to be a brigadier general in this service; he talks of coming out to
America; should the Duc de Choiseul, who is his friend and patron,
come into the lead of administration, he might come out to advantage.
Insurance from London to Jamaica is 20 per cent. If a few of our
cruizers should venture on this coast they might do very well, as they
would find protection in the harbors of this kingdom. Coming
ostensibly for the purpose only of commerce or otherwise, no questions
would be asked, and they might wait until an opportunity offered (of
which they might be minutely informed,) and then strike something to
the purpose. I give this hint to individuals, rather than to the
honorable Congress as a body. The bearer, Mr McCreary, has obliged me
by copying my memoir, which I send herewith. It has had a great run
among the ministers of this and some other courts in a private way. M.
Beaumarchais writes by this opportunity; he has shown me his letter,
and I have agreed in general to the contents, not understanding any
exclusive privilege for his house. Every thing he says, writes, or
does, is in reality the action of the ministry, for that a man should
but a few months since confine himself from his creditors, and now on
this occasion be able to advance half a million, is so extraordinary
that it ceases to be a mystery. M. Coudray was not in the Turkish
service as I was informed; it was a gentleman who proposes
accompanying him, but he is an officer of the first eminence, an
adjutant general in the French service, and his prospects here of
rising are exceeding good; but he is dissatisfied with an idle life.
His proposals in general have been, that he should be general of the
artillery, and subject only to the orders of congress or their
committee of war, or of their commander in chief of the army where he
might be. In the next place, that he should rank as major general, and
have the same wages, &c. coming in as youngest major general for the
present, and rising of course.
Many other particulars are not yet adjusted, but considering the
importance of having two hundred pieces of brass cannon, with every
necessary article for twenty five thousand men, provided with an able
and experienced general at the head of it, warranted by the minister
of this court to be an able and faithful man, with a number of fine
and spirited young officers in his train, and all without advancing
one shilling, is too tempting on object for me to hesitate about,
though I own there is a silence in my instructions. I therefore
honestly declare, I am at your mercy in this case, and I have no
uneasiness of mind on the occasion, for should I be sacrificed, it
will be in that cause to which I have devoted my life and every ----
in it. The terms of M. Coudray may be thought high, but consider a
person leaving a certain and permanent service and his native country,
to go he hardly knows where, and it must be supposed he will ask at
least as good terms as he could have in his own country, but as the
terms have not been particularly considered, I must defer any thing
further on this subject for the present, hourly in hopes of some
explicit intelligence from the honorable Congress. You have the good
wishes of every one here. Chevalier de Chastellier desires me this
instant to write down his compliments to Dr Franklin, and with
pleasure I say, the being known to be his friend, is one of the best
recommendations a man can wish to have in France, and will introduce
him when titles fail.
S. D.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Missing
[3] Missing
* * * * *
FROM CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.
Translation.
Paris, August 18th, 1776.
Gentlemen,
The respectful esteem that I bear towards that brave people, who so
well defend their liberty under your conduct, has induced me to form a
plan concurring in this great work, by establishing an extensive
commercial house, solely for the purpose of serving you in Europe,
there to supply you with necessaries of every sort, to furnish you
expeditiously and certainly with all articles, clothes, linens,
powder, ammunition, muskets, cannon, or even gold for the payment of
your troops, and in general every thing that can be useful for the
honorable war in which you are engaged. Your deputies, gentlemen,
will find in me a sure friend, an asylum in my house, money in my
coffers, and every means of facilitating their operations, whether of
a public or secret nature. I will if possible remove all obstacles
that may oppose your wishes, from the politics of Europe.
