the gratifying of that curiosity, which draws numbers thither yearly,
merely to see so famous a city. With the assistance of Monsieur
Dubourg, who understands English, you will be able to make immediate
application to Monsieur de Vergennes, _Ministre des Affaires
Etrangères_, either personally or by letter, if M. Dubourg adopts that
method, acquainting him that you are in France upon business of the
American Congress, in the character of a merchant, having something to
communicate to him, that may be mutually beneficial to France and the
North American Colonies; that you request an audience of him, and that
he would be pleased to appoint the time and place. At this audience if
agreed to, it may be well to show him first your letter of credence,
and then acquaint him that the Congress, finding that in the common
course of commerce, it was not practicable to furnish the continent of
America with the quantity of arms and ammunition necessary for its
defence, (the Ministry of Great Britain having been extremely
industrious to prevent it,) you had been despatched by their authority
to apply to some European power for a supply. That France had been
pitched on for the first application, from an opinion, that if we
should, as there is a great appearance we shall, come to a total
separation from Great Britain, France would be looked upon as the
power, whose friendship it would be fittest for us to obtain and
cultivate. That the commercial advantages Britain had enjoyed with the
Colonies, had contributed greatly to her late wealth, and importance.
That it is likely great part of our commerce will naturally fall to
the share of France; especially if she favors us in this application,
as that will be a means of gaining and securing the friendship of the
Colonies; and that as our trade was rapidly increasing with our
increase of people, and in a greater proportion, her part of it will
be extremely valuable. That the supply we at present want, is clothing
and arms for twenty five thousand men with a suitable quantity of
ammunition, and one hundred field pieces. That we mean to pay for the
same by remittances to France or through Spain, Portugal, or the
French Islands, as soon as our navigation can be protected by
ourselves or friends; and that we besides want great quantities of
linens and woollens, with other articles for the Indian trade, which
you are now actually purchasing, and for which you ask no credit, and
that the whole, if France should grant the other supplies, would make
a cargo which it might be well to secure by a convoy of two or three
ships of war.
If you should find M. de Vergennes reserved, and not inclined to enter
into free conversation with you, it may be well to shorten your visit,
request him to consider what you have proposed, acquaint him with your
place of lodging, that you may yet stay sometime at Paris, and that
knowing how precious his time is, you do not presume to ask another
audience, but that if he should have any commands for you, you will
upon the least notice immediately wait upon him. If, at a future
conference he should be more free, and you find a disposition to favor
the Colonies, it may be proper to acquaint him, that they must
necessarily be anxious to know the disposition of France, on certain
points, which, with his permission, you would mention, such as whether
if the Colonies should be forced to form themselves into an
independent state, France would probably acknowledge them as such,
receive their ambassadors, enter into any treaty or alliance with
them, for commerce or defence, or both? If so, on what principal
conditions? Intimating that you shall speedily have an opportunity of
sending to America, if you do not immediately return, and that he may
be assured of your fidelity and secrecy in transmitting carefully any
thing he would wish conveyed to the Congress on that subject. In
subsequent conversations, you may, as you find it convenient, enlarge
on these topics, that have been the subjects of our conferences, with
you, to which you may occasionally add the well known substantial
answers, we usually give to the several calumnies thrown out against
us. If these supplies on the credit of the Congress should be refused,
you are then to endeavor the obtaining a permission of purchasing
those articles, or as much of them as you can find credit for. You
will keep a daily journal of all your material transactions, and
particularly of what passes in your conversation with great
personages; and you will by every safe opportunity, furnish us with
such information as may be important. When your business in France
admits of it, it may be well to go into Holland, and visit our agent
there, M. Dumas, conferring with him on subjects that may promote our
interest, and on the means of communication.
