peace; the disputes between Portugal and Spain are on the point of
producing an open rupture; the former relies on England; the latter
will look to this kingdom, and has already applied to this Court on
the subject. Nothing but the division of Poland has taken the king of
Prussia's attention off from the injustice done him by Great Britain,
at the close of the last war. He has now completed his part of that
extraordinary work, and I am well informed, listens with pleasure to
the dispute between the United Colonies and Great Britain. He is
ambitious of becoming a maritime power, and is already in possession
of the capital ports on the Baltic; but without commerce it is
impossible to effect the design, and no commerce can put him so
directly in the road as the American. The consumption of coffee,
sugar, and other West India productions, increases fast in the north
of Europe, and it must be his interest, at least, to supply his own
dominions. In case of a war in Europe, France, Spain and Prussia might
be brought into one interest, and the emperor of Germany is too
closely connected with his majesty of France to take part against
them, after which Great Britain, having her whole force employed in
America, there could be nothing on the one hand to prevent Spain and
France from reducing Portugal to a submission to the former, nor from
Prussia and France subduing and incorporating into their own dominions
Hanover, and the other little mercenary electorates, which lie between
them, and which for several centuries have been one principal cause of
every war that has happened in Europe.
With respect to Russia, it is as closely allied to Prussia, as to
Great Britain, and may be expected to be master in the contest.
Denmark and Sweden are a balance for each other, and opposites. Not to
enlarge on this plan at present, I have only to suggest, that an
application to the king of Prussia will do no harm, and may be
attended with good and great consequences; the Prussian ambassador at
this court and at that of London may be sounded on the subject. But my
powers and instructions are so limited, that I can by no means take
such a step; yet when I see Great Britain exerting her whole force,
and that of her allies, and courting every power in Europe to aid her,
I can but wish she may be counteracted in her own system, and by
having employ found for her in Europe, bring her to leave America in
peace, and I think myself bound in duty to hint at what to me seems
the most probable means. Dr Bancroft was full with me in this opinion.
Mons. Chaumont, a very wealthy person, and intendant for providing
clothes, &c. &c. for the French army, has offered me a credit on
account of the Colonies, to the amount of one million of livres, which
I have accepted. I have in treaty another credit, which joined to this
will purchase the articles directed in my instructions; the credit
will be until May next, before which I hope remittances will be made.
I have purchased of said M. Chaumont a quantity of saltpetre at ten
sous, or five and one fourth per cent, in order that Captain Morgan
might not return empty.
As soon as I have given the orders for despatching him, and settled
some other matters here, I design for Dunkirk to ship the Indian
goods, which I hope may arrive in season for the winter supply, though
I leave you to consider my situation with only about 6 or 7000 pounds
to complete a contract of forty, and the bills for my private expenses
being protested, obliged to support myself out of that capital, which
I labor to do with all the economy in my power. Dr Bancroft is
returned to London, and by him I wrote to Mons. Garnier, and agreed on
a mode of correspondence. I think your remittances in armed vessels
will be much the best method, and I have ordered Captain Morgan's
sloop to be armed, and should she arrive safe, recommend him, as one I
am confident will serve the Colonies with great zeal and fidelity;
and I have had some experience of the goodness of his temper and his
abilities. Mr Seymour, his mate, is also deserving of encouragement,
as a good seaman and of undaunted resolution. I am not without hopes
of obtaining liberty for the armed Vessels of the United Colonies to
dispose of their prizes in the ports of this kingdom, and also for
arming and fitting out vessels of war directly from hence, but I will
not venture on this until I see what effect my last memoir may have;
the substance of which is, to shew the danger to France and Spain, if
they permit Great Britain to keep so enormous a force in America, and
to recover the dominion of the Colonies; also how fully it is in their
power to prevent it, and by that means deprive Great Britain of the
principal source of her wealth and force, even without hazarding a war
of any consequence in point of danger.