At this very time, and without waiting for any answer from you, I have
procured for you about two hundred pieces of brass cannon, four
pounders, which will be sent to you by the nearest way, 200,000 lbs of
cannon powder, 20,000 excellent fusils, some brass mortars, bombs,
cannon balls, bayonets, platines, clothes, linens, &c. for the
clothing of your troops, and lead for musket balls. An officer of the
greatest merit for artillery and genius, accompanied by lieutenants,
officers, artillerists, cannoniers, &c. whom we think necessary for
the service, will go for Philadelphia, even before you have received
my first despatches. This gentleman is one of the greatest presents
that my attachment can offer you. Your deputy, Mr Deane, agrees with
me in the treatment which he thinks suitable to his office, and I have
found the power of this deputy sufficient, that I should prevail with
this officer to depart, under the sole engagement of the deputy
respecting him, the terms of which I have not the least doubt but
Congress will comply with. The secrecy necessary in some part of the
operation, which I have undertaken for your service, requires also, on
your part, a formal resolution, that all the vessels and their demands
should be constantly directed to our house alone, in order that there
may be no idle chattering or time lost--two things that are the ruin
of affairs. You will advise me what the vessels contain, which you
shall send into our ports. I shall choose so much of their loading, in
return for what I have sent, as shall be suitable to me, when I have
not been able before hand to inform you of the cargoes which I wish.
I shall facilitate to you the loading, sale, and disposal of the rest.
For instance, five American vessels have just arrived in the port of
Bordeaux, laden with salt fish; though this merchandise coming from
strangers is prohibited in our ports, yet as soon as your deputy had
told me that these vessels were sent to him by you, to raise money
from the sale for aiding him in his purchases in Europe, I took so
much care that I secretly obtained from the Farmers-General an order
for landing it without any notice being taken of it. I could even, if
the case had so happened, have taken upon my own account these cargoes
of salted fish, though it is no way useful to me, and charged myself
with its sale and disposal, to simplify the operation and lessen the
embarrassments of the merchants, and of your deputy.
I shall have a correspondent in each of our seaport towns, who, on the
arrival of your vessels, shall wait on the captains and offer every
service in my power; he will receive their letters, bills of lading,
and transmit the whole to me; even things which you may wish to arrive
safely in any country in Europe, after having conferred about them
with your deputy, I shall cause to be kept in some secure place; even
the answers shall go with great punctuality through me, and this way
will save much anxiety and many delays. I request of you, gentlemen,
to send me next spring, if it is possible for you, ten or twelve
thousand hogsheads, or more if you can, of tobacco from Virginia, of
the best quality.
You very well understand that my commerce with you is carried on in
Europe, that it is in the ports of Europe I make and take returns.
However well bottomed my house may be, and however I may have
appropriated many millions to your trade alone, yet it would be
impossible for me to support it, if all the dangers of the sea, of
exports and imports, were not entirely at your risk. Whenever you
choose to receive my goods in any of our windward or leward islands,
you have only to inform me of it, and my correspondents shall be there
according to your orders, and then you shall have no augmentation of
price, but of freight and insurance. But the risk of being taken by
your enemies, still remains with you, according to the declaration
rendered incontestable by the measures I shall take by your deputy
himself. This deputy should receive as soon as possible, full power
and authority to accept what I shall deliver to him, to receive my
accounts, examine them, make payments thereupon, or enter into
engagements, which you shall be bound to ratify, as the head of that
brave people to whom I am devoted; in short, always to treat about
your interests immediately with me.
Notwithstanding the open opposition, which the king of France, his
ministers, and the agents of administration show, and ought to show to
every thing that carries the least appearance of violating foreign
treaties, and the internal ordinances of the kingdom, I dare promise
to you, gentlemen, that my indefatigable zeal shall never be wanting
to clear up difficulties, soften prohibitions, and, in short,
facilitate all operations of a commerce, which my advantage, much less
than yours, has made me undertake with you. What I have just informed
you of is only a general sketch, subject to all the augmentations and
restrictions, which events may point out to us.
