ther General Howe, for the latter purposes of the act. He sailed May 12, and while off the coast of Massachusetts, prepared a declaration, announcing this commission, and accompanied it with circular letters.

Lord Howe took occasion to publish everywhere, that he had proposals to make on the part of Great Britain tending to peace and reconciliation, and that he was ready to communicate them. He, at the same time, permitted the American ge

Resolved, That copies of this declaration be sent to the several assemblies, conventions, and committees, or councils of safety, and to the several commanding officers of the continental troops; that it be proclaimed in each of the United States, and at the head of the army.

neral, Sullivan, to go on his parole, and give this intelligence to the congress. He hoped, by this means, to create divisions in that body, and throughout the country. The congress were of opinion the admiral could have no terms to offer, but such as the act of parliament empowered him to offer, which were, PARDON upon submission; yet, as the people might imagine more, and be uneasy if he was not heard, they appointed three of their body, Messrs. Franklin, Adams, and Rutledge, to meet him. His lordship chose Staten Island, which was in possession of the English troops, for the place of conference. The committee being arrived at Amboy, a small town in New Jersey, opposite to the island, and in possession of the Americans, the admiral sent over his barge to receive and bring them to him, and to leave one of his principal officers as a hostage for their safe return. The committee of congress had not desired a hostage, and they therefore took the officer back with them. The admiral met them at their landing, and conducted them through his guards to a convenient room for conference. He was surprised at their confidence, in bringing back his hostage, and more at the little estimation in which they appeared to hold his offers of pardon, and of inquiring into grievance. He seemed to have flattered himself, that the congress, humbled by their late losses, would have been submissive and compliant. He found himself mistaken. The

committee told him firmly, that if he had nothing else to propose, he was come too late the humble petitions of congress had been rejected with contempt; independence was now declared, and the new government formed. And when in cajoling them, he expressed his " affection for America, his concern in viewing her dangerous situation, and said that to see her fall would give him the same pain as to see a brother fall;" they answered, that it was kind; but America would endeavor to spare him that pain.

They returned and reported the conference to congress, who published it; and the people were satisfied that they had no safety to expect but in

arms.

The following is the correspondence between Lord Howe and Dr. Franklin on this occasion, and the joint report of the American commissioners on the result of their mission.

PREFATORY NOTE, BY DR. FRANKLIN.

[These letters were published in London, to show the insolence of the insurgents, in refusing the offer of pardon upon submission made to them by the British plenipotentiaries. They undoubtedly deserve the attention of the public for another reason, the proof they afford that the commerce of America is deemed by the ministry themselves of such vast importance, as to justify the horrid and expensive war they are now waging, to maintain the monopoly of it; that being the principal cause stated by Lord Howe; though their pensioned writers and speakers in parliament have af

fected to treat that commerce as a trifle. And they demonstrate further, of how much importance it is to the rest of Europe, that the continuance of that monopoly should be obstructed, and the general freedom of trade, now offered by the Americans, prevented; since by no other means the enormous growing power of Britain both by sea and land, so formidable to their neighbors, and which must follow her success, can possibly be prevented.]

TO DR. FRANKLIN.

Eagle, June 20, 1776.

I cannot, my worthy friend, permit the letters and parcels which I have sent in the state I received them, to be landed, without adding a word upon the subject of the injurious extremities in which our unhappy differences have engaged us.

You will learn the nature of my mission, from the official dispatches which I have recommended to be forwarded by the same conveyance. Retaining all the earnestness I ever expressed to see our differences accommodated, I shall conceive, if I meet with the disposition in the colonies I was once taught to expect, the most flattering hopes of proving serviceable in the objects of the king's paternal solicitude, by promoting the establishment of lasting peace and union with the colonies. But if the deep-rooted prejudices of America, and the necessity for preventing her trade from passing into foreign channels, must keep us still a divided people; I shall, from every private as well as pub

lic motive, most heartily lament, that this is not the moment wherein those great objects of my ambition are to be attained; and that I am to be longer deprived of an opportunity to assure you personally of the regard with which I am your sincere and faithful humble servant, HowE.

P.S. I was disappointed of the opportunity I expected for sending this letter at the time it was dated, and have ever since been prevented by calms and contrary winds from getting here, to inform General Howe of the commission with which I have the satisfaction to be charged, and of his being joined in it.

Off Sandy Hook, 12th of July.

MY LORD,

TO LORD HOWE.

Philadelphia, July 20, 1776. I received safe the letters your lordship so kindly forwarded to me, and beg you to accept my thanks.

The official dispatches to which you refer me, contain nothing more than what we had seen in the act of parliament, viz. offers of pardon upon submission, which I am sorry to find, as it must give your lordship pain to be sent so far on so hopeless a business.

Directing pardons to be offered the colonies, who are the very parties injured, expresses indeed that opinion of our ignorance, baseness and insen