ambition, that paid no regard to the situation and circumstances of
the army, would be gratified. This produced a scene of contention,
which was not ended when the unfortunate General was drowned in the
Schuylkill, going to join the army. Immediately on his death, the rest
of his corps would return to France, and in this disposition Congress
endeavored to render things as agreeable to them as possible, having
some regard to the interest of the public which they serve. It is very
true, that a concurrence of causes, such as the removal from
Philadelphia, the time that elapsed before business was gone regularly
into again, and the multiplicity of public affairs, did occasion some
delay in settling with these gentlemen; but this was a loss to the
community more than to them, because their pay was continued to the
last. And you will see by the papers enclosed, that ample allowances
have been made for their expenses to the shipping port, for passage to
France, and travel to Paris.
It has been already observed, that Mons. Du Coudray's desire could not
be complied with, without producing very injurious consequences. All
the other officers were offered admittance into the army, according to
the ranks stipulated for with Mr S. Deane; but to avoid certain
murmurs and discontent, by difference of pay in the army, they were
offered the pay and rations of continental officers of similar rank.
This they rejected; and when the mischief of a difference of pay was
removed by their determination to return to France, they were paid
their livres complete, with all their gratifications as agreed for,
their expenses and passages being also fully satisfied. Upon the
whole, we beg leave to refer you to the enclosed papers for more
minute information in this business, where we think you will find
documents sufficient to convince unprejudiced and reasonable men,
that Congress have done all they could, or ought in duty to the public
to have done, for the entire satisfaction of these gentlemen. And we
hope you will be enabled thereby to obviate any ill impressions, which
may be attempted to be made by some of these officers; we say by some,
because we believe the more reasonable among them are satisfied.
We have the honor to be, &c.
R. H. LEE,
J. LOVELL.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
York, 2d December, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Since ours, of October the 31st, the enemy have by repeated efforts at
last overcome our defences on the Delaware below Philadelphia, and we
hear they have got up some vessels to the city. But we incline to
think they will yet be interrupted much in their operations on the
river, by the chevaux de frize and the cold weather. We are just
informed by General Gates, that the garrisons of Ticonderoga and Mount
Independence have destroyed the works and the buildings, and
precipitately retreated across Lake Champlain to Isle aux Noix and St
Johns, taking with them only the brass artillery, powder, and
provisions. The heavy stores they threw into the lake.
If the campaign should close at this period, (and if it does, it will
be for want of clothes and blankets, for both of which we are in great
distress, having received very few) the enemy will have little to
boast of. They began it with two armies, one of which has been
repeatedly beaten, and at length compelled to lay down its arms and
surrender on terms. The other, after various chances, in which fortune
more than any thing else has been its protection, has at length
possessed itself of Philadelphia. We say fortune has protected the
army of General Howe, and we have good reason for saying so, when the
fact is, that at the battle of Germantown the enemy were actually
defeated,[46] and accident alone prevented a total and irreparable
overthrow. It would have been otherwise had our young troops possessed
that calmness of discipline and self recollection, which is habitual
to veteran armies. The acquisition of Philadelphia, which Mr Howe
holds at present by a very precarious tenure, cannot have cost him in
the whole fewer than four thousand men, since they landed at the head
of Elk; and we know they have lost two ships of war before Fort
Mifflin, one a sixtyfour gun ship, the other a frigate.
General Washington's army, about eighteen thousand strong, is now
about fourteen miles from Philadelphia, and the enemy have fortified
themselves in the best manner they can, in and near the city, by
double lines from Delaware to Schuylkill, across the common. The
manoeuvres about New York exhibit proofs of apprehension for the
safety of that place, because the enemy have evacuated and destroyed
their post at Fort Independence above King's Bridge, and have drawn in
all their outposts to concentrate their strength, and secure, if they
can, their hold of the city of New York. We hope before the opening
of the next campaign, to put Hudson's River into a state inaccessible
to the enemy's ships of war, and thereby to render their enterprises
on that quarter extremely difficult and dangerous to them.