One thing can never vary or diminish; it is the avowed and ardent
desire I have of serving you to the utmost of my power. You will
recollect my signature, that one of your friends in London some time
ago informed you of my favorable disposition towards you, and my
attachment to your interest. Look upon my house then, gentlemen, from
henceforward as the chief of all useful operations to you in Europe,
and my person as one of the most zealous partisans of your cause, the
soul of your success, and a man most deeply impressed with respectful
esteem, with which I have the honor to be,
RODERIQUE HORTALEZ & CO.[4]
_P. S._ I add here, to conclude, that every American vessel, though
not immediately armed or loaded by you, will be entitled to my good
offices in this country; but yours, particularly addressed to my
house, will receive a particular preference from me. I ought also to
intimate to you, gentlemen, that from the nature of my connexion, it
is to be wished you would use discretion, even in the accounts that
you give to the general Congress. Every thing that passes in your
great assemblies is known, I cannot tell how, at the court of Great
Britain. Some indiscreet or perfidious citizen sends an exact account
of your proceedings to the palace of St James. In times of great
exigency, Rome had a dictator; and in a state of danger the more the
executive power is brought to a point, the more certain will be its
effect, and there will be less to fear from indiscretion. It is to
your wisdom, gentlemen, that I make this remark; if it seems to you
just and well planned, look upon it as a new mark of my ardor for your
rising republic.
R. H. & CO.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] This signature was assumed by M. Beaumarchais for the purpose of
concealment.
* * * * *
TO COUNT VERGENNES.
Paris, August 22d, 1776.
Sir,
I was this morning informed of the arrival of Mr Arthur Lee, and that
he would be in Paris tomorrow. This was surprising to me, as I knew of
no particular affair that might call him here, and considering the
extreme jealousy of the British Ministry at this time, and that Mr Lee
was the agent of the United Colonies in Great Britain, and known to be
such, I could wish, unless he had received some particular
intelligence from the United Colonies, that he had suspended his
visit, as I know not otherwise how he can serve me or my affairs, now
(with the most grateful sense I mention it) in as favorable a course
as the situation of the times will admit.
I have the honor to be, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT MORRIS.
Bordeaux, 17th September, 1776.
Dear Sir,
I shall send you in October clothing for 20,000 men, 30,000 fusils,
100 tons of powder, 200 brass cannon, 24 brass mortars, with shells,
shot, lead, &c. in proportion. I am to advise you that if, in future,
you will give commissions to seize Portuguese ships, you may depend on
the friendship and alliance of Spain. Let me urge this measure; much
may be got, nothing can be lost by it. Increase at all events your
navy. I will procure, if commissioned, any quantity of sailcloth and
cordage. A general war is undoubtedly at hand in Europe, and
consequently America will be safe, if you baffle the arts and arms of
the two Howes through the summer. Every one here is in your favor.
Adieu. I will write you again next week.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT MORRIS.
Paris, September 30th, 1776.
Sir,
Yours of the 5th of June came to hand on the 25th instant. Mr Delap
will inform you of the state of remittances in his hands. Messrs
Cliffords & Teysett, and Mr Hodgson of Amsterdam, have received next
to nothing; about two hundred pounds by the last accounts; from which
you will perceive that not one third of the sum proposed has come to
hand, and even out of that my private expenses and those for promoting
the other parts of my mission must take something, let me be ever so
prudent and cautious.
To solicit arms, clothing, and tents for thirty thousand men, two
hundred brass cannon, mortars, and other stores in proportion, and to
be destitute of one shilling of ready money, exclusive of the fund of
forty thousand pounds originally designed for other affairs, (which
you know by the protests in London was my case) has left me in a
critical situation. To let slip such an opportunity for want of ready
money would be unpardonable, and yet that was taking out of a fund
before deficient. I hope, however, to execute both, though not in the
season I could have wished. I have, as you see, had but a few days
since the receiving of yours, in which I have discoursed with some of
the persons to whom I had before proposed such a scheme, and think it
will take well, but as men of property will be engaged in it, the
remittances should be made very punctual.
The insurance I am sensible had better be in Europe, but it cannot be
had at present unless in Holland, where I am told there are often
disputes with the underwriters. On the whole it must be done in
America. I can, I believe, engage for one hundred thousand pounds
sterling during the winter. I shall write to you further in a few
days.
