relating to the marine, having offered his services to the States,
with the permission of the minister, we (enabled by the above grant)
engaged him to superintend the building of two ships of war, of a
particular construction, which, though not of half the cost, shall be
superior in force and utility to ships of sixtyfour guns. He has built
one here for the king, which, we are told, exceeds every thing in
swift sailing. He has furnished us with drafts,[30] which we send you,
that if the Congress thinks fit, others of the same construction may
be set up in America, in which case we have given him expectations of
being their Commodore. We have seen his large and curious collection
of memoirs, containing every, the minutest particular relating to the
construction and management of a fleet, with a variety of proposed
improvements, and we are persuaded that he will be found a valuable
acquisition to our country.
_April 9th._ Since writing the above, we received despatches from the
Congress, by Captain Hammond, others from Mr Morris, by Captain Bell,
and some copies by Captain Adams, via Boston, which, on many accounts,
were very satisfactory. We directly drew up and presented memorials on
the subject of those despatches; we were promised immediate
consideration, and speedy answers; for which, we detained Captain
Hammond, but we have not yet obtained them. We receive, however,
continual assurances, of the good will of this Court and of Spain. We
are given to understand, that it is by their operations, the raising
of German troops for England has been obstructed. We are paid
punctually the second five hundred thousand livres, and having
convinced the ministry of the great importance of keeping up the
credit, and fixing the value of our currency, which might be done, by
paying in specie the interest of what we borrow, or in bills upon
France, for the amount. We are now assured, that the abovementioned
quarterly payments shall be continued, (after the two millions) for
the purpose of paying the interest of the five million dollars, you
are supposed to have borrowed, which we believe will be punctually
complied with; and the effect must be, restoring to its original value
the principal for which such interest is paid, and with that the rest
of the emission.
We have turned our thoughts earnestly to what is recommended to us by
Congress, the borrowing two millions sterling, in Europe. We just
proposed to borrow it of this Court, upon interest, but were told by
the minister, that it was impossible to spare such a sum, as they
were now arming, at a great expense, which kept their treasury bare,
but there was no objection to our borrowing it of private capitalists
here, provided we did not offer so high an interest as might raise it
upon government. We are advised to try Holland; and we have caused the
pulse to be felt there; but though Holland at present is a little
disgusted with England, and our credit is considerably mended in
Europe by our late successes, it does not yet appear sufficient to
procure such a loan. Spain, it seems, has by its punctual payments of
interest, acquired high credit there, and we are told, that by her
publicly borrowing, as for herself, and privately allowing us to draw
on her banker, we might there obtain what money we pleased.
Mr Lee was gone to Spain, before the commission and orders came to
Doctor Franklin, for that station; he will give you a particular
account of his negotiations; we here only mention that he received the
same general assurances, of the good will of that Court, that we have
here of this; he was informed, that three thousand barrels of powder,
and some clothing were lodged for our use at New Orleans; that some
merchants at Bilboa had orders to ship for us such necessaries as we
might want, that orders would be given to allow us admission into the
Havanna, as a favored nation, and that we should have a credit on
Holland, (the sum not then settled) which might be expected at Paris,
the beginning of this month. The Spanish Ambassador here, a grave and
wise man, to whom Mr Lee communicated the above, tells us, that his
Court piques itself on a religious observance of its word, and that we
may rely on a punctual performance of its promises.
