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diff --git a/41640.txt b/41640.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 14ffb46..0000000 --- a/41640.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,18613 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Diplomatic Correspondence of the -American Revolution, Vol. IV (of 12), by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IV (of 12) - -Author: Various - -Editor: Jared Sparks - -Release Date: December 17, 2012 [EBook #41640] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE, VOL IV *** - - - - -Produced by Frank van Drogen, Julia Neufeld and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by the BibliothA"que nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at -http://gallica.bnf.fr) - - - - - - - - - - - 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 Abbe - 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 -Abbe Raynal, in which he takes notice of some of the many errors with -which his work abounds. The Abbe 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 Abbe 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 _bienseance_. 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 Charge 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 L10,000 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 Propaganda 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 Abbe 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 L2500 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 L2000 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 L2500 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 _Mystere 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, L61 00 00 - L3 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 - L3 premium of seven lottery tickets for each - L1000, gives for each hundred, 2 2 00 - --------- - For each L100 paid, there is received L110 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 Marcehal 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 deg. south, and from thence to 40 deg., just on the edge of -soundings, off and on, as the sailors express it, and about longitude -65 deg. 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'Escadre_, 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'Escadre, 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 Sardine 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'Amerique_ 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 -Diademe, the Dauphin Royal, the Artisane, the Reflechi, 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 Conquerant, the Citoyen, the Intrepide, 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 Francois, 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 Diademe, of seventyfour; -the Reflechi, 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 Caesar, 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 Curracoa 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 Protee, 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 Besne, 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; _Saintonge_, 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 Besne. - -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 Conde 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 L20,674,000 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 a 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 -Ensenada 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 THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE, VOL IV *** - -***** This file should be named 41640.txt or 41640.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/6/4/41640/ - -Produced by Frank van Drogen, Julia Neufeld and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by the BibliothA"que nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at -http://gallica.bnf.fr) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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