You will endeavor to procure a meeting with Mr Bancroft by writing a
letter to him, under cover to Mr Griffiths at Turnham Green, near
London, and desiring him to come over to you, in France or Holland, on
the score of old acquaintance. From him you may obtain a good deal of
information of what is now going forward in England, and settle a mode
of continuing a correspondence. It may be well to remit him a small
bill to defray his expenses in coming to you, and avoid all political
matters in your letter to him. You will also endeavor to correspond
with Mr Arthur Lee, agent of the Colonies in London. You will endeavor
to obtain acquaintance with M. Garnier, late _Chargé des Affaires de
France en Angleterre_, if now in France, or if returned to England, a
correspondence with him, as a person extremely intelligent and
friendly to our cause. From him, you may learn many particulars
occasionally, that will be useful to us.
B. FRANKLIN,
BENJ. HARRISON,
JOHN DICKINSON,
ROBERT MORRIS,
JOHN JAY.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] On the 29th November, 1775 a committee was appointed by Congress,
which was called the _Committee of Secret Correspondence_, and
consisted of five persons. The first members chosen were Harrison,
Franklin, Johnson, Dickinson and Jay. The purpose of the committee was
to correspond with the friends of the Colonies in Great Britain,
Ireland, and other parts of the world, and communicate their
correspondence to Congress when required. Provision was made for
defraying expenses, and paying such agents as the committee might send
on this service.
There was another standing _Secret Committee_ of Congress, first
instituted September 18th, 1775, and empowered to purchase arms,
ammunition and military stores, and also to export various articles to
meet the charges of such purchases abroad. But this committee had no
connexion with that of secret correspondence. It was dissolved, July
5th, 1777, when the _Committee of Commerce_ was appointed in its
stead.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.
Paris, August 18th, 1776.
I wrote you every material occurrence to the time of my leaving
Bordeaux, and sent duplicates by Captains Palmer, Bunker, and Seaver,
one of which you will undoubtedly have received, before this comes to
hand. I left that city on the last of June, and arrived here the
Saturday following, having carefully attended to every thing in the
manufacturing or commercial towns in my way, which, indeed, are
neither numerous nor of great consequence. I spent at Angouleme a day
in viewing what, as to manufactures alone, deserves attention on the
journey; the foundery for cannon, where the greatest part of those
used in the kingdom are manufactured. The cannon are cast solid, after
which they are put as in a turner's lathe, and bored out, and the
outside smoothed and turned at pleasure; they can bore and complete a
twelve pounder in one day in each lathe, which takes four men only to
work; the workmen freely showed me every part of their furnace and
foundery. On Monday after my arrival, I waited on my bankers, and
found that Mr Bancroft had arrived the same day with me, Mr Thomas
Morris and M. Venzonals about ten days before. I waited on M. Dubourg
and delivered him Dr Franklin's letter, which gave the good gentleman
the most sincere and real pleasure.
M. Penet, on his arrival in Paris, waited on M. Dubourg, showed him a
copy of his contract with the committee of Congress, and told him he
had letters from Dr Franklin to him, but had left them on the road, or
at Rotterdam, through fear of a search; he told M. Dubourg, to whom he
was a perfect stranger, so many particular circumstances, that he
could not doubt of his sincerity, and in consequence he embarked in
his affairs to a large amount. Five or six weeks have now passed
without the arrival of the letters said to be left on the road. Arms,
powder, &c. to a large sum were in readiness, when my arrival gave him
confidence, that I would take the burden off him, as he doubted not
that my credentials would be explicit. I saw immediately the
arrangement of the whole, and that M. Penet had returned to France,
(copy of the contract excepted,) almost as empty handed as he came to
Philadelphia, yet had found means to collect a very considerable
quantity of stores, part of which he had actually shipped. This
circumstance gave me hopes, yet I found that it would now be expected
I should become responsible for the articles, which embarrassed me
much, since to detain them would be quite disagreeable, and to step
out of my own line and involve myself with Messrs Plairne and Penet's
contract, would be equally so.