_On these grounds, we are of opinion_, that though we should not be
able to borrow the two millions sterling, recommended to us, yet if
the Congress are obliged to borrow the whole twenty millions of
dollars they have issued, we hope to find sufficient here, by way of
subsidy, to pay the interest in full value, whereby the credit of
their currency will be established, and on great and urgent occasions
they may venture to make an addition to it, which we conceive will be
better than paying the interest of two millions sterling to
foreigners. On the whole, we would advise Congress to draw on us for
sums equal to the interest of what they have borrowed, as that
interest becomes due, allowing the lenders, in the drafts, five
livres, money of France, for every dollar of interest. And we think
they may venture to promise it for future loans, without, however,
mentioning the grounds we here give for making such a promise; for
these Courts have particularly strong reasons for keeping out of the
war, as long as they can, besides this general one, that on both sides
the nation attacking loses the claim, which when attacked, it has for
aid from its allies. And we have these advantages in their keeping out
of the war, that they are better able to afford us private assistance,
that by holding themselves in readiness to invade Britain, they keep
more of her force at home, and that they leave to our armed vessels,
the whole harvest of prizes made upon her commerce, and of course the
whole encouragement to increase our force in privateers, which will
breed seamen for our navy.
The desire that military officers here, of all ranks, have of going
into the service of the United States, is so general, and so strong,
as to be quite amazing. We are hourly fatigued with their
applications, and offers, which we are obliged to refuse, and with
hundreds of letters, which we cannot possibly answer to their
satisfaction, having had no orders to engage any but engineers, who
are accordingly gone. If the Congress think fit to encourage some of
distinguished merit, to enter their service, they will please to
signify it.
Captain Wickes made a cruise this winter, and returned with five
prizes, of the produce of which we suppose Mr Morris will acquaint
you; for they are sold, though the bringing them into France has given
some trouble and uneasiness to the Court, and must not be too
frequently practised. We have ordered him to make another cruise
before he returns to America, and have given him for a consort, the
armed cutter, Captain Nicholson; they will sail in a few days. Mr
Hodge writes us, that he has provided another cutter; we intended to
have employed one of them as a packet, but several of yours being now
here, and having lately made a contract for sending one every month, a
copy of which we enclose, we shall make use of this new purchase as a
cruiser.
We have at length finished a contract with the Farmers-General, for
five thousand hogsheads of tobacco, a copy of which is enclosed. We
shall receive the first advance of two millions of livres, next month,
and we entreat you to use your best endeavors to enable us to comply
with our part of the agreement. We found it a measure of government to
furnish us by that means with large advances, as well as to obtain the
ground of some of their own taxes; and finding the minister anxious to
have such a treaty concluded, we complied with the terms, though we
apprehend them not to be otherwise very advantageous. We have
expectations, however, that in case it appears, that the tobacco
cannot be afforded so cheap, through captures, &c. government will not
suffer us to be losers.
We have purchased eighty thousand fusils, a number of pistols, &c. of
which the enclosed is an account, for two hundred and twenty thousand
livres. They were king's arms and second hand, but so many of them are
unused and unexceptionably good, that we esteem it a great bargain if
only half of them should arrive. We applied for the large brass
cannon, to be borrowed out of the king's stores till we could replace
them, but have not yet obtained an answer. You will soon have the arms
and accoutrements for the horse, except the saddles, if not
intercepted by the enemy.
All Europe is for us. Our articles of confederation, being by our
means translated, and published here, have given an appearance of
consistence and firmness to the American States and government, that
begins to make them considerable. The separate constitutions of the
several States are also translating and publishing here, which afford
abundance of speculation to the politicians of Europe, and it is a
very general opinion, that if we succeed in establishing our
liberties, we shall, as soon as peace is restored, receive an immense
addition of numbers and wealth from Europe, by the families who will
come over to participate in our privileges, and bring their estates
with them. Tyranny is so generally established in the rest of the
world, that the prospect of an asylum in America, for those who love
liberty, gives general joy, and our cause is esteemed the cause of all
mankind. Slaves naturally become base, as well as wretched. We are
fighting for the dignity and happiness of human nature. Glorious is it
for the Americans, to be called by providence to this post of honor.
Cursed and detested will every one be that deserts or betrays it.
