and he seems to understand that these general words comprehend the United States of America. There may be no doubt that they comprehend Spain and Holland, but as there exist various public acts by which the government of Britain denies us to be States, and none in which they acknowledge us to be such, it hardly seems clear that we could be intended, at the time that commission was given, the enabling act not being then passed. So that though I can have no objection to Mr. Grenville, nor right to make it if I had any, yet as your long residence in America has given you a knowledge of that country, its people, circumstances, commerce, &c. which, added to your experience in business, may be useful to both sides in facilitating and expediting the negociation, I cannot but hope that it is still intended to vest you with the character abovementioned respecting the treaty with America, either separately or in conjunction with Mr. Grenville, as to the wisdom of your ministers may seem best. Be it how it may, I beg you would accept this line as a testimony of the sincere esteem and respect, with which I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

Friday, June 28. M. de Rayneval called upon me and acquainted me, that the ministers had received intelligence from England, that besides the orders given to General Carleton, to propose terms of re-union to America, artful emissaries were sent over to go through the country, and stir up the people to call on the Congress to accept those terms, they being similar to those now settling with Ireland. That it would therefore be well for Mr. Jay and me to write, and caution the Congress against these practices. He said M. de Vergennes wished also to know what I had written respecting the negociation, as it would be well for us to hold pretty Dear the same language. I told him I did not apprehend the

least danger that such emissaries would meet with any success, or that the Congress would make any treaty with General Carleton. That I would however write as he desired; and Mr. Jay coming in promised the same. He said the courier would go to-morrow. I accordingly wrote to Mr. Secretary Livingston, and to my friend Dr. Cooper, of which the following are extracts.

TO THE HON. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

SIR,

Passy, June 28, 1782.

In mine of the 25th instant I omitted mentioning, that at the repeated earnest instances of Mr. Laurens, who had given such expectations to the ministry in England, when his parole or securities were discharged, as that he could not think himself at liberty to act in public affairs till the parole of Lord Cornwallis was absolved by me in exchange, I sent to that General the paper, of which the enclosed is a copy; and I see by the English papers, that his Lordship immediately on the receipt of it, appeared at Court, and has taken his seat in the House of Peers, which he did not before think warrantable. My authority for doing this appeared questionable to myself, but Mr. Laurens judged it deducible from that respecting General Burgoyne, and by his letters to me, seemed so unhappy till it was done, that [ ventured it, with a clause however, (as you will see,) reserving to Congress the approbation or disallowance

of it.

of

The enabling act is now said to be passed, but no copy it is yet received here, so that as the bill first printed has suffered alterations in passing through parliament, and we know not what they are, the treaty with us is not yet com

VOL. II.

1 See page 206 of this volume.

menced. Mr. Grenville expects his courier in a few days, with the answer of his court to a paper given him on the part of this. That answer will probably afford us a clearer understanding of the intentions of the British ministry, which for some weeks past have appeared somewhat equivocal and uncertain. It looks as if, since their late success in the West Indies, they a little repented of the advances they had made in their declarations respecting the acknowledgment of our independence; and we have pretty good information that some of the ministry still flatter the King with the hope of recovering his sovereignty over us on the same terms as are now making with Ireland. However willing we might have been at the commencement of this contest to have accepted such conditions, be assured that we can have no safety in them at present. The King hates us most cordially. If he is once admitted to any degree of power or government amongst us, however limited, it will soon be extended by corruption, artifice, and force, till we are reduced to absolute subjection; and that the more easily, as by receiving him again for our King, we shall draw upon ourselves the contempt of all Europe, who now admire and respect us, and There are, it is shall never again find a friend to assist us. said, great divisions in the ministry on other points as well as this; and those who aim at engrossing the power flatter the King with this project of re-union; and it is said have much reliance on the operation of private agents sent into America to dispose minds there in favor of it, and to bring about a separate treaty there with General Carleton. I have not the least apprehension that Congress will give in to this scheme, it being inconsistent with our treaties as well as with our interest; but I think it will be well to watch these emissaries, and secure or banish immediately such as shall be found tampering and stirring up the people to call for it. The firm united resolution of France, Spain, and Holland, joined

with ours, not to treat of a particular but a general peace, notwithstanding the separate tempting offers to each, will in the end give us the command of that peace. Every one of the other powers see clearly their interest in this, and persist in that resolution: the Congress, I am persuaded, are as clear-sighted as any of them, and will not depart from the system which has been attended with so much success, and promises to make America soon both great and happy.

I have just received a letter from Mr. Laurens, dated at Lyons, on his journey into the south of France for his health. Mr. Jay will write also by this opportunity. With great esteem, I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO DR. COOPER, BOSTON. Passy, June 28, 1782.

"Our public affairs are in a good situation here. England having tried in vain to make a separate peace with each of the powers she is at war with, has at length agreed to treat for a general peace with them altogether; and at Paris. If we all continue firm in the resolution not to separate, we shall command the terms. I have no doubt of this steadiness here; and though we are told that endeavours are making on your side the water to induce America to a re-union on the terms now granting to Ireland, and that powers are sent to General Carleton for that purpose, I am persuaded the danger of this project will appear so evident, that if offered it will be immediately rejected. We have no safety but in our independence. With that we shall be respected, and soon become great and happy. Without it we shall be despised, lose all our friends, and then either be cruelly oppressed by the King who hates and is incapable

of forgiving us, or having all that nation's enemies for ours, shall sink with it. I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN."

M. de Rayneval (who is Secretary to the Council of State,) calling again in the evening, I gave him copies of the preceding letters to peruse, and show to M. de Vergennes ; to convince them that we held no underhand dealings here. I own I had at the same time another view in it, which was that they should see I had been ordered to demand further aids, and had forborne to make the demand, with my reasons; hoping that if they possibly could help us to more money, they might be induced to do it.

I had never made any visit to Count d'Aranda, the Spanish ambassador, for reasons before mentioned. M. de Rayneval told Mr. Jay and me this morning, that it would be well for us to wait upon him, and he had authority to assure us we should be well received. We accordingly concluded to wait on his Excellency next morning.

Saturday, June 29. We went together to the Spanish ambassador's, who received us with the greatest civility and politeness. He spoke with Mr. Jay on the subject of the treaty they were to make together, and mentioned in general as a principle, that the two powers should consider each other's conveniency, and accommodate and compensate each other as well as they could. That an exact compensation might perhaps not be possible, but should be approached as nearly as the nature of things would admit. Thus, said he, if there is a certain thing which would be convenient to each of us, but more convenient to one than to the other, it should be given to the one to whom it would be most convenient; and compensation be made by giving another thing to the other for the same reason. I suppose he had