military affairs. You must, long before this reaches you, have been
made acquainted with the signal success of the American arms in the
northern department, particularly the several engagements in that
quarter previous to the surrender of General Burgoyne and his whole
army to General Gates. Since that time, Ticonderoga and Mount
Independence have been evacuated by the enemy, so that the whole of
that department is now in our possession. The Indians are perfectly
quiet, and we have lately received intelligence, that those formerly
in the interest of our enemies incline to our side, as also, that the
inhabitants of Canada, where the enemy have but small force, are in
general much disposed to favor us. General Burgoyne and his troops are
now near Boston; and on account of several very exceptionable parts of
his conduct, Congress have resolved, that he shall not be suffered to
depart, till the convention of Saratoga is ratified by the Court of
London.
A part of the enemy's army is still in possession of Newport, in Rhode
Island. An expedition intended to dispossess them of that place, on
account of some mistakes and neglect of those who were to make the
proper preparations for it, was obliged to be laid aside, but we
expect it will sometime hence be resumed.
As to the armies in this State, General Howe is still in Philadelphia,
but possesses no part of the country round it. General Washington's
army is in huts to the westward of Schuylkill, refreshing and
recruiting during the winter; and it is in contemplation to call in a
number of militia to attempt to expel Howe before he can be reinforced
in the spring. A part of our army is stationed at Wilmington, and
they, with the militia on both sides of the river, have been very
successful in taking several of the enemy's vessels since the winter
set in. A committee of Congress is just going off to the army, to
assist in regulating it for the next campaign, and to concert measures
for the most early and vigorous operations.
Copies of newspapers, and the proceedings of Congress relating to the
convention of Saratoga, are sent to you by this conveyance, besides
which, we hope you will have the advantage of information from Mr
Adams in person.
We are, with much regard, &c.
J. WITHERSPOON,
J. LOVELL.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Passy, 8th February, 1778.
Sir,
We have now the great satisfaction of acquainting you and the
Congress, that the treaties with France are at length completed and
signed. The first is a treaty of amity and commerce, much on the plan
of that projected in Congress;[49] the other is a treaty of alliance,
in which it is stipulated, that in case England declares war against
France, or occasions a war by attempts to hinder her commerce with us,
we should then make common cause of it, and join our forces, and
councils, &c. The great aim of this treaty is declared to be to
"establish the liberty, sovereignty, and independency, absolute and
unlimited, of the United States, as well in matters of government as
commerce;" and this is guarantied to us by France, together with all
the countries we possess, or shall possess at the conclusion of the
war; in return for which the States guaranty to France, all its
possessions in America. We do not now add more particulars, as you
will soon have the whole by a safer conveyance, a frigate being
appointed to carry our despatches. We only observe to you, and with
pleasure, that we have found throughout this business, the greatest
cordiality in this Court; and that no advantage has been taken, or
attempted to be taken of our present difficulties, to obtain hard
terms from us; but such has been the King's magnanimity and goodness,
that he has proposed none which we might not readily have agreed to in
a state of full prosperity and established power. The principle laid
down as the basis of the treaty, being as declared in the preamble,
"the most perfect equality and reciprocity," the privileges in trade,
&c. are mutual, and none are given to France, but what we are at
liberty to grant to any other nation.
On the whole, we have abundant reason to be satisfied with the good
will of this Court, and of the nation in general, which we therefore
hope will be cultivated by the Congress, by every means which may
establish the Union, and render it permanent. Spain being slow, there
is a separate and secret clause, by which she is to be received into
the alliance, upon requisition, and there is no doubt of the event.
When we mention the good will of this nation to our cause, we may add
that of all Europe, which having been offended by the pride and
insolence of Britain, wishes to see its power diminished; and all who
have received injuries from her, are, by one of the articles, to be
invited into our alliance. The preparations for war are carried on
with immense activity, and it is soon expected.
With our hearty congratulations, and our duty to the Congress, we have
the honor to be very respectfully, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
FOOTNOTES:
[49] This _plan of a treaty_ is contained at length in the _Secret
Journals of Congress_, Vol. II. p. 7. It is accompanied with a draft
of instructions to the commissioners, who were to propose it, in which
modifications are suggested.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Passy, February 16th, 1778.
Gentlemen,
We have now the pleasure of sending you the treaties of amity and
alliance, which France completed after long deliberation, and signed
the 6th instant. This is an event, which will give our States such an
appearance of stability, as must strengthen our credit, encourage
other powers in Europe to ally themselves with us, weaken the hopes of
our internal as well as our external enemies, fortify our friends, and
be in many other respects so advantageous to us, that we congratulate
you upon it most heartily. And we flatter ourselves, that the Congress
will approve of the terms, and despatch the ratifications as soon as
possible.