We are glad to learn the intention of Congress to send ministers to
the empires of Prussia and Tuscany. With submission, we think
Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Russia, (if the expense is no
objection,) should not be neglected. It would be of great service, if
among them we could get a free port or two for the sale of prizes, as
well as for commerce. A commencement of intercourse has been made with
Prussia, as you will see by the enclosed copies of letters,[31]
between his minister and us. We suppose, as the Congress has appointed
one of us to Spain, they will order another of us to some of the other
Courts, as we see no utility equal to the charge, and yet some
inconveniency, in a joint commission here, where one, when freed from
commercial cares and action, is sufficient for the business. As soon
as the Court of Spain shall be willing to receive a minister, (which
from Mr Lee's information, seems not to be at present the case,) Mr
Franklin intends to go thither in obedience to the orders he has
received. Mr Lee has expressed his readiness to go to Prussia or
Tuscany, before the intention of Congress to send to those Courts was
known; and he waits here awhile, by the advice of his colleagues,
expecting that perhaps the next ship may bring his future destination.
For the procuring and sending more certain and speedy intelligence, we
have, as before mentioned, entered into a contract here, whereby we
are to have a packet boat despatched every month; the first will sail
in about a fortnight. As we are yet without an explicit answer from
Court on several important points, and we shall have that speedy
opportunity, we do not now enlarge in answer to the several letters
received by Hammond, Bell, Adams, and Johnston. We only now assure the
Congress, that we shall be attentive to execute all the resolutions
and orders they have sent us for our government, and we have good
hopes of success, in most of them.
For news, we refer in general to the papers, and to some letters[32]
enclosed, which we have received from London. We shall only add, that
though the English begin again to threaten us with twenty thousand
Russians, it is the opinion of the wisest men here, and particularly
among the foreign ministers, that they will never be sent. The
Anspachers, who were to be embarked in Holland, mutined, and refused
to proceed, so that the Prince was obliged to go with his guards and
force them on. A gentleman of Rotterdam writes us, that he saw a
number of them brought, bound hands and feet, to that place in boats.
This does not seem as if much service can be expected from such
unwilling soldiers. The British fleet is not yet half manned; the
difficulty in that respect was never before found so great, and is
ascribed to several causes, viz. a dislike to the war, the subtraction
of American sailors, the number our privateers have taken out of
British ships, and the enormous transport service.
The French are free from this difficulty, their seamen being all
registered, and serving in their turns. Their fleet is nearly ready,
and will be much superior to the English, when joined with that of
Spain, which is preparing with all diligence. The tone of the Court
accordingly rises, and it is said, that a few days since, when the
British Ambassador intimated to the Minister, that if the Americans
were permitted to continue drawing supplies of arms, &c. from this
kingdom, the peace could not last much longer; he was firmly
answered--_Nous ne desirons pas le guerre, mais nous ne la craigons
pas._ "We neither desire war, nor fear it." When all are ready for it,
a small matter may suddenly bring it on; and it is the universal
opinion, that the peace cannot continue another year. Every nation in
Europe wishes to see Britain humbled, having all in their turns been
offended by her insolence, which, in prosperity, she is apt to
discover on all occasions. A late instance manifested it towards
Holland, when being elate with the news of some success in America,
and fancying all that business ended, Sir Joseph Yorke delivered a
memorial to the States, expressing his master's _indignation_ against
them, on account of the commerce their subjects carried on with the
rebels, and the governor of St Eustatia's returning the salute of one
of the American ships, remarking that "_if that commerce was not
stopped, and the governor punished_," the King knew what appertained
to the dignity of his crown, and should take proper measures to
vindicate it. The States were much offended, but answered coolly that
they should inquire into the conduct of their governor, and, in the
mean time, would prepare to secure themselves against the vengeance
with which Britain seemed to threaten them. Accordingly, they
immediately ordered twentysix men of war to be put upon the stocks.
We transmit you some affidavits,[33] relating to the treatment of our
prisoners, with a copy of our letter[34] to Lord Stormont,
communicating them, and his insolent answer. We request you to present
our duty to the Congress, and assure them of our most faithful
services.
With great respect we have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
FOOTNOTES:
[29] These were afterwards privately permitted to go, or went without
permission. _Note by the Commissioners._
[30] Missing.