This memoir, which takes several sheets, I am unable to send you a
copy of, as I have no one to assist me, and must make out several
copies for the persons to whom they are to be delivered. I was
directed to apply for arms and clothes for 25,000 men, and for 100
field pieces, with ammunition and stores in proportion. This I wished
to get of the ministry direct, but they evaded it, and I am now in
treaty for procuring them, through the agency of Mons. Chaumont and
Mons. Beaumarchais, on a credit of eight months, from the time of
their delivery. If I effect this, as I undoubtedly shall, I must rely
on the remittances being made this fall and winter without fail, or
the credit of the Colonies must suffer. If I can get the arms out of
the magazines, and the field pieces here, I hope for a much longer
credit; but if we send to Sweden for the brass cannon, the credit will
not be lengthened beyond that. Some new improvements have lately been
made in this branch, consequently the cannon now manufactured will be
preferable to those of former construction. Some engineers here
assert, that iron is preferable to brass, that is, wrought iron, out
of which the pieces may be made lighter, and to a better purpose.
Considering the want of these pieces, and the plenty of iron in
America, the experiment might, I think, be made without delay. I am
still in hopes of procuring an admission of the article of tobacco
directly from America, but the Farmers-General will not offer
equivalent to the risk.
Without intelligence from April to this time, leaves me quite
uncertain and extremely anxious about the line of conduct now pursuing
by Congress, and consequently I cannot, without further intelligence
and instructions, proceed in my negotiation either with safety or
honor. The resolution of Congress of the 15th of May, is not
considered by the ministry as a declaration of independence, but only
a previous step, and until this decisive step is taken, I can do
little more to any purpose. This taken, I dare pledge myself, the
United Colonies may obtain all the countenance and assistance they
wish for, in the most open and public manner, and the most unlimited
credit with the merchants of this kingdom; I must therefore urge this
measure, if not already taken, and that the declaration be in the most
full and explicit terms.
Merchants here would speculate deeply in the American trade, could
they be insured at any premium within bounds. I wish to know if
offices are already open, and I would suggest that if the Congress
would take the insurance under their own direction, it would give it
such a proportionably greater credit, that supplies would most
certainly be obtained in plenty. I shall be able to procure a private
interview with the Spanish Ambassador, and shall present him my
memorial, and am in a train, which I think will carry it quite to the
fountain head.
Thus I have in a minute, possibly a tedious detail, mentioned every
thing material on my mind, which has occurred since my arrival, and
submit the whole to the wisdom and candor of the honorable Congress,
observing that I had gone to the extent of my instructions, and though
I have been successful beyond my expectations, yet I have but been
laboring principally to set certain great wheels in motion, which
still want something more decisive on my part, and I am confident of
all that is wanting to set them so effectually moving, as to roll the
burthen and calamities of war from our doors back with aggravated ruin
on its authors, which, if I can be the means of effecting, the world
may bestow the rest of its honors on whom it pleases; I shall be
contented, the extent of my most ambitious hopes thus accomplished.
