printed in the London Gazette of December 30th, apologizes for not
having written to them since his taking possession of New York, nearly
three months. Here is the proper field to speculate on silence,
because this business is conquest, ours defence and repulse; and
because, likewise, he has the sea more open to him than we have, had
he any thing to send that would please. Therefore, silence on his part
is always to be considered as a species of good news on ours.
The Congress highly approve your dividing yourselves to foreign
Courts, and have sent commissions for that purpose, and likewise,
commissions for fitting out privateers in France.
The Mercury, from Nantes, is safely arrived in New Hampshire. The
Amphitrite and Seine, we are yet in hopes of. We shall notice the
conduct of Nicholas Davis. We have presented Marshal Maillebois'
sentiments on the mode of war, to Congress, who are greatly pleased
therewith, and entertain a high respect for the author.
Our last account gave you a state of news down to March, since which
nothing material has happened. The enemy, wearied and disappointed in
their last winter's campaign, still continue in a state of inactivity
at New York and Brunswick. The Congress is returned to Philadelphia.
General Washington remains at Morristown, and occupies the same posts
as when the last despatches were sent you. The principal object now
is, the recruiting service, which has been greatly promoted by some
late resolves of Congress. Our troops have been under inocculation for
the smallpox with good success, which, we hope, will be a means of
preserving them from fevers in summer, however it will frustrate one
cannibal scheme of our enemies, who have constantly fought us with
that disease by introducing it among our troops.
When we look back to the beginning of last December, and see our army
reduced to between two and three thousand men, occasioned by the
expiration of the time for which they were enlisted, we feel
exceedingly happy in contemplating the agreeable condition and
prospect our affairs are now in. We have, since that period, reduced
the enemy more than our whole army, at that time, amounted to, and
scarce a day passes, in which they do not suffer either by skirmishes
or desertions.
The Congress have it in contemplation to remove the garrison from the
present fort, in the District of Ticonderoga, to fort Independence, in
the same District, which they judge will command that pass with
greater advantage, and is a much healthier situation. We mention this,
as the enemy will probably give an air of triumph to the evacuation,
should it be done. The distance between the two is about a quarter of
a mile.
As General Howe is preparing a bridge of boats, we think it possible
that he might, by a sudden and forced march, reach this city; but we
are clearly of opinion, that he would be ruined by the event; and
though we are not under much apprehension of such a movement, yet we
think it proper to give you the case, with our opinion thereon.
We are, gentlemen, your obedient humble servants,
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
ROBERT MORRIS,
THOMAS HAYWARD,
JAMES LOVELL.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, 9th May, 1777.
Gentlemen,
This letter is intended to be delivered to you by John Paul Jones, an
active and brave commander in our navy, who has already performed
signal services in vessels of little force, and, in reward for his
zeal, we have directed him to go on board the Amphitrite, a French
ship of twenty guns, that brought in a valuable cargo of stores from
Messrs Hortalez & Co. and with her to repair to France. He takes with
him his commission, some officers and men, so that we hope he will,
under that sanction, make some good prizes with the Amphitrite; but
our design of sending him is, (with the approbation of Congress) that
you may purchase one of those fine frigates, that Mr Deane writes us
you can get, and invest him with the command thereof as soon as
possible. We hope you may not delay this business one moment, but
purchase in such port or place in Europe, as it can be done with most
convenience and despatch, a fine, fast sailing frigate, or larger
ship. Direct Captain Jones where he must repair to, and he will take
with him his officers and men towards manning her. You will assign
him some good house, or agent, to supply him with every thing
necessary to get the ship speedily and well equipped and manned,
somebody that will bestir himself vigorously in the business, and
never quit until it is accomplished.
If you have any plan or service to be performed in Europe by such a
ship, that you think will be more for the interest and honor of these
States, than sending her out directly, Captain Jones is instructed to
obey your orders, and, to save repetition, let him lay before you the
instructions we have given him, and furnish you with a copy thereof;
you can then judge what will be necessary for you to direct him in;
and whatsoever you do will be approved, as it will undoubtedly tend to
promote the public service of this country.
You see by this step how much dependence Congress places in your
advices, and you must make it a point not to disappoint Captain
Jones's wishes, and our expectations on this occasion.
We are, gentlemen, your obedient humble servants,
ROBERT MORRIS,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE,
PHILIP LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Paris, 25th May, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14th and April
9th,[35] (a third copy of which we send herewith) Mr Lee tarried here
some time after his return from Spain. No news arriving, (though we
received letters from you,) of any commissioner being actually
appointed for Prussia, and the necessity of a good understanding with
that Court, in order to obtain speedily a port in the northern seas,
appearing more and more, every day, on various occasions, he concluded
with our approbation to set out for Berlin, which he did about a week
since, and we have reason to hope good effects from that journey.