[31] Missing.--A letter from the Commissioners to Baron Schulenburg,
will be seen in Arthur Lee's correspondence, under the date of April
19th, 1777.
[32] Missing.
[33] Missing.
[34] Missing.
* * * * *
AGREEMENT
_Between Messrs Franklin and Deane, and the Farmers-General of France,
for the sale of a quantity of Tobacco._
Translation.
ARTICLE I.
We the undersigned, as well in our own name, as by virtue of powers
derived from the Congress of the United States of North America,
promise and oblige ourselves to deliver, in the course of the present
year, 1777, five thousand hogsheads, or five million weight of York
and James River tobacco, to the Farmers-General of France, in the
ports of France.
ARTICLE II.
The price of the tobacco, thus delivered, is fixed at eight sols per
pound, net tobacco, mark weight, or forty livres tournois per cwt, and
delivered into stores of the Farmers-General.
ARTICLE III.
All average, rotten, or spoiled tobacco, shall be cut off and deducted
from the weight to be paid for, agreeably to the estimate, which shall
be impartially made by experienced persons, by which a general average
shall be fixed instead thereof.
ARTICLE IV.
There shall be a deduction, moreover, of four per cent, under the
title of allowance for good weight, eight pounds weight per hogshead
for samples, and two per cent discount on the amount of the invoice
for prompt payment.
ARTICLE V.
The Farmers-General oblige themselves for the discharge of the amount
of five thousand hogsheads, to remit at the disposal of Congress, and
to pay into the hands of the banker, who shall be appointed by Messrs
Franklin and Deane, or to direct their Receiver-General at Paris, to
accept the bills, which shall be drawn upon him by Messrs Franklin and
Deane, as far as a million of livres tournois, in the course of the
ensuing month, and another million the instant of the arrival of the
first ships loaded with tobacco, which shall be delivered to them; the
said two millions making the balance and entire payment for the five
thousand hogsheads, or five million weight of tobacco, mark weight,
sold by Congress at the price of eight sols per pound, before agreed
upon.
ARTICLE VI.
Should Congress be able to send to France a greater quantity of
tobacco, whatever shall exceed the value of the two millions advanced
by the Farmers-General, shall be remitted to them by Messrs Franklin
and Deane, at the same price, and upon the same terms, and the
Farmers-General oblige themselves to pay the value thereof in cash, or
bills on their Receiver General, at three usances as customary.
ARTICLE VII.
And I, the undersigned Farmer-General, by virtue of a power vested in
me by my company, subject and oblige myself in its name, to the full
and entire execution of the six foregoing stipulated articles, and for
the execution of the present, the parties have chosen their dwellings,
that is to say, for Messrs Franklin and Deane, the Hamburgh hotel,
University street, Parish of St Sulpice; and for the Farmers-General,
at the hotel of the King's Farms, Grenelle street, Parish of St
Eustache.
Done and concluded in duplicates, at Paris, this 24th of March, 1777.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
PAULZE.
* * * * *
AGREEMENT FOR PACKETS
_Between M. Ray de Chaumont, on the one part, and Benjamin Franklin
and Silas Deane, on the other, viz._
The said Ray de Chaumont engages to equip, in some port of France,
agreed to by the said Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, in each
month, for the space of one year, counting from the month of May next,
a packet boat, or vessel, suitable for the carrying of despatches
between France and the United States of North America, which vessel,
or packet boat, shall be capable of carrying thirty tons of goods,
without impeding her sailing to the best advantage; and the said Ray
de Chaumont shall be at the whole expense of equipping, victualling,
&c. each of the said packet boats, and shall furnish in each of them a
passage for one person, sent by the said Franklin and Deane, to take
charge of their despatches and goods shipped. Each packet boat or
vessel shall attend the orders of the said Franklin and Deane, in
pursuing her voyage, for the safest and most certain delivery of the
said despatches and merchandise.