I have now to urge a survey with respect to the contents of this
letter; more that is said in Congress transpires and crosses the
Atlantic, than you conceive of; more than I can account for, without
having uncharitable thoughts of individuals, still without fixing them
on any one. I have written a short letter to Mr Jay on common affairs,
and have enclosed one to Mons. Longueville, which I pray may be
forwarded; the letter is from his friends here, who have heard of his
being a prisoner somewhere in America. M. Dubourg has continued to
render me every assistance in his power; to be particular would swell
this letter beyond all bounds; his abilities and connexions are of the
first style in this kingdom, and his zeal for the cause of the United
Colonies is to be described only by saying, that at times it is in
danger of urging him beyond both; in short, I am every way deeply
indebted to him, personally for bringing me acquainted with agreeable
persons of rank and character, and on account of my honored
constituents, for assisting me to make such a favorable beginning and
progress in my business. I know not how affluent he may be, but as he
has really for some time devoted himself to assist in this
negotiation, I am confident something honorable will be thought of for
him. I have complimented him by asking of him his portrait to be sent
to his and my friends in America, in my private capacity, mentioning
our mutual friend Dr Franklin. This I found so agreeable, that I am
confident some such distinction would be more acceptable than more
lucrative rewards. Dr B. took pains to collect all the political
publications of the last year for me and brought them with him; he was
at considerable expense in his journey; I sent him from Bordeaux a
bill of £30, and paid his expenses in my lodgings here; at parting I
desired him to keep an account, and when the money was expended to
inform me. This gentleman is certainly capable of giving as good, if
not the best intelligence of any man in Great Britain, as he is
closely connected with the most respectable of the minority in both
houses, not particularly obnoxious to the majority, and for his
abilities, they are too well known to Dr Franklin to need any attempt
to do them justice in a letter. I am with the highest esteem and
respect for the honorable Congress and their Committee of Secret
Correspondence, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
_August 1st._--Since writing the foregoing I have been at ---- and am
of opinion, that a war between Portugal and Spain is at the door, and
I have had an interview proposed with the ambassador of Portugal, who
resides here on commercial affairs, which I have most readily
embraced, and expect to see him again on Wednesday next, after which I
will write you further; his proposals are merely commercial, as is his
station, but something else may be investigated.
_August 2nd._--I should have sent this off earlier, but delayed on
account of hearing something more directly; if I might depend on
certain articles for which I was in treaty, I am now assured I may,
and the whole will be ready to ship in all the month of October. My
next labor will be to obtain a convoy, which I do not despair of,
though it is a delicate question, and I have only sounded at a
distance, yet I have no doubt of obtaining one, at least, off the
coast of Europe, and the articles will be shipped as for the West
India islands. I propose arming and well manning the vessels in which
these articles shall be embarked, and I advise again the sending all
remittances to Europe in armed vessels; the probability of meeting
with English merchants is well worth the risk. I hope that it will be
considered that 100 field pieces, and arms, clothing and
accoutrements, with military stores for 25,000 men, is a large affair;
and that although I am promised any credit, yet as they must be paid
for, the sooner the better, if to be done without too great a risk.
A considerable part of these articles are now on hand, and orders are
issued for the others by the contractors this day. I prefer Bordeaux
to any other port for shipping them from, but the remittances must be
made to several, on which I will give you my opinion in my next. A
number of gentlemen of rank and fortune, who have seen service, and
have good characters, are desirous of serving the United Colonies,
and have applied; pray let me have orders on this subject; if it be
politic to interest this kingdom in the present contest, what way so
effectual as to get into their debt for supplies, and employ persons
of good family and connexions in it, in our service? I have given
encouragement, on which some are prepared to embark. One Mons. C. a
celebrated engineer, who was chief in that way in the Turkish army, is
returned, and is willing to go to America, but the ministry cannot as
yet spare him, as certain regulations are making elsewhere; possibly
he may go out sometime in the winter; he is a first character in his
profession and otherwise. Indeed, this contention has set on foot such
a spirit of inquiry in Europe into the state of America, that I am
convinced that at the first close of this war, if, as I trust in God,
it will close in our favor, there will be an inundation of inhabitants
from this side of the globe. Many persons of capital fortunes have
declared to me their resolution of moving to America, as soon as the
liberties of America shall be established, and that many of their
friends will accompany them.
_August 15th._--I received from a friend at Amsterdam, a letter
informing me that he would be with me on the 20th, and as the vessel
could not be sooner ready to sail, I determined not to risk this
packet by a private hand, or by the public post; he is now arrived and
takes charge of it in person. Were it possible, I would attempt to
paint to you the heart rending anxiety I have suffered in this time,
through a total want of intelligence; my arrival here, my name, my
lodgings, and many other particulars have been reported to the British
administration, on which they sent orders to the British ambassador to
remonstrate in high terms, and to enforce their remonstrance,
despatched Wedderburn from London, and lord Rochford from Holland, as
a person of great interest and address here to counteract me. They
have been some time here, and the city swarms with Englishmen, and as
money purchases every thing in this country, I have had and still have
a most difficult task to avoid their machinations. Not a coffee-house
or theatre, or other place of public diversion, but swarms with their
emissaries; but knowing the ministry are my friends, I attend these
places as others, but cautiously avoid saying a word on American
affairs any where, except in my own hotel or those of my intimate
friends.