We have now given you an exact account of our military situation. With
respect to our civil state, we would acquaint you that Congress have
passed the confederation, and sent it to the different States, with
strong recommendations to give it speedy consideration and return.
Extensive taxation is also recommended, and seems to be universally
adopting. You will readily imagine, gentlemen, that our extensive
operations have produced great expense, as our inexperience in war has
not furnished us with that systematic economy, which is so necessary
and so well understood by European nations. We shall have emitted
twenty eight millions of dollars by the close of this year, exclusive
of Provincial currency. The quantity is too great, and of course the
quality is injured. The slow operations of taxes will not afford
adequate remedy, and the offer of sterling interest does not fill the
loan offices so quickly, as the necessary expenses call for supply. If
a loan of two millions sterling could be obtained, the high exchange
would enable Congress, by drawing on that fund, to call so large a
quantity of paper presently out of circulation, as to appreciate the
rest, and give time for taxation to work a radical cure. Without this
remedy of the evil, very pernicious consequences may follow ere long.
Our situation is rendered still worse by the impossibility of
supplying such products as America has largely in store, and which are
now greatly wanted in Europe, viz. tobacco, naval stores, rice,
indigo, &c. The great superiority of the enemy's naval fleet makes it
impossible to send those products in any quantity to sea, with a
tolerable prospect of safety. Thus we are prevented from sending you
the five thousand hogsheads of tobacco, which you have contracted for,
and which Congress has directed to be sent; although several thousands
have, for some time past, been purchased for payment of our debts in
France. The good intentions of our friends in that country are almost
entirely frustrated, by the exertions of the whole power of our
enemies by sea, to prevent our sending to, or receiving from Europe,
any thing whatever. A war in Europe would greatly and immediately
change the scene. The maritime force of France and Spain, with the
American cruisers, would quickly lessen the power of Great Britain in
the Western ocean, and make room for the reciprocal benefits of
commerce between us and our friends.
We have not been favored with a line from you since the 25th of May,
which we lament exceedingly, but of which we cannot complain, since we
doubt not but you have written, although we have not been so fortunate
as to receive your letters. We had reason from your promise to expect
a monthly packet, and this expectation prevented us from looking out
so early as we should have done for a vessel or two from ----. We have
heard, with pleasure, by means of Mr Carmichael, through Mr Bingham,
that Mr Lee had successfully accomplished his business at the Court of
Prussia.[47]
We remember that you informed us, the object which carried him to
Berlin was, besides procuring that Prince's acknowledgment of our
independence, obtaining open ports for our commerce, and the liberty
of selling our prizes therein. We hope the interference of that
powerful Prince will effectually prevent Russian or German
auxiliaries, from being sent hither by Great Britain.
As the Marine Committee have already sent some, and will order more,
of the continental ships of war to France under your directions,
permit us to suggest an expedition, which appears likely to benefit us
and distress the enemy. We are informed, that two or three well manned
frigates, despatched early in February, so as to arrive at the Island
of Mauritius in June, being provided with letters of credence, and for
such refreshments, or aid of stores, &c. as may be necessary from the
minister to the French Governor of that Island, may go thence to
cruise on the coast of Coromandel, twenty days sail from the Island of
Mauritius, where they will be in the way to intercept the China ships,
besides distressing the internal trade of India. The prizes may be
sold at Mauritius, and bills of exchange be remitted to you in Paris.
We would observe, that in passing to Mauritius our vessels had better
call at Goree, than at the Cape, to avoid the vigilance and the
apprehensions of the British cruisers. Another beneficial attempt may
be conducted along the coast of Africa. The French and Dutch
settlements, and perhaps the Portuguese, will purchase the prizes and
give bills on Europe.
We think your plan of getting one of the new constructed ships of war,
equal to one of sixty four guns, built for the use of these States in
Europe, is a very good one, and it may be employed to very beneficial
purposes. The heavy iron cannon, which you propose to send, will be
welcome for fortifications and for vessels; and here they cost
abundantly more than you can furnish them for from Europe, besides
the delay in getting them, which frequently distresses us greatly.