The points principally in view are (besides the acknowledgment of
American Independency) an open port for German commerce, and the
permission of fitting out armed vessels, to annoy the enemy's northern
trade, and of bringing in and selling our prizes. If these points can
be obtained, we are assured we might soon have a formidable squadron
there, and accumulate seamen to a great amount. The want of such a
free port appears, in the late instance of Captain Cunningham's arrest
at Dunkirk, with the prizes he brought in. For though the fitting out
may be covered and concealed, by various pretences, so as at least to
be winked at by government here, because those pretences afford a good
excuse for not preventing it; yet the bringing in of prizes by a
vessel so fitted out, is so notorious an act, and so contrary to
treaties, that if suffered, must occasion an immediate war. Cunningham
will, however, through favor, be discharged with his vessel, as we are
given to understand, but we must put up with the loss of the prizes,
which being reclaimed will be restored.[36] This is an occasion of
triumph to our enemies, which we must suffer them to enjoy for the
present, assured as we are by the most substantial proofs of the
friendship of this Court and of Spain, which we are persuaded will
soon manifest itself to the whole world. The latter has already
remitted to us a large sum of money, as you will see by Mr Lee's
letters,[37] and continues to send cargoes of supplies, of which you
have, herewith, sundry accounts. Many of these transactions are by
some means or other known in England, which dares not resent them at
present, but the opinion of an approaching war gains ground every day.
We are preparing the accoutrements you ordered for the horse, but they
will take time. Had there been such in the magazines here, we might
have possibly borrowed on condition of replacing them. Pistols, (four
hundred and fifty pair) are already sent; the whole number will be
forwarded as fast as they can be got ready. Colonel Forrester, an
experienced officer of horse, has given us a specimen of complete
accoutrements, which have been found best; the saddle is of a singular
contrivance, very cheap, and easily made or repaired; and the buff
belts so broad, that crossing on the breasts, they are good armor
against the point of a sword, or a pistol bullet. We propose to have
as many sets made with these saddles, as will mount a squadron, but
shall omit saddles for the rest, as they will take up too much room in
the vessels, and can soon be made with you. Colonel Forrester is
highly recommended to us, and we believe will go over. Clothing for
ten thousand men is now in hand, making for us by contract, and other
proposed contracts are under consideration for the rest of the eighty
thousand men ordered. We hope to have them with you before next
winter, or that if all cannot be got, the cloth we have sent and are
sending, will make up the deficiency.
The large brass cannon are not to be had here; we have been treating
with a Swedish merchant about them, but find too many difficulties in
getting them from that country; so that finally, understanding you
have some founders with you, and that we can have others to go from
hence, we conclude to send two artists in that way, with the metal, to
cast the number wanted, omitting only the field pieces, of which we
suppose you have by this time a number sufficient. Some large iron
cannon are offered to us cheap, from Holland, of which we think to
send a quantity, for though too heavy for the army, they may be of use
for the navy, gallies, gondolas, &c.
We cannot omit repeating, as we think it a matter of the greatest
importance, towards supporting the credit of your paper money, that
you may rely on a punctual payment here of Congress bills, drawn on us
for the discharge of the interest of the sums borrowed, that is to
say, in the proportion of six Spanish dollars, or the value in French
money, for every hundred borrowed in your paper. But as the offer of
six per cent was made before you could know of this advantage to the
borrower, perhaps you may on the knowledge and experience of it, be
able to reduce the interest in future loans, to four per cent, and
find some means by taxes, to pay off the six per cents.
Our treaty of commerce is not yet proceeded on, the plan of this Court
appearing to be, not to have any transaction with us, that implies an
acknowledgment of American Independency, while their peace continues
with England. To make us more easy with this, they tell us, we enjoy
all the advantages already, which we propose to obtain by such a
treaty, and that we may depend on continuing to receive every
indulgence in our trade, that is allowed to the most favored nations.
Feeling ourselves assisted in other respects, cordially and
essentially, we are the more readily induced to let them take their
own time, and to avoid making ourselves troublesome by an unreasonable
importunity. The interest of France and Spain, however, in securing
our friendship and commerce, seems daily more and more generally
understood here, and we have no doubt of finally obtaining the
establishment of that commerce with all the formalities necessary.
We submit it to your consideration, whether it might not be well to
employ some of your frigates in bringing your produce hither, ordering
them after refreshing and refitting, to make a cruise in the northern
seas, upon the Baltic and Hamburg trade, send their prizes home, north
about, then return to France, and take in a loading of stores for
America.
