matter as embarrassing to Congress as to yourselves. Their anxiety to
get it to you is as great as yours to receive it. We have already lost
vast quantities in the attempt, and thereby have furnished our enemies
gratis with what was designed for the discharging of your contracts,
and for promoting the interest and commerce of our friends. We request
your particular attention to this information, as it is a matter of as
high moment to our allies as well as to ourselves. In the present
state of things it is very probable, that England will be unwilling
to interrupt the trade of France in their own bottoms; and our desire
is, as well for her benefit as ours, that France would open the trade
from her own ports, so that the intentional advantages of the treaties
may fully operate for both countries. We need not enlarge on this
head, as your discernment will furnish you with all the reasons to be
alleged in support of what we desire.
In addition to what is mentioned in our letter, respecting the 11th
and 12th articles of the treaty, we observe, that the 12th is capable
of an interpretation and misuse, which were probably not thought of at
the time of constructing it; we mean, that it opens a door for all, or
a great part of the trade of America, to be earned through the French
Islands to Europe, and puts all future regulations out of our power,
either by impost or prohibition, which, though we might never find it
to our interest to use, yet by keeping it in our _power_, will enable
us to preserve equality with, and regulate the imposts of the
countries we trade with.
The general trade of France is not under like restriction, every
article on our part being stated against the single article of
molasses on theirs; therefore, Congress think it more liberal and
consistent that both articles should be expunged.
We have no material military transactions to acquaint you with. The
enemy yet remain in Philadelphia, but some late appearances make it
probable they will not stay long. Our army is yet at the Valley Forge.
The enemy, through the course of the winter, have carried on a low,
pitiful, and disgraceful kind of war against individuals, whom they
pushed at by sending out little parties and revengefully burning
several of their houses; yet all this militated against themselves,
by raising an unquenchable indignation in the country against them;
and on the whole, we know not which most to wonder at, their folly in
making us hate them after their inability for conquest and their
desires of peace are confessed, or their scandalous barbarity in
executing their resentments.
You will see, gentlemen, by the contract which the Commercial
Committee have signed with the agent of M. Beaumarchais, that Congress
was desirous of keeping a middle course, so as not to appear to slight
any determined generosity of the French Court, and, at the same time,
to show a promptness to discharge honorably the debts, which may be
_justly_ charged against these States by any persons. We depend upon
you to explain the affair fully, as you seem to make a distinction
between the military stores and the other invoices, while no such
distinction appears in the letters of Mr Deane or M. Beaumarchais. In
short, we are rather more undetermined by your late despatches, than
we were during your long silence. Congress being at this time deeply
engaged in a variety of business, and the Foreign Committee thin of
members, you will be pleased to excuse us from being more particular
in our answer to your several despatches, as well as in our
information of the state of our affairs.
We are, gentlemen, &c.
R. H. LEE,
JAMES LOVELL.
_P. S._ You will see what we have written to M. Dumas, and you will
point out what will be our line of honor to him and justice to these
States.
* * * * *
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Passy, May 16th, 1778.
Sir,
We had this morning the honor of receiving your Excellency's letter of
the 13th instant, relative to the Boston frigate. We beg leave to
assure your Excellency, that the frigate, called the Boston, now at
Bordeaux, is a ship of war belonging to the thirteen United States of
North America, built and maintained at their expense by the honorable
Congress. We, therefore, humbly presume, that his Majesty's royal
determination, on the representation of the Farmers-General, will be
according to the usage of nations in such cases, and your Excellency
may be assured that Captain Tucker will conform to that determination
with the utmost respect.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO M. DE SARTINE.
Passy, May 16th, 1778.
Sir,
Messrs Basmarine, Rainbeau, & Co. having represented to us, that they
have applied to Government for a frigate, to be employed in defence of
their commerce to and from America, and in making reprisals for the
losses they have lately sustained by our enemies, we, the
Commissioners of the United States of North America, hereby request
that such a frigate may be granted; and in that case, we are ready to
give a commission and letter of marque to such frigate, upon Messrs
Basmarine & Co. giving bonds to us for the regular behavior of such
frigate, according to the law of nations and the usage of the United
States.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO MR JONATHAN WILLIAMS, AT NANTES.
