in view something relating to boundaries or territories, because he added, "we will sit down together with maps in our hands, and by that means shall see our way more clearly.” I learned from him that the expedition against Providence had failed, that no advice was yet received of it. At our going out he took pains himself to open the folding doors for us, which is a high compliment here, and told us he would return our visit (rendre son devoir,) and then fix a day with us for dining with him. I dined with Mr. Jay and a company of Americans at his lodgings.

Sunday, July 1. Mr. Grenville called on me.

[This JOURNAL does not appear to have been further continued: but the NEGOCIATIONS will be found completed by the authentic Correspondence and Documents which follow.]

SIR,

TO THE HON. HENRY LAURENS.

Passy, July 2, 1782.

I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me from Lyons the 24th past.

I wonder a little at Mr.⚫ not acquainting you whether your name was in the commission or not. I begin to suspect from various circumstances that the British ministry, elated perhaps too much by the success of Admiral Rodney, are not in earnest to treat immediately, but rather wish delay. They seem to hope that farther successes may enable them to treat more advantageously; or, as some suppose, that certain propositions to be made to Congress by General Carleton, may render a treaty here with us unnecessary. A little bad news, which it is possible they may yet receive from the same quarter, will contribute to set them right;

and then we may enter seriously upon the treaty; otherwise I conjecture it may not take place till after another campaign. Mr. Jay is arrived here. Mr. Grenville and Mr. Oswald continue here. Mr. Oswald has yet received no commission; and that of Mr. Grenville does not very clearly comprehend us, according to British ideas; therefore requires explication. When I know more you shall have farther information.

Not having an immediate answer to what I wrote you concerning the absolution of Lord Cornwallis's parole, and Major Ross coming over hither front him to press it; I gave him the discharge you desired. Enclosed I send you I hear it has proved satisfactory to him; I hope it will be so to you. Believe me to be, with great esteem, &c.

a copy.

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM GOVERNOR POWNALL TO DR. FRANKLIN.

DEAR SIR,

Richmond Hill, July 5, 1782.

I have, by my friend Mr. Hobart, sent a printed copy of the three memorials which I published on the subject of America, one addressed to the sovereigns of Europe, and two others addressed to the sovereign of Great Britain.

I hope you received my letter of May 13, 1782, forwarded by Mr. Bridgen.

As it is possible you may see Mr. Hobart, he can inform you from me, as well as of his own knowledge, of the steps we took upon the ground of your communications to him and me. That there were persons authorized to treat of peace, and that such persons were willing to give to reason able measures taken to that end, every assistance in their

power." He can inform you also on the circumstances which attended those steps; and of the effect which they missed in the direct line, as of the effect they actually have in an oblique'one. As from the beginning of this matter of trying to bring on negociation for peace, I considered him ast joined with me in our endeavours; so I have given to him a memorandum which I made on the course of this business. He will communicate to you every thing which is not improper for a man of honor to communicate to the minister of a people at war with us: nor will he abstain from communicating any thing which that minister, wishing peace to our country, ought to be apprized of, respecting the effects of his friendly offers. He will do every thing which a man of honor ought to do, and he will do nothing that a man of honor ought not to do.

I have desired him to give a paper of queries, respecting modes and terms of settling in America, which people of this old world, and of the old country may in future be admitted to receive. I am, not only for my friends, but personally interested to gain information on that head: and as I wish that which will not deceive them or myself, I apply to you.

May God send peace on earth. I hope among the general blessings it will bring, it will restore me to the communication and enjoyment of my old and long valued friendship with you. May you live to see, and have health to enjoy, the blessings which I hope it may please God to make you the instrument of communicating to mankind. I am, dear Sir, your friend and very humble servant,

1

T. POWNALL.

P. M.

TO THE HON. Mr. HOBART.

When I published the memorials which I had prepared for the King, January 1, 1782, I prefixed a prefatory explanation of the publication, stating, as far as was safe so to do, the state of the propositions of treaty, and the circumstances attending the reception and final refusal

of them.

I could not think it proper to name the person with whom I had corresponded, who was authorized to treat of peace, and was willing to promote it, because I knew the insidious falsehood of those who both hate and fear him, would, when once his name was committed with the public, represent him in any light that might tend to diminish and destroy the trust and confidence which he so deservedly has from his employers. The memorials therefore speak of persons in the plural, and the preface in its cominunications to the public keeps close to that expressed.

I could not venture to tell, the public, nor could I venture to write to this person, the fact that he specifically and personally was excepted to, in an opprobrious manner. Because the same persons who are his enemies, having pro scribed me, would have been glad of making such my com munications an occasion of charging me with crimes, which, notwithstanding they have been in constant watch, they have never yet been able to do. For although I know they have whispered such in the closet, they never have dared to assert any such matter as fact in public. What I did, I thought right in point of honor to all concerned or interested, and I went as far as I dared venture to go in the publications which I made.

As this exception to the integrity and good faith of my correspondent, was made upon the very first overture which I made by all the ministers, I made a point, in all the memorials which I drew up for presentation (had the offers been admissible,) of founding my offers on the integrity and good faith of this person (p. 32), and in this communication to the public of marking him (preface, p. 10), as a man of honor aud good faith.

"

I could not venture to communicate to my correspondent, much less to the public, those matters, which, though not officially communicated to me, these my enemies would have represented as a betraying to the enemy the secrets of government. But it is fit, if not absolutely necessary, to make this memorandum of these things, that the truth, when the proper time shall come, may be known to all whom it doth concern; and it is further fit that this memorandum should be communicated to you now, as the proposing of your services was included in the offers made as a condition sine qua non.

Between the 6th of December, 1781, and the end of January, 1782, during which time the ministry kept me in suspense as to what resolution they would take, as to what answer they would give; or whether they would give me any answer at all; or whether they would deign to admit me and my propositions to a hearing; they dishonorably towards me, and as I think towards my correspondent also, profited of the fact. communicated by me to them, viz." that there were persons authorized to treat of peace; and, that these persons were disposed to give such treaty every assistance in their power:"-and sent one person (I have been told it was Mr. Oswald,) to Holland, a person, if not actually the same person, to Ghent, and a Mr. Forth to France, to try if they could not get upon the same ground by other ways, and through other persons.