I have seen many more of the persons in power in this time, and had
long conversations with them; their intentions are good and they
appear convinced, but there is wanting a great and daring genius at
their head, which the Count Maurepas is very far from being; he has
even imbibed a notion, that no assistance is necessary, as the
Colonies are too powerful for Great Britain. All eyes are turned on
the Duc de Choiseul. I am convinced the moment he comes into office,
an active, open, and ---- will be taken. I think he will be minister
very soon; meantime I have nothing to complain of the ----. Indeed
they will not be altered if he takes the lead. I find M. Beaumarchais,
as I before hinted, possesses the entire confidence of the ministry;
he is a man of wit and genius, and a considerable writer on comic and
political subjects; all my supplies are to come through his hands,
which at first greatly discouraged my friends, knowing him to be a
person of no interest with the merchants, but had I been as doubtful
as they, I could not have stepped aside from the path so cordially
marked out for me by those I depend on. Mr Coudray, the engineer I
before hinted at, obtained liberty last week to go for America with
as many engineers as he should choose, and was not only assured of M.
Beaumarchais being able to procure the stores he had stipulated for,
but received orders for them, and liberty to take 200 pieces of brass
cannon, lest part might be intercepted. M. Coudray has the character
of the first engineer in the kingdom, and his manners and disposition
will, I am confident, be highly pleasing to you, as he is a plain,
modest, active, sensible man, perfectly averse to frippery and parade.
My friends here rejoice at the acquisition, and considering the
character of the man, and at whose hands I in effect received him, I
must congratulate you on it. Several young gentlemen of fortune, whose
families are nearly connected with the Court, are preparing to embark
for America, by each of whom I shall without disguise, write you the
characters they sustain here; I have told them that merit is the sole
object with the Congress. The bearer can give you some idea of the
situation I am in, should this packet fail, and should he arrive with
it he may explain some part of it. I am confident his attention to the
affairs of America here will be considered by the Congress; I have
found him in the mercantile way active and intelligent.
Mr Carmichael is now with me from Maryland, and I find him a person of
great merit. Respecting the Colonies he is recommended as such by ----
from whom he has received a letter but of no immediate importance; he
proposes seeing me here this month. M. Dumas has written me two
letters from the Hague, but so timid that he has not ventured to sign
either, though he speaks in the highest terms of the American cause.
The pamphlet called _Common Sense_ has been translated, and has a
greater run, if possible, here than in America. A person of
distinction writing to his noble friend in office, has these
words;--"Je pense comme vous, mon cher Compte, que le _Common Sense_
est une excellente ouvrage, at que son auteur est un des plus grands
legislateurs des millions d'ecrivains, que nous connoissions; il n'est
pas douteux, que si les Americains suivent le beau plan, que leur
compatriote leur a tracé, ils deviendront la nation la plus
florissante et la plus heureuse, qui ait jamais existé."