The Marquis de la Fayette, a young nobleman of great family connexions
here, and great wealth, is gone to America in a ship of his own,
accompanied by some officers of distinction, in order to serve in our
armies. He is exceedingly beloved, and every body's good wishes attend
him; we cannot but hope he may meet with such a reception as will
make the country and his expedition agreeable to him. Those who
censure it as imprudent in him do nevertheless applaud his spirit, and
we are satisfied, that the civilities and respect, that may be shown
him, will be serviceable to our affairs here, as pleasing not only to
his powerful relations, and to the Court, but to the whole French
nation. He has left a beautiful young wife, and for her sake
particularly, we hope that his bravery and ardent desire to
distinguish himself, will be a little restrained by the General's
prudence, so as not to permit his being hazarded much, but on some
important occasion.
We are very respectfully, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
_P. S._ We enclose a copy of Messrs Gardoqui's last letter.[38] We
have received Mr Morris's of March 7th, 25th, and 28th, and are much
obliged by the intelligence contained. We send a quantity of papers.
FOOTNOTES:
[35] Missing.
[36] Cunningham was the commander of an American privateer, with which
he went into Dunkirk. He there took his arms out of his ship, and said
he should load it with merchandise for one of the ports in Norway. As
this declaration was suspected, security was demanded. Two persons,
Hodge & Allen, became responsible for him. Cunningham actually left
the port of Dunkirk, without arms, but he caused sailors, cannon, and
munitions, to be sent out to him in the night, while he was in the
ship's road, off Dunkirk; and he shortly after took the English packet
boat, _Prince of Orange_. As soon as this manoeuvre of Cunningham's
came to the knowledge of the French government, they caused Hodge, one
of the securities, to be arrested and conducted to the Bastile. The
packet boat was restored to the British government, without the form
of a process. After six weeks' confinement, Hodge was released.
[37] See Mr Arthur Lee's letter of May 13th, 1777.
[38] Missing.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Paris, 26th May, 1777.
Gentlemen,
The navy of the United States, increasing in the number of its ships
and force, it is of the utmost importance to direct the cruises of the
ships of war, which belong either to the States or individuals, so as
to annoy and alarm the enemy the most effectually, and at the same
time, to encourage our brave officers and seamen, by the value of
prizes. The West-India trade was so intercepted last season, that,
besides endangering the credit of every West India house in England,
and absolutely ruining many, it greatly helped towards sinking the
revenues of Great Britain, which it was confidently asserted the other
day in the House of Commons, and was not contradicted by the minister,
had sunk the last year nearly one million below the usual incomes.
This trade cannot be attacked the coming season to equal advantage, as
it will not be by any degree so large, and will be armed and under
convoy. But as the commerce of Great Britain is very extensive, good
policy dictates, that we attack it in more than one sea, and on
different coasts. The navy of Great Britain is not sufficiently
numerous, to infest the whole coast of North America, and at the same
time guard their own, much less protect and convoy their trade in
different seas.
We have not the least doubt, but that two or three of the continental
frigates, sent into the German ocean, with some less swift sailing
cruisers, might intercept and seize great part of the Baltic and
Northern trade, could they be in those seas by the middle of August at
farthest, and the prizes will consist of articles of the utmost
consequence to the States. One frigate would be sufficient to destroy
the whole of the Greenland whale fishery, or take the Hudson Bay ships
returning. In a word, they are unsuspicious and unguarded on that
quarter, and the alarm, such an expedition would give, would raise the
insurance in England at least twenty per cent; since Captain
Cunningham's adventure occasioned ten per cent to be given on the
packet boats, from Dover to Calais. Captain Cunningham being put in
prison, and the prizes restored, they are again lulled into security;
the whole western coast of England and Scotland, and indeed almost
the whole of Ireland, is at this moment unguarded either by ships of
war, or troops, except a few sloops or cutters, to watch smugglers.
We submit to the Congress the following plan; to send three frigates,
loaded with tobacco, for Nantes or Bourdeaux, and that they be manned
and commanded in the best possible manner. That on their arrival in
either of the above rivers, they make but little appearance of
strength, and endeavor to pass for common cruisers; while they are
refitting, which should be in different ports, near each other,
intelligence might be had of the position of the British fleet, and
the circumstances of the different towns on the sea coast, and of the
merchant ships in them; in consequence of which a blow might be struck
that would alarm and shake Great Britain, and its credit, to the
centre. The thought may appear bold and extravagant, yet we have seen
as extraordinary events within these two years past, as that of
carrying the war to our enemy's doors. As it appears extravagant, it
will be in consequence unexpected by them, and the more easily
executed. The burning or plundering of Liverpool, or Glasgow, would do
us more essential service than a million of treasure, and much blood
spent on the continent. It would raise our reputation to the highest
pitch, and lessen in the same degree that of our enemy's. We are
confident it is practicable, and with very little danger, but times
may alter with the arrival of the frigates, yet in that case their
cruise on this coast bids fairer to be profitable than any other, and
they may at least carry back in safety many of the stores wanted,
which is a most capital object, should the other be laid aside.