It is understood that Spain is shortly to accede to the same treaties.
We have in ours of December 18th, mentioned the reasons of her delay,
which still subsist, but will probably not subsist much longer. These
treaties continue a secret here, and may do so till the commencement
of the war, which is daily expected. Our little fleet formerly
mentioned, which has been long watched and detained in Nantes' river,
by the English cruising off Belisle, is now on the point of sailing
under the convoy of a French squadron. As the English are pretty
strong in the Bay, it is probable that their attack, and the French
defence of our ships, may be the prelude of a Declaration on both
sides.
Having received part of the 3,000,000 livres we formerly mentioned to
you, we have furnished Mr W. Lee, and Mr Izard with 2,000 guineas each
for the expenses of the missions to Germany and Italy. And as we have
received intimations from Holland, that the appearance of one of us
there might at this juncture have good effects, we have resumed the
purpose formerly communicated to you, and as soon as our treaty with
France is known, and the winter over, probably either Mr Deane or Mr
Franklin will make a journey thither.
But as we apprehend it may be known here, by some means or other,
should we furnish the expense of these embassies out of the aids
received from this Court, which we think not reputable to the
Congress, we must again press you to make us the necessary remittances
to replace what we have borrowed from the fund destined for your
supplies. And particularly we pray more earnestly, that you would
forward as soon as possible the 5,000 hhds of tobacco for the
Farmers-General, who will soon be in want of it, and who long since
advanced us a million for your use. Our honor is concerned in the
fulfilment of this contract.
The seizing and delivering up to the English two prizes taken by
Captain Babson, on account of their being illegally entered under a
false declaration, made a good deal of noise among our people in the
ports, and gave unfavorable impressions of the friendship of this
Court, which possibly may extend to America. We think it therefore
necessary to inform you, that though the confiscation of these prizes
on the above account, is _said to be_ agreeable to the laws here, yet
the king, after a condemnation, had the power of disposing of the
produce, for what purpose, political or otherwise, he might think
proper, and accordingly restored it at this juncture, perhaps
usefully, to the English claimants. Yet as it is thought a hard case
with respect to the captors, a beginning is made of indemnification,
and we hope on the same principle on which we are to receive soon a
part, 50,000, we shall be able in time to recover the whole.
We have, to avoid disputes at a particular time, delivered up the
cargo brought by the Amphitrite to M. Beaumarchais. We hear he has
sent over a person to demand a great sum of you on account of arms,
ammunition, &c. We think it will be best for you to leave the demand
to be settled by us here, as there is a mixture in it of public and
private concern, which you cannot so well develop.
We send you herewith a great many newspapers; you will see Lord
North's only answer to our application about the prisoners; as also
the success of a subscription set on foot in England by our friends
for their relief. They are at present pretty comfortably provided for.
By our late advices from England, the ministers began to be alarmed
for their country and perhaps for themselves. Some of their emissaries
have been here to sound us, and endeavor to get from some of us
propositions on which to found a treaty; which we evaded generally, as
not being empowered to make any; and apprehending withal, that even
reasonable ones, proposed by us, might be used improperly by the
ministry to exasperate, instead of conciliating the pride of the
nation, choosing still to consider us as subjects. Many of the
speakers in parliament of both Houses seem to look upon a French war
at this juncture, when so much of their force is abroad, and their
public credit so shaken, as immediate ruin. And we are assured by the
last post, from good authority, that even Lord Mansfield, who in the
beginning of this business was so valiant, spoke lately in private to
Lord Camden of the absolute necessity of an immediate coalition of
parties, to prevent the great impending danger to the nation, from an
alliance between the House of Bourbon and the Americans, which he
said he had good information was on the point of being concluded.
We have the honor of being, with the highest esteem, Gentlemen, your
most obedient humble servants.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Passy, 28th February, 1778.
Gentlemen,
Our despatches of December 18th, which would have acquainted you with
the state of our affairs here, and our expectations of a speedy
conclusion of the treaties with this Court, are unfortunately
returned; the French man of war, which went on purpose to carry them,
having met with some disasters at sea, which obliged her to put back,
after a long struggle of six weeks against contrary winds. We now have
obtained another ship to sail with them immediately, and with our
fresh despatches, containing the treaties themselves, which were
happily concluded and signed the 6th instant, though hitherto, for
some political reasons, kept a secret from the public.
The English Parliament adjourned in December for six weeks. During
that time, their ministers strained every nerve to raise men for their
armies, intending to continue the war with vigor. Subscriptions were
set on foot to aid Government in the expense, and they flattered
themselves with being able to enlist ten thousand volunteers; but
whether they found this impracticable, or were discouraged by later
accounts from America, or had some intimations of our treaties here,
their vaunts and threats are suddenly abated, and on the 17th Lord
North made a long discourse, acknowledging the errors of their former
conduct in the war with America, and proposing to obtain peace, by the
means of two bills, of which we enclose copies.