Thus freely do men think and write in a country long since deprived of
the essentials of liberty; as I was favored with a sight of the
letter, and permitted to make this extract, I thought it worth sending
you as a key to the sentiments of some of the leading men. I must
again remind you of my situation here; the bills designed for my use
are protested, and expenses rising fast in consequence of the business
on my hands, which I may on no account neglect, and a small douceur,
though I have been sparing in that way, is sometimes of the utmost
importance. The quantity of stores to be shipped will amount to a
large sum, the very charge on them will be great, for which I am the
only responsible person. Five vessels arrived from America with fish,
which is a prohibited article, and the officers of the customs
detained them, on which I was sent to and informed, that if those
vessels came from the Congress to me, they should be permitted to
unload and sell. Here was a difficulty indeed, for the Captain had not
so much as applied to me by letter; however, I assured the ---- that
there could be no doubt but they were designed for that use, and that
the letters to me must have miscarried, on which orders were issued
for unloading and storing those cargoes until further intelligence
should arrive. I mention this case in confidence, and pray that in
future some regulation may be made on this subject, and that vessels
coming out may be directed to apply to me as their agent or owner at
least, and I will procure in the different ports houses of known
reputation to transact their business. This is absolutely necessary,
for by this means their articles may be admitted. Tobacco may come in
this way, and every other article. ---- deeply indebted ostensibly to
M. Beaumarchais, he can obtain the liberty for the discharge of their
debts. M. Coudray will see that the articles of ammunition, cannon,
&c. are provided in the best manner for the army, and will embark
himself by the 1st of October.
I wrote you from Bermuda on the subject of seizing and fortifying that
island. I am well informed the British ministry have had it in
contemplation, and propose doing it next spring. Mr Warder, of
Philadelphia, came a few days since from Bordeaux to Paris, and called
on me with some young gentlemen from New England; he brought letters
from my good friends Messrs ---- in consequence of letters to them
from Mr Alsop. I received him as I do all my countrymen, with real
pleasure. A gentleman present warned him against conversing with a
particular person in Paris, to which Mr W. seemed to agree, yet I am
told he went directly from my hotel to that person, and informed him
of every thing he heard mentioned, and of every person he saw visiting
me; happily he could inform nothing of any consequence; for my chamber
was full of a mixed company, and the conversation was general and in
French and in English; but this conduct of his, with his want of
common complaisance in leaving the city without calling on me to
receive any letters I might have for London, which he had promised to
convey, has given me some uneasiness, and I mention the incident only
as a caution how and what persons are recommended. The pleasure I feel
in seeing one of my countrymen is such, that I may be in as great
danger from them as others, possibly much more. I should be unhappy if
any suspicion should operate to the prejudice of this person without
cause, but my friends here, who are kindly attentive to every thing
that is said or done which respects America, think very strange of his
conduct.
I rely on your indulgence for the length and incorrectness of this
letter. I have had much on my hands, and no one to assist me in
copying, &c. Visits from persons to whom I cannot be denied, or
visiting them, with constant applications made on various subjects,
take up my mornings, and I have had only now and then an evening to
write in.
I have seen the prime agent, who proposed something in the way of
supplying the Colonies with military stores from Prussia. I shall
confer further on the subject with him and write you. I have drawn up
a memorial on the commerce of America, and its importance to Europe,
and shall present it tomorrow to the different personages concerned. I
shall send a copy, if I can get one made, by this conveyance. The debt
of the Colonies in carrying on the war is a common topic for
ministerial writers, but permit me to assure you at the close of this
long letter, that the demand for land in America, if its liberties are
established, will more than compensate the whole expense. I will in a
future letter be more explicit on this important subject, but am well
convinced of the certainty of this fact, "that the advance in the
price of lands in America, if the Colonies are victorious, will more
than reimburse the expenses of the war." I have nothing material to
add. Never were a people more anxious for news than the people of
this kingdom are for news from America, and surely you will put me
down as one of the first in the roll of American heroes, when you
consider my situation, plunging into very important engagements, which
I can by no means avoid, yet without funds to support them. But I will
not enlarge on this subject, and only say, that I have met with every
possible encouragement from every person I have seen, whether in or
out of office, and I believe no person in the same space of time ever
conferred with more of both. My being known to be an American, and
supposed to be one of the Congress, and in business for the United
Colonies, has introduced me beyond what almost any other
recommendation could have done, which I mention to convince you of the
attention paid here to the cause of the United Colonies, and how very
popular it has become in this country.