it will be the best fortune for +the allies they ever had. + +I long to learn Mr Jay's success at Madrid, and Mr Laurens' arrival in +Holland, where I will go to see him some time in the summer or autumn. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +By a letter from London of the 3d of this month, received since my +former of this day's date, I learn that the friends of the Ministry +were in hopes every hour to hear that Clinton, who embarked seven +thousand effective men, (though they are said to be ten) in the latter +end of December, is in possession of Charleston. The detachment +consisted of the light infantry and grenadiers of the seventh, +twentythird, thirtythird, fortysecond, sixtythird, and sixtyfourth +British regiments, a legion of horse, yagers, four battalions of +Hessian grenadiers; the New York volunteers, Ferguson's corps; one +Hessian regiment, and a detachment of the seventyfirst British +regiment. Many are of opinion that a part of this army was intended +for the Windward Islands, and that they embarked and sailed the 26th +of December, and was much hurt by a storm after sailing. Two thousand, +under Lord Cornwallis, were said to be intended for the Chesapeake, to +burn two or three men of war in James river, and to serve as a +division to the other five, going against Charleston. + +The friends of the Administration are not in spirits about the picture +of affairs in America and the West Indies. They fear the French will +have a superiority there, from whence some late accounts are arrived +of vast sickness and disorder on board the English ships. The naval +war will, to appearance, be removed for the next summer to that +quarter. Rodney was to sail with four ships only to the West Indies; +and Walsingham will not take more than that number as a convoy to +about one hundred West Indiamen, which were to sail about the 20th of +this month, and more ships of war would probably conduct this fleet +off the land, and it was probable in the New York and Quebec trade +about fifty vessels more would sail about the same time. That there +was no talk of any troops or ships going to New York or Quebec. That +there was a rumor that Wallace would have a small squadron, and carry +four or five thousand men out, but this was not believed. That the +Ministry had been hard pressed in several parliamentary questions +lately; that their party was losing ground daily; that the county +petitions for reformation were a heavy weight upon them; that it was +likely there would be serious disturbances, if reforms do not take +place; that the committees for each county have already appointed +three deputies to meet and act for the whole, which is the beginning +of a Congress, and will probably be soon called by that name; that it +was hard to determine whether these movements at home, or the +proceedings in Ireland, chagrin the Ministry most; that the +sovereignty of England over Ireland will not be of many month's +duration; that the armed associations in the latter amount to +sixtyfour thousand men, who seem determined to free themselves from +every restriction that has been laid on them; that their Parliament is +about putting an end to all appeals to England; to render the judges +independent of the crown, they at present holding their offices +_durante bene placito_, and not _quamdiu se bene gesserunt_, as in +England; to have a habeas corpus act; to repeal Poyning's law, which +enacts that all bills shall originate in the council and not in the +commons; to confine the new supplies to the appointment of new duties +only; to give bounties on their own manufactures, and to have a mutiny +bill, which last goes immediately to the grand point of jurisdiction. + +That, however, notwithstanding all the present appearances against +Great Britain, and the certainty of America's succeeding to her wish, +there are not among even those, who are called patriots in Parliament, +many who possess directly a wish for American independence; that Lords +Camden, Effingham, Coventry, and the Bishop of St Asaph are clearly +and distinctly for it; Sir G. Saville, and but a few others in the +House of Commons; that the rest of the patriots are for sovereignty; +America to give up the French alliance, make up a federal alliance +with England, by which no doubt they mean an alliance offensive and +defensive, &c. + +It is surely unnecessary for me to make any observations upon the +absurdity of these provisos, so injurious to the honor of our country, +and so destructive of her most essential rights and interests. By a +letter of the 7th, a vessel with two hundred Hessians or Yagers on +board has arrived at St Ives, in Cornwall. She sailed with the +expedition from New York, the 26th of December, and a few days after +received much damage in a storm, which it is thought separated and +dispersed the fleet. This gives us great spirits and sanguine hopes +for Charleston. I have the honor to enclose several newspapers, and, +with much respect, to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March, 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have taken some pains to inform myself what number of regular troops +the enemy have in the three kingdoms, because we may form some +judgment from this, whether they will be able to send any, and what +reinforcements to North America or the West Indies. I am assured, that +they have not more than four thousand regular troops in Ireland, and +these chiefly horse. It is not to be expected then, I think, that they +can spare any of these. There is too much danger even of popular +commotions in England, Scotland, and Ireland, to spare many of these, +if they were perfectly safe, or thought themselves so from French and +Spanish invasions. I have, however, written to obtain more exact and +authentic information, which I will not fail to transmit as early as +possible. + +I have received an account at length, both by the Gazette +Extraordinary, and by letter from London, that Admiral Digby is +returned with the fleet and Spanish prizes from Gibraltar, and brought +in with him the Protée, a French sixtyfour gun ship, and three small +store ships, part of a fleet bound from L'Orient to the East Indies. +The sixtyfour gun ship had about sixtythree thousand pounds in cash on +board. This fleet was unlucky enough to fall in with Digby on the 23d +of February. Rodney sailed from Gibraltar on the 14th, and parted with +Digby on the 18th, taking only four ships of the line with him to the +West Indies. A like number will probably go under Walsingham about the +20th or 25th of this month, with the fleet to the West Indies. It is +said in letters from London, that by every appearance, there are no +more troops going to North America, and that it looks as if the +Ministry mean not to continue the American war, but to let it dwindle +and die away. If this should be the case, it is to be hoped that the +Americans and their allies will not let it dwindle, but put it to +death at a blow. + +The Marquis de Lafayette, and his brother the Viscount de Noailles, a +young noble officer, who is worthy of his family, and of the relation +he bears to the Marquis, who I hope will be the bearer of this letter, +will be able to say more upon this head. At present the King and his +General are the only persons, who ought to know the secret. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO JAMES LOVELL. + + Paris, March 16th, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I have received, since my arrival here, your favor of the 16th of +November, 1779. I shall take proper notice of your remarks upon the +13th and 19th articles of the treaty. They are both of them of +importance, and, as to the last, I wish for an instruction upon it, +because there is no doubt to be made, that whenever a serious +negotiation shall be commenced, great pains will be taken for the +banished, although little attention is paid to them now. I learned +yesterday, that they have received no payment of their pensions these +eighteen months. The delay is colored with a pretence of waiting for +some funds for Quebec, which have been stopped by the interruption of +that trade. They are still bitter, as I am told, and are firmly +persuaded, that America cannot hold out six months longer. + +You assure me, that I shall not be without the orders and credit, +which I mentioned in a letter of mine. I thank you for this assurance, +which is conceived in such strong terms, that one would think you did +not expect any opposition to it; at least, an effectual opposition. I +wish there may not be, but I am not without conjectures, I will not +call them suspicions, upon this head. Denying them, however, would be +virtually recalling me and Mr Dana, and in a manner the most +humiliating and disgraceful. Indeed, I do not know how we should get +away from our creditors. You know what sort of minds cannot bear a +brother near the throne; and so fair, so just, so economical a method, +would not escape minds of so much penetration, as a refusal to lend +money without orders. I am not sure, however, that the measure would +be hazarded in the present circumstances, by persons by whom I have +been treated politely enough since my return. + +I should be glad to know what the Board of Treasury have done with my +accounts; whether they have passed upon them; or whether there are any +objections to them, and what they are. I do not know but I was +indiscreet in sending all my original vouchers, because, if any of +them should be lost, I might be puzzled to explain some things. +However, I know by a letter from Mr Gerry, that they were received, +and I presume they will be preserved. + +I wish to know your private opinion, whether Congress will continue Mr +Dana and me here, at so much expense, with so little prospect of +having anything to do for a long time; an uncertain time, however; or, +whether they will revoke our powers, and recall us; or what they will +do with us. A situation so idle and inactive is not agreeable to my +genius; yet I can submit to it as well as any man, if it be thought +necessary for the public good. I will do all the service I can, by +transmitting intelligence, and in every other way. + +You must have observed, that in all my public letters, and, indeed, in +a great measure in my private ones, I have cautiously avoided giving +accounts of the state of our affairs in France. I had many reasons for +this caution. In general, I was sure it would do no good, and I +doubted the propriety of stating facts, and remarking upon characters, +without giving notice of it to the persons concerned, and transmitting +the evidence. There is no end of conceiving jealousies; but, I am +sure, that officers of government, especially foreign Ministers, ought +not to attack and accuse one another upon jealousies, nor without full +proof; nor then, without notifying the party to answer for himself. + +Thus much let me say, however, that the present plan of having a +distinct Minister in Spain, another in Holland, and another to treat +with Great Britain, and having Secretaries independent of Ministers, +is a good one. I pray you to stand by it with the utmost firmness, if +it should be attacked or undermined. If you revoke the powers of a +separate Minister to treat with the King of Great Britain, you ought +to revoke the former powers of treating with all the Courts of Europe, +which were given to the Commissioners at Passy; for, under these, +authority will be claimed of treating with the English, if my powers +are revoked. The powers of treating with all other Courts ought to be +separated from the mission. + + Your friend, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 18th, 1780. + + Sir, + +We have this moment the news of the arrival of the convoy from St +Domingo, with sixty sail of merchant vessels, which is a great event +for this country. + +It is also reported, that ten sail of Spanish ships of the line, with +ten battalions of land forces have sailed, and their destination is +supposed to be North America. + +The armament preparing at Brest, is thus described in one of the +public papers. The Count du Chaffault de Besné, Lieutenant General of +the naval forces in France, has taken leave of the King, being +presented to his Majesty by M. de Sartine. The report runs, that +orders have been sent on the 29th of February, for the officers who +are at Paris to join their regiments upon the coasts by the 15th of +March, and that eight regiments are to embark under the Count de +Rochambeau. These regiments are that of _Anhalt_, whereof the Marquis +de Bergen is Colonel in second; _Auvergne_, Colonel Commandant, the +Viscount de Lavel; _Bourbonnois_, Colonel Commandant, the Marquis de +Laval, and in second, the Viscount de Rochambeau; _Neustrie_, Colonel +Commandant, the Count de Guibert, and in second, the Viscount le +Veneur; _Romergne_, Colonel Commandant, the Viscount de Custine, and +in second, the Marquis du Ludec; _Royal Corse_, Colonel Commandant, +the Marquis du Luc, and in second, the Count of Pontevez; _Royal Deux +Ponts_, Colonel Commandant, the Count aux Ponts; _Saintongé_, Colonel +Commandant, the Viscount de Beranger, and in second, the Marquis de +Themines. It is asserted, that there will be added a detachment of +artillery, and that the Baron de Viomenil, the Count de Chastellux, +and the Count de Witgenstein will embark with these troops, and that +the Duc de Lazun will have the command of a body of twelve hundred +volunteers, and be joined to the armament under the Count de +Rochambeau. All these troops, as it is believed, will embark at Brest, +and go out under the convoy of the Count du Chaffault de Besné. + +They add, that he will have more than thirtyseven ships of the line +under his command, destined for an expedition, whereof the genuine +object is yet unknown. Many other regiments have also orders to march +down nearer to those upon the seacoast, and there are many vessels +taken upon freight for the service of the King, in the different ports +of the kingdom. The freight at Havre is thirty livres a ton, on +condition that the owner furnish his vessel for twelve months. They +say the Prince de Condé will go and command upon the coast of Brittany +with the Count de Vaux. + +By a letter I just now received from Holland, I am told that the grand +business is done between the northern powers on a footing very +convenient for Holland, as it must compel the English to cease +interrupting the trade of the neutral powers. This would be more +beneficial to France and Spain than to Holland, by facilitating the +acquisition of ship timber, hemp, and all other things for the supply +of their arsenals of the marine. A principal branch of the British +policy has ever been, to prevent the growth of the navies of their +enemies, by intercepting their supplies. + +What gives further countenance to this letter, and the reports to the +same purpose, which have been sometime circulated, is an article in +the _Mercure de France_, enclosed. They talk of an alliance between +Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Prussia, and the United Province, for +maintaining the honor of the flags of these powers. Congress will see +also another paragraph from London, which favors this idea. That the +Baron de Nolker, Envoy Extraordinary from Sweden, had declared that if +the convoy of his nation was not released forthwith, with an +indemnification for expenses and losses, he had orders to quit the +Court of London in twenty four hours. + +Some other paragraphs seem to show the Dutch in earnest about +equipping a respectable naval force of fiftytwo vessels. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 19th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Enclosed is a paper of the 10th of March, which was accidentally +omitted to be enclosed in the season of it. + +There are two articles of intelligence, which ought not to escape our +observation, because they have relation to the armament equipping at +Brest, although I do not suppose them of much consequence. The first +is of a small squadron of frigates, which is said to have sailed from +Portsmouth on the 28th of February, in consequence of orders sent from +the Admiralty on the 22d, under the command of Captain Marshall, who +is on board the Emerald, of thirtytwo guns. The others are the Hussar +of thirtytwo, the Surprise of twentyeight, the Squirrel, and Heart of +Oak of twenty; the sloops, the Beaver's prize of fourteen, the Wolf, +and the Wasp of eight, with the cutters, the Nimble and the Griffin. +It is thought, that this little squadron is gone to make a cruise on +the coast of France, to hinder the transports assembled in different +ports from going out, or even to destroy them, if that shall be found +to be possible. There is not, however, much to be dreaded from this +squadron so near the neighborhood of Brest. + +The other paragraph discovers the marks of more ingenuity and less +truth. It is taken from the English papers, that Captain Jarvis, in +the Foudroyant of eighty guns, who has been out upon a cruise, with a +small division in the mouth of the Channel, has returned to Plymouth +and gone to Court, to be himself the bearer to Government of +despatches of great importance, from the Court of France to Congress, +found on board a sloop, which on her passage to Philadelphia fell into +his hands. It is asserted, that these despatches contain an ample +detail of the operations concerted between the Court of Versailles and +Dr Franklin, among which the most probable is, the project of +attacking Halifax, which is to be made by a body of troops from New +England, and by a detachment of French troops very considerable by sea +and land. + +This moment a letter from London of the 10th of March informs me, that +a packet boat is arrived from Jamaica, which sailed the 29th of +January, with accounts, that Fort Omoa is again in possession of +Spain. That an English man-of-war has taken a Spanish ship-of-war, +bound to South America with stores. She was pierced for sixtyfour, but +earned only fiftytwo guns. The Jamaica fleet sailed on the 24th of +January, convoyed slightly, with two fiftys and two frigates, about +forty merchantmen in all. Nothing yet from America, but it is +generally believed, that a storm has separated and dispersed +Clinton's fleet, intended for the Southern expedition. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 20th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have at length received a parcel of English papers, which I have the +honor to enclose with this to Congress. They are the General +Advertiser, and the Morning Post, both of which I shall for the future +be able to transmit regularly every week. Congress will see that these +papers are of opposite parties, one being manifestly devoted to the +Court and the Ministry, and the majority, the other to the opposition, +the committees, the associations, and petitions; between both I hope +Congress will be informed of the true facts. + +There is the appearance of a piquancy and keenness in the temper of +the opposite parties, by their writings and paragraphs in these +papers, that looks like the commencement of a serious quarrel. + +By the violence of the manner in which such characters as Keppel, +Howe, Burgoyne, Richmond, Shelburne, Rockingham, &c. are treated, it +should seem, that the Ministry were exasperated to a greater degree of +rancor than ever, and that they were thoroughly alarmed and determined +to throw the last die. Time and the events of war will decide what +will be the consequences of these heated passions. + +By a conversation this morning with the Viscount de Noailles, I am led +to fear, that the fleet from Brest will not be able to put to sea +before the 10th of April. This will be about the time the Marquis de +Lafayette will arrive in America. He sailed from Rochelle the 13th of +this month. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, March 21st, 1780. + + Sir, + +In the letter, which you did me the honor to write me on the 24th of +February, your Excellency proposed, that the principal object of my +mission should be inserted in the Gazette of France, when it should +make mention of my presentation to the King and all the royal family. + +In the answer to this letter, which I had the honor to write on the +25th of February, I informed your Excellency, that I should not think +myself at liberty to make any publication of my powers to treat of +peace, until they should have been announced in the Gazette. It was on +the 7th of March, that I had the honor to be presented to the King and +Royal Family, but no notice has been taken of it in the Gazette of +France. Whether the omission is accidental, or whether it is owing to +any alteration in your Excellency's sentiments, I am not able to +determine. + +Your Excellency will excuse the trouble I give you on this occasion, +as it arises wholly from a desire to be able at all times, to render +an account to my sovereign of the motives and reasons of my own +conduct. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO WILLIAM LEE. + + Paris, March 21st, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I have just received your favor from Brussels of the 17th of this +month, and I thank you for this instance of your attention to me. + +Considering the state of Ireland, and the spirit that seems to be +rising in England, which has already attained such a height, as to +baffle the Minister, and the East India Company, and to carry many +votes in the House of Commons, almost to a balance with him, and even +some against him, I should not be at all surprised, if terms, such as +you mention, should be offered to America; nor should I be surprised +if another rumor, which was propagated at the Palais Royal this day, +should prove true, that a great change is made or to be made in the +Ministry, and that the Lords Shelburne and Rockingham, Burke, &c. are +in. Yet I have no proper accounts of either. + +Whatever may be my powers or instructions, or whether I have any or +not, I am very much obliged to you for your sentiments on such a +proposition as a truce for America, supposing it should be made. Your +arguments are of great weight, and will undoubtedly be attended to by +every one, whoever he may be, who shall be called to give an opinion +upon such a great question. You will not expect me at present to give, +if it is proper for me even to form, any decided opinion upon it. Yet +thus much I may venture to say, that having had so long an experience +of the policy of our enemies, I am persuaded, from the whole of it, if +they propose a truce, it will not be with an expectation or desire, +that America should accept it, but merely to try one experiment more +to deceive, divide, and seduce, in order to govern. + +You observe, that the heads of some well intentioned, though visionary +Americans, run much upon a truce. I have seen and heard enough to be +long since convinced, that the Americans in Europe are by no means an +adequate representation of those on the other side of the water. They +neither feel, nor reason like them in general. I should, therefore, +upon all occasions hear their arguments with attention, weigh them +with care, but be sure never to follow them, when I knew them to +differ from the body of their countrymen at home. + +You say the Dutch are disturbed. Do you wonder at it? They have been +kicked by the English, as no reasonable man would kick a dog. They +have been whipped by them, as no sober postillion would whip a hackney +coach horse. Can they submit to all this, upon any principle, which +would not oblige them to submit, if the English were to bombard +Amsterdam, or cut away their dikes? + +I wish I knew the name of the principal confident and director of the +Prince, whom you mention. + +I am very anxious to hear of the arrival of Mr Laurens, but suspect +you will learn it first. Mr Dana returns his respects to you. + +I thank you, Sir, for your offers of service; nothing can oblige me +more than to communicate to me any intelligence of the designs of our +enemies, in politics or war, and their real and pretended forces by +sea and land. Pray what is the foundation of the story of a quintuple +alliance between Holland, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, and Denmark? + +I am, Sir, with great esteem, your humble servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 23d, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose the English papers of the 11th, 13th, and +14th of March, the _Courrier de l'Europe_, and the Hague, Leyden, and +Amsterdam Gazettes. We are in hourly expectation of great news from +Holland, Ireland, England, Spain, and above all from America, and the +West Indies. I have not had a letter from America since I left it, +except one from my family of the 10th of December, and, indeed, +although several vessels have arrived, I can hear of no letters or +news. + +By the English papers Congress will perceive the violent fermentation +in England, which has arisen to such a height as to produce a Congress +in fact, and it will soon be so in name. The proceedings in the House +of Commons on the 14th, which were terminated by a resolution of the +committee of the whole house, to abolish the Board of Trade and +Plantations, carried against the Ministry after a very long and warm +debate, by a majority of eight voices, is not only the most +extraordinary vote, which has passed in the present reign, but it +tends to very extensive consequences. + +I believe it is very true, that this Board has been the true cause of +the quarrel of Great Britain against the Colonies, and therefore may +be considered as an object of national resentment, but a resentment of +this kind alone would not probably have produced this effect. + +Whether it is the near approach of an election, that has intimidated +the members of the House of Commons, or whether committees, petitions, +associations, and Congress have alarmed them, or whether the nation +is convinced, that America is indeed lost forever, and consequently +the Board of Trade would be useless, I do not know. Be this as it may, +the English nation, and even the Irish and Scotch nations, and all +parts of the world will draw this inference from it, that even in the +opinion of the House of Commons America is lost. The free and virtuous +citizens of America, and even the slavish and vicious, if there are +any still remaining of this character, under the denomination of +tories, must be convinced by this vote, passed in the hey-day of their +joy for the successes of Admiral Rodney's fleet, that the House of +Commons despaired of ever regaining America. The nations subject to +the House of Bourbon cannot fail to put the same interpretation upon +this transaction. + +Holland and all the northern powers, with the Empress of Russia at +their head, who are all greatly irritated against England for their +late violences against the innocent commerce of neutral powers, will +draw the same consequences. The politicians of Great Britain are too +enlightened in the history of nations, and the rise and progress of +causes and effects in the political world, not to see, that all these +bodies of people will, in consequence of this vote, consider the +Colonies given up as lost by the House of Commons, and they are too +well instructed, not to know the important consequences that follow, +from having such points as those thus settled among the nations. I +cannot, therefore, but consider this vote, and the other respecting +the Secretary of State for the American Department, which arose almost +to a balance, as a decided declaration of the sense of the nation. The +first consequence of it probably will be one further attempt, by +offering some specious terms, which they know we cannot in justice, +in honor, in conscience, accept, to deceive, seduce, and divide +America, throw all into confusion there, and by this means gaining an +opportunity to govern. There is nothing more astonishing than the +inconsistencies of the patriots in England. Those, who are most +violent against the Ministry, are not for making peace with France and +Spain, but they would wish to allure America into a separate peace, +and persuade her to join them against the House of Bourbon. One would +think it impossible, that one man of sense in the world could +seriously believe, that we could thus basely violate our truth, thus +unreasonably quarrel with our best friends, thus madly attach +ourselves to our belligerent enemies. But thus it is. + +Sir George Saville threw out in the House, that he wished to carry +home to his constituents the news of an accommodation with America, +and Mr David Hartley has given notice of his intentions to make a +motion relative to us. But I confess I have no expectations. Mr +Hartley's motions and speeches have never made any great fortune in +the House, nor been much attended to; from whence I conclude, if the +present great leaders, even of opposition in the House, were seriously +disposed to do anything towards a pacification, which we could attend +to, they would not suffer Mr Hartley to have the honor of making the +motion. + +The heads of many people run upon a truce with America, and Mr +Hartley's motion may tend this way; but a truce with America cannot be +made without a peace with France and Spain, and would America accept +of such a truce? Give Great Britain time to encroach and fortify upon +all our frontiers? To send enemies into the States, and sow the seeds +of discord? To rise out of her present exhausted condition? Suffer +France and Spain to relax? Wait for alterations by the death of +Princes, or the changes in the characters of Princes, or Ministers in +Europe? I ask these questions, that Congress may give me instructions, +if necessary. At present I do not believe my powers are sufficient to +agree to a truce, if it was proposed; nor do I believe it would be for +our interests or safety to agree to it, if I had. I do not mean, +however, to give any decided opinion upon such a great question, in +this hasty letter; I am open to conviction, and shall obey the +instructions of Congress, with the most perfect respect. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Mr Burke's bill not being as yet public, we are not yet informed of +the items of it. But as it already appears, that it strikes at the +Department of Secretary of State for America, and at the Board of +Trade, there seems to be little reason to doubt that it goes further, +and strikes at the American Board of Commissioners, at all the +American Judges of Admiralty, Governors of Provinces, Secretaries, and +Custom House Officers of all denominations. At least, if this should +not be found to be a part of the bill, there are stronger reasons, if +possible, for abolishing this whole system of iniquity, together with +all the pensions granted to the refugees from America, than even for +taking away the Board of Trade. And from several late paragraphs in +the papers, and from Mr Fox's severe observations in the House of +Commons upon Governor Hutchinson, calling him in substance the +"firebrand that lighted up all the fire between the two countries," it +seems pretty clear, that it is in contemplation to take away all these +salaries and pensions. + +If such a measure should take place, exiled as these persons are from +the country, which gave them birth, but which they have most +ungratefully endeavored to enslave, they will become melancholy +monuments of divine vengeance against such unnatural and impious +behavior. Nevertheless, as these persons are numerous, and have some +friends in England as well as in America, where they had once much +property, there is a probability, I think, that whenever or wherever +negotiations for peace may be commenced, they and their estates now +almost universally confiscated, will not be forgotten. But much pains +and art will be employed to stipulate for them in the treaty, both a +restoration of their property, and a right to return as citizens of +the States to which they formerly belonged. It is very possible, +however, that before the treaty shall be made, or even negotiations +commenced, these gentlemen will become so unpopular and odious, that +the people of England would be pleased with their sufferings and +punishment. But it is most probable, that the Court will not abandon +them very easily. + +I should, therefore, be very happy to have the explicit instructions +of Congress upon this head, whether I am to agree, in any case +whatsoever, to an article which shall admit of their return, or the +restoration of their forfeited estates. There are sentiments of +humanity and forgiveness which plead on one side, there are reasons of +state and political motives, among which the danger of admitting such +mischievous persons as citizens, is not the least considerable, which +argue on the other. + +I shall obey the instructions of Congress with the utmost pleasure, or +if, for any reasons they choose to leave it at discretion, if I ever +should have the opportunity, I shall determine it without listening to +any passions of my own of compassion or resentment, according to my +best judgment of the public good. There is another point of very great +importance, which I am persuaded will be aimed at by the English +Ministers, I am sure it will by the people of England, whenever times +of peace shall be talked of. For facilitating the return of commerce, +they will wish to have it stipulated by the treaty, that the subjects +of Great Britain shall have the rights of citizens in America, and the +citizens of the United States the rights of subjects in the British +dominions. Some of the consequences of such an agreement to them and +to us are obvious and very important, but they are so numerous, that +it is difficult to determine whether so great a question should be +left to my determination. If, however, contrary to my inclinations, it +should fall to my lot to decide it without instructions, it shall be +decided according to my conscience, and the best lights I have. + + I have the honor to be, &c, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 24th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It has been observed in former letters, that there is scarcely an +example of such a series of fortunate incidents as that which happened +to Rodney's fleet, and it may be proper to dilate a little upon some +of these incidents, to show that the enthusiastic applause, which is +given him by the Court, the Lords, the Commons, and the city of +London, is no otherwise merited than by the boldness of his +enterprise; unless simple good fortune is merit. + +It must be allowed, that it was a desperate plan in the Minister to +order him out on the design to succor Gibraltar, and it was a +desperate resolution in him to undertake it; because he had to expect +to meet with the whole Spanish squadron at Cadiz, and that it would +follow him, which was in fact the case. + +Don Gaston sailed from Brest the 13th of January in search of Admiral +Rodney, with twenty Spanish ships of the line, with four French ships +of the line, the Glorieux, the Burgundy, the Zodiac, and the Scipio, +with the frigate, the Nereis, under the Chef d'Escadre, the Chevalier +de Bausset. If the four and twenty ships of the line had joined Don +Langara's squadron, there is scarce a possibility of doubt, after the +brave defence made by him, with such inferior force, that Rodney's +fleet would have been totally ruined, and consequently Gibraltar +reduced to extremities. But this was not to happen. The next day after +Don Gaston sailed from Brest, he met with a terrible storm, which +separated his fleet. Two of his Spanish ships arrived at Cadiz the +31st of January, the Serious and the Atlant, each of seventy guns. The +third of February there arrived twelve others. The Rayo, commanded by +Don Gaston, and the St Louis, both of eighty guns, the Velasco, the St +Francis de Paule, the S. Isabella, the S. Joachim, the St Peter, the +St Damase, the Arrogant, and the Warrior, all of seventy, the Mink of +fiftysix, and the frigates, the Assumption and the Emerald, with the +French division under the Chevalier de Bousset, excepting the Scipio, +commanded by the Baron de Durfort, which did not arrive until the 17th +of February, after having cruised ten or twelve days off St Vincent, +which had been appointed as the place of rendezvous and reunion, in +case of separation. The Guardian Angel, of seventy guns, which was +also separated from the squadron, did not arrive till several days +after Don Gaston at Cadiz, having suffered very much, as well as all +the other vessels, in their masts and rigging, by the bad weather, and +especially by the violent gale of wind, which they met with on the 1st +of February, near the Cape of St Vincent. Of the five remaining +Spanish vessels, four went into Ferrol, the St Vincent Ferries, of +eighty guns, commanded by Don d'Acre, Lieutenant General; the St +Charles, of eighty; the Vengeur, of seventy, and the Septentrion, of +sixty; the fifth, named the St Joseph, of seventy, by Don Orsorno, +Chef d'Escadre, returned to Brest dismasted. This separation and +dispersion of the fleet and of its principal officers exposed Langara, +and made Rodney's fortune; and the necessity these vessels were in of +reparation, gave liberty to the English fleet to put to sea from +Gibraltar and regain the Atlantic Ocean, on the 13th of February, to +the number of twentytwo ships of the line, including those of Rodney, +Digby, and Ross, and four of the vessels taken from the Spaniards, and +three frigates, with twelve merchant ships under their convoy, leaving +at Gibraltar, the Edgar, of seventyfour, the Panther, of sixty, which +has been there a long time, and the Guipuscoa, of sixtyfour guns, +taken from the Spaniards on the 8th of January, with twentyfour +merchant vessels under her convoy. + +There has been much conversation for several days, concerning a +Spanish armament preparing at Cadiz, and letters from Carthagena say, +that the regiment of infantry, called the Flankers' regiment, which +has been in garrison in that city, has been completed by orders from +the Court of Naples, and on the 1st of March, the first battalion +marched for Cadiz, and on the 4th of March, the second battalion. It +is said that this regiment is to embark with several others, which +from different garrisons have arrived at the same place for America, +in all parts of which, according to appearances, the English will have +enough to do to maintain their ground this ensuing campaign. + +In Ireland, on the 22d of February, an assembly of the gentlemen, +clergy, and freeholders of the city of Dublin, resolved unanimously, +that the advantages obtained in commerce are neither complete nor +solidly established; that the sense of the nation is, that the Irish +Parliament alone, in concert with the sovereign, can give to the laws +already obtained of the Prince their obligatory force; that what has +been done ought not to be considered as anything more than a great +beginning; and that the general hope was, that the end of the session +would be as advantageous to the political constitution of the country, +as the commencement of it had been favorable to commerce; that the +fathers of the country are particularly requested and instructed to +obtain a declaratory act, which may preserve forever the free and +independent state of Ireland, and by introducing some necessary +modifications of Poyning's law, to prevent in future all controversy +between the King and the Parliament of Ireland, concerning fundamental +laws. + +These instructions were given by the sheriffs to the representatives +of Dublin, who answered that they were convinced, that no foreign +legislative power whatsoever had any right, or ought to arrogate to +itself any authority over their nation, and without injuring the legal +and known authority, which his Majesty has a right to exercise over +this kingdom in a manner conformable to the laws, they would neglect +nothing to obtain an act, which should take away every unjust +restriction, and which should tend to assure the constitutional +independence of the kingdom. This is said to be the general sense of +the whole kingdom, so that it may truly be said, that the British +empire is crumbling to pieces like a rope of sand, insomuch, that if +the war should continue, I shall not be at all surprised if even +Scotland should become discontented with the Union, and the disputes +between the Ministry and the East India Company should terminate in +the independence of Asia; nay, it would be no miracle if the West +India Islands should request the protection of France and Spain, or +the United States. I will take the first opportunity to write upon the +subject of Lord North's loan, which, together with the other ways and +means, amounts to the amazing sum of £20,674,000 sterling. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 26th, 1780. + + Sir, + +On the 2d day of March the news of the royal consent to the bill, +which the British Parliament has passed for granting to Ireland a free +commerce with the American Colonies, the West Indies, and the Coast of +Africa, was celebrated in Dublin by public rejoicings; the guns of +the Lark were discharged, the garrison made a _feu de joie_, the +castle and other public buildings were illuminated, as well as some +private houses. The government were probably encouraged to these +demonstrations of joy, by the motion, which was made the day before, +that is, the 1st of March, by Mr Dennis Doly in the House of Commons, +for an address of thanks to the King, to which both parties +unanimously consented, not excepting the principal patriots, such as +Mr Ogle, Mr Hussy Burgh, and Mr Grattan. + +The address contains an assurance of their attachment to the royal +person and government of the King; a profession of gratitude for his +Majesty's uninterrupted attention to the interest of Ireland, and for +the happy alteration, which the wisdom of his councils, and the +liberal sentiments of the British Parliament have effected in the +situation of their affairs. They express a double satisfaction for the +benefits, which have been granted them, because they appear to them to +be an efficacious remedy for the poverty of that country, and because +they furnish an unquestionable proof of that fraternal affection, +which they think they have a right to expect from Great Britain, and +which they will constantly endeavor to cultivate and augment to the +most perfect degree of mutual confidence. They profess the sincerest +pleasure in finding that the ties, which have ever united the two +kingdoms, have been bound faster than ever, by the conduct of their +fellow subjects, and they assure his Majesty, that on their part, they +will never fail to make the greatest efforts for the maintenance of +that close connexion between the two kingdoms, which they firmly +believe to be inseparable from their happiness and prosperity. + +The next day the House of Peers, even at the motion of the Duke of +Leinster, followed the example of the House of Commons. Their address +is in substance the same, with this addition, that the benefits +received afford a remedy proportioned to their distress, and that they +will discountenance with all their power all attempts, that deluded +men might make to excite ill founded apprehensions in the people, and +to turn their attention to the commerce, which has been granted them +in a manner so extensive. + +To these additions, however, there was an opposition, and finally a +protest, signed by Lord Carrisford, the Earls of Charlemont and Arran, +and the Viscounts Powerscourt and Mountmorris, and by the proxies of +the Earl Moira, and the Lords Eyre and Irnham. + +The Duke of Leinster, however, has brought upon his reputation by this +motion suspicions all over Europe, that he has been gained by the +King, which a little time and his future conduct will either dissipate +or confirm. + +The next day Parliament adjourned to the 11th of April. Congress will +be able to put a just interpretation upon these addresses, by the +account I gave in my last, of the instructions of the city of Dublin +to their representatives, and their answer, as well as by those of the +county of Dublin, which remain to be communicated. On the 7th of +March, there was held at Kilmainham, an assembly of the freeholders of +the county of Dublin, when the following instructions to their +representatives were agreed on. + +"We, your constituents, desiring to acknowledge as we ought, the +advantages our commerce will derive from the particular attention, +which his Majesty has given it, from the integrity of our Parliament, +the firmness of our countrymen, and the justice, which the English +nation begins to render us, we declare to you, that what follows is +the principal cause of our joy upon this occasion. It appears to us, +that the desire of monopolising commerce was the only motive, which +could make England imagine that she had a right to usurp a legitimate +authority over this kingdom, and from the moment when she renounced +this monopoly, she has taken away the principal obstacle, which +opposed our liberty, and consequently the British nation will not +continue to itself an arbitrary power, from which she can derive +nothing but reducing this kingdom to slavery. We desire to know, +moreover, whether the united efforts of the Parliament and people of +Ireland ought to confine themselves, so as to leave this island in a +state of dependence and submission to laws, to which the nation has +never consented, to laws dictated by a Parliament, in which she has no +representatives? Let it not be said, that this power attributed to the +English Parliament is chimerical. We may see the proofs of it even in +the repeal of several of the acts and in this, that several persons +declare, however falsely, that this power is founded upon law. Having +an equal right to political liberty and to commerce, but deprived of +both; and nevertheless content to be restored to the enjoyment of a +free commerce alone; will it not appear, that we absolutely give up +the former? This idea would be absurd. It is then our duty to declare +to the universe, that we are of right a free nation, not to be +subjected to any laws, but such as are made by the King and Parliament +of Ireland. + +"Desirous of nothing so much as to live always in good intelligence +with the British nation, on account of the union of the two Crowns, +our instructions are, that you shall make the greatest efforts to +obtain an act, which shall establish forever the independence of the +legislative power of Ireland. We wish, moreover, that you would +endeavor to qualify Poyning's law, by taking away from the privy +council the legislative power. In accomplishing these important +objects, you will acquire honor to yourselves, and give satisfaction +to the nation. + +"It is not to be doubted, that you will also fall upon some plan of +economy, by making savings, which are become necessary to increase the +revenue of the Crown, and improve the commerce of the nation." + +It seems now very plain, that the Irish nation aspires to an +independence of Great Britain the most unlimited, and acknowledges no +other connexion with her but that of affection and a subjection to the +same King. The troops already raised by associations amount to between +sixty and seventy thousand men, which are to be forthwith augmented by +ten thousand more, who are to be formed of countrymen; each officer is +to furnish four, who will be clothed and paid out of the funds, that +each regiment will establish for this purpose. The principal objects +of these armed associations are said to be, a free and unlimited +commerce to all parts of the world, except only the East Indies. The +repeal of Poyning's law, passed under Henry the Seventh, and another +under George the First, which restrains the legislative authority of +the Irish Parliament, with an express clause, that the Parliament of +Ireland ought, and shall be forever and wholly exempt from all kind of +control and dependence of the British Parliament, in all cases +whatsoever. That students shall no longer be obliged to go to the +Temple in London, and other seminaries in England to study law. But, +in future, they shall study in the University of Dublin, under proper +professors, and shall be admitted to the bar in Ireland by the Lord +Chancellor and the other judges, after a proper examination; the +judges to be natives, except the Chancellor; the bishops also to be +natives. + +In the meantime, the slightest circumstances may blow up the flames of +war between the two kingdoms, which would have been done some weeks +ago, if the regular officers of the King's troops had not given way to +the Dublin volunteers. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 29th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I think it my duty to lay before Congress what may occur in Holland, +relative to the present war, at least until the arrival of Mr Laurens, +whose presence is much desired there. Many appearances make it +probable, that the grasping and vindictive temper of the English will +compel the Republic into the war. If they do take a part, it is very +certain it will be against England. As plunder and revenge are the +present ruling passions of the English, it is probable, that a war +with Holland is rather wished for than otherwise, because the Ministry +and their principal supporters seem to have no idea, that it is +possible to make things worse, and all the plunder they can get will +be so much clear gain. The Dutch are so much alarmed and aroused, that +it is very certain the Prince finds it necessary to give out, that he +has been deceived by the English, that he has changed his sentiments, +and that he will promote with all his influence unlimited convoys. It +is certain, that they are fitting their men-of-war with a great deal +of activity, and it is confidently affirmed, that they have made a +treaty with Russia and Sweden, who are to make a common cause. The +States of the Province of Friesland have come to a resolution, that it +was certain Byland was not the aggressor, but that Fielding had not +hesitated to make use of force to visit the Dutch ships under convoy, +to stop those that were loaded with hemp, and to insult the flag of +the Republic. That this proceeding shows, that the complaisance +hitherto shown to England, in depriving the ships loaded with masts +and ship timber of the protection of the State, in leaving them to +sail alone and without convoy, has had no effects, and consequently +the States judge, that a similar condescension ought no longer to take +place, but, on the contrary, all merchandise whatsoever, which the +treaties do not expressly declare to be contraband, ought, without the +least difficulty, to be admitted under convoy, and enjoy the +protection of the State, and to this effect, His Most Serene Highness +ought to be requested to give orders to the commanders of the men of +war, and of the squadron of the Republic, to protect, as heretofore, +all merchandise. + +This resolution was taken the 29th day of February, and laid before +the States-General, who, after debating upon it, determined to require +the deputies of the other Provinces to obtain, as soon as possible, +the decision of their Provinces upon the same subject. These two +Provinces, Holland and Friesland, have already decided for unlimited +convoys. + +Sir Joseph Yorke, on the 21st of March instant, laid before their High +Mightinesses another Memorial, insisting on the aid which he had +demanded before, upon condition, in case of refusal, that his master +would, after three months consider all treaties between the two +countries as null, and in which he contends, that the protection +afforded to Captain Jones, whom he calls a pirate, in the Texel and in +Amsterdam, was a violation of the treaties. + +In order more clearly to comprehend the dispute between Great Britain +and the States-General, it may not be amiss to observe, that by the +marine treaty between the two powers, concluded at the Hague in 1667, +all the subjects and inhabitants of the United Provinces may, with all +safety and freedom, sail and traffic in all the kingdoms, countries, +and estates, which are, or shall be in peace, amity, or neutrality +with the States-General, without any hinderance or molestation from +the ships of war, gallies, frigates, barques, or other vessels +belonging to the King of Great Britain, or any of his subjects, upon +occasion or account of any war, which may hereafter happen between the +King of Great Britain and the above said kingdoms, countries, and +estates, or any of them, which are, or shall be, in peace, amity, or +neutrality with the States-General; and this freedom of navigation and +commerce shall extend to all sorts of merchandise, excepting +contraband goods. That this term of contraband goods, is to be +understood to comprehend all sorts of fire arms, their appurtenances, +and all other utensils of war called in French, "_servans à l'usage de +la guerre_," and that under this head of contraband goods, these +following shall not be comprehended; corn, wheat, or other grain, +pulse, oils, wine, salt, or generally anything that belongs to the +nourishment or sustenance of life, but they shall remain free, as +likewise all other merchandise and commodities not comprehended in the +foregoing article, and the transportation of them shall be permitted +even into places at enmity with Great Britain, except such places are +besieged, blocked up, or invested. Masts, yards, ship timber, and +hemp, the articles now in dispute, are not contraband by this treaty, +or by the law of nations. Yet Great Britain, in the hours of her +insolence and madness, which are not yet at an end, makes no scruple +to seize, condemn, and confiscate them. She pretends, that as the +Dutch refuse to her the aid she demands by treaty, she has a right to +seize upon masts, timber, and hemp, which are not prohibited by +treaty. Not to enter into the inquiry, whether the present case is +such, as by the treaties obliges the Dutch to furnish her aid, but +admitting for argument's sake it is so, yet the consequences will not +follow. It would only follow, that Great Britain was absolved from the +obligation of the treaty, not by any means that she is discharged from +the obligations of the law of nations. + + I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + COUNT DE VERGENNES TO JOHN ADAMS. + + Translation. + + Versailles, March 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the +21st instant. I remember very well to have said to you, that your +presentation should be inserted in the Gazette of France; but, from +the information I have since obtained, it seems that the +presentations, whether of Ambassadors or Ministers Plenipotentiary, +are not thus announced in our Gazette, and it would have the +appearance of affectation to insert yours. As a substitute, I will +have it mentioned, if you wish, in the _Mercure de France_, and you +can take measures to have the notice repeated in the foreign gazettes. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + DE VERGENNES. + +_P. S._ I enclose a draft of an article, which I propose to send to +the _Mercure de France_. It will not be sent till I learn your opinion +of it. + + * * * * * + +"Mr Adams, whom the Congress of the United States has designated to +assist at the conferences for a peace, when that event shall take +place, arrived here some time ago, and has had the honor to be +presented to the King and the royal family." + + * * * * * + + TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. + + Paris, March 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor of your Excellency's letter of this day, in answer to +mine of the 21st of this month. Until the receipt of it, I had taken +it for granted, that the presentation of every Ambassador was +regularly inserted in the Gazette of France, and until very lately, +several days since the date of my letter to your Excellency of the +21st of this month, I had supposed, that the presentation of Ministers +Plenipotentiary was constantly inserted likewise. + +The information your Excellency has given me, that the presentation of +neither Ambassadors nor Ministers Plenipotentiary have ever been +inserted, has perfectly satisfied me, and I doubt not will equally +satisfy my countrymen, who have heretofore been under the same +mistake with myself. + +I approve very much of your Excellency's proposition of inserting my +presentation in the Mercury of France, and shall take measures to have +it repeated in the foreign gazettes. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have the honor to enclose to Congress copies of certain letters, +which I have had the honor to write to the Count de Vergennes, and of +others, which I have received from him. + +It seems that the presentations of the American Commissioners and +Ministers Plenipotentiary have not been inserted in the Gazette, which +occasioned some uneasiness in the minds of some of our countrymen, as +they thought it a neglect of us, and a distinction between our +sovereign and others. The enclosed letters will explain this matter, +and show, that no distinction has been made between the +representatives of the United States and those of other powers. + +I ought to confess to Congress, that the delicacy of the Count de +Vergennes about communicating my powers is not perfectly consonant to +my manner of thinking, and if I had followed my own judgment I should +have pursued a bolder plan by communicating, immediately after my +arrival, to Lord George Germain, my full powers to treat both of peace +and commerce; but I hope Congress will approve of my communicating +first to this Court my destination and asking their advice, and then +pursuing it, because I think no doubt can be made, that it is my duty +to conduct my negotiations at present in concert with our ally, as I +have hitherto done. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, March 30th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There is an anecdote, which causes a great speculation at present, +because it is supposed to show the tendency of things in Ireland, and +what is to be expected by Great Britain, if the Ministry should oppose +themselves to the wishes of the Irish nation. On the 23d of February, +three bodies of volunteers, those of Dublin, commanded by Colonel John +Allen, those of the Liberties, commanded by Sir Edward Newingham, and +another body, commanded by Mr Taylor, assembled at the Exchange, from +whence they made a long march in a circuit of four miles, accompanied +with other volunteers on horseback, to the Park, the avenues of which +were guarded by five other corps of volunteers. + +There they went through the manoeuvres and firings, with as much +celerity and precision as any regular troops. They were there reviewed +by the Duke of Leinster, as General and Commander-in-Chief, +accompanied with four Aids-de-Camps, and they all rendered to this +nobleman military honors almost equal to those which are rendered to a +King. + +Returning from the review, the volunteers met in Barrack street a +detachment of the royal troops marching to the castle. These required, +that the volunteers should turn out of the way, and endeavored to +break their ranks; but the volunteers, with their bayonets fixed and +charged, stood their ground and discovered such a resolution, that the +commanding officer of the King's troops ordered them to halt, and +desired to speak with the Duke of Leinster. They entered into a +conference. The regular troops pretended they had a right to the +pavements, as the troops of the King. The volunteers, thought they had +a right to keep it, as free citizens, voluntarily armed for the +defence of their country, and consequently superior to mere +mercenaries. They supported these arguments by preparations for +battle, the people declared themselves in favor of the volunteers, by +collecting together a sufficient quantity of stones, to overwhelm the +troops, who at last gave way, in order to avoid a scene of blood. The +next day the volunteers sent to the Viceroy an excuse, but couched in +terms, which justified their conduct as necessary to maintain the +liberty, independence, and dignity of the nation. I have seen so much +of the spirit of the King's troops, in several contests between them +and the citizens of Boston, as to know very well what all this means. +The volunteers must have great confidence in their own strength, and +the King's troops equal diffidence of theirs, before an altercation of +this kind could terminate in this manner. