as I think that though they seem of almost too trifling a nature, they serve usefully sometimes to settle dates, authenticate facts, and show something of the turn and manner of thinking of the writers, on particular occasions. The answer I received was as follows:

"Mr. Grenville presents his compliments to Mr. Franklin, and will certainly do himself the honor of waiting upon Mr. Franklin to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock.

"Rue de Richelieu, Wednesday Night."

We set out accordingly the next morning in my coach from Passy, and arrived punctually at M. de Vergennes's, who received Mr. Grenville in the most cordial manner, on account of the acquaintance and friendship that had formerly subsisted between his uncle and M. de Vergennes when they were ambassadors together at Constantinople. After some little agreeable conversation, Mr. Grenville presented his letters from Mr. Secretary Fox, and I think from the Duke of Richmond. When these were read, the subject of peace was entered on. What my memory retains of the discourse amounts to little more than this, that after mutual declarations of the good disposition of the two Courts, Mr. Grenville having intimated that in case England gave America independence, France, it was expected, would restore the conquests she had made of British Islands, receiving back those of Miquelon and St. Pierre. And the original object of the war being obtained, it was supposed that France would be contented with that. The minister seemed to smile at the proposed ex

change. America, said he, does not ask it of you; there is Mr. Franklin, he will answer you as to that point. To be sure, I said, we do not consider ourselves as under any necessity of bargaining for a thing that is our own, which we have bought at the expense of much blood and treasure, and which we are in possession of. As to our being satisfied with the original object of the war, continued he, look back to the conduct of your nation in former wars. In the last war, for example, what was the object? It was the disputed right to some waste lands on the Ohio, and the frontier of Nova Scotia; did you content yourselves with the recovery of those lands? No, you retained at the peace all Canada, all Louisiana, all Florida, Grenada, and other West India islands, the greatest part of the Northern Fisheries; with all your conquests in Africa and the East Indies. Something being mentioned of its not being reasonable that a nation, after making an unprovoked and unsuccessful war upon its neighbours, should expect to sit down whole, and have every thing restored which she had lost in such a war, I think Mr. Grenville remarked that the war had been provoked by the encouragement given by France to the Americans to revolt. On which M. de Vergennes grew a little warm, and declared firmly, that the breach was made and our independence declared long before we received the least encouragement from France; and he defied the world to give the smallest proof of the contrary. There sits, said he, Mr. Franklin, who knows the fact, and can contradict me if I do not speak the truth. He repeated to Mr. Grenville what he had before stated to Mr. Oswald,

respecting the King's intention of treating fairly, and keeping faithfully the conventions he should enter into; of which disposition he should give at the treaty convincing proofs by the fidelity and exactitude with which he should observe his engagements with his present allies; and added, that the points which the King had chiefly in view were justice and dignity; these he could not depart from. He acquainted Mr. Grenville that he should immediately write to Spain and Holland, communicate to those Courts what had passed, and report their answers; that in the mean time he hoped Mr. Grenville would find means of amusing himself agreeably, to which he should be glad to contribute, that he would communicate what had passed to the King, and he invited him to come again the next day.

On our return Mr. G. expressed himself as not quite satisfied with some part of M. de Vergennes's discourse, and was thoughtful. He told me that he had brought two state messengers with him, and perhaps after he had had another interview with the minister, he might dispatch one of them to London: I then requested leave to answer by that opportunity the letters I had received from Lord Shelburne and Mr. Fox; and he kindly promised to acquaint me the time of the messenger's departure. He did not ask me to go with him the next day to Versailles, and I did not offer it.

The coming and going of these gentlemen was observed, and made much talk at Paris; and the Marquis de la Fayette having learnt something of their business from the ministers, discoursed with me about it. Agreeable to the resolutions of Congress directing me to confer with him, and take his

assistance in our affairs, I communicated to him what had passed. He told me that, during the treaty at Paris for the last peace, the Duke de Nivernois had been sent to reside in London, that this Court might through him state what was from time to time transacted in the light they thought best, to prevent misrepresentations and misunderstandings. That such an employ would be extremely agreeable to him on many accounts; that as he was now an American citizen, spoke both languages, and was well acquainted with our interests, he believed he might be useful in it; and that as peace was likely from appearances to take place, his return to America was perhaps not so immediately necessary. He then wished I would make him acquainted with Messrs. Oswald and Grenville, and for that end promised meeting them at breakfast with me, which I proposed to contrive if I could, and endeavor to engage them for Saturday.

Friday morning the 10th of May, I went to Paris and visited Mr. Oswald. I found him in the same friendly dispositions, and very desirous of doing good, and of seeing an end put to this ruinous war. But I got no farther light as to the sentiments of Lord S. respecting the terms. I told him the Marquis de la Fayette would breakfast with me to-morrow, and as he, Mr. Oswald, might have some curiosity to see a person who had in this war rendered himself so remarkable, I proposed his doing me the same honor. He agreed to it cheerfully. I came home intending to write to Mr. Grenville, who I supposed might stay and dine at Versailles, and therefore did not call on him. But he was returned, and I found the following note from him.

Paris, May 10.

"Mr. Grenville presents his compliments to Mr. Franklin: he proposes sending a courier to England at 10 o'clock this night, and will give him in charge any letters Mr. Franklin may wish to send. by him."

I sat down immediately and wrote the two short letters following, to the Secretaries of State.

ΤΟ THE RIGHT HON. C. J. FOX, ESQ. SECRETARY OF STATE.

SIR,

Passy, May 10, 1782.

I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me by Mr. Grenville, whom I find to be a very sensible, judicious, and amiable gentleman. The name, I assure you, does not with me lessen the regard that his excellent qualities inspire. I introduced him as soon as possible to M. de Vergennes; he will himself give you an account of his reception. I hope his coming may forward the blessed work of pacification, in which for the sake of humanity no time should be lost; no reasonable cause, as you observe, existing at present for the continuance of this abominable war. Be assured of my endeavors to put an end to it. I am much flattered by the good opinion of a person whom I have long highly esteemed, and I hope it will not be lessened by my conduct in the affairs that have given rise to our correspondence. With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. &c. B. FRANKLIN.