alienation in other parties. I think I have seen good dispositions from the first commencement of my conferences on peace. My brother sends me word, that Mr. Alexander is to return by the next mail, I therefore write this to send either by him or at least in the same packet. I have had much conversation with him, and he will tell you, that I have done my utmost to serve the cause of peace. I will conclude this with a quotation which I have applied to another person in argument respecting peace, Consulere patriæ, parcere afflictis, ferâ cæde abstinere, Iræ tempus dare, orbi quietem, seculo pacem suo, God bless you and prosper our pacific endeavors. I shall probably write again to you soon. Your affectionate, D. HARTLEY. From Mr. Hartley's brother, Colonel Hartley, M. P., DEAR SIR, Soho Square, Feb. 28, 1782. AS I know how anxious my brother is to embrace every opportunity of expressing those sentiments of peace and universal philanthropy, which do you both so much honor, and of testifying his regard for yourself, I am sorry he is not returned to town before Mr. Alexander's departure. His absence from town has been occasioned by his being obliged to go into Gloucestershire for some papers relating to family concerns, and as I am sure nothing on his part will be neglected, towards forwarding the great object of peace, I regret his absence the less, because it affords me an opportunity of saying how entirely I agree with him in opinion, and particularly in the respect and esteem I bear to a person who has so ardently wished to prevent the effusion of blood, and the dreadful effects of this fatal and destructive war; a person who was, who would have been, permit me dear sir, to add, per haps who is, (would the conduct of this country permit him with justice to be so) the real, the sincere friend of it. That delusion, founded in falsehood, first made this country forget itself; its honour, and its justice, and pursue this accursed and destructive war, is certain; happy will it be if the dereliction of it at last, shall show that its continuance has not already extinguished in the breast of America every former degree of friendship and affection. That reason is beginning to return, and this country to see its errors, I hope, from a majority of the house of commons having yesterday agreed to a resolution against the American war, and I believe almost all the people of England are against the war. I hope this will lay the foundation of peace between the two countries, and that the horrors of war may be succeeded by lasting and general tranquillity. The event is in the hand of Providence alone, but the endeavor to contribute to such blessed purposes is not only in the power of men, but the attempt carries with it its own reward. Should success not be the consequence, the consciousness of having exerted oneself in such a cause will afford the most pleasing reflections, and make a man repose in peace upon his pillow, whatever may be the distraction and confusion around him. You, sir, feel this in the greatest degree, and may those sentiments of justice, of freedom, and liberality, which have marked your character, receive the reward they so justly merit, and by the happy return of a general peace, may such sentiments revive in each British and American breast to the mutual advantage of both countries. When I join my name to my brother's, in such a wish and in every expression of regard, esteem, and friendship towards yourself, permit me to add, though far inferior in the power of contributing to that happy event to which his abilities, industry, and attention to public concerns, make him so equal, I cannot yield even to so near and dear a relation the palm of sincerity in and anxiety for promoting such a desirable purpose. ་ I am with the greatest respect, dear sir, yours most sincerely, W. H. HARTLEY. From Edmund Burke, Esq., M. P., to Dr. Franklin. In answer to one requesting him to negotiate the exchange of Mr. Lau rens for General Burgoyne.] DEAR SIR, YOUR most obliging letter demanded an early answer. It has not received the acknowlegment which was so justly due to it. But Providence has well supplied my deficiencies; and the delay of the answer has made it much more satisfactory, than at the time of my receipt of your letter, I dared to promise myself it could be. I congratulate you, as the friend of America; I trust, as not the enemy of England; I am sure, as the friend of mankind; on the resolution of the house of commons, carried by a majority of nineteen, at two o'clock this morning in a very full house. It was the declaration of two hundred and thirty-four; I think it was the opinion of the whole. I trust it will lead to a speedy peace between the two branches of the English nation, perhaps to a general peace; and that our happiness may be an introduction to that of the world at large. I most sincerely congratulate you on the event. I wish I could say, that I had accomplished my commission. Difficulties remain. But as Mr. Laurens is released from his confinement, and has recovered his health tolerably, he may wait, I hope, without a great deal of inconvenience, for the final adjustment of his troublesome business. He is an exceedingly agreeable and honorable man. I am much obliged to you for the honor of his acquaintance. He speaks of you as I do; and is perfectly sensible of your warm and friendly interposition in his favor. I have the honor to be, with the highest possible esteem and regard, dear sir, your most faithful and obedient humble servant, EDMUND BURKE. London, Charles Street, Feb. 28, 1782. General Burgoyne presents his best compliments to you, with his thanks for your obliging attentions towards him. From Wm. Alexander, Esq., to Dr. Franklin. MY DEAR SIR, ALTHOUGH I expect to see you in a day or two after this comes to hand, I cannot let slip the opportunity of Mr. Moore, formerly with Mr. Williams, to inform you that the address, in consequence of the question carried on Wednesday, was carried to the king by the whole opposition on Friday; that the answer, after the common-place phrases and the repetition of the substance of the address, was declaring his disposition to comply with it; and that of pushing the war with vigour against the ancient enemies of the kingdom, until a safe and honorable peace could be obtained, which was his most earnest wish. This is the sense as delivered to me Friday evening, by a member present. I have several letters for you, which I will deliver on my arrival, and can give you a good deal of the sentiments of parties in England. I left London yesterday. You will have all our public news up to Thursday. The first payment, 15 per cent, was made on the new loan, Friday, and stock was got up at two per cent thereafter. Mr. Moore goes away just now, so have only time to subscribe myself with the most sincere esteem, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant, W. ALEXANDER. From David Hartley, Esq., M. P., to Dr. Franklin. MY DEAR FRiend, London, March 11, 1782. MR. DIGGES, who will deliver this to you, informs me, that having been applied to for the purpose of communicating with Mr. Adams, on the subject of his commission for treating of peace, he is now setting out for Amsterdam, and that he intends afterwards to go to Paris to wait upon you. I understand the occasion to have arisen, by some mention having been made in parliament by general Conway, of persons not far off having authority to treat of peace, which was supposed to allude to Mr. Adams, and some friends of his in London. Ministry were therefore induced to make some inquiries themselves. This is what I am informed of the matter. When the proposal was made to Mr. Digges he consulted me, I believe from motives of caution, that he might know what ground he had to stand upon; but not in the least apprised that I had been in any degree in course of corresponding with you on the subject of negotiation. As I had informed the ministry from you, that other persons besides yourself were invested with powers of treating, I have nothing to say against their consulting the several respective parties. That is their own concern. I shall at all times content myself with observing the duties of my own conduct, attending to all circumstances with circumspection, and then leaving the conduct of others to their own reasons. I presume that ministry have only done what others would have done in their situation, to procure the most ample information that the case will admit. I rest contented to act in my own sphere, and if my exertions can be applied to any public good, I shall always be ready to take my part with sincerity and zeal. I am, my dear friend, your ever affectionate, D. HARTLEY. From the same to the same. MY DEAR FRIEND, London, March 12, 1782, INCLOSED with this I transmit to you the public parliamentary proceeding respecting the American war. If you will compare these proceedings with some others in several of the counties of this kingdom, about two years ago, you will at once see the reason why many persons, who from principles of general and enlarged philanthropy do most certainly wish universal peace to mankind, yet seem restrained in their mode of endeavoring to obtain that object. We must accommodate our endeavors to practicabilities, in the strong hope, that if the work of peace was once begun, it would soon |