M. Penet had somehow got intelligence of my being in France, and that
I was expected at Paris; he, therefore, waited for me, and I saw him
the next day at my hotel, when he complained of want of remittances,
and desired me to pledge my credit for the stores, which I waived in
the best manner I could, for I saw the consequences might involve me
in many difficulties and frustrate my greater designs. I, therefore,
told him I would certify to the merchants, if necessary, that the
Congress would pay for whatever stores they would credit them with,
and in the mean time, advised him to proceed strictly agreeable to the
letter of the contract, and I was positive that the Congress would
fulfil their part of it. I finally satisfied both him and M. Dubourg,
and he parted for Nantes to ship the goods the next day. I must do him
the justice that is his due; he has been indefatigable in the
business, his heart seems to be entirely in it, and I believe him
honest, but his connexions either commercial or political are not, of
themselves, equal to such an undertaking, but the cause he was
employed in, had, in a great measure, I found, supplied this
deficiency, which was to me a favorable appearance.
M. Dubourg told me that the ministers would not see me, as they meant
to be quite secret in any countenance they gave the United Colonies,
and that my arrival in France was already known in London, in
consequence of which Lord Stormont arrived express but a few days
before, and had applied to the court on the subject. I showed him my
commission, and told him I was determined to apply; for every
circumstance, in my opinion, was favorable instead of otherwise. On
this he wrote a letter to Count de Vergennes, asking liberty to
introduce me the Thursday following, on which day I went to
Versailles, and though the letter had not been delivered to his
excellency, yet he gave us immediate admission. Fortunately his chief
secretary spoke English well, by which means I had an opportunity of
conversing freely with him on the subject of my commission for two
hours, and was attentively and favorably heard by him, and was asked
many questions, which shows that the American disputes had been, and
still were a principal object of attention. I pursued nearly the line
marked out by my instructions, stating the importance of the American
commerce and the advantages Great Britain had received from a monopoly
of it. That all intercourse ceasing between the two countries the
Colonies had considered where they might dispose of that produce,
which they necessarily had so large a surplus of, and receive for
their raw or first materials the various manufactures they wanted.
That they first turned their eyes on France, as the best country in
Europe for them to be connected with in commerce. That I was
purchasing a large quantity of manufactures for which I expected to
pay the money, and that I should want a quantity of military stores,
for which remittances would be made. That I doubted not the Colonies
had before this declared independency, and that I should soon receive
instructions in consequence, more full and explicit; that in the mean
time they were very anxious to know how such a declaration would be
received by the powers in Europe, particularly by France, and whether,
in such case, an ambassador would be received from them, &c.
To which he replied, that the importance of the American commerce was
well known, and that no country could so well supply the Colonies, and
in return receive their produce as France; it was, therefore, the
interest of both to have the most free and uninterrupted intercourse,
for which reason the court had ordered their ports to be kept open,
and equally free to America, as to Britain. That, considering the good
understanding between the two courts of Versailles and London, they
could not _openly_ encourage the shipping of warlike stores, but no
obstruction of any kind would be given; if there should, as the custom
houses were not fully in their secrets in this matter, such
obstructions should be removed, on the first application. That I must
consider myself perfectly free to carry on any kind of commerce in the
kingdom, which any subject of any other state in the world might, as
the court had resolved their ports should be equally free to both
parties. That I was under his immediate protection, and should I meet
with any difficulty, either from their police, with the rules of which
he supposed me unacquainted, or from any other quarter, I had but to
apply to him and every thing should be settled. That as to
independency, it was an event in the womb of time, and it would be
highly improper for him to say any thing on that subject, until it had
actually taken place; mean time he informed me, that the British
ambassador knew of my arrival, and therefore advised me not to
associate with Englishmen, more than I was from necessity obliged; as
he doubted not I should have many spies on my conduct.