You have mentioned to me a loan. I choose to speak of this in a letter
of business particularly by itself, which I will endeavor to do by a
young gentleman going on Sunday, to which opportunity I also refer
what I have further to say on this subject. Pray forward the trifles I
am sending to my little deserted family as soon as received.
Tobacco is rising very fast, being now seven stivers in Holland. The
scheme of the Farmers-General here is very artful; they grow anxious.
They held high terms on my first application. I turned off, and they
are now applying to me, as are also some people further northward.
God bless and prosper America is the prayer of every one here, to
which I say Amen and Amen.
I am, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.
Paris, 1st October, 1776.
Gentlemen,
Mr Morris's letters of the 4th and 5th of June last,[5] on politics
and business, I received with the duplicates of my commission, and
instructions on the 25th ult. I stand corrected and confine myself to
politics.
Your letter found me in a most critical situation; the Ministry had
become extremely uneasy at your absolute silence; and the bold
assertions of the British Ambassador, that you were accommodating
matters, aided by the black and villainous artifices of one or two of
our own countrymen here, had brought them to apprehend, not only a
settlement between the two countries, but the most serious
consequences to their West India Islands, should we unite again with
Great Britain. For me, alas! I had nothing left but to make the most
positive assertions, that no accommodation would or could take place,
and to pledge myself in the strongest possible manner, that thus would
turn out the event, yet so strong were their apprehensions, that an
order was issued to suspend furnishing me with stores. Think what I
must feel upon such an occasion. Our friend, M. Beaumarchais, exerted
himself, and in a day or two obtained the orders to be countermanded,
and every thing is again running on favorably. For heaven's sake, if
you mean to have any connexion with this kingdom, be more assiduous in
getting your letters here. I know not where the blame lies, but it
must lie heavy somewhere, when vessels are suffered to sail from
Philadelphia and other ports quite down to the middle of August,
without a single line. This circumstance was urged against my
assertions, and was near proving a mortal stab to my whole
proceedings. One Mr Hopkins, of Maryland, in this service, and who is
in the rank of Brigadier General, appeared desirous of going to
America, but on my not paying him the regard he vainly thought himself
entitled to, he formed the dark design of defeating at one stroke my
whole prospects as to supplies. At this critical period he pretended
to be in my secrets, and roundly asserted that I had solely in view a
reconciliation with Great Britain, immediately after which the stores
now furnishing would be used against France. This coming from a
professed enemy of Great Britain, from a native of America, from one
who professed himself a zealous friend to the Colonies, you must
suppose had weight. However thunderstruck I was, as well as my friend,
M. Beaumarchais, at this unexpected and last effort of treachery, we
exerted ourselves, and truth prevailed. The mischief has recoiled on
himself, and having fallen into disgrace here, he will strive to get
to America, where he threatens, I hear, to do much mischief to me.
However, he will not probably be permitted to depart, unless he slips
off very privately. Should that be the case, or should he write
letters, you have now a clue to unravel him and his proceedings.
It would be too tedious to recount what I have met with in this way.
It has not only confined me to Paris, but to my chamber and pen for
some weeks past in drawing up by way of memorial, the true state of
the Colonies, their interests, the system of policy they must
unquestionably pursue, and showing that the highest interests of
France are inseparably connected therewith. I do not mention a single
difficulty with one complaining thought for myself; my all is
devoted, and I am happy in being so far successful, and that the
machinations of my enemies, or rather the enemies of my country, have
given me finally an opportunity of experiencing the friendship and
protection of great and valuable men; but it is necessary that you
should know as much as possible of my situation. The stores are
collecting, and I hope will be embarked by the middle of this month;
if later, I shall incline to send them by Martinique, on account of
the season. It is consistent with a political letter to urge the
remittance of the fourteen thousand hogsheads of tobacco written for
formerly, in part payment of these stores; if you make it twenty, the
public will be the gainers, as the article is rising fast. You are
desired by no means to forget Bermuda; if you should, Great Britain
will seize it this winter, or France on the first rupture, having been
made sensible of its importance, by the officious zeal of that same Mr
H. As your navy is increasing, will you commission me to send you duck
for twenty or thirty sail? I can procure it for you to the northward
on very good terms, and you have on hand the produce wanted to pay for
it with. Have you granted commissions against the Portuguese? All the
friends to America in Europe call loudly for such a measure.