Passy, May 25th, 1778.
Sir,
Your favors of May 11th and 18th are now before us. We shall this day
acquaint Captain Jones how far it is in our power to comply with his
desires, and in what manner. Your letter of the 18th informs us of a
dispute between Mr Schweighauser and you, concerning the disposal of
the Ranger's prizes; and you are still of opinion, that you have
authority to interfere in the disposal of prizes, and that you should
be chargeable with neglect of duty if you did not. The necessities of
our country demand the utmost frugality, which can never be obtained,
without the utmost simplicity in the management of her affairs; and as
Congress have authorised Mr W. Lee to superintend the commercial
affairs in general, and he has appointed Mr Schweighauser, and as your
authority is under the Commissioners at Paris only, we think it
prudent and necessary for the public service to revoke, and we do
hereby revoke, all the powers and authorities heretofore granted to
you by the Commissioners plenipotentiary of the United States of
America, or any of them at Paris; to the end, that hereafter the
management of the affairs, commercial and maritime, of America, may be
under one sole direction, that of Mr Schweighauser within his
district.
As to the merchandise and stores of every kind, which you have on hand
at present, we leave it to your choice, either to ship them to America
yourself, or to deliver them over to Mr Schweighauser to be shipped by
him. It is not from any prejudice to you, for whom we have a great
respect and esteem, but merely from a desire to save the public money,
and prevent the clashing of claims and interests, and to avoid
confusion and delays, that we have taken this step.
We have further to repeat our earnest request, that you would lay your
accounts before us as soon as possible, because, until we have them we
can never know either the state of our finances, or how far the orders
of Congress for stores and merchandise to be shipped to America have
been fulfilled.
We are, Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO M. DE SARTINE.
Passy, June 3d, 1778.
Sir,
We have the honor of enclosing to your Excellency, an account of
duties paid by the agent for necessary supplies to the ship of war the
Boston, in the port of Bordeaux. As these duties are very heavy, and
the payment of any duties on mere supplies to ships of war, as on
merchandise exported, appears to us uncommon, we beg the favor of
your Excellency to give such orders relative to it in all his
Majesty's ports, as may regulate this for the future.
The Captain of the ship of war the Ranger, belonging to the United
States, has, we understand, put his prizes into the hands of the
intendant or Commandant at Brest; and no account has been rendered of
them to the public agent, or to us. We are also given to understand,
that, in consequence of this proceeding, very heavy fees are to be
paid upon the sale of them. As the transaction is altogether improper,
we must trouble your Excellency for an order to the commandant, to
deliver them, without delay or extraordinary charges, to the public
agent, Mr Schweighauser at Nantes, or to his order.
It would give us satisfaction to annoy our enemies, by granting a
letter of marque, as is desired, for a vessel fitting out at Dunkirk,
and, as it is supposed by us, containing a mixed crew of French,
Americans, and English. But, if this should seem improper to your
Excellency, we will not do it.
We have the honor, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
JOHN PAUL JONES TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Passy, June 16th, 1778.
Gentlemen,
At the time when I took Lieutenant Simpson's parole, I did not expect
to have been so long absent from America; but as circumstances have
now rendered the time of my return less certain, I am willing to let
the dispute between us drop forever, by giving up that parole, which
will entitle him to command the Ranger. I bear no malice, and, if I
have done him an injury, this will be making him all the present
satisfaction in my power. If, on the contrary, he has injured me, I
will trust to himself for an acknowledgment.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of esteem and respect,
Your obliged, &c.
JOHN PAUL JONES.
* * * * *
TO DAVID HARTLEY.
Passy, June 16th, 1778.