I then told him the precautions I had taken and should persevere in,
in coming from Bermuda, and that I did not mean in public to pass for
other than a merchant from that island, on speculation, during the
present cessation of commerce in America; but at the same time I told
his excellency, that I was well assured it was known in London, that I
was coming long before I arrived at Paris, and I doubted not, they
conjectured my errand, but at the same time, I should take every
precaution in my power; and most sincerely thanked him for his
protection and assistance so generously offered, which he might depend
I would never abuse. He was pleased with my having come by Bermuda,
and passing as an inhabitant of that island, and said, if questioned,
he should speak of me in that character. He then asked me many
questions with respect to the Colonies, but what he seemed most to
want to be assured of, was their ability to subsist without their
fisheries, and under the interruption of their commerce. To this I
replied, in this manner, that the fisheries were never carried on, but
by a part of the Colonies, and by them, not so much as a means of
subsistence, as of commerce. That the fishery failing, those formerly
employed in them turned part to agriculture, and part to the army and
navy. That our commerce must for sometime be in a great measure
suspended, but that the greater part of our importations were far from
being necessaries of life, consequently we should not suffer under the
want of them, whilst it was not wealth or luxuries that we were
contending for. That our commerce ceasing, it would be out of the
power of our enemies to support themselves on our plunder, and on the
other hand, our ships, as privateers, might harrass their commerce,
without a possibility of their retaliating. That I hoped to see a
considerable marine force in the Colonies, and that, joined to the
impossibility of Britain's guarding so extensive a coast, would
preserve some of our commerce, until it should be thought an object
deserving the protection of other powers.
After many questions on this subject, he put this, in which I thought
he seemed interested,--whether, if the Colonies declare an
independency, they would not differ among themselves? To this I
replied, that the greatest harmony had as yet subsisted, and I had no
grounds to doubt it in future; that the common danger, which first
drove them into measures, which must end in such a declaration, would
subsist, and that alone was sufficient to ensure their union.
He then desired me to give his secretary my address, and said, though
he should be glad to see me often, yet as matters were circumstanced,
his house was too public a place, but that I might put the same
confidence in his secretary as himself, to whom I might apply for
advice and direction, but that whenever anything of importance
occurred, I need but inform him, and he would see me; but on common
occasions, I must address the secretary, which would be every way more
convenient as he understood the English language well, and was a
person in whom the greatest confidence could be placed. Having settled
the mode of intercourse, I expressed the sense I had of his
excellency's politeness, and the generous protection he had given me,
and on parting said, if my commission or the mode of introducing the
subject were out of the usual course, I must rely on his goodness to
make allowances for a new formed people, in circumstances altogether
unprecedented, and for their agent wholly unacquainted with courts. To
which he replied, that the people and their cause were very
respectable in the eyes of all disinterested persons, and that the
interview had been agreeable.
After this I returned to Paris with M. Dubourg, whose zeal for the
American cause led him to draw the most favorable consequences from
this beginning. The next day while from home I was informed that Count
Laureguais had inquired out my lodgings, immediately after which he
asked leave to go for England, which was refused him by the court. The
same day I was informed that Sir Hans Stanley and Sir Charles
Jenkinson, who I knew were at Bordeaux when I left it, were in France,
for the sole purpose of inquiring what agents were here from the
Colonies, and what commerce or other negotiation between them and the
Colonies was carrying on. This alarmed my friends, and as I had agreed
for other lodgings, to which I was next day to remove, M. Dubourg
advised me to secrete both my lodgings and name. I told him that the
Count Laureguais' conduct appeared mysterious, yet I could never think
of keeping myself secret, for though I should not seek these
gentlemen, nor throw myself purposely in their way, yet I must think
it an ill compliment to count Vergennes, to suppose after what had
passed, that I was not on as good and safe footing in France, as they
or any other gentleman could be. However, his uneasiness made him
write to the Count what he had advised, who returned for answer, that
such a step was both unnecessary and impolitic, as it would only
strengthen suspicions by giving every thing an air of mystery, while
there was not the least occasion for it.