We make no remarks on these bills. The judgment of the Congress can be
at no loss in determining on the conduct necessary to be held with
regard to them. And we are confident, that they will not answer the
purpose of _dividing_ in order to _subjugate_, for which they are
evidently intended. Our States have now a solid support for their
liberty and independence in their alliance with France, which will be
certainly followed by that of Spain, and the whole House of Bourbon,
and probably by that of Holland, and the other powers of Europe, who
are interested in the freedom of commerce, and in keeping down the
power of Britain. Our people are happy in the enjoyment of their new
constitutions of Government, and will be so in their extended trade
and navigation, unfettered by English arts and Custom-house officers.
They will now never relish the Egyptian bondage, from which they have
so happily escaped. A long peace will probably be the consequence of
their separation from England, as they have no cause of quarrel with
other nations; an immediate war with France and Spain, if they join
again with England, and a share in all her future wars, her debts, and
her crimes. We are, therefore, persuaded that their commissioners will
be soon dismissed, if at all received; for the sooner the decided part
taken by Congress is known in Europe, the more extended and stable
will be their credit, and their conventions with other powers more
easy to make, and more advantageous.
Americans are every where in France treated with respect and every
appearance of affection. We think it would be well to advise our
people in all parts of America, to imitate this conduct with regard to
the French, who may happen to be among us. Every means should be used
to remove ancient prejudices, and cultivate a friendship that must be
so useful to both nations. Some transactions here, during the last
four or five months, in the rigorous observance of treaties, with
regard to the equipments of our armed vessels in the ports, and the
selling of our prizes, have no doubt made ill impressions on the minds
of our seamen and traders, relative to the friendship of this Court.
We were then obliged to observe a secrecy, which prevented our
removing those prejudices, by acquainting our people with the
substantial aids France was privately affording us; and we must
continue in the same situation, till it is thought fit to publish the
treaties. But we can, with pleasure, now acquaint you that we have
obtained full satisfaction, viz. 400,000 livres for the owners of the
prizes confiscated here, for a breach of the laws by a false
declaration, (they being entered as coming from Eustatia) and the
payment will be made to the owners in America. We mean the prizes
taken by Captains Babson and Hendricks, in the Boston and Hancock
privateers, which prizes, after confiscation, were, from reasons of
state, restored to the English. This is a fresh proof of the good will
and generosity of this Court, and their determination to cultivate the
friendship of America.
The preparations for war continue in the ports with the utmost
industry; and troops are marching daily to the sea-coasts, where three
camps are to be formed. As France is determined to protect her
commerce with us, a war is deemed inevitable.
Mr William Lee, we suppose, acquaints you with the decease of Mr
Morris, his colleague in the commercial agency. On our application to
the ministry, an order was obtained to put Mr Lee in possession of his
papers. If that department has been found useful, and likely to
continue so, you will no doubt appoint one or more persons to take
care of the business, as Mr Lee has now another destination. Perhaps
the general commerce, likely to be soon opened between Europe and
America, may render such an appointment unnecessary.
We would just add, for the consideration of Congress, whether
considering the mention of Bermudas in one of the articles, it may not
be well to take possession, with the consent of the inhabitants of
that island, and fortify the same as soon as possible, and also to
reduce some, or all of the English fishing posts in or near
Newfoundland.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO WILLIAM BINGHAM.
York, 2d March, 1778.
Sir,
The Committee of Secret Correspondence, which almost a year ago was
denominated the "Committee for Foreign Affairs," stands indebted to
you for many letters, both of interesting advice and ingenious
speculation. Happening to be the only member of that Committee at this
time present in Yorktown, I now take up my pen, not to form apologies
for their long past silence, so much as to make a beginning of the act
of justice due to you. I really fear that the collected ingenuity of
the members will be put to it to offer, for a main excuse, any thing
better than that they relied upon your getting frequent intelligence
of the state of our affairs from the Commercial Committee. In short,
sir, I am so deeply concerned with the gentlemen in this affair, that
I know what they ought to do; and I am so well acquainted with their
just manner of thinking, that I will venture to confess in their name,
that their past omission of corresponding with you, is, in a
considerable measure, unaccountable. It is certainly better to step
forward towards a man of candor, in the straight line of honest
confession, than in the zigzag track of awkward apology.
Your letters, exclusive of their intrinsic merit, have been more
peculiarly acceptable to Congress, from the circumstance of our having
been deprived of the satisfaction of receiving intelligence from the
hands of our Commissioners in Paris since May of last year. Besides
those of their despatches, which have been lost at sea, we know one
has been examined and culled by some perfidious villain, who
substituted plain sheets of paper for the real letters of our friends.