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO ARTHUR LEE, AT L'ORIENT. + + Paris, March 31st, 1780. + + Dear Sir, + +I have received yours of the 26th, and that of the 15th of this month. +I enclose a copy of the letter you desire. + +M. Garnier is gone into the country, and I have not seen him since I +arrived here. Mr Izard, however, has seen him, and will give you a +satisfactory account of what he says. + +If I were to apply to the other gentleman, you know what would be the +consequence. It would fly very soon to, you know where, and I should +have only the credit of meddling unnecessarily with disputes, which I +have kept out of as much I could, and which it is certainly now the +public interest, and consequently my duty, to keep out of as much I +can. I had, therefore, rather be excused. The gentleman himself would +probably give you the same answer to a letter from you directly to +him, as he would give to me, unless I should use arts with him; which +would be unworthy of you, as well as of me, and which I cannot use +with anybody. + +I shall have enough to do, to steer my little bark among the rocks and +shoals. I shall have perplexities enough of my own, which I cannot +avoid, and dangers too. These I shall meet with a steady mind, and +perhaps none of them will be greater than that, which I think my duty, +of avoiding things that do not belong to me. + +Scarcely ever any Minister executed a commission for making a peace, +without ruining his own reputation, in a free government. No Minister +that ever existed, had a more difficult and dangerous peace to make +than I have. + +The gentleman you mention has hitherto been very still, but he has +been well received, by all that I have learnt. + + Adieu, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 3d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The Prince of Orange, Stadtholder, is not only supposed to have +ambitious views of allying his family to that of Great Britain, but is +very much influenced by the Duke of Brunswick, who is a field marshal, +and commander in chief of the Dutch land forces, who is also a brother +of Prince Ferdinand. The Duke is not upon the best terms with his +family, because they think he is too much attached to the House of +Austria. By this double attraction of England on one side, and their +old friends the House of Austria on the other, it is not very +surprising that His Most Serene Highness is drawn a little aside from +the line of the American cause, which is now so closely connected, and +likely to be more so, with the House of Bourbon. Hence it is said, +that the Count de Byland is to be honorably acquitted by the court +martial, and hence the embarrassments the Dutch are under, in their +wishes to resent like men the unparalleled injuries, that have been +done them by the English. There is, however, so much spirit in the +United Provinces, as to oblige the Prince to put on the appearance of +resentment at the insults offered to his flag, and to oblige the +British Minister to assume the tone of menace, in order to work upon +the fears of the people, whose property is so exposed as to make them +dread a war with any nation whatever. + +Congress will, however, be able to judge of what is doing in Holland +by the following proceedings. A petition was presented to their High +Mightinesses on the 25th of February, for the equipment of fiftytwo +ships of war, in the following terms. + +"Your High Mightinesses having thought proper by your resolution of +the 17th of this month, which came to us the 22d, to require us to +present to your High Mightinesses, without influencing, however, in +anything the deliberations of the confederates, a petition for the sum +of two million six hundred and twenty thousand five hundred and +ninetyeight florins, to assist towards the one half of the necessary +expense for an extraordinary equipment of fiftytwo vessels of war and +frigates, which are to be put in a condition of service by the first +of May, as well as of other articles more fully particularised in the +report contained in the resolution of your High Mightinesses, and in +the estimate enclosed with it, which we flatter ourselves were made +with all possible accuracy, while the funds necessary for the half of +the equipment abovementioned, will be found in the produce of certain +duties. + +"We have been the more zealous not to delay giving satisfaction to the +requisition of your High Mightinesses, as we consider the said plan, +as tending to accomplish what has been for so many years represented +and advised, as well by His Serene Highness as by us, in general +petitions addressed successively to your High Mightinesses, as well as +to the confederates, that is to say, to put the Republic in a more +respectable state of defence, by augmenting her marine and troops, an +object upon which it has been again insisted in the petition of the +current year, which employed such reasons and such urgent motives to +this purpose, that expressions now fail us for adding anything to what +has been already said; and persuaded, moreover, as we are, that the +circumstances and facts, such of them as have passed in a manner so +remarkable, render useless and superfluous all further reasonings, in +such sort, that all these details being already perfectly understood, +as well by your High Mightinesses as by the confederates, we think we +may depend upon this knowledge, in expectation of the definitive +resolutions of your High Mightinesses, equally salutary and unanimous, +and the effect of which will be to prevent and ward off the new +misfortunes, which may threaten the Republic; assured, moreover, and +persuaded, that the serious intention of the confederates is to +accomplish the equipment proposed with all that depends upon it, and +that to this end, their High Mightinesses will be pleased, not only to +give their consent to the petition of two millions six hundred and +twenty thousand five hundred and ninetyeight florins, formed by the +present, but also, what is more important, to furnish as soon as +possible their quota to the general treasury, by which means the +colleges of the Admiralty, whose duty it is to attend to the +equipments, may be possessed of the means necessary to this operation +at convenient periods; which will be thought more indispensably +necessary, on casting an eye on the reasons more amply alleged in the +report of the colleges of the Admiralty, and expressed in the +resolution of your High Mightinesses, the 17th of February, to which +we refer." + + + MEMORIAL. + +On the twentyfirst of March, 1780, Sir Joseph Yorke, the British +Ambassador, presented a Memorial to their High Mightinesses, of the +following tenor. + + "High and Mighty Lords, + + "The King, my Master, has always cultivated the friendship of + your High Mightinesses, and has always considered the alliance, + which has so long subsisted between the two nations, as founded + upon the wisest principles, and as essential to their mutual + prosperity. The principal objects of this alliance, which stands + upon the immovable basis of a common interest, are the safety and + prosperity of the two States, the maintenance of the public + tranquillity, and the preservation of that just balance so often + disturbed by the ambitious policy of the House of Bourbon. When + the Court of Versailles, in direct violation of the public faith, + and of the common rights of sovereigns, had broken the peace, by + a league made with the rebel subjects of his Majesty, avowed and + declared formally by the Marquis de Noailles; when, by immense + preparations, France manifested her designs of annihilating the + maritime power of England, the King expected that your High + Mightinesses, too enlightened not to see, that the safety of the + Republic is closely connected with that of Great Britain, would + have been zealous to come to his assistance. One of the first + cares of his Majesty was, to inform your High Mightinesses of all + the circumstances of this unjust war; and in the critical + situation in which the King found himself he did not forget the + interests of his ancient allies; but, on the contrary, has shown + the most sincere desire to favor the commerce and the free + navigation of the Republic, as much as the safety of his people + could permit. He even desisted a long time from demanding the + succors stipulated by the treaties, fulfilling thus his own + engagements, without insisting on the accomplishment of those of + your High Mightinesses. The demand was never made, until after + the united forces of France and Spain showed themselves ready to + fall upon England, and there attempt a descent by the assistance + of a formidable fleet. Although frustrated in this enterprise, + the enemies of the King meditate still the same project; and it + is by the express order of his Majesty, that the undersigned + renews, at this time, in a manner the most formal, the demand of + the succors stipulated by different treaties, and particularly by + that of the year 1716. + + "Hitherto your High Mightinesses have been silent upon an article + so essential; at the same time, you have insisted on a forced + construction of the treaty of commerce of the year 1674, against + the abuse of which Great Britain has protested at all times. This + interpretation cannot be reconciled to the clear and precise + stipulations of the secret article of the treaty of peace of the + same year. An article of a treaty of commerce cannot annul an + article so essential of a treaty of peace, and both are expressly + comprehended in the principal treaty of alliance of 1678, by + which your High Mightinesses are obliged to furnish to his + Majesty the succors, which he now demands. You are too just and + too wise not to feel, that all the engagements between powers + ought to be mutually and reciprocally observed, and although + contracted in different periods, they oblige equally the + contracting parties. This incontestible principle applies itself + here with so much the more force, as the treaty of 1716 renews + all the anterior engagements between the Crown of England and + the Republic, and incorporates them, as it were, together. + + "Moreover, the subscriber had orders to declare to your High + Mightinesses, that he was ready to enter into conferences with + you, to regulate in an amicable manner all which might be + necessary to avoid misunderstandings, and prevent every + disagreeable occurrence, by concerting measures equitable and + advantageous for the respective subjects. + + "This friendly offer was refused, in a manner as unexpected as it + was extraordinary and unusual among friendly powers; and without + taking notice of repeated representations, both public and + secret, upon the subject of convoys, your High Mightinesses have + not only granted convoys for different kinds of naval stores, but + you have moreover expressly resolved, that a certain number of + vessels of war should be held ready to convoy in the sequel naval + stores of every species, destined for the ports of France; and + this at a time when the subjects of the Republic enjoyed by the + force of treaties, a freedom and an extent of commerce and of + navigation far beyond that, which the law of nations allows to + neutral powers. This resolution, and the orders given to Admiral + Byland, to oppose himself by force to the visits of merchant + ships, have given place to the incident, which the friendship of + the King would have greatly desired to have prevented; but it is + notorious, that this Admiral, in consequence of his instructions, + first fired upon the sloops bearing the English flag, which were + sent to make the visit in the manner prescribed by the treaty of + 1674. It was then a manifest aggression, a direct violation of + the same treaty, which your High Mightinesses seem to look upon + as the most sacred of all. His Majesty has made beforehand + repeated representations of the necessity and justice of this + visit, practised in all similar circumstances, and fully + authorised by this treaty. They were informed in London, that + there were in the Texel a great number of vessels loaded with + naval stores, and particularly with masts and large ship timber, + ready to set sail for France immediately after, or under, a Dutch + convoy. The event has but too fully proved the truth of these + informations, since some of these vessels have been found even + under this convoy. The greatest number have escaped, and have + carried to France the most efficacious succors, of which she + stood in the greatest necessity. + + "At the same time your High Mightinesses thus aided the enemy of + the King, by favoring the transportation of these succors, you + imposed a heavy penalty upon the subjects of the Republic, to + restrain them from carrying victuals to Gibraltar, although this + place was comprehended in the general warranty of all the British + possessions in Europe, and although at that time Spain had vexed + the commerce of the Republic, in a manner the most outrageous and + unexampled. + + "It is not only on these occasions, that the conduct of your High + Mightinesses towards the King, and towards the enemy of his + Majesty, forms a most striking contrast in the eyes of all the + impartial world. No one is ignorant of that, which passed in the + too well known affair of Paul Jones. The asylum granted to this + pirate was directly contrary to the treaty of Breda, of 1667, and + even to the proclamation of your High Mightinesses of 1776. + Further, although your High Mightinesses have kept, and still + keep a silence the most absolute, with regard to the just demands + of his Majesty, you have been forward, at the simple request of + the King's enemies, to assure them of an absolute and + unconditional neutrality, without any exception of the ancient + engagements of the Republic, founded upon the most solemn + treaties. Nevertheless the King would still persuade himself, + that all which has passed ought to be attributed less to the + disposition of your High Mightinesses, than to artifices of his + enemies, who, after having excited discord among the members of + the State, seek alternately by menaces and by promises to animate + them against their natural ally. His Majesty cannot believe, that + your High Mightinesses have taken the resolution to abandon a + system, which the Republic has pursued for more than a century, + with so much success and so much glory. + + "But if such was the resolution of your High Mightinesses, if you + were determined to forsake the alliance with Great Britain, in + refusing to fulfil the engagements of it, there would arise from + this resolution a new order of things. The King would perceive + such an alteration with a sensible regret; but the consequences, + which would follow from it, would be necessary and unavoidable. + If by an act of your High Mightinesses, the Republic should cease + to be the ally of Great Britain, the relations between the two + nations will be totally changed, and they will no longer have any + other ties or relation than those, which subsist between nations + neutral and friendly. Every treaty being reciprocal, if your High + Mightinesses will not fulfil your engagements, the consequence + will be, that those of his Majesty will cease to be obligatory. + It is in pursuance of these incontestible principles, that his + Majesty has ordered the subscriber to declare to your High + Mightinesses, in a manner the most friendly, but at the same time + the most serious, that, if contrary to his just expectations, + your High Mightinesses do not give him, within the term of three + weeks, to be computed from the day of presentation of this + memorial, a satisfactory answer, touching the succors demanded + eight months ago, his Majesty, considering this conduct as a + departure from the alliance on the part of your High + Mightinesses, will no longer consider the United Provinces in any + other light than that of other neutral powers not privileged by + treaties, and consequently will, without further delay, suspend + conditionally, and until further orders, in regard to their + subjects, all the particular stipulations of the treaties between + the two nations, particularly those of the treaty of 1674, and + will hold himself simply bound by the general principles of the + law of nations, which ought to serve as rules between powers + neutral and not privileged. + + JOSEPH YORKE." + +On the 24th of March, the States-General made the following answer to +Sir Joseph Yorke. + + "That their High Mightinesses had resolved to represent to his + Britannic Majesty by the Count de Welderen, their Envoy + Extraordinary, that having seen by the memorial of the + Ambassador, dated the 21st of March, that his Majesty fixed a + term of three weeks to have a satisfactory answer touching the + succors demanded, their High Mightinesses wished to satisfy, as + soon as possible, the desires of his Britannic Majesty, by giving + him a positive answer; but they foresaw, that the form of + government inherent in the constitution of the Republic would not + permit them to complete their answer in the time specified, as + the memorial of the Ambassador, having become an object of the + deliberations of the representative Provinces, it was necessary + to wait the resolution of the several States, the Assemblies of + which were now sitting, or about to sit; that their High + Mightinesses assured themselves, that his Majesty, considering + these reasons, would not persist rigorously in the time fixed, to + the end, that their High Mightinesses might have that of forming + in a manner conformable to the constitution of the Republic (in + which their High Mightinesses had not a right to make any + alteration) an answer to the memorial of the Ambassador, their + High Mightinesses promising to neglect nothing for accelerating, + as much as possible, the deliberations upon the subject, and they + pray the Ambassador to support these representations, with his + good offices, with the King, his master." + +Sir Joseph Yorke, after reading this answer, replied, that whatever +might be his desire to satisfy the inclinations of their High +Mightinesses, the orders of the King, his master, would not permit him +upon this occasion; that, however, he doubted not, that they would be +equally satisfied by the representations with which their High +Mightinesses had charged the Count de Welderen at the Court of London. + + I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 3d, 1780. + + Sir, + +The fermentation in England has already distressed the administration +and overawed some of the members of the House of Commons, but there is +room to suspect, that this is chiefly to be attributed to the approach +of an election. The petitions are very far from being universal, and +the congress of the sub-committees is not yet numerous. + +At a meeting of these from York, Surry, Middlesex, Sussex, Gloucester, +Hertford, Kent, Huntington, Dorset, Bucks, Chester, Devon, and Essex, +from the cities of London, Westminster, Gloucester, and the towns of +Newcastle and Nottingham, holden at the St Albans tavern, and +afterwards by adjournment at the great room in King Street, St James, +on the 11th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, and 20th days of March, 1780, the +Reverend Christopher Wyvill in the chair, a memorial was agreed on, +containing reasons for a plan of association. + +They affirm that there is a despotic system, and they date the +commencement of it nearly from the beginning of the present reign, and +they say that they have arrived at the crisis, which the wisest of the +political writers marked for the downfall of British liberty, when the +legislative body shall become as corrupt as the executive, they should +have said more corrupt, because that is undoubtedly the fact at +present, as well as the case stated by Montesquieu. + +They say, that by the unhappy war with America, begotten in the first +instance of this despotic system, and nursed with a view of giving +completion to it, the fatal influence of the Crown has been armed with +more ample means for enslaving Parliament, while the nation has +visibly sunk