immediately to London, proposing to the consideration of ministers the sending such orders to General Carleton di rectly. 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. B. FRANKLIN. To M. LE COMTE DE VERGENNES. SIR, 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 enclose for your Excellency's consideration, and am, with great respect, Sir, your Excellency's, &c. B. FRANKLIN. ANSWER. 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 laquelle il est conçu n'étant pas celle qui est usitée, je ne puis pas arrêter mon opinion à 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, très-parfaitement, Monsieur, votre très humble, &c. Versailles, le 8 Août, 1782. DE VERGENNES. EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO THE HON. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Passy, August 12, 1782. "The second changes in the ministry of England have occasioned or have afforded pretences for various delays in the negociation 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 negociation. 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 Missisipi 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, London, August 16, 1782. Yours I received by Major Young together with the work of your véritable philosophe, which is full of humanity. I was not, before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my véritable philosophe in the present actual scene of public politics. Your honest, anxious, and unremitted endeavours towards the re-establishment of peace, must endear you to your own country, and to all mankind. Whatever may have been transacting in America, (if it can be possible that the suspicions which you mention should become true,) viz. to tamper with America for a breach of faith, of which some suspicions seem to be thrown out by the provinces of Maryland and Philadelphia, I can give the strongest testimonies of the constant honor and good faith of your conduct and correspondencies; and my letters to you will bear me equal testimony, that I have never thrown out any dishonorable suggestions to you. When the proposed Congress of your véritable philosophe shall meet, neither of us need fear its censures, upon the strictest examination of of our correspondence. We will claim the poet's character of the sincere statesman, "Who knew no thought but what the world might hear." In times of suspicion it must be some satisfaction to both of us to know, that no line or word has ever passed between us, but what the governments of Great Britain, France, and America, might freely peruse as the words of good faith, peace and sweet reconciliation. The resolutions of Maryland and Philadelphia together with the slow proceeding of our plenipotentiaries, and even the doubt suggested whether they may not be in waiting for events in America, give me much concern. Not being informed to a certainty of the state of the negociation, I have declined any concern with ministry upon the subject of the refugees, &c. My assistance cannot be indispensable upon that topic, but I deem it indispensable to myself, not to be committed in unknown ground, which from the points abovementioned must appear dubious to me. These are the reasons which I gave to the minister for declining. I must at the same time give him the justice of the most absolute and unlimited professions of sincerity for peace. Whatever divisions there may have been, as you say, suspected in the cabinet, there are some of his colleagues still remaining, in whom I have the greatest confidence for sincerity and good intentions. The public prints of this country have stated what are called shades of difference as to the mode. Those opinions which are imputed to Mr. Fox are certainly most suitable to my opinions. I am free to confess to you that my wishes would have been to have taken the most decisive ground relating to independence, &c. immediately from the 27th of March last, viz. the accession of the change of ministry. But I agree with you in sentiment; viz. to concur with all the good that offers, when we cannot obtain all the good that we might wish. The situation of my sentiments at present is, an unbiassed neutrality of expectation, as events may justify. I shall be obliged to you for the earliest communications of any public events in America which may come to Europe, with any public resolutions of congress or provinces, &c. and all memorials or negociations which may pass between the parties in America. I am very anxious to have the earliest informations to form my opinions upon, and to be prepared accordingly. My utmost endeavours will always be exerted to the blessed work of peace. I am ever, your affectionate.. D. HARTLEY. TO HIS EXCELLENCY J. JAY, ESQ. 43 DEAR SIR, Passy, Sept. 4, 1782. Mr. Oswald's courier being returned, with directions to him, to make the independence of America the first article in the treaty, I would wait on you if I could, to discourse on the subject: but as I cannot, I wish to see you here this evening, if not inconvenient to you. With great esteem, I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN. Letter and official communication from RICHARD OSWALD, ESQ. TO DR. FRANKLIN, SIR, In consequence of the notice I have just now had from Mr. Jay of your desire of an extract from my last letter from the secretary of state, regarding the proposed treaty on the subject of American affairs; and my authority in relation thereto, I take the liberty to send the same enclosed; which, together with the powers contained in the commission which I had the honor of laying before you, and Mr. Jay, I am hopeful will satisfy you of the willingness and sincere desire of his Majesty to give you entire content on that important subject. This extract I would have sent before now, if I had thought you wished to have it before I had the honor of waiting on you myself; which was only delayed until I should be informed by Mr. Jay, that you was well enough to see me upon business. I heartily wish you a recovery of your health, and am, with sincere esteem and regard, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Paris, Sept. 5, 1782. RICHARD OSWALD. |