And surely your determination to supply us with materials wanted here
for shipbuilding, is very wise, since it is by marine force, that the
most destructive wound may be given to our enemies.
We are directed to point out proper ports into which the stores
mentioned in the resolve of Congress, of November tenth, may be
imported.[48] We are obliged to own, that the port of Charleston South
Carolina, and those to the eastward of Rhode Island, are the only safe
ones. We wish the number of manufacturers in lead and sulphur, had
been limited in that same resolve; but we place full confidence in
your discretion. We shall be glad to receive from you by the first
opportunity, a plan of the militia of Switzerland.
We close with a desire, that you will be pleased to attend to the
several matters contained in our former letters, copies of which do
not happen to be at hand.
We are, with much esteem, &c.
R. H. LEE,
J. LOVELL.
FOOTNOTES:
[46] This language is too strong. As the British kept possession of
the ground, they could hardly be said to have been defeated. They were
attacked with spirit, and for a time gave way to General Washington's
army.
[47] This was a mistake.
[48] The following resolve was passed in Congress, November 10th,
1777.
"_Resolved_, That the Committee of Foreign Affairs be directed to
write to the commissioners of the United States, in France and Spain,
to purchase and ship on continental account, in armed vessels, in
addition to what has heretofore been ordered by Congress, 500 tons of
lead, 400 tons of powder, one million of gun flints, tents for 50,000
men, and 10,000 yards of flannel for cartridges, to be sent to such
ports and places as the said committee shall direct; and that the
former orders of Congress, and of the commercial committee for
clothing, fire-arms, equipage, brass field-pieces, salt, and other
articles, and for 130,000 blankets, be completed as soon as may be;
"That the committee be also directed to write to the commissioners,
and instruct them to contract with, and send over, by different
conveyances, two or three persons, well acquainted with the making of
gun-flints, in order to instruct persons in that business, and
introduce into these States so useful a manufacture; likewise, three
or more proper persons, skilful in working lead mines and refining
lead ore, and three or more persons skilful in the discovery of
sulphur mines, and manufacturing and refining sulphur."
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Paris, 18th December, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Since our last, of November 30th, a copy of which is herewith sent
you, we received your despatches of October 6th, from Yorktown. They
came to us by a packet from Boston, which brought the great news of
Burgoyne's defeat and surrender; news that apparently occasioned as
much general joy in France, as if it had been a victory of their own
troops over their own enemies, such is the universal, warm, and
sincere good will and attachment to us and our cause in this nation.
We took the opportunity of pressing the ministry, by a short memorial,
to the conclusion of our proposed treaty, which had so long been under
their consideration, and been from time to time postponed. A meeting
was had accordingly, on Friday the 12th instant, in which some
difficulties were mentioned and removed, some explications asked and
given, to satisfaction. As the concurrence of Spain is necessary, we
were told that a courier should be despatched the next day to obtain
it, which we are since assured was done, and in three weeks from the
time the answer was expected.