almost into beggary. Never did any country experience so +sudden a reverse from prosperity to depression. They state the fall of +rents, the accumulation of taxes, and the stagnation of all credit. +They then run a long course of reasoning, to show the utility, +importance, and necessity, of the several things they recommended to +the people of England, which are all comprehended in a few +propositions. + +1st. They recommend perseverance in the petitions, and an association +in support of them. + +2dly. A new law for taking the suffrages of the people at elections, +to prevent expense and influence. + +3dly. To adopt, as part of their general associations, the following +propositions. + +I. That an examination be made into all the branches of the receipt, +expenditure, and mode of keeping and passing accounts of public money. + +II. One hundred, at least, of additional members of counties in the +House of Commons. + +III. That the members of the House of Commons be _annually elected_. + +IV. That it is recommended to all voters to support, at the next +election, such candidates as shall, by signing the association or +otherwise, satisfy them that they will support these regulations in +Parliament. + +In the Middlesex committee, at the Masons' tavern, March 24th, this +circular letter and the memorial it contained were unanimously +approved, and their members in the general Congress thanked. In the +Westminster committee, King's Arms tavern, Palace yard, March 15th, +1780, it was resolved, "that by the resolution of the general meeting, +directing this committee to prepare a plan of association on legal and +constitutional grounds, to support the laudable reform, and such other +measures as may conduce to restore the freedom of Parliament, this +committee conceive themselves bound to enter into the consideration of +every question tending to establish the independency of Parliament on +a solid and durable basis. That the duration of Parliament, and the +state of the representatives of the people, are questions immediately +under this description; that a sub-committee, consisting of seven +persons, be appointed to inquire into the state of the representation +of the nation and make a report." On the 20th of March, the +sub-committee reported. The report is dated the 19th. "That new +Parliaments to be holden once in every year were the ancient usage, +and declared to be the hereditary and indefeasible right of the people +of England; that the 6th of William and Mary is the first, which +attempts to appoint the time of the continuance of Parliament to be +for the term of three years, though the same act recognises the +ancient laws and statutes of this kingdom, by which annual Parliaments +were confirmed, and declares that frequent and new Parliaments tend +very much to the happy union and good agreement of the King and +people; that by the 1st of George the First, the Parliament then +chosen for three years, (by acquiescence of the people to the act of +William and Mary, on the faith of its declaring, that from henceforth, +no Parliament whatsoever, that shall at any time hereafter be called, +assembled, or held, shall have any continuance for longer than three +years only at the furthest,) did pass an act to prolong its +continuance to seven years; that temporary considerations are stated +in the preamble to the act, as the principal motives for the act +itself, that the 6th of William and Mary is worded as if declaratory +of what was conceived, however falsely, to have been the constitution +of the country; but that the septennial act assumes a power of +altering the duration of Parliament at pleasure; that these +alterations in the constitution of Parliament were made without +communication with the constituent body of the people, and have been +continued without the sanction of their approbation; that the +septennial bill was strongly opposed in Parliament, and a direct +infringement on the constitution, and a flagrant breach of trust +towards the constituent body; that it was supported almost entirely on +the principle of expediency; that the voice of the people appeared +strongly against it, in many respectable petitions to Parliament on +the occasion, and that a constitutional protest was entered by the +Peers, stating, that frequent Parliaments were the fundamental +constitution of the kingdom; that the House of Commons ought to be +chosen by the people, and when continued for a longer time than they +were chosen for, they were then chosen by the Parliament and not by +the people; that they conceived the bill, so far from preventing +corruption, would rather increase it, for the longer a Parliament was +to last, the more valuable to corrupt ones would be the purchase, and +that all the reasons which had been given for long Parliaments might +be given for making them perpetual, which would be an absolute +subversion of the third estate; that various motions were afterwards +made and strongly supported for a repeal of the septennial act, +particularly a motion for annual Parliaments in 1774, which was lost +only by a majority of thirtytwo; that the city of London and other +respectable bodies continued to instruct their representatives to +prosecute this object in the most vigorous manner, as essentially +necessary to the independency and integrity of Parliament, the rights +of the people, and the prosperity of their country; that by the 8th of +Henry Sixth, the Parliament, then elected by the commonality at large, +passed an act to disfranchise the greater part of their constituents, +by limiting the right of election of Knights of the Shire to persons +having free lands, or tenants, to the value of forty shillings by the +year, at the least, which restriction has ever since continued; that +many towns and boroughs, formerly entitled for their repute and +reputation, to send members to Parliament, have since fallen into +decay, yet continue to have a representation equal to the most opulent +counties and cities, while other towns and places, which have risen +into consideration, and become populous and wealthy, have no +representatives in Parliament; that the number of the inhabitants of +England and Wales is above five millions; that of these, twelve +hundred thousand are supposed capable of voting, as the constitution +stood before the restrictive act above quoted; that not more than two +hundred and fourteen thousand are at present permitted to vote; that +out of these, one hundred and thirty thousand freeholders elect +ninetytwo members for fiftytwo counties; fortythree thousand citizens, +freemen and others, elect fiftytwo members for twentythree cities and +two universities, and fortyone thousand electors choose three hundred +and sixtynine members for one hundred and ninetytwo towns and +boroughs; that fifty of these members are returned by three hundred +and forty electors; and a number scarcely above six thousand, being a +majority of the voters of one hundred and twentynine of the boroughs, +return two hundred and fiftyseven representatives, which is a majority +of the whole English House of Commons, and the efficient +representation of above five millions of people; that many of these +boroughs are immediately under the influence of the Crown, as the +cinque ports; many of them are private property, affording hereditary +seats, as those under burgage, tenure, and some of them almost without +houses or inhabitants, as Galton, Newtown, and Old Sarum; that +considering the representation with reference to property, many +counties return representatives out of all proportion to what they +contribute to the public revenue; that Cornwall pays to land tax and +subsidy, sixteen parts out of five hundred and thirty, and sends +fortyfour members to Parliament, while Middlesex pays not less in +proportion than two hundred and fiftysix, and sends eight members; so +that the inequality of the representation of this country, with regard +to property, is still greater than when estimated according to the +numbers of its inhabitants." The Westminster committee after +considering this report, Mr Fox in the chair, came to the following +resolutions. + +"1. That annual Parliaments are the undoubted right of the people of +England, and that the act which prolonged their duration was +subversive of the constitution, and a violation on the part of the +representatives, of the sacred trust reposed in them by their +constituents. + +"2. That the present state of the representation of this country is +inadequate to the object, and a departure from the first principles of +the constitution. + +"3. That thanks be given to the sub-committee for their very +intelligent report. + +"4. That copies of it be sent to the several committees of the +counties, cities, and boroughs of the kingdom." + +I have been thus particular in stating the proceedings of these +committees, because it must be an advantage for Congress to have them +all in view, and to see the whole of the foundation that is laid. They +are some of the most important proceedings of the present reign; they +are the commencement of a new sovereignty in opposition to the old. If +there is virtue or good sense in the nation, these machines will +discover it and set it in motion, and provided the war continues, it +will prevail; but if there is neither virtue or sense remaining, or +not enough of these to produce the desired effect, it will probably +be the last national effort made in favor of liberty, and despotism +will range at large. + +If the King would make peace now, he would dissipate all these +combinations in England, Ireland, and Holland, as well as prevent the +treaty with Spain, (which I believe is in a good way, from a letter +which I lately saw from Mr Carmichael,) from giving advantages, to +Spain, and disadvantages to England, which can never be altered. But +if he continues the war long, if he should have signal successes, +these may dispel the storms in England and Ireland; but if he should +be unsuccessful, the new sovereignty will probably prevail against +him, after involving the three kingdoms in confusion and blood. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 4th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There is an anecdote from Malaga, which ought to be mentioned to +Congress, because, it cannot fail to have serious consequences. + +The Swedish frigate, the Illerim, of thirtyfour guns, commanded by +Captain Ankerloo, on the 28th of February, at half after eight o'clock +at night met an English privateer belonging to Minorca, of twentyeight +guns. The Swedish Captain, after hailing the privateer, let her +continue her course, and went on quietly his own; about half an hour +after the privateer returning, ranged herself astern of the frigate, +and unexpectedly discharged both his broadsides, loaded with langrage, +which killed three sailors, broke the thigh and the right leg of the +Captain, wounded the Lieutenant and some people of the crew. Ankerloo, +who in the evening had been obliged by a violent gale of wind to draw +in his guns and shut up his ports, not finding himself prepared for +battle, his officers took immediate measures, with the utmost +alertness, for repulsing the privateer, which did in fact at last +receive one broadside from the frigate; but, upon the whole, she +escaped in the night, by the force of sails and of oars. After this +perfidy on the part of the English, Ankerloo would have entered +Marseilles for the sake of dressing his wounds, but having met with +contrary winds and bad weather for three days, he put into Malaga, +where he went ashore to the house of the Swedish consul, where he is +since dead of his wounds. + + I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 6th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It may be necessary to transmit the decree of Sir James Mariott, +against the Dutch ship la Sybellina Hillegonda, in order fully to +comprehend the proceedings, which I have sent before. The decree is +this. + +"The fact in this case is, a Dutch ship loaded with naval stores, for +a port in France, under the convoy of not less than five men-of-war, +and the commander of these men-of-war, not measuring his conduct by +the line of the treaty, resists, fires upon the boat of the English +Commodore, and forbids the execution of the treaty. The English +Commodore returns the fire. The Dutch Admiral fires again, and +strikes; so that the fact is to be adjusted, and it is of such a +nature as has never before happened in the history of this nation. It +falls unfortunately to my share, to decide upon these facts and their +consequences. + +"It is, nevertheless, a consolation, that although the judge of this +court may decide, in the first instance, there is still a superior +tribunal, in the last resort. This court ought to judge of the case of +the treaty, since, in virtue of a special commission, under the great +seal of the kingdom, the judges of the courts of admiralty are +authorised and required to take cognizance of, and proceed judicially +in all manner of captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals, and decide +upon them according to the course of the admiralty and the law of +nations. + +"The claimant disdains to found his right in any other way than upon +the treaty. My idea is, that all the marine treaties, which subsist +between two friendly powers, form but one code of laws, one great +confederation, one indivisible union. They are, if it is lawful to +make use of these sacred words, the Bible, the Book, or the Testament +of the social contract between the nations, to be maintained +inviolably, as a system, whereof we cannot break one part without +dissolving the whole. + +"The Dutch subjects have, in virtue of the treaty, particular +privileges, superior to those of every other country, but they may +overleap the bounds of these privileges, and from that time they ought +to be weighed in the balance, like other neutral nations. To be found +under a convoy is not, in itself, an infraction of the treaty, but the +conduct of this convoy is to be considered. + +"The fifth article of the treaty of 1674 is reciprocal. 'If any ship, +belonging to the subjects of his Majesty of Great Britain, shall in +open sea, or elsewhere, out of the dominions of the said States, meet +any ships of war of the Lords the States, or privateers belonging to +their subjects, the said ships of the Lords the States, or of their +subjects, shall keep at a convenient distance, and only send out their +boat, with two or three men only, to go on board such ships or vessels +of the subjects of his Majesty, in order that the passport, or +sea-brief, concerning the property thereof, according to the form +hereunder annexed, may be produced to them, by the captain or master +of such ship or vessel, belonging to the subjects of his Majesty; and +the said ships, so producing the same, shall freely pass; and it shall +not be lawful to molest, search, detain, or force such ship from her +intended voyage. And the subjects of the Lords the States shall enjoy +in all things, the same liberty and immunity, they in like manner +showing their passport, or sea-brief, made out according to the form +prescribed at the foot of this treaty.' + +"The sixth article is, 'If any ship or vessel, belonging to the +English or other subjects of Great Britain, shall be met making into +any port belonging to an enemy of the Lords the States, or, on the +other side, if any ship belonging to the United Provinces of the +Netherlands, or other subjects of the Lords the States, shall be met +in her way, making into any port under the obedience of the enemies of +his said Majesty, such ships shall show, not only a passport, or +sea-brief, according to the form hereunder subscribed, wherewith she +is to be furnished, but also her certificate or cocket, containing the +particulars of the goods on board, in the usual form, by the officers +of the customs of that port, from whence she came; whereby it may be +known whether she is laden with any of the goods prohibited by the +third article of this treaty.' + +"Such are the terms of this treaty, which this court will not declare +to be now in force; but one of the parties may renounce it; and it +would be from that time, so far forth, a good cause of annulling it. +It could not ever have been the intention of the contracting parties, +that the merchant ships of the subjects of the States should become +the transport vessels for the service of the King of France, nor that +the men-of-war of the States should serve as a convoy to them. It is +impossible to form an idea more unworthy of the sovereignty of the +States. The idea of granting a convoy to all Dutch ships destined for +the port of an enemy is offensive, and still more aggravating, when +accompanied with resistance, or orders to resist, when they go so far +as to reject _ipso facto_ all the ordinary ways of public justice, and +to set at nought the articles, which had been established to prevent +the consequences of the intervention of neuters, as parties in a war, +by public acts; articles which stipulate a legal procedure for +discussing all the points in controversy, before the courts of +admiralty reciprocally; and in case the parties should not be +satisfied, they ought to be finally heard by their respective +sovereigns in council. Such is the tenor of the twelfth article of the +treaty of 1674. + +"In the present state of the cause, this court will not say, +nevertheless, that the States have annulled the treaty; because the +orders of Admiral Byland have not appeared, and his conduct may be +disavowed by the States; but even the granting of a convoy, and above +all of a squadron, is essentially offensive, since the Dutch subjects +are already sufficiently armed by the treaty, and by the methods of +redress prescribed, which are the same with all maritime nations. The +party complaining follows the ship and the papers, which she has on +board, into the jurisdiction of the place and country where he is +carried, as the subject, who in the nature of things and proceedings, +can only of necessity be judged there, where the original proofs +exist; the judges specially constituted, for the decision of prizes, +both in the first instance and in the last resort, are, by common +consent, charged to hear and determine all national differences +between powers who are friends and allies, like the Council of +Amphyctions in ancient Greece. But seamen do not well comprehend this +language. They speak roughly, like the mouths of their cannons. If +this vessel had fired upon the boat, and any one had thereby lost his +life, I think I should not have hesitated to condemn her upon general +principles. Neither Admiral Byland, nor his instructions, are before +me. I know not how to give a sentence against him or his vessels; +nevertheless, he ought not to have fired upon the boat of Commodore +Fielding; but he was bound to send to him his boat, and to propose an +interview and an amicable conference. He might have made him a visit, +which he immediately would have returned; and all the captains of the +Dutch merchant ships might have been ordered on board the English +Commodore, to produce their passports and cockets. The effect of his +resistance is thus the cause, that, although I do not declare the +treaty null generally, nevertheless, in retaliation to these vessels +taken in time of resistance, I ought to declare the ship forfeited of +its privilege, and foreclosed of the treaty, by the act of M. Byland. +There was certainly never any vessel under convoy without +instructions, at least in her course, and without signals. If the +claimants had not withheld them, it would have appeared, whether the +Dutch Admiral ought, or ought not to have escorted these ships even +into the ports of France, which would have aggravated the offence +against the treaty. A convoy of a single ship, destined for the +States, destined for the Colonies of the States, or loaded generally +with innocent commodities, is, in itself, inoffensive; because, in +these times, there are in all the seas little pirates, furnished with +all sorts of commissions, American, French, Spanish, and English; but +a squadron of a line of battle ships, and which