The said Franklin and Deane shall have liberty to load a quantity of
goods on board each packet boat, to and from America, to the amount
of thirty tons consigned to their orders; and they, the said Franklin
and Deane, shall pay to the said Ray de Chaumont, the sum of eight
thousand livres for each voyage of each packet boat, which sum of
eight thousand livres shall be paid the said Ray de Chaumont, in three
months after the entering on each voyage successively, whether the
packet boat arrive in safety or not.
The packet boat shall not be delayed after her being ready to receive
the goods, either in France or America. The said packet boats, with
all their equipments, shall be solely at the risk and expense of the
said Ray de Chaumont; but the goods to be shipped as aforesaid, with
the freight stipulated therefor, as above mentioned, shall be at the
risk of the said Franklin and Deane; and the said Ray de Chaumont
shall not, in case either of said packet boats will carry more than
the said thirty tons of goods, load them, or either of them, beyond
the said quantity, so as in any manner to impede their or her sailing
to the best advantage.
In witness of which, the parties have subscribed three agreements,
each of this tenor and date, at Paris, April, 1777.
RAY DE CHAUMONT,
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
TO JONATHAN WILLIAMS.
Paris, 1st May, 1777.
Sir,
M. Cornic, of Morlaix, will order to your care a small vessel,
designed as a packet for America; you will see by the contract copy
enclosed, that we are to load goods to a certain amount, as she is
instantly to be despatched; we desire you will put the quantity of
goods to be sent in her, out of the bales on hand. We have ordered
that future packets coming from America, or elsewhere, to Nantes, for
us, shall be under your direction, of which you have informed M. Penet
and Mr Morris; you will, therefore, on the arrival of any vessel from
America, with despatches for us, inform the captains, or persons
charged with them, of your appointment, receive the letters, and send
them to us in the most safe and expeditious manner. We advise you to
charge the person bringing despatches, to say not a word of his errand
to any one, and we confide in your prudence to conduct the receiving,
as well as the expedition of the packets with all possible secrecy.
We are, Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, 2d May, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Your despatches, dated February the 6th and 8th, were safely received
by us about the middle of April. We observe your remarks on the
timorousness of the French merchants, respecting the formation of
trading companies, which, you say, is occasioned by the change and
fluctuation of news. That the spirit for trade will always be governed
by the rise and fall of military strength, is a maxim always to be
admitted in the first attempts to establish a commerce between any two
nations, because success in war is supposed to give security or
protection to it. But this timidity ceases naturally, as soon as a
trade is opened, for losing or gaining after that equally produces a
spirit of adventuring further. Therefore we wish to enter into a trade
with them as soon as possible, because as nothing can abridge or
prevent their profits, but the enemy's making prizes of their ships,
the consequence will be, that they will either be encouraged by the
gain, or aggravated by the loss to come to a serious understanding
with the Court of Britain. We advise you to be constantly holding up
the great advantages, which the crown and commerce would receive by
their possessing themselves of the West Indies, and we trust to your
wisdom in making all the use possible of the English newspapers, as a
channel through which to counteract the tide of folly and falsehood,
of which you complain, and rest assured that every material
circumstance, either for or against, will be despatched to you, with
the utmost expedition.
By information from New York, it appears that the more discerning part
of the English Generals begin to give up the thought of conquest, and
of consequence the fear of totally losing the trade of America must
accompany the despair of arms; therefore, we conceive that the English
newspapers are now calculated to deter the French from beginning to
taste the sweets of our trade. Their falsehoods, rightly understood,
are the barometers of their fears, and in proportion as the political
atmosphere presses downward, the spirit of faction is obliged to rise.
We wish it to be understood, that we pay too much respect to the
wisdom of the French Cabinet, to suppose that they can be influenced
by such efforts of visible despair, and that we have too much
reverence for the honor of the American Congress to prostitute its
authority, by filling our own newspapers with the same kind of
invented tales, which characterise the London Gazette.