On signifying to the ministry the importance it might be of, at this
juncture, when probably Britain would be making some propositions of
accommodation, that the Congress should be informed explicitly what
might be expected from France and Spain, M. Gerard, one of the
secretaries, came yesterday to inform us, by order of the king, that
after long and full consideration of our affairs and propositions, in
council, it was decided, and his majesty was determined to acknowledge
our independence, and make a treaty with us of amity and commerce;
that in this treaty no advantage would be taken of our present
situation, to obtain terms from us, which otherwise would not be
convenient for us to agree to; his majesty desiring that the treaty,
once made, should be durable, and our amity subsist forever; which
could not be expected, if each nation did not find its interest in the
continuance, as well as in the commencement of it. It was therefore
his intention, that the terms of the treaty should be such as we might
be willing to agree to, if our State had been long since established,
and in the fulness of strength and power, and such as we shall approve
of when that time shall come. That his majesty was fixed in his
determination, not only to acknowledge, but to support, our
independence, by every means in his power. That in doing this, he
might, probably, soon be engaged in a war, with all the expenses,
risks, and damages, usually attending it, yet he should not expect any
compensation from us on that account, nor pretend that he acted wholly
for our sakes; since, besides his real good will to us and our cause,
it was manifestly the interest of France, that the power of England
should be diminished by our separation from it. He should, moreover,
not so much as insist, that if he engaged in a war with England on our
account, we should not make a separate peace; he would have us be at
full liberty to make a peace for ourselves, whenever good and
advantageous terms were offered to us. The only condition he should
require and rely on would be this, that we, in no peace to be made
with England, should give up our independence, and return to the
obedience of that government. That as soon as the courier returned
from Spain, with the concurrence expected, the affair would be
proceeded in and concluded; and of this we might give the Congress the
strongest assurances in our despatches, only cautioning them to keep
the whole, for the present, a dead secret, as Spain had three reasons
for not immediately declaring; her money fleet not yet come home; her
Brazil army and fleet the same; and her peace with Portugal not yet
quite completed; but these obstacles would, probably, soon be removed.
We answered, that in what had been communicated to us we perceived,
and admired equally the king's magnanimity and his wisdom; that he
would find us faithful and firm allies, and we wished, with his
majesty, that the amity between the two nations might be eternal. And,
mentioning that republics were usually steady in their engagements,
for instance, the Swiss cantons, the Secretary remarked, that France
had been as steady with regard to them, two hundred years having
passed since their first alliance for fifty years had commenced, which
had been renewed from time to time; and such had been her uniform good
faith toward them, that, as it appeared in the last renewal, the
Protestant cantons were free from their ancient prejudices and
suspicions, and joined readily with the rest in the league of which we
herewith send you a copy.
It is sometime since we obtained a promise of an additional aid of
three million of livres, which we shall receive in January. Spain, we
are told, will give an equal sum; but finding it inconvenient to
remit it here, she purposes sending it from the Havanna, in specie, to
the Congress. What we receive here will help to get us out of debt.
Our vessels laden with supplies have, by various means, been delayed,
particularly by fear of falling into the hands of the British cruising
ships, which swarm in the bay and channel. At length, it is resolved
that they shall sail together, as they are all provided for defence,
and we have obtained a king's ship to convoy them out of the channel,
and we hope quite to America. They will carry, we think, to the amount
of seventy thousand pounds sterling, and sail in a few days.
Also, in consideration of the late frequent losses of our despatches,
and the importance of the present, we have applied for, and obtained a
frigate to carry them.
These extraordinary favors, of a nature provoking to Great Britain,
are marks of the sincerity of this Court, and seem to demand the
thanks of the Congress. We have accepted five bills, drawn on us by
the President, in favor of some returned officers, and shall pay them
punctually. But, as we receive no remittances for our support, and the
cargo in the Amphitrite is claimed from us by M. Beaumarchais, and we
are not certain that we can keep it, we hope Congress will be sparing
in their drafts, except for the interest mentioned in our former
letters, of which we now repeat the assurances of payment; otherwise,
we may be much embarrassed, and our situation rendered very
uncomfortable.
It is said, the French Ambassador at London has desired to be
recalled, being affronted there, where the late news from America has
created a violent ferment. There is also a talk here of Lord
Stormont's recall. The stocks in England fall fast, and, on both
sides, there is every appearance of an approaching war. Being
informed, by the concurring reports of many who had escaped, that our
people, prisoners in England, are treated with great inhumanity, we
have written a letter of expostulation on that subject to Lord North,
which is sent over by a person express, whom we have instructed to
visit the prisoners, and, (under the directions of Mr Hartley) to
relieve as much as may be the most necessitous. We shall hereafter
acquaint you with the result.
