tain my full reservation in such points as events may justify. My personal motive for saying this to you, is obvious. But in point of justice to those who have at present the direction of public measures in this country, I must request, that this caution of mine may be accepted only as personal to myself, and not as inferential upon the conduct of others, where I am not a party. Having taken a zealous part in the principles and negotiations of peace, I wish to stand clear from any collateral constructions which might affect myself, and at the same time not to impose any collateral or inferential constructions upon others. God prosper the work of peace and good will (as the means of peace) among men. I am ever your affectionate friend, D. HARTLEY. SIR, From Lord Grantham to Dr. Franklin. Whitehall, July 26, 1782. AS the first object of my wishes is to contribute to the establishment of an honorable and lasting peace, I address my→ self to you without ceremony, upon the conviction that you agree with me in this principle. If I was not convinced, that it was also the real system of the ministers of this country, I should not now be co-operating with them. The step they had already taken, in sending Mr. Grenville to Paris, is a proof of their intentions, and as that gentleman does not return to his station there, I trust that the immediate appointment of a person to succeed him, will testify my agreement to the principles upon which he was employed. I therefore beg leave to recommend Mr. Fitzherbert to your acquaintance, who has the king's commands to repair to Paris. As I have not the advantage of being known to you, Is can claim no pretence for my application to you, but my public situation, and my desire to merit your confidence upon a VOL. VI. SR subject of so much importance, as a pacification between the parties engaged in a calamitous war. I have the honor to be with great regard, sir, your most obedient humble servant, GRANTHAM. SIR, From Lord Shelburne, to Dr. Franklin. Shelburne House, July 27, 1782. I AM much obliged by the honor of your letter of the 12th instant. You do me most acceptable justice, in supposing my happiness intimately connected with that of mankind, and I can with truth assure you, it will give me great satisfaction, in every situation, to merit the continuance of your good opinion. I have the honor to be, with very sincere regard and esteem, dear sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, SHELBURNE. SIR, To Mr. Oswald. Passy, July 28, 1782. 8 o'clock. I HAVE but this minute had an opportunity, by the departure of my company, of perusing the letters put into my hands this afternoon; and I return them directly without waiting till our interview to-morrow morning, because I would not give a moment's delay to the delivery of those directed to other persons. The situation of captain Asgill and his family afflicts me: but I do not see what can be done by any one here to relieve them. It cannot be supposed that general Washington has the least desire of taking the life of that gentleman. His aim is to obtain the punishment, committed on a prisoner in cold blood by captain Lippincott. If the English refuse to deliver up or punish this murderer, it is saying that they chuse to preserve him rather than captain Asgill. It seems to me, therefore, that the application should be made to the English ministers, for positive orders, directing general Carleton to deliver up Lippincott, which orders being obtained, should be despatched immediately by a swiftsailing vessel. I do not think any other means can produce the effect desired. The cruel murders of this kind, committed by the English on our people, since the commencement of the war, are innumerable. The congress and their generals, to satisfy the people, have often threatened retaliation; but have always hitherto forborne to execute it; and they have often been told insultingly by their enemies, that this forbearance did not proceed from humanity, but fear. General Greene, though he solemnly and publicly promised it in a proclamation, never made any retaliation for the murder of colonel Haynes, and many others in Carolina; and the people, who now think, that if he had fulfilled his promise, this crime would not have been committed, clamour so loudly, that I doubt general Washington cannot well refuse, what appears to them so just and necessary for their common security. I am persuaded, nothing I could say to him on the occasion, would have the least effect in changing his determination. Excuse me then, if I presume to advise the despatching a courier immediately to London, proposing to the consideration of ministers the sending such orders to general Carleton directly. They would have an excellent effect in other views. The post goes to-morrow morning at ten o'clock; but as nine days have been spent in bringing the letters here by that conveyance, an express is preferable. With sincere esteem I have the honor to be, &c. SIR, B. FRANKLIN. To M. le Comte de Vergennes. Passy, August 8, 1782. YESTERDAY Mr. Oswald communicated to Mr. Jay and me, a paper he had just received from his court, being a copy of the king's order to the attorney or solicitor-general, to prepare a commission to pass the great seal, appointing him to treat with us, &c., and he showed us a letter from Mr. secretary Townshend, which expresses his concern, that the commission itself could not be sent by this courier, the officers who were to expedite it being in the country, which would occasion a delay of eight or ten days; but that its being then sent might be depended on, and it was hoped the treaty might, in the mean time, be proceeded on. Mr. Oswald left with me a copy of the paper, which I inclose for your excellency's consideration, and am, with great respect, sir, your excellency's, &c. Answer. B. FRANKLIN. A. M. FRANKLIN, JE reçois, monsieur, la lettre de ce jour dont vous m'avez honoré et la copie du pouvoir que M. Oswald vous a communiqué. La forme dans la quelle il est conçu n'étant pas celle qui est usitée, je ne puis pas àrrêter mon opinion a une première vue, je vais l'examiner avec la plus grande attention, et si vous voulez bien vous rendre ici Samedi matin, je pourrai en conférer avec vous, et avec M. Jay s'il lui étoit commode de vous accompagner. J'ai l'honneur d'être, três-parfaitement, monsieur, votre très humble, &c. Versailles, le 8 Août, 1782. DE VERGENNES. To MR. FRANKLIN, TRANSLATION. Answer. I HAVE received, sir, the letter of this day, with which you have honored me, and the copy of the power which Mr. Oswald has communi cated to you. The form in which it appears is not that which is usual on similar occasions, but it has not prevented me from forming my opinion in the first instance. I have bestowed the greatest attention on it, and if you will be so good as to favor me with a visit on Saturday morning, 1 shall confer with you and Mr. Jay, if it will be convenient for him to accompany you. I have the honor to be, most sincerely, sir, your most humble servant, DE VERGENNES. Versailles, 8th August, 1782. Extract of a Letter to Robert R. Livingston, Esq. THE second changes in the ministry of England, háve occasioned or have afforded pretences for various delays in the negotiation for peace. Mr. Grenville had two successive imperfect commissions. He was at length recalled, and Mr. Fitzherbert is now arrived to replace him, with a commission in due form to treat with France, Spain, and Holland. Mr. Oswald, who is here, is informed, that a commission impowering him to treat with the commissioners of congress will pass the seals, and be sent him in a few days. "Till it arrives, this court will not proceed in its own negotiation. I send the enabling act, as it is called. Mr. Jay will acquaint you with what passes between him and the Spanish ambassador, respecting the proposed treaty with Spain. I will only mention, that my conjecture of that court's design, to coop us up within the Alleghany mountains, is now manifested: I hope congress will insist on the Mississippi as the boundary, and the free navigation of the river, from which they would entirely exclude us. B. FRANKLIN. From David Hartley, Esq., M. P., to Dr. Franklin. MY DEAR FRIEND, YOURS I received by major Young, together with the work of your veritable philosophe, which is full of humanity. I was not before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my veritable philosophe in the present actual scene of public politics. Your honest, anxious, and unremitted endeavors |