The next day I had a fresh conference with M. Dubourg, who brought me
a number of memorials from officers and engineers offering their
services in America; some of whom, I believe, deserve the utmost
encouragement; but more of this hereafter. While I was casting in my
mind, how best to improve the present favorable crisis for supplying
the Colonies, Monsieur Beaumarchais made proposals for procuring
whatever should be wanted, but in such a manner as was understood by
M. Dubourg to amount to a monopoly, which indeed was not his only
objection, for Monsieur Beaumarchais, though confessedly a man of
abilities, had always been a man of pleasure and never of business;
but as he was recommended by Count Vergennes, M. Dubourg could not
avoid noticing him, but immediately expostulated with the Count in a
letter, which brought on embarrassments no way favorable, and I saw
that M. Dubourg was so far from sounding the views of his superior in
this manoeuvre, that he was, with the best intentions in the world, in
danger of counteracting his own wishes, the extent of which were, to
obtain the supplies of merchants and manufacturers on the credit of
the Colonies, in which the strictest punctuality and most scrupulous
exactness would be necessary, and which under the present difficulties
of remittance, I feared would not be lived up to.
As I had learned, that in the late reform of the French army, they had
shifted their arms for those of a lighter kind, the heavy ones, most
of which were the same as new, to the amount of seventy or eighty
thousands, lay useless in magazines, with other military stores, in
some such proportion, I apprehended it no way impossible to come at a
supply from hence, through the agency of some merchant, without the
ministry being concerned in the matter. In such case the merchant
would be accountable to the ministry, and the Colonies to the
merchant, by which means a greater time of payment might be given, and
more allowance in case of our being disappointed. With this in view I
went to Versailles on Wednesday, the 17th, and waited on M. Gerard,
first secretary of foreign affairs, and presented to him the enclosed
memorial,[2] which led to a very particular conversation on the
affairs of America, and which I turned finally on this subject, to
which he would not then give me any immediate answer, but promised me
one in a day or two. Returning to town, I found Messrs Dubourg and
Beaumarchais had a misunderstanding, the latter giving out that he
could effect every thing we wished for, and the former, from the known
circumstances of M. Beaumarchais, and his known carelessness in money
matters, suspecting he could procure nothing, and the more so as he
promised so largely. They parted much displeased with each other, and
Mons. Beaumarchais went directly to Versailles. On M. Dubourg's coming
and informing me what had passed, I immediately wrote to M. Gerard the
enclosed letter,[3] and in return was desired to come with M. Dubourg
the next morning to Versailles.
We went as desired, and after explaining many things to M. Gerard, had
a conference with his excellency, from whom I had fresh assurances of
the utmost freedom and protection in their ports and on their coasts;
that in one word, I might rely on whatever Mons. Beaumarchais should
engage in the commercial way of supplies, which, indeed, was all I
wished for, as I was on the safe side of the question, viz. on the
receiving part. I communicated to his excellency that clause of my
instructions for procuring arms, &c. of which he asked a copy. I then
informed him, that I considered the present as a most critical
juncture of American affairs, that the campaign would undoubtedly be
carried far into the winter, that supplies now shipped might arrive
very seasonably in the fall to enable the Colonies to hold out the
present campaign. He replied that no delay should be made by any
obstruction of any officer, or others of the customs or police. He
then told me that the Count Laureguais was, perhaps, a well meaning
man, but not sufficiently discreet for such purposes as this; that Mr
Lee, meaning Mr Arthur Lee of London, had confided, he feared, too
much in him, and wished me to caution him on the subject, and that if
I would write to him, he would enclose it in a letter of his, by a
courier that evening. I most readily embraced this safe way of
corresponding, and sent a letter I had before written, with an
addition on this subject, a copy of which is enclosed. I have thus
given you the heads of my negotiation to this time, July 20th, and
will not take up your time in making remarks on it, and the prospect
before me, which are obvious; but inform you of the plan I mean to
pursue, in the execution of my commission, and hint some methods, by
which I think I may be enabled to complete every part of it to your
satisfaction, and the relief of my country, which is all my wish, and
the extent of my most ambitious hopes. I go on the supposition of an
actual unconditional independency, without which little can be
effected publicly; with it, almost every thing we can wish for.