appears force [?] even +to the treaty, which they claim the benefit of, is a serious affair. +To engage in hostilities is not the way of protecting commerce; and +those who have solicited the States to grant such a convoy, were +rather factious Americans, or intriguing French politicians, than +solid, sensible Dutchmen, true and real friends of their country. +There is certainly among them a number of worthy people, who can never +desire to become, in fact, a Province, under the obedience of the King +of France, or his resident Minister. + +"The case of the Swedish convoy is not applicable to this case. That +convoy had not made any resistance. The ships entered the Downs by the +bad weather, and were there taken without their convoy, which came to +anchor near them. This was represented, and the course of justice was +followed. The ship's papers were produced directly in this court, the +requisites were done, and the causes finally discussed according to +the style of the admiralty, _velo levato_; no time was lost, either in +contesting the justice or demanding right; and the captains of the +ships returned contented with their vessels after they had been paid +the freight, as well as the expense; and the naval stores, which they +had on board, were purchased by the government, by virtue of powers +granted to the Council of the Royal Marine, by act of Parliament, in +conformity to acts of Parliament in former wars. + +"The question, whether the hemp and flax are contraband, is clear. +Both of them have been adjudged such on all former occasions, when the +quantity has been considerable, and particularly, when they are not of +the produce of the country of the party which carries them. The flax +is as necessary for sails, as the hemp for cordage; and if this court +has once ordered that flax should be sold to the Commissioners of the +navy, it was because it was of little value, and in very small +quantity. I am sorry to learn, that the Navy Board makes any +difficulty upon this subject. The iron on board was only for ballast." + +I cannot go through with the whole of this decree for want of time; +but the following curious and convenient doctrine ought not to be +omitted. + +"That, which in the natural or intellectual world is called quality, +is not relative. Good and evil are relative. Everything is what it is, +and acquires its denomination from comparison, degree, manner, +quality, place, time, person, fault, &c. &c. These relations +constitute the metaphysical essence of every complex idea in the human +understanding. Hence that source, without end, of disputes, the glory +of the bar, and of the schools of philosophy. + +"Grotius and Bynkershoeck agree, and who is there that will deny, that +necessity gives a right to make ourselves masters of everything, +without the seizure of which a nation cannot defend herself? As in +relation to want, if the enemy, on one part, is in want of stores, the +want to intercept them on the other is equal. And in relation to +blockades, every port of the enemy is blocked relative to a neutral +vessel loaded with stores, which is seized, and, by consequence, +blocked, or hindered to go there. It imports little, that whether the +blockade be made across the narrows at Dover, or off the harbor at +Brest, or L'Orient. If you are taken, you are blocked. Great Britain, +by her insular situation, blocks naturally all the ports of Spain and +France. She has a right to avail herself of this situation, as a gift +of Providence. + +"In fine, it is necessary to observe, that the claimants, founding +themselves upon the privilege of the treaty, have not a single paper +on board to prove the property of the cargo, in which respect all are +defective. The sentence then, is, that, under the circumstances of +this case, the claim of privilege is rejected, and that the Dutch +master be enjoined to produce his sailing orders, and certificates and +cockets from the Custom House of the port from whence the ship sailed, +according to the stipulations of the sixth article of the treaty of +1674. The hemp and flax are condemned as contraband on board of this +ship, and the owners of the iron are held to prove their property." + +I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most +obedient and most humble servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 7th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There are several articles of intelligence today, which are connected +with the subject of my letter of yesterday. One is from the Hague, the +2d of April. "Thursday night last two couriers from Petersburgh +arrived here, alighted at the hotel of the Prince Gallitzen, the Envoy +Extraordinary of her Majesty the Empress of all the Russias to the +States-General. One of the couriers set off immediately for London, to +the Russian Minister who resides there. The Prince Gallitzen having +been in conference the next day with the President of the Assembly of +their High Mightinesses, relative to the said despatches, this +Minister sent back, the next night after his arrival, the same +courier. From that time the report runs, that the object of these +despatches was to communicate to the Republic the measures taken by +Russia, with some of the northern powers, for ensuring respectively +the safety of the navigation and commerce of their subjects, and to +invite the States-General to enter into the same arrangements." + +The other is from Constantinople, the 14th of February. "The +privateers continue to vex the neutral ships in the seas of the Grand +Seignior, by visiting and stopping them wherever they find them, and +even without any discretion, at the entry of the ports and under the +guns of our fortresses. The French frigate, the Gracieuse, which lay +at anchor in the road of Cyprus, having learned that an English +privateer had brought into the port of this island a French prize, +sent to her some boats armed to retake her, which they could not +accomplish, however, without having some men killed on both sides. The +English consul having carried his complaints to the government of the +Island, of a violation of the laws of nations and demanded assistance, +he was so well succored, that the French were obliged to abandon the +prize, and all of their nation who were in the island came very near +being massacred by the Turks. As the Porte has also been informed, +that on the other hand the ship Smyrna, of Rotterdam, has run a risk +of undergoing the same fate with the ship of Captain Kinder, of +Amsterdam, and perhaps to suffer treatment still harder, and in sight +of the city of Smyrna; she has not only resolved to send new orders to +all the commandants, to enjoin them very seriously to observe a +neutrality the most exact, by fulfilling their duty, but she has also +testified her sensibility in regard to all these depredations to the +Ambassadors of the Courts of France and England, by sending to them +last Saturday a representation in writing, purporting, that as the +Porte had not failed to observe, during the war between France and +England, an exact and perfect neutrality to facilitate their commerce +upon an equal footing, and to afford to their ships all possible +safety in her seas, it was natural that she should, and ought to +expect, that the two powers would answer her conduct with a sincere +friendship. That at the news of the first differences arisen between +the two kingdoms, there were conferences held with their Ambassadors, +in which it was agreed upon an equal footing; that the rules of the +sea should not be violated, and that they should be, on the contrary, +exactly observed and respected. That in consequence of this agreement, +the Porte had not neglected anything to fulfil of fortresses and +castles in the empire, to protect the ships of war and merchant-men +against every attack, and not to suffer that any hostilities should be +commenced in the ports of the Grand Seignior, and under the cannon and +in sight of his fortresses. + +"But in spite of all these measures, these powers had not taken care +to observe them, which was the cause that no nation could now navigate +freely and safely; that even to this time, the Porte had not received +the least answer on the subject of a regulation of neutrality, which +had been formed upon the footing of that which had been established +during former wars between Christian powers, and of which +communication had been made to the said Ambassadors, with a view to +put a stop to the intolerable irregularities which had taken place in +his seas, and to the end to prevent in consequence continual +complaints and representations. That the Porte was informed foreign +privateers held his ports blocked up, and forced the ships which +entered into them or went out, without even excepting the Turkish +vessels, to submit to their unjust visits and searches. + +"That such a conduct, being contrary to the honor of the empire, the +Porte ought to determine, as soon as possible, and communicate to the +belligerent powers a good regulation, to the end, to procure by that +means repose, to his subjects, whom Providence had confided to his +care, and to this end it was necessary, that the Ambassadors of these +two powers should be advertised to request their Courts, in the first +place, to send, as soon as possible, to the captains and officers of +ships armed for war, or privateers, precise orders, and as some time +must pass before they can receive such orders, the Porte hopes that +the gentlemen, the Ambassadors, will be so good in the meantime, as to +order the captains and officers to suspend their operations, and +abstain from all acts of hostility. + +"And as, in consequence of the ancient regulations, every time that +any vessels of war or armed ships come into the seas of the Grand +Seignior, the foreign Ministers were held to give notice to the Porte +of the object of their expedition or voyage, of their destination, and +of the time they were to stay, it could not but be regarded as +unreasonable, and entirely contrary to the reciprocal friendship, if +these formalities should not be observed, the Porte, considering it as +one of its principal duties, to employ all possible means to procure +the tranquillity of its merchants, to protect their possessions +against all force and injustice, as also to grant its protection to +the subjects of the belligerent powers, and those of other powers who +are equally good friends of this empire." + +The Porte finishes, by giving notice to the Ambassadors, that the +Capitan Pacha was ordered to oppose himself in a friendly manner to +the enterprises of those, who should pursue the ancient proceedings, +and to protect the merchants and the ships of all nations, who carry +on commerce in the countries of this empire, whose sovereigns live in +friendship with the Porte. + +A third is a letter from Petersburg, 7th of March. "The rencounter +which the Dutch convoy, on going out of the Texel the later end of +December, under the command of Admiral Byland, had with the English +squadron under Commodore Fielding, as well as the violent and hostile +manner in which they made prize of this convoy, have occasioned here +the greatest astonishment, and it is very much desired to know the +consequences of this measure, which is generally considered as very +offensive to the Republic of the United Provinces, and derogatory both +to the treaties subsisting between the two nations, to the law of +nations, and to the respect which ought to take place between two free +and independent powers." + +But that which is thought more extraordinary still, is, that the Court +of London should have ordered a step so violent and insulting at a +time when, having to maintain a war so dangerous as that against +France, Spain, and the United States of America, her situation must +appear not less anxious than dangerous, which this Court itself seems +to acknowledge, by representing as she has done, that not finding +herself in a condition to oppose the dangerous designs of the House of +Bourbon, which, if you believe her, threaten the safety of all Europe, +she believed herself consequently to have cause to demand succors +here, as well as from the Republic of the United Provinces. However +this may be, it is nevertheless notorious, that the solicitations of +England have produced no effect here, which has given no small +satisfaction to those, who consider in their proper point of light the +designs and the conduct of this power, since the commencement of this +war against the liberty of commerce and the navigation of free and +independent powers, by means of which people in general seem so much +the more pleased with the present resolution taken by her Majesty the +Empress of all the Russias, relative to the said solicitation, as well +as with the system of neutrality, which she has adopted, because +without this wise measure there is no doubt but Great Britain would +have pushed much further the irregularity of her proceedings. + +The English, who are here, exert themselves as much as they can to +justify and even to praise this proceeding of their nation towards the +said convoy, but in vain have they attempted to induce the public to +adopt this error, by advancing boldly, that the Court of Russia +approves the violence, which they have exercised in this rencounter. +No man believes them, since in fact it is impossible that the Empress +can approve an action so diametrically opposite to the tenor of +treaties, to the law of nations, as well as to the dignity of a +sovereign and independent power, the injustice of which is so +notorious, that if it had been committed with similar circumstances +upon the Russian flag, the Princess herself would have been the first +to have condemned it. Thus the reports, which the English propagate +here, of the approbation given to these proceedings, imply so much the +more of a manifest contradiction to the sentiments and manner of +thinking of the Empress and her Ministers, that it is well known, that +from the beginning of the present troubles, the Court of Russia has +made representations and complaints against that of London, for the +violent and arbitrary manner of acting, which this last has indulged +herself in, against the navigation and commerce of neutral powers, +from whence it has resulted, that other nations, in imitation of this +proceeding, have embarrassed business more and more, until there +exists no safety for any, which causes the greatest embarrassment to +merchants and the freighters of ships. + +I ought to add to this letter, that the English emissaries, who +propagate false news everywhere and about everything, having +circulated a report, that the Porte was discontented with the peace +made with Russia, the Grand Seignior thought it necessary to order the +interpreter of the Court to declare to all foreign Ministers, that the +Sultan and all his Ministers had every reason to be very well +satisfied with the accommodation with the Empress of Russia, and that +he was determined to maintain religiously all the articles contained +in that treaty. All these things tend to show, that the state of +Europe continues the same, and that England, instead of getting an +ally, is likely to have a combination of all maritime powers to bring +her to reason. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN EMBASSY AT MADRID. + + Paris, April 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have this moment the honor of your letter from Madrid of the 29th of +February, as I suppose, although the month is not mentioned. I thank +you, Sir, for commencing a correspondence, which I have for some time +wished to begin. I wrote to Mr Jay at Madrid, on the 22d of February, +and wish to know if he has received the letter. It is certainly +proper, that those who are intrusted abroad should maintain a +correspondence and cultivate a good understanding with each other, +because, although their departments are in some respects separate, yet +in others they are intimately connected. From all that I heard in +Spain, I expected, that you would meet with an agreeable reception at +Madrid; and I am much pleased to learn from you, that I was not +mistaken. + +I have sometimes wondered at the slowness of Spain in making a treaty +with us; but, when I reflected upon a certain secret article, my +surprise ceased. We are already bound in a treaty to her, but she is +not bound to us. It would be ungenerous in her, however, to hold us +long in this situation. The treaty, notwithstanding all that has been +justly said of the advantages to us, is not less advantageous to our +allies. The single article, that binds us to exclude all armed vessels +of the enemies, in all future wars, from our ports, is worth more +millions to them than this war will cost; nay, it will be a severer +loss to Great Britain, than all that she has spent in it. Whether +Great Britain has considered this or not I do not know; but she will +some time or other discover it, and feel the inconvenience of it. + +You ask for news from America. A vessel from Baltimore is arrived at +Bordeaux, but not a single letter to Dr Franklin or me. She brings two +or three Baltimore newspapers, one as late as the 15th of February. +There has been a hard winter, deep snows, uncommon frosts, frozen over +from Connecticut to Long Island, and from New Jersey to Staten Island. +Lord Sterling went over to Staten Island with a party on the ice, +burnt a few vessels and a guard house, took a few prisoners, and +brought off a few deserters. Some New Jersey people went over at the +same time, and plundered without mercy. Finding the communication open +with New York, which had been supposed to be obstructed by the ice, he +returned. An article from a Fishkill paper says, that Clinton and +Cornwallis sailed the 26th of December, with seven thousand men, for +the West Indies, but that the storm, which happened soon after their +departure, was supposed to have done him mischief. A ship, brig, and +schooner were lost in the storm on Cape Cod, unknown who or whence, +all perished. Congress had recommended to all the States to regulate +prices at twenty for one, which, by the speculations in the papers, +was not well liked. Governor Johnson is a delegate for Maryland, +General Ward for Massachusetts, in the room of Mr Dana, (who desires +me to return you his compliments and respects.) The other delegates as +last year. This is all the news I can recollect, having seen the +papers only a few minutes in a large company. + +The general state of affairs appears very well. I see no probability +of England's obtaining an ally; on the contrary, there are many +symptoms of an approaching combination of the maritime powers, to +protect neutral ships from searches and insults. Ireland is in the +full career of independence. England seems determined to force Holland +into a war against her, that she may have an opportunity to plunder +her. + +The correspondences and associations in England distress the Ministry +very much; and, if the war continues and they should not be very +successful, it seems likely, that they would save us the trouble of +despatching them. I wish, however, that France and Spain were more +convinced of the advantages they have in America and the West Indies. +The more ships they send into those seas, the more they will force +England to send there; and the more she sends there, the weaker she is +in Europe, and the less she is dreaded and respected. Holland, +Ireland, the opposition in England, and the other maritime powers all +feel a confidence rising in proportion to the diminution of the +British naval force in Europe, besides the innumerable advantages the +French and Spaniards have, in supporting the war in the American seas +over the English, which they have not in Europe; but I am apprehensive +of being tedious. My compliments to Mr Jay and his family. + +I am, with much respect, your most obedient and humble servant, + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 8th, 1780. + + Sir, + +It will not be disagreeable to Congress to see a list of the naval +losses of the English, since the commencement of the war. + +_Taken by the Americans and the French._ + + Guns. Guns. + Active, 82 Experiment, 50 + Fox, 1st, 20 Montreal, 32 + Fox, 2d, 20 Alert, cutter, 14 + Lively, 20 Ceres, 18 + Hellena, schooner, 16 Countess of Scarborough, 42 + Ardent, 64 Liverpool, 28 + Thorn, 16 Unicorn 20 + Drake, 20 Ariel, 16 + Minerva, 32 Folstone, cutter, 6 + Serapis, 44 Holderness, destroyed, 4 + +_Lost, or cast away._ + + Guns. Guns. + Somerset, 64 Mermaid, 28 + Arethusa, 32 Glasgow, burnt, 20 + Speedwell, 14 Vestal, 20 + Acteon, 32 Mercury, 20 + Repulse, 32 Quebec, blown up, 32 + Viper, 16 Grampus, + Success, 24 Tortoise, + Pomona, 18 Leviathan. + +_Burnt, sunk, or otherwise destroyed, to prevent their falling into +the Hands of their Enemies_. + + Guns. Guns. + Augusta, 64 Cerberus, 28 + Lark, 14 Syren, 28 + Juno, 32 King Fisher, 14 + Flora, 32 Falcon, 18 + Orpheus, 32 Essex, 64 + +Making a total number of fortysix vessels. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There are several miscellaneous articles of intelligence, which ought +to be mentioned to Congress. + +One from Copenhagen, of the 25th of March. "The Count de Lucchese, +Minister of the King of the Two Sicilies, and charged at the same time +with the affairs of the Court of Madrid, has received orders to +declare to ours, that the King of Spain had it in contemplation to +make arrangements relative to merchant ships of neutral powers, and +with which we should have cause to be very well pleased. However this +may be, we have not any news that the Danish ships detained, to the +number of twenty, at Cadiz and Malaga, have been as yet released, +which is a great damage to those who are interested in those vessels. + +"There is arrived in this city a courier coming from St Petersburg, +who has also passed through Stockholm, who after having delivered his +despatches to the Envoy Extraordinary of her Majesty, the Empress of +all the Russias, at this Court, immediately continued his journey for +Hamburg." + +Another is from Madrid, the 13th of March. "It is said that our Court +will soon publish a new regulation relative to the Dutch navigation. +In the meantime, they have released two ships of this nation, viz. the +Griffin and the Zandam, which were detained at Algeziras. + +"The register ships destined for the Havana and Vera Cruz, which are +ready at Cadiz, are to sail immediately; these ships will be convoyed +by twelve ships of the line and two frigates, as far as the Canary +Islands. It is assured, that there will be embarked on board of this +fleet, twelve thousand men, who are to be transported to America under +the command of Don Victa de Nava, Lieutenant General. The last letters +from the Havana import, that there were in that port fourteen ships of +the line, as well as four thousand men ready to embark for an +expedition, the object of which is yet unknown. Two of our cruisers +have entered Barcelona with five very rich prizes, among which, one +had on board eighteen thousand guineas, destined for Mahon." + +Another from Paris. "Letters from Malta of the 11th of February +inform, that the King's frigate, the Syracuse, commanded by M. Clavel, +off Candia, has taken the English cutter, the Buck, of twentyfour +guns, twelve swivels, and two hundred and three men, commanded by +Captain George Flagg, and that the bad condition to which the +engagement had reduced her, had induced him to sink her." + +Another from Francfort, of the 1st of April. "They write from Hesse, +that they continued to raise many recruits, and that there were at +Ziagenham six hundred and eight volunteers, who were to set off in a +little time with eleven hundred and twenty men for America." + +Another from Amsterdam, of the 6th of March. "We learn from Dort, that +they expected there the English vessels destined to transport the +German troops for the service of England, which were still at +Nimeguen; and they write from the Hague, that General Faucet had +arrived there a few days since." + +Another from London, of the 31st of March. "The despatches, which the +Court has last received from Sir Joseph Yorke, excite the particular +attention of the Ministry. Although the contents of them have not yet +been made public, it is said, nevertheless, that in consequence of the +memorial, presented on the 21st to the States-General by the British +Minister, their High Mightinesses have taken the _Pre-avis_, relative +to the succors demanded by Great Britain, which, although conceived in +very moderate terms, contains, nevertheless, a refusal to furnish the +succors demanded. The Republic, as it is pretended, founding its +inability to comply with this demand principally upon the +non-existence of the case of invasion of the British States, as a +case, which alone could lay them under obligation to accede to the +requisition of the King of England, the Count de Welderen, Envoy +Extraordinary of the States-General, has been on the 29th in +conference with Lord Stormont, and communicated to him the _Pre-avis_ +of their High Mightinesses, relative to the requisition of his +Britannic Majesty, upon the subject of which the States-General will +soon take a formal resolution. It is reported also, that his +Excellency has likewise imparted to our Ministry the sentence of a +court martial, which has adjudged, that Count Byland was not the +aggressor in the affair of the seizure of the Dutch ships by +Commodore Fielding. However, it is asserted, that the Court of St +James has declared afresh, 'That if the States-General refuse to +furnish to England the succors demanded in virtue of the treaties, she +will give orders to search, without distinction, all Dutch ships under +convoy and without convoy, and that all the merchandises and effects +destined for the French and Spaniards, which shall be found loaded on +board of these vessels, shall be seized and confiscated; adding, that +it is neither just nor reasonable, that the Republic should be +excused, on her part, from the observation of the treaties, while +England should be held on hers to fulfil the conditions, and that +thus, in consequence of her former declaration, the Republic should be +no more considered but on the footing of other neutral powers.' + +"They say, moreover, that the reasons alleged by their High +Mightinesses in justification of their refusal to acquiesce in the +demand of England, are of a nature to convince our Ministry, that such +an acquiescence would produce consequences equally hurtful to the +respective interests of the two powers in the present conjuncture. + +"We are assured, that each man of the crews of the squadron of +Commodore Fielding, will receive more than nine pounds sterling, for +his share of the proceeds of the captures made of the Dutch convoy, +and that there will be two hundred pounds sterling paid to the King's +ships at Spithead, for their part of the prizes which they have made. + +"The Court has received, within a few days, a great number of +despatches from its Ministers at foreign Courts, the contents of which +have given occasion to several cabinet councils. Those of Sir Joseph +Yorke have excited a particular attention. + +"The officers of all the vessels of war destined for sea, have +received orders to repair on board as soon as possible, and be ready +to sail on the first notice. The officers of the regiments of regular +troops, and of the militia, must also join their respective corps +without delay, that they may be ready to march by the middle of April. +The forces will encamp nearly in the same place as last year; and +there will be some detached corps ready to join the different camps +according to circumstances." + +I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect and esteem, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 10th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The _Memoire_ of the Prince Gallitzen, Envoy Extraordinary from the +Empress of all the Russias to the States-General, presented the third +of this month, is of too much importance to the United States of +America, and their allies, to be omitted to be sent to Congress. It is +of the following tenor. + + "High and Mighty Lords, + + "The undersigned, Envoy Extraordinary of her Majesty, the Empress + of all the Russias, has the honor to communicate a copy of the + declaration, which the Empress, his Sovereign, has made to the + powers actually at war. Your High Mightinesses may regard this + communication, as a particular mark of the attention of the + Empress to the Republic, equally interested in the reasons which + have given birth to this declaration. + + "He has, moreover, orders to declare, in the name of her Imperial + Majesty, that how much soever she may desire, on the one hand, to + maintain during the present war the strictest neutrality, she + will, nevertheless maintain, by means the most efficacious, the + honor of the Russian flag, and the safety of her commerce, and + the navigation of her subjects, and will not suffer that any + injury should be done to it by any of the belligerent powers. + That to avoid, on this occasion, all misunderstanding or false + interpretation, she has thought it her duty to specify in her + declaration the terms of a free commerce, and of that which is + called contraband; that if the definition is founded upon notions + the most simple, the most clear, and the most determinate by the + law of nature, that of the latter is taken by her literally from + the treaty of commerce of Russia with Great Britain; that by this + she proves incontestably her good faith, and her impartiality + towards both parties; that she thinks, consequently, that she + ought to expect, that the other commercial powers will be earnest + to accede to her manner of thinking relative to the neutrality. + + "In pursuance of these two views, her Majesty has charged the + subscriber to invite your High Mightinesses to make a common + cause with her; insomuch, that this union may serve to protect + commerce and navigation, observing at the same time the most + exact neutrality, and to communicate to you the measures which + she has taken in consequence. Similar invitations have been + already made to the Courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Lisbon, + to the end, that by the common cares of all neutral maritime + powers, a neutral system, founded on justice, and which, by its + real utility, may serve as a rule for future ages, may be + established and made legal in favor of the commercial navigation + of neutral nations. The subscriber makes no doubt, that your High + Mightinesses will take into consideration the invitation of her + Imperial Majesty, and concur in making, without delay, a + declaration to the belligerent powers, founded upon the same + principles with those of the Empress, his sovereign, by + explaining your sentiments at the same time upon the subject of + the protection of your commerce, of your navigation, and of the + nature of contraband goods, conformably to the terms of your + particular treaties with other nations. Moreover, the subscriber + has the honor to assure your High Mightinesses, that if, for + establishing solidly a system, equally glorious and advantageous + to the prosperity of navigation in general, you will commence a + negotiation with the neutral powers abovementioned, to the end to + establish a particular convention upon this subject, the Empress, + his sovereign, will be ready to engage in it. + + "Your High Mightinesses will readily perceive the necessity of + coming to a resolution upon subjects equally important and + advantageous to humanity in general. + + "The subscriber requests the favor, that your High Mightinesses + would furnish him with a speedy answer. + + GALLITZEN." + + * * * * * + + DECLARATION + + _Of her Majesty, the Empress of Russia, made to the Courts of + Versailles, Madrid, and London, mentioned in the foregoing + Memorial._ + +"The Empress of all the Russias has manifested so visibly the +sentiments of justice, equity, and moderation, which animate her, and +has given, during the whole course of the war maintained against the +Ottoman Porte, such convincing proofs of her attention to the rights +of neutrality, and the freedom of commerce in general, that, in this +respect, she may appeal to the testimony of all Europe. This conduct, +as well as the scrupulous exactness with which she has observed the +rules of neutrality during the Course of this war, has given her room +to hope, that her subjects would peaceably enjoy the fruits of their +industry, and the advantages, which belong to all neutral nations. +Experience has, however, taught her the contrary, since neither these +considerations, nor the regard due to what the law of nations in +general prescribes, have been able to hinder the subjects of her +Majesty from being oftentimes troubled in their navigation, or +interrupted or retarded in their commerce, by the subjects of the +belligerent powers. These interruptions having come upon business in +general, and that of Russia in particular, are of a nature to awaken +the attention of all the neutral nations, and oblige her Majesty, the +Empress, to seek to deliver herself from them by all means suitable to +her dignity and the well being of her subjects. + +"But before she shall put them in execution, being filled with a +sincere desire to prevent all subsequent acts of violence, she has +thought that it was consistent with her equity to lay open to all +Europe the principles, which will govern her, and which are +indispensable to prevent all misunderstanding, as well as all which +might give occasion to it. To this she has determined herself with so +much the more confidence, as these principles are drawn from the +primitive law of nations, and adopted by all nations, which the +belligerent powers themselves cannot enervate, at least not without +violating the laws of neutrality, and contemning the fundamental rules +which they themselves have adopted, in divers treaties and alliances +now existing. + +"ARTICLE I. That all neutral vessels ought to navigate freely from one +port to another, as well as upon the coasts of the powers now at war. + +"ARTICLE II. That the effects belonging to the subjects of the +belligerent powers shall be free in neutral ships, excepting always +contraband goods. + +"ARTICLE III. That her Imperial Majesty, in consequence of the limits +above fixed, will adhere strictly to that which is stipulated by the +tenth and eleventh articles of her treaty of commerce with Great +Britain, concerning the manner in which she ought to conduct towards +all the belligerent powers. + +"ARTICLE IV. That as to what concerns a port blocked up, we ought not +in truth to consider as such any but those, which are found so well +shut up by a fixed and sufficient number of vessels belonging to the +power which attacks it, that one cannot attempt to enter into such +port without evident danger. + +"ARTICLE V. That these principles above laid down ought to serve as a +rule in all proceedings, whenever there is a question concerning the +legality of prizes. + +"From these considerations, her Imperial Majesty makes no difficulty +to declare, that wishing to insure the execution of that, which is +herein before declared, to maintain at the same time the honor of her +flag, as well as the safety of the commerce of her States, and also to +protect the navigation of her subjects against all those whom it may +concern, she has given orders that a considerable portion of her +maritime forces shall be put to sea, with no other intention than to +insure the observation of the most exact and the most strict +neutrality, which her Majesty proposes to keep as long as she shall +not see herself absolutely forced to depart from that system of +moderation and of perfect neutrality, which she has adopted; in such +sort, that it will not be but in the last extremity, that her fleet +will exercise her final orders to go wherever the necessity and the +circumstances may require. + +"It is then by assuring the belligerent powers in the most solemn +manner, and with all that rectitude and sincerity, which form the +distinguishing character of her Imperial Majesty, that she declares to +them that she proposes to herself no other thing, than to convince +them of the sentiments of equity with which she is animated, as well +as of the tendency of her salutary views towards the well being of all +nations in general, and particularly of those now at war, and that +consequently her Imperial Majesty will provide her Admiralty as well +as her Generals with instructions relative to this system, extracted +from the code of nations, and which they have so often taken for rules +in their treaties." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 11th, 1780. + + Sir, + +The counties in England, which have agreed to petitions upon the +expenditure of public money, the influence of the Crown, and the +corruption of Parliament, are these. + + York, December 3d, 1779, + Dorset, " 27th, " + Middlesex, January 7th, 1780, + Chester, " 13th, " + Hertford, " 17th, " + Sussex, " 20th, " + Huntington, " 20th, " + Surry, " 21st, " + Cumberland, " 22d, " + Bedford, " 24th, " + Essex, " 24th, " + Gloucester, " 25th, " + Somerset, " 25th, " + Wilts, " 25th, " + Devon, " 28th, " + Norfolk, " 29th, " + Berks, " 31st, " + Bucks, February 26th, " + Nottingham, " 28th, " + Kent, March 4th, " + Northumberland, " 8th, " + Hereford, " 11th, " + Suffolk, " 14th, " + Cambridge, " 25th, " + Derby, " 30th, " + +In all, twentyfive counties. + +The first meeting of the delegates was March the 11th, 1780. The +cities and towns, which have agreed upon similar petitions, are +London, Westminster, York, Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham, Newcastle, +Reading, and Bridgewater. + +The counties, which have not yet agreed upon petitions, are +Westmoreland, Durham, Lancaster, Salop, Stafford, Lincoln, Leicester, +Warwick, Oxford, Worcester, Cornwall, and Rutland. Hants agreed on a +petition, but appointed no committee, and Northampton agreed to +instruct their members on the points of the petition. + +This account takes no notice of the twelve Welsh counties; these, +however, are small. + +The counties, which have already petitioned, it seems, therefore, are +a vast majority of the kingdom in numbers as well as property and +understanding; and the meeting of their committees may be reasonably +considered as a more equitable and adequate representation of the +people of England, than the House of Commons. + +Amidst all the addresses, instructions, petitions, associations, and +resolutions, I never found one that dared to expose the true cause of +their miseries, and to propose a remedy, until the association of the +county of York appeared, which was agreed to by the committee of +sixtyone, to be recommended to the general meeting of the county of +York, held the 28th of March, 1780. + +They declare their unanimous assent, + +1st. To the economical reform requested by the petitions of the +people. + +2dly. To the proposition for obtaining a more equal representation of +the people in Parliament, by the addition of at least one hundred +Knights, to be chosen in a due proportion by the several counties of +Great Britain. + +3dly. To the proposition for the members of the House of Commons to be +elected, to serve in Parliament for a term not exceeding three years. + +But the most important resolution of all was also unanimous, "That it +is the opinion of this meeting, that the prosecution of an offensive +war in America is most evidently a measure, which, by employing our +great and enormously expensive military operations against the +inhabitants of that country, prevents this from exerting its united, +vigorous, and firm efforts against the powers of France and Spain, +and has no other effect upon America, than to continue, and thereby to +increase the enmity, which has so long and so fatally subsisted +between the arms of both, can be productive of no good whatever, but +by preventing conciliation, threatens the accomplishment of the ruin +of the British Empire." + +This meeting, which is said to have been the largest ever known, and +perfectly unanimous, gave power to the committee of association to +call the county together when they should judge proper. + +After all, even this committee does not appear to see the true +interest of the country, the necessity of peace. Peace alone can save +them. They are for leaving America, which is a great thing; but it +does not appear but that they are still for continuing the war with +our allies. + +An article of the 4th of April says, that commotions are reported to +have arisen in the County of York, many of the inhabitants of which +have peremptorily refused to pay the taxes. + +Congress will observe by the paragraphs in the Morning Post of April +the 1st, that they seem to be in England totally ignorant of the +designs of the Empress of Russia, and of the other neutral powers. + +The paper of April the 3d contains Major General Campbell's and +Lieutenant Colonel Dickson's account of the surrender of the port of +Baton Rouge, &c. with about five hundred regular troops prisoners of +war, to Don Bernado de Galvez, the 21st of September. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 14th, 1780. + + Sir, + +Everything which tends to show the probability of a general +association of the maritime powers, against the violences at sea, +which the English have practised, and which other nations, after their +example, have begun, and which tends to prove the justice, the wisdom, +and the humanity of such an association, is worthy of observation. For +my own part, I think, that the abolition of the whole doctrine of +contraband would be for the peace and happiness of mankind; and I +doubt not, as human reason advances, and men come to be more sensible +of the benefits of peace, and less enthusiastic for the savage glories +of war, all neutral nations will be allowed, by universal consent, to +carry what goods they please in their own ships, provided they are not +bound to places actually invested by an enemy. + +_Constantinople, March the 3d._ "The Porte having received the +disagreeable news, that three xebecs from Malta had seized upon a +large Turkish ship with a rich cargo of coffee, rice, hemp, and other +productions, this advice has accelerated the departure of two +men-of-war and four gallies, which will go before the fleet of the +Grand Admiral, to cruise in the Archipelago, and protect the +navigation of the European nations against the vexations of the French +and English." + +_Copenhagen, March the 28th._ "Captain Zagel, the courier of her +Majesty, the Empress of all the Russias, is returned to Petersburgh, +accompanied by Captain Socolousky, Secretary of the Russian Consul in +the Sound. They are very busy here in equipping the vessels of war, +the Wagrie, of sixtyfour guns, the Infodstretten, of sixtyfour, and +the frigate Combord, of thirtyfour." + +_London, April the 4th._ "There are lately arrived here interesting +despatches to government from Sir Joseph Yorke, which contain some +further explanations of the dispositions of the Republic, in +consequence of the last Memorial presented to their High Mightinesses +by that Minister, and the resolution to protect the commerce of their +subjects. However this may be, there are actually in the ports of this +kingdom fifty Dutch vessels seized by our ships of war, because they +were found loaded with naval stores for our enemies; and, already the +most of their cargoes have been adjudged good prizes. These articles +being considered as contraband, and their transportation to an enemy +contrary to treaties subsisting between the Republic and England." + +_Hague, April the 9th._ "We learn, that the States of the Province of +Overyssell have sent to the Assembly of their High Mightinesses their +instructions, relative to the two Memorials presented by Sir Joseph +Yorke, the 28th of July, and the 26th of November, of the last year, +the first purporting a demand of succors stipulated by the treaty of +1678, and the second demanding an immediate and categorical answer. +The contents of the instructions are, 'That their Noble Mightinesses, +after having maturely reflected upon all which concerns the matter in +question, especially upon the treaties existing between the kingdom +and the Republics, as well as the obligations, which the two nations +had mutually laid themselves under, and also in particular, upon the +present situation in which this republic now stands in several points +respecting her own preservation, the maintenance of her rights and +possessions, and respecting the powers actually at war, judge, that +the two Memorials presented by Sir Joseph Yorke may and ought to be +answered in the following manner. That all the principles alleged, and +the circumstances at this time existing, oblige their High +Mightinesses more than ever to watch carefully their own preservation +and defence, to use every effort to ward off all further dangerous +consequences, and to this end, to request his Majesty not to take it +in ill part, if in the critical situation of affairs, in which the +least diminution of their forces might be dangerous, their High +Mightinesses think themselves lawfully authorised to refuse the +succors demanded by his Majesty, although these succors, considering +certain engagements, the pretended application of which it would be +useless at this time to search into, may be judged indispensable by +his Majesty, in the firm confidence, that, in the circumstances in +which their High Mightinesses find themselves, his Majesty, not +disapproving, of their conduct, will desist, not only from demanding +their assistance, but on the contrary, as a proof of the affection of +which his Majesty had so often given them assurances, will permit them +invariably to pursue that neutrality, which from the beginning of the +present troubles they have adopted.' + +"It is asserted, that on the Memorial presented by the Prince +Gallitzen, Envoy Extraordinary of the Empress of Russia, their High +Mightinesses have provisionally concluded, 'That having taken the said +Memorial into consideration, the deputies of the respective Provinces +have sent copies of it, as well as of the papers annexed to it, to be +communicated to their Assemblies, praying them to procure, as soon as +possible, the resolutions of the States, their constituents.' + +"In the meantime, since the said Memorial has been made public, it is +given out, that the convention between the Courts of Petersburgh, +Stockholm, and Copenhagen, will in a little time be confirmed, and +that Denmark will procure, on certain conditions, five or six thousand +seamen for this Republic. + +"We learn that the answer of his Britannic Majesty to the +representations which the Count de Walderen, Minister of the +States-General at the Court of London, has been charged by their High +Mightinesses to make to the British Government, relative to a +prolongation of the term of three weeks, prescribed in the last +Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke, for giving him a definitive answer, &c. +arrived the 31st of last month, and is found to be in the negative, +the King insisting on an answer by the time fixed, which will expire +next Tuesday. + +"They give out, that the cities of Dantzic, Lubec, Bremen, Hamburgh, +&c. will adopt, as well as most of the northern powers, the party of +neutrality, and that, if England persists in the practice of visiting, +stopping, and searching neutral vessels, Denmark is resolved to +exclude English vessels from the Sound." + +To judge of things the most impartially, no man can doubt, that +proceedings so violent, and so contrary to the natural rights of +nations, will make the neutral powers _feel_ how much it imports them +to set bounds to the intolerable excesses, to which their vessels, +sailing under the faith of treaties, are daily exposed by the ships of +one party in the present war. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. + + Paris, April 15th, 1780. + + Sir, + +There is an article from Hamburgh which deserves attention; it is +this. + +"The neutrality of the powers of the north is decided. They have +profited of the divisions, which have arisen between England and North +America, by selling to the former, timber, cordage, hemp, and tar, +which she formerly drew from her Colonies. The occasions, which the +enemies of Great Britain have also had for these articles, have +established a competition, which has procured great advantages to the +commerce of the north. They have everywhere taken measures to protect +it." + +In vain has England sought assistance from that quarter; her conduct +has irrevocably deprived her of it. + +_Leghorn, 22d of March._ "We learn from Naples, that the King has +purchased of the Order of Malta two vessels, to increase the marine of +that kingdom. His Majesty is attentively engaged in the care of +forming officers for this department. The young gentry, whom he has +sent to serve on board of the squadrons of the belligerent powers, +have all of them distinguished themselves; and those who remain at +Naples, under the direction of the Chevalier Aston, have discovered +equal zeal, intelligence, and good will, for the service of the +marine." + +_Madrid, 25th of March._ "Our squadrons, they write from Cadiz the +16th of this month, will put to sea without delay. Transport ships are +taken up on freight with great activity, and all the troops are +arrived. The following is an exact state of the armament. + +"The complete regiments of the King, Guadalajara, Arragon, Soria, and +the second regiment of Catalonia; in all ten battalions, making six +thousand and six hundred men. + +"The squadron of D. Solano; the St Louis, of eighty guns, the St +Augustine, the Orient, the Gaillard, the Arrogant, all of seventy +guns, and the Rule of sixty guns. + +"The squadron of D. Tomaseo; the St Nicholas, of eighty guns, the +Eugene, the Damase, the St Janizer, the St Francis, the Assisse, and +the Warrior, all of seventy guns. + +"The first squadron takes in provisions for five months, and the +second for four months and a half. They fill up the regiments, which +are destined for the expedition, with soldiers from the regiment of +Hibernia. + +"The beautiful wools of Segovia have not been always employed within +the kingdom, because the love of labor has not been predominant; but +since the establishment of the royal patriotic society, industry has +recovered its activity. D. Laurent Ortiz de Paz has established +spinneries of wool in that city, and in St Ildephonso, and other +places. His Majesty has assigned rewards for men and women, who shall +distinguish themselves in this kind of labor. This measure cannot fail +to establish the royal manufacture of fine cloth, which the Marquis of +Enseñada had already erected at Segovia, and which had fallen into +decay with the favor of that Minister." + +There are in some of the papers hints of a plan of pacification, which +is said to come from the Rockingham party. The substance of it is as +follows. + +"Let us open our eyes! The hope of subjecting America is a chimera. +Nothing but clemency can ever open a way for a reconciliation with +its inhabitants. To show that we wish it sincerely let us give up Nova +Scotia, that dry, uninhabitable, and languishing colony, which +produces nothing. Let us also permit the Canadians to institute a form +of government, which may be agreeable to themselves, and let the +independence of North America become the object of our support. Sooner +or later it will be unavoidable, that America should separate herself +from us, and I should be very glad that a permanent system of alliance +should take place between them and their mother country, before our +ancient colonies shall be united to France, by ties too strict to be +relaxed. I am persuaded, that neither Nova Scotia nor Canada will +remain long under the government of England; and it is to be feared, +that in contending for them we shall still further embroil affairs. +Nova Scotia is not worth the trouble of keeping it, and it will +require continual succors. Canada will occasion us more expense than +it will bring us in profit, and will never become flourishing under an +European government; at least unless the whole country should be +recovered. We deceive ourselves if we imagine, that by emancipating +the Americans we shall lose our American islands. We hold these by the +strongest of all ties, which is, that of their own interest. North +America will not seek to make conquests so long as it shall be divided +into distinct States, and under a republican form of government; and +it is probable, that several centuries will pass away before she will +change the form of her administrations. Commerce will return into +England, and into our islands, without any other motive than that +which actuates all the commercial nations of the earth. If we were now +disembarrassed of the objects of dispute, concerning which Spain +discovers so many pretensions, and if we could content ourselves with +a superiority at sea, all that would result from it would be, that our +trade to the Levant would increase, we should become more respectable, +and we should see ourselves more in a condition to maintain our +quarrels, and protect our rich possessions, without hazarding a +bankruptcy by expenses, which we cannot sustain. Our maritime power +will always be sufficient to protect our islands. Our naval forces +will never want anything so long as we shall have divers markets, +where our vessels may go. The northern powers of Europe, and the +northern States of America, will be competitors to serve us, so long +as we preserve the superiority upon the sea, and while, by means of +our manufacturers, we can pay for them, or make an advantageous +exchange, with the one and the other. We have as good a right to +things, which we can purchase in divers foreign markets, as if the +things were the productions of our own establishments. + +"Are France and Spain in want of warlike stores? Are they not as well +supplied with them as we are? And do they not make Sweden rather +incline to their side, by means of their commerce with that country +for these articles? Is it probable that they can ever shut up from us +the ports of America, of Russia, of Denmark, and of Sweden, while it +is the interest of these States to furnish us? It is necessary, then, +to resolve to demand peace by the means which offer themselves, and +which are not only able to obtain it, but may still be preserved, and +in which there is no appearance that we shall be disturbed, if, at +least, at all times we preserve our marine upon a respectable footing; +and, if we do not, we ever subject ourselves to be restrained upon the +article of the number of ships, and in the places where we shall +employ them. In that case we shall not perceive that Gibraltar or +Minorca is wanting to us. We shall always be ready to meet our enemies +in those parts where our safety, security, and riches lie, and which +nature points out to us as our proper element. Surrounded on all sides +by the sea, there is one half of the nation whose inhabitants +understand navigation, from their infancy, and they are disposed to +become seamen because they are almost educated with the sea. But +whenever we shall engage ourselves in the wars of the continent, we +shall never draw from them any solid advantages. Where are the +trophies so dearly purchased of King William and Marlborough? And +where is the benefit of the two last wars? The balance of power will +not remain long in our hands, although we have engaged the annual +produce of an innumerable quantity of taxes. + +"In America we have destroyed the balance, which held our colonies in +dependence. We ought not, then, to lose the opportunity of binding the +interests of the United States with ours by some amicable convention, +which will assure us of their attachment, and deliver us from the +cruel necessity of continuing the war with our own children. It is by +this means we may preserve for a long time our insular property, and +enjoy still a superiority at sea." + +_Paris, April 11th 1780._ "The Ambassador of Russia has notified, +within a few days past, to our Court, that it was the intention of his +sovereign that the commerce of the subjects of her empire should not +be troubled, and that under no pretence should their vessels be +stopped by those of the belligerent powers, and that she is arming to +defend her flag, and protect it from insults. This declaration was to +be made at the same time to the Courts of Madrid and London. It is +asserted, that it is the first fruit of a treaty of commerce, which +Russia has concluded with us, and of a confederation which she has +entered into with the other northern powers, and in which they wish to +engage Holland and Portugal. We are very inquisitive to learn how this +notification will be received by the Court of St James." + +The English ministerial gazettes propagate a report, that there was +arrived in Europe a deputy of Congress to offer peace to Great +Britain. Those of the opposition assert, that this deputy who is in +fact arrived, will do nothing but in concert with France, when it +shall please England to propose a negotiation of peace. + +The following article is published in the English papers, to excite +the people against the opposition. + +"If the Marquis of Rockingham should come again into the +administration, his first operation would most probably be, to declare +America independent. This would, nevertheless, be a fatal resolution, +which, instead of giving us peace, would throw that event still +farther off. A proof so striking of our pusilanimity would raise still +higher the hopes and the pride of the House of Bourbon. France would +demand that we should restore to them Canada, Cape Breton, and Nova +Scotia, as well as the islands which were taken from her the last war. +Nothing less would be necessary for Spain than the restitution of +Gibraltar and Jamaica. But it cannot but be supposed, that the Marquis +of Rockingham is too much attached to his head to expose it to danger +by so shameful a dismemberment of our empire. He would then make us +continue the war with the disadvantage of not being able any longer to +rein in the Americans, who would assist everywhere their allies by +land and by sea. But every Englishman of good sense sees to what +disasters this plan of conduct would lead us. The ambition of this +Marquis and of his party is not to triumph over rebels, and the +natural enemies of England; it is to humble his King and ruin his +country." + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + * * * * * + + TO M. DE SARTINE. + + Paris, April 16th, 1780. + + Sir, + +I have received the two letters, which your Excellency did me the +honor to write to me, on the 5th and on the 12th of this month. + +I do not mean to give your Excellency the trouble of answering these +letters of mine, which contain extracts of letters from abroad, or +simply news. This would be giving your Excellency too much trouble, +and taking up too much time. Indeed, I think it will very probably be +often, if not always unnecessary, because your Excellency's +information must be, beyond all comparison, earlier, more exact, and +more particular than mine; yet, as it is possible that sometimes a +circumstance of importance may escape one channel of intelligence, and +yet pass in another, I thought it to be my duty sometimes to send your +Excellency an extract. In this view, I now have the honor to send your +Excellency another extract from a letter of the 6th of this month; but +I pray your Excellency not to take the trouble to answer it. + + I have the honor to be, &c. + + JOHN ADAMS. + + + END OF THE FOURTH VOLUME. + + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's note: + +Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). + +Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. + +Variations in spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained +except in obvious cases of typographical error. + +On page 39 the blank areas remain as they are in the original: + +"upon the property, real or personal, within the same township or +place, since the first day of which was in the year of our +Lord 177 , and the same accounts and estimates to be transmitted +to the Commissioners without delay." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diplomatic Correspondence of the +American Revolution, Vol. IV (of 12), by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41640 *** |