This was probably done in Europe, before the bearer of it, a Captain
John Folger, embarked with it for America.
Your ideas of the policy of the Court of Versailles appear quite just,
from the corroborating testimony of whatever information we can
collect in any way.
The course of Gazettes, which accompany this, will so well communicate
our home affairs, that I shall not enlarge upon them. I will only say,
in brief, that you may rest assured, independence is so absolutely
adopted by America, as to leave no hope for Britain that we shall ever
relinquish our claim. It must, therefore, be only to delude her own
islanders and neighbors, that she pretends to expect the contrary.
In addition to the misfortune which you mention respecting the
Lexington, we are told of a greater, and one which will more
intimately affect you, respecting the Reprisal, which is said to have
foundered on the 1st of October. Your acquaintance with Captain Wickes
will lead you to lament greatly the loss of so valuable an officer and
so worthy a man. I enclose you a list of your letters as they came to
hand, both for your own satisfaction and to command your belief of my
regard for you, as a faithful corresponding agent, and of my
professions of being, Sir, &c.
JAMES LOVELL,
_For the Committee of Foreign Affairs_.
* * * * *
M. GERARD TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Translation.
Versailles, March 17th, 1778.
Gentlemen,
I am charged to acquaint you, that you will be presented to the King
next Friday, if you will have the goodness to render yourselves here
at ten o'clock in the morning. Count de Vergennes hopes you will do
him the honor to dine with him on the same day.
I have the honor to be, with high consideration, &c.
GERARD.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
York, 24th March, 1778.
Gentlemen,
I cannot consent to omit this opportunity of addressing a few lines to
you, though the state of our military operations affords nothing
material.
The manners of the continent are too much affected by the depreciation
of our currency; scarce an officer, civil or military, but feels
something of a desire to be concerned in mercantile speculation, from
finding that his salary is inadequate to the harpy demands, which are
made upon him for the necessaries of life, and from observing, that
but little skill is necessary to constitute one of the merchants of
these days. We are almost a continental tribe of Jews; but I hope
heaven has not yet discovered such a settled profligacy in us as to
cast us off, even for a year. Backward as we may be at this moment in
our preparations, the enemy is not in a condition to expect more
success in the coming, than in former campaigns. We have the debates
of the British Parliament to December 5th, and perceive that the old
game is playing, called Reconciliation. Depend upon it, they are
duping themselves only.
Yesterday a private letter from Doctor Franklin, dated October 7th,
was presented, containing the only political intelligence which Folger
brought safe with him, viz. "Our affairs, so far as relates to this
country, are every day more promising." This, with a letter from Mr
Barnabus Deane, who tells us his brother apologized for his brevity,
by saying he was "sending an important packet to Congress," is all the
explanation we have of the nature of your despatches, of which we
were robbed. I enclose a list, by which you will see the breaks in our
correspondence. I send a pamphlet which contains, I hope, the general
ideas of America in regard to what Britain may be tempted, foolishly,
to call her successes.
We think it strange, that the Commissioners did not jointly write by
M. de Francy, considering the very important designs of his coming
over, to settle the mode of payment for the past cargoes sent by
_Roderique Hortalez & Co._ and to make contracts for the future. It is
certain that much eclaircissement is at this late moment wanting. But
I dare not enlarge, for fear of losing this sudden good opportunity.
I therefore close, with assurances of the most affectionate respect,
gentlemen, your very humble servant,
JAMES LOVELL,
_For the Committee of Foreign Affairs_.
* * * * *
TO M. DUMAS.
Paris, April 10th, 1778.
Sir,
The within letter to you is so written, that you may show it on
occasion. We send enclosed a proposed draught of a letter to the Grand
Pentionary, but as we are unacquainted with forms, and may not exactly
have hit your idea with regard to the matter and expression, we wish
you would consult with our friends upon it, and return it with the
necessary corrections.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
DRAFT OF A PROPOSED LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONERS TO THE GRAND
PENTIONARY.
Sir,
We have the honor of acquainting your Excellency, that the United
States of North America, being now an independent power, and
acknowledged as such by this Court, a treaty of amity and commerce is
completed between France and the said United States, of which we shall
speedily send your Excellency a copy, to be communicated, if you think
proper, to their High Mightinesses, for whom the United States have
the greatest respect, and the strongest desire that a good
understanding may be cultivated, and a mutually beneficial commerce
established between the people of the two nations, which, as will be
seen, there is nothing in the above mentioned treaty to prevent or
impede.
We have the honor to be, with great respect, your Excellency's, &c.
* * * * *
TO M. DUMAS.
Passy, April 10th, 1778.
Sir,