Would you have universal commerce, commission some person to visit
every kingdom on the Continent, that can hold any commerce with
America. Among them by no means forget Prussia. Grain will be in
demand in this kingdom, and in the south of Europe. Permit me again to
urge an increase of the navy. Great Britain is calling in her
Mediterranean passes, to expose us to the Algerines. I propose
applying to this Court on that subject. Doctor Bancroft, of London,
merits much of the Colonies. As I shall now have frequent
opportunities of writing by officers and others going out, I will not
add more, than that Mr Carmichael has now been with me some time,
recommended by Mr A. Lee, of London. I owe much to him for his
assistance in my despatches, and for his friendly and seasonable
advice upon all occasions. He is of Maryland, and is here for his
health, and proposes going soon to America. I expect to hear from
London tomorrow by Dr B. who is on his way here.
I am, with my most sincere respect and esteem for the Secret
Committee, and most profound regard to the Congress, your most
obedient and very humble servant,
SILAS DEANE.
_P. S._ An agent from Barbadoes is arrived in London to represent
their distresses; another from Bermuda with a declaration to the
Ministry of the necessity of their being supplied with provisions from
the Colonies, and saying that if not permitted they must ask the
protection of Congress.
I have to urge your sending to me, either a general power for the
purpose, or a number of blank commissions for vessels of war. It is an
object of the last importance, for in this time of peace between the
nations of Europe, I can be acquainted with the time of every vessel's
sailing, either from England or Portugal, and by despatching little
vessels armed from hence, and to appearance property of the citizens
of the United States of America, to seize them while unsuspicious on
this coast, and to stand directly for America with them, great
reprisals may be made; and persons of the first property have already
solicited me on the occasion. Indeed they have such an opinion of my
power, that they have offered to engage in such an adventure, if I
would authorise them with my name; but this might as yet be rather
dangerous; it is certainly however a very practicable and safe plan to
arm a ship here, as if for the coast of Africa or the West Indies,
wait until some ship of value is sailing from England or Portugal,
slip out at once and carry them on to America. When arrived the armed
vessel increases your navy, and the prize supplies the country.
It is of importance, as I have mentioned in my former letters, to have
some one deputed and empowered to treat with the king of Prussia. I am
acquainted with his agent here, and have already through him received
some queries and proposals respecting American commerce, to which I am
preparing a reply. I have also an acquaintance with the Agent of the
Grand Duke of Tuscany, who proposes fixing a commerce between the
United States and Leghorn, but has not as yet given me his particular
thoughts. France and Spain are naturally our allies; the Italian
states want our flour and some other articles; Prussia, ever pursuing
her own interests, needs but be informed of some facts relative to
America's increasing commerce, to favor us; Holland will pursue its
system now fixed, of never quarrelling with any one on any occasion
whatever. In this view is seen at once the power we ought to apply to,
and gain a good acquaintance with. Let me again urge you on the
subject of tobacco. Receive also from me another hint. It is this; if
you would apportion a certain tract of the Western Lands, to be
divided at the close of this war among the officers and soldiers
serving in it, and make a generous allotment, it would I think have a
good effect in America, as the poorest soldiers would then be fighting
literally for a freehold; and in Europe it would operate beyond any
pecuniary offers. I have no time to enlarge on the thought, but may
take it up hereafter; if I do not, if is an obvious one, and if
capable of execution, you can manage it to the best advantage.
I have no doubt but I can obtain a loan for the Colonies, if
empowered, and on very favorable terms. I have already sounded on the
subject, and will be more explicit hereafter, both as to my proposals,
for I can go no further, and the answers I may receive.
S. D.
FOOTNOTES:
[5] These letters are missing.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.
Paris, 8th October, 1776.
Gentlemen,