WM. ALEXANDER, ESQ. TO DR. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR SIR,

Paris, Dec. 15, 1781. ·

I told you last time I had the pleasure of seeing you at Passy, that I should make a trip to London, but had no notion it would be so soon. On coming to town last evening, I found such pressing letters that I propose setting off this evening or to-morrow at latest. I would have called if possible to receive your commands; but as I am pinched in time, must content myself with sending for them. The bearer will call for them an hour after receiving this letter.

I shall probably be interrogated about the dispositions in this country to peace. My own idea is, that you seek only your independence, and that this country, were that secured, will be moderate in other matters, as the object of the war does not seem to be conquest. Let me know if this is proper language. I notice that a courtly argument has been used in parliament for continuing the continental war, that withdrawing would make you insolent and give France exclusive advantages-were it not proper that this were contradicted flatly? Any commissions you may have will be taken care of; and I shall be back, barring accidents, in three weeks. Wishing you every thing that is good, I remain with equal esteem and respect, dear, sir, your most obedient humble servant, W. ALEXANDER.

ANSWER TO MR. ALEXANDER.

DEAR SIR,

Passy, Dec. 15, 1781. I thank you for informing me of your intended journey. You know so well the prevailing sentiments here, and mine in particular, that it is unnecessary for me to express them; and having never been believed on that side the water, it would be useless. I will say, however, that I think the

language you mention very proper to be held, as it is the truth; though the truth may not always be proper. Wishing you a good voyage, and happy return to your children, I am with great esteem, dear sir, yours, &c. &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ. M.P.

[Sent by Mr. Alexander, with a pamphlet.]

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Passy, Dec. 15, 1781.

I received your favor of September 26, containing your very judicious proposition of securing the spectators in the opera and play-houses from the danger of fire. I communicated it where I thought it might be useful. You will see by the enclosed that the subject has been under consideration here. Your concern for the security of life, even the lives of your enemies, does honor to your heart and your humanity. But what are the lives of a few idle haunters of play-houses compared with the many thousands of worthy men and honest industrious families butchered and destroyed by this devilish war! O! that we could find some happy invention to stop the spreading of the flames, and put an end to so horrid a conflagration! Adieu. I am ever yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.

DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ. TO DR. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, Jan. 2, 1782.

I have received the favor of yours of the 15th of December by Mr. Alexander. I most heartily join with you in the wish that we could find some means to stop the spreading flames of this devilish war. I will not despair. The communications which he has imparted to me from you have revived my hopes of peace. I laid them before

the minister immediately. We are at a suspense for the present upon a very material preliminary. I did not intend writing to you at the present pause, that we might make our ground good as we go on; but an incident which has happened obliges me to do it without delay. For having had a most essential question transmitted to me from Lord North for explanation, when I would have applied to Mr. Alexander I could not hear of him; and now I find that he has left his hotel these four or five days, and his return uncertain, I must apply to you. I will state to you what has passed.

Upon my first interview with Mr. Alexander, he told me that the late events would make no difference in the prospect of peace; that America had no other wish than to see a termination of this war; that no events would make them unreasonable on that subject, which sentiments likewise your letter expresses; and that no formal recognition of independence would be required. I thought this a very fair opening; but the next point which he explained to me seemed to be still more material towards peace, viz. that America was disposed to enter into a separate treaty with Great Britain, and their allies were disposed to consent to it.' I believe that it has been the unfortunate union of common cause between America and France, which has for the last three years turned aside the wish of the people of England for peace. I verily believe (so deep is the jealousy between England and France) that this country would fight for a straw to the last man, and the last shilling, rather than be dictated to by France. I therefore consider this as the greatest rub out of the way. I have often argued this point with you upon former occasions, having at all times foreseen that it would be the greatest rub in the road to peace; and I have often stated it to

'A great misconception.

you as an act of justice due to America from her allies, not to drag her through a war of European resentments and jealousies beyond her original views and engagements; and moreover I think the separation of the causes in the negociation promises much the shortest road to a general peace.

Upon Mr. Alexander's opening thus much to me, I told him I would apply for the earliest opportunity of laying these matters before the minister. Accordingly, on Friday morning (December 21), I applied through the means of the Earl of Guildford (father to Lord North), a nobleman of a most respectable character, advanced in years, and attached by every possible tie to a son now in a most arduous situation. I therefore requested the favor through his hands, as giving me the most conciliatory access to the minister, to whom I was preparing to make an application for peace. After the appointment was made with Lord North for Friday evening, I returned to Mr. Alexander to consider the specific manner and terms in which I should make my application. It had occurred to me from what Mr. Alexander had stated to me, that the conciliatory bill' which I had moved in the last parliament, on June 27, 1780, would still serve as a foundation to proceed upon. I therefore carried it with me. He told me that he and you knew the sense of the bill very well, and that it would be entirely consonant to your sentiments, that I should state it to Lord North, as drawing an outline for negociation of peace. However, to avoid all errors, I read the bill through to him, and explained the view of each clause, viz. the style of provinces of North America-a general phrase to avoid any term denoting dependence or independence. The truce-for an indefinite term. The articles of intercourse for ten years certain-to

See Mr. Hartley's letter of July 17, 1780.

restore an amicable correspondence—and to abate animosities. The suspension of certain acts of parliament- to avoid every possible question of dependence or independence. And to finish the work by a ratification of each article of intercourse as agreed to, thereby to prevent all possible return of war. I compared the articles of intercourse for a short term, and their ratification into a permanent peace, to a wellknown mode of proceeding in the laws of England, by lease and release, from temporary to perpetual amity and peace. Upon these grounds I took my cominission from him for Lord North, viz. the question of dependence or independence sub silentio-a separate treaty with America, and to state the conciliatory bill of June, 1780, as the outline of negociation. I saw Lord North in the evening, and stated the foregoing propositions to him, as I have now stated them to you. After having stated the compromise sub silentio and the separate treaty, I left with Lord North the copy of the bill of June 1780, together with a paper intitled Conciliatory Propositions, as explanatory of that bill (both enclosed with this). The next morning (viz. Saturday, December 22), I saw Mr. Alexander and reported to him what I had stated to Lord North, and showed him a copy of the paper intitled Conciliatory Propositions. He told me that I had executed my commission perfectly to his intelligence of the matter. I should tell you, that at the conclusion of my conversation with Lord North, we both settled jointly the result thus: "I recommend to your Lordship the propositions which I have had the honor of stating to you, as the general grounds of a proposed negociation leading towards peace, under liberal constructions." Lord North said in answer," So I understand them."

Upon this footing matters rested for some days. On Sunday last (December SO), I received a message from Lord North