Every day's experience confirms to us, what is pointed out indeed by
nature itself, the necessity of rendering America independent, in
every sense of the word. The present glorious, though trying contest,
will do more to render this independence fixed and certain, if
circumstances are seasonably improved, than would otherwise have been
effected in an age. The manufacturing of any one necessary article
among ourselves, is like breaking one link of the chains, which have
heretofore bound the two worlds together, and which our artful enemies
had, under the mask of friendship, been long winding round and round
us, and binding fast. Thus, as founderies for cannon, iron as well as
brass, are erecting, if they are at once erected large enough to cast
of any size, we may in future be easy on that important article, and
independent on the caprice, or interest, of our pretended friends for
a supply; and to forward this we shall take the liberty of sending
over some of the most skilful founders we can meet with.
The jealousy which reigns among the maritime powers of Europe, with
their narrow, weak, and contemptible system of politics, prevents our
being able to procure ships of war; to remedy which, you have with you
timber, iron, and workmen, and we must send you over sailcloth and
cordage, as fast as we can. The importance of having a considerable
naval force, is too obvious, to need our saying more than, that we
conceive no apparent difficulty or obstruction ought to deter us from
pushing it forward to the utmost of our power. We have sent you by a
former conveyance a plan of a frigate on a new construction, and now
send you the duplicate, which we submit to the judgment of those
better skilled than we pretend to be in naval affairs, but imagine
that on our coast, and perhaps anywhere, ships constructed in some
such manner may be as formidable as those of seventyfour guns, and it
is certain they will cost us less. The vessel building in Amsterdam
is on this plan, which we hope will be in readiness for service this
fall or autumn.
We are, with the utmost respect, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
S. DEANE.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Philadelphia, May 30th, 1777.
Gentlemen,
We have delayed sending this packet, from a daily expectation of
hearing from you, as some letters from France make mention of a quick
sailing vessel, by which we were to receive despatches. Though it must
be agreeable to you to hear frequently from us, yet as our letters by
being taken might be of worse consequence than being delayed, we are
desirous of waiting for the safest opportunity, and when you hear not
so often as you wish, remember our silence means our safety.
Acquainted as we are, with the situation and condition of the enemy,
we well know, that the pompous paragraphs in the London papers are not
the news, which the Ministry _hear from_ their army; but the news they
make for them.
The Amphitrite has arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and the Seine
at Martinique, but she is made a prize of, in her passage from thence.
We request you to expedite the loan of two millions, (which we have
already sent you a commission for, and now send you a duplicate of the
same) for though we conceive the credit of America to be as well
founded at least as any in the world, having neither debt nor taxes
when she began the war, yet she is like a man who, with a large
capital all in property, is unable to make any new purchases, till he
can either convert some of it into specie, or borrow in the mean time.
Britain is now fighting us, and the greatest part of Europe
negatively, by endeavoring to stop that trade from us to France,
Spain, &c. which she has most effectually lost to herself, and we wish
those Courts saw their interest in the same clear point of view in
which it appears to us. We have little or no doubt of being able to
reduce the enemy by land, and we likewise believe that the united
powers of France, Spain, and America would be able to expel the
British fleet from the western seas, by which the communication for
trade would be opened, the number of interests reduced which have
hitherto distracted the West Indies, and consequently the peace of all
this side of the globe put on a better foundation than it has hitherto
been; a mutual advantage, as we conceive, to France, Spain, and these
States.
That Britain was formidable last war, in the West Indies, is true, but
when it is considered that her power there arose from her possessions
here, or that she was formidable chiefly through us, it is impossible
to suppose that she can again arrive at the same pitch of power. Here
she was assisted by numberless privateers. Here she supplied and
partly manned her fleet; recruited, and almost raised her army, for
that service; in short, America in the last war represented Britain
removed to this side of the Atlantic. The scene is changed, and
America now is that to France and Spain in point of advantages, which
she was the last war to Britain. Therefore, putting the convenience,
which we might receive, out of the question, by their making an attack
on the West Indies, we are somewhat surprised, that such politic
Courts as France and Spain, should hesitate on a measure so alluring
and practicable. We do not mention these remarks, because we suppose
they do not occur to you, but to let you know our thoughts on the
matter, and to give you every advantage, by conveying our minds to
you, as well as our instructions and informations.
This packet takes complete sets of our public paper, filed in order,
for seventeen weeks past.
B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
JAMES LOVELL.
* * * * *
TO JOHN JAY.
Dunkirk,[39] 2d June, 1777.
Dear Sir,
We refer the committee to ours to you of the 26th ult. of which we
sent duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the
contrary, we send you the substance in this. The British commerce in
Europe, especially in the north, is unguarded, the Greenland whale
fishery and the Hudson Bay ships in particular. Could two or three of
our frigates, accompanied by less swift sailing cruisers, get into
those seas in the months of August, or September, a valuable part of
the commerce of our enemies might be interrupted.