The expenses we are put to by those who get to us are very
considerable. The supplies now going out from hence, and what we have
sent, and are sending from Spain, though far short of your orders,
(which we have executed as far as we are able) will, we hope, with
private adventures encouraged by us and others, put you into pretty
good circumstances as to clothing, arms, &c. if they arrive, and we
shall continue to send, as ability and opportunity may permit.
Please to present our duty to the Congress, and believe us, with
sincere esteem, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
York, 12th January, 1778.
Gentlemen,
Not having received any letters from you since the 26th of May, we
were severely chagrined yesterday, upon the arrival of Captain John
Folger, who, under the name of despatches from the Commissioners at
Paris, delivered only an enclosure of clean paper, with some familiar
letters, none of which contained any political intelligence. You will
see, by the within examination of Folger, that he was by no means a
discreet person, fit to have the charge of what you trusted to him;
but we cannot yet prove that he was wilfully connected with the
robbers of the packet. The paper referred to by the letter A, in the
examination, was a plain cover to plain paper, which had been put in
the place of an enclosure, probably very interesting, sent with the
public ledgers to R. H. Lee.
We shall endeavor to find whether the roguery was committed after
Folger left France; but we must depend upon you to trace the
circumstances from the time of your sealing, till that of his
embarking.
Congress have sent to Governor Caswell to explain the part he is said
to have taken in the affair, and to examine the Ship-Captain and the
two passengers. Should the Governor confirm Folger's narrative, so as
to make his veracity less problematical than at present, his
confinement may be rendered easier to him, but he must not be quite
discharged till we hear from you. There ought to be the greatest
caution used with regard to the characters of all those persons, who
are confidentially employed by you. The connexion which Folger has had
since he left America with persons in England, and on the voyage to
Falkland's Isles, cannot be thought favorable to our interest, if his
own family and native place are so. We shall only add on this subject,
that Folger, upon recollection, asserts, that the largest packet
delivered to him at Havre de Grace was directed, "Despatches for
Captain Folger," and he laments that he did not himself open it
before he sailed. If this circumstance is true, it accounts for
Governor Caswell's opening the packet.
We are, with much regard, &c.
J. WITHERSPOON,
J. LOVELL.
* * * * *
TO JOHN PAUL JONES.
Paris, 16th January, 1778.
Sir,
As it is not in our power to procure you such a ship as you expected,
we advise you, after equipping the Ranger in the best manner for the
cruise you propose, that you proceed with her in the manner you shall
judge best for distressing the enemies of the United States by sea, or
otherwise, consistent with the laws of war and the terms of your
Commission. If you take prizes on the coast of France or Spain, send
them into Bilboa, or Corogne, unless you should apprehend the danger
too great, in which case we advise you to send them either into
L'Orient or Bordeaux, directing the officers, who may have them in
charge, to apply at L'Orient to M. Moylan, or M. Goulade, and at
Bordeaux to Messrs Samuel & T. H. Delap, and inform us immediately of
their arrival and situation. If you send to Spain, or should put into
the ports of that kingdom, apply at Bilboa to Messrs Gardoqui & Sons;
at Corogne to Messrs Leagonere & Co.
If you make an attempt on the coast of Great Britain, we advise you
not to return immediately into the ports of France, unless forced by
stress of weather, or the pursuit of the enemy, and in such case you
must make the proper representation to the officers of the port, and
acquaint us with your situation. We rely on your ability, as well as
your zeal to serve the United States, and therefore do not give
particular instructions as to your operations. We must caution you
against giving any cause of complaint to the subjects of France, or
Spain, or of other neutral powers, and recommend it to you to show
them every mark of respect and real civility, which may be in your
power.
You will communicate to your officers and seamen the encouragement we
have given them, and explain to them, that though it was not in our
power to be particular as to the rewards they should be entitled to,
yet they may safely rely on the justice of the Congress. Before you
sail, it will be proper to settle with Mr Williams the account of your
disbursements, and send the account up to us.
We most sincerely wish you success, and are, with much esteem, Sir,
your most obedient and very humble servants.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
York, 21st January, 1778.
Gentlemen,