Sir,
I received yours of the 5th instant, acquainting us that the ministry
have at length agreed to an exchange of prisoners. We shall write to
Captain Jones for the list required, which will be sent you as soon as
received. We understand there are at least two hundred. We desire and
expect, that the number of ours shall be taken from Tortune and
Plymouth, in proportion to the number in each place, and to consist of
those who have been longest in confinement, it being not only
equitable that they should be first, but this method will prevent all
suspicions, that you pick out the worst and weakest of our people to
give in exchange for your good ones. If you think proper to clear your
prisoners at once, and give us all our people, we give you our solemn
engagement, which we are sure will be punctually executed, to deliver
to Lord Howe, in America, or to his order, a number of your sailors,
equal to the surplus, as soon as the agreement arrives there.
There is one thing more which we desire may be observed. We shall note
in our lists the names and numbers of those taken in the service of
the King, distinguishing them from those taken in the merchants'
service; that, in the exchange to be made, you may give adequate
numbers of those taken in the service of the States, and of our
merchants. This will prevent any uneasiness among your navymen and
ours, if the seamen of merchantmen are exchanged before them. As it
will be very troublesome and expensive, as well as fatiguing to them,
to march our people from Brest to Calais, we may endeavor to get leave
for your ship to come to the road of Brest, to receive them there; or,
if that cannot be, we must desire from your Admiralty a passport for
the ship, that is to convey them from Brest to Calais. If you have any
of our people still prisoners on board your ships of war, we request
they may be put into the prisons, to take their chance of exchange
with the rest.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
TO JOHN PAUL JONES.
Passy, June 16th, 1778.
Sir,
Upon the receipt of this letter, you will forthwith make preparations,
with all possible despatch, for a voyage to America. Your own prudence
will naturally induce you to keep this your destination secret, lest
measures should be taken by the enemy to intercept you. If, in the
course of your passage home, opportunities should present of making
prizes, or of doing any material annoyance to the enemy, you are to
embrace them; and you are at liberty to go out of your way for so
desirable a purpose.
The fishery, at the banks of Newfoundland, is an important object, and
possibly the enemy's men of war may have other business than the
protection of it. Transports are constantly passing and repassing from
Rhode Island, New York and Philadelphia to Halifax, and from all these
places to England. You will naturally search for some of these as
prizes.
If the French government should send any despatches to you, or if you
should receive any from us, to carry to America, you will take the
best care of them, and especially that they may not fall into improper
hands. You are not, however, to wait for any despatches, but to
proceed upon your voyage as soon as you can get ready. If there is any
room on board your ship, where you could stow away a number of chests
of arms, or of clothing, for the use of the United States, you will
inform M. Schweighauser of it, that he may send them to you before
your departure. We do not mean to encumber you with a cargo, which
will obstruct the sailing of your ship, or will impede her fighting;
but if, consistent with her sailing and fighting, she can take any
quantity of arms or clothing, it will be a desirable object for the
public.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
York, 21st June, 1778.
Gentlemen,
The British Commissioners have arrived and transmitted their powers
and propositions to Congress, which have received the answer you will
find in the Pennsylvania Gazette of the 20th instant.
On the 18th of this month, General Clinton, with the British army,
(now under his command) abandoned Philadelphia, and the city is in
possession of our troops. The enemy crossed into Jersey, but whether
with design to push for South Amboy, or to embark below Billingsport,
on the Delaware, is yet uncertain. General Washington has put his army
in motion, and is following the enemy into Jersey.
There has arrived here a M. Holker, from France, who has presented a
paper to Congress, declaring that he comes with a verbal message to
Congress from the minister of France, touching our treating with Great
Britain, and some other particulars which, for want of his paper, we
cannot at present enumerate. The style of his paper is as if from the
representative of the Court, but he has no authentic voucher of his
mission for the delivery of this verbal message. We desire of you,
gentlemen, to give us the most exact information in your power
concerning the authenticity of M. Holker's mission for this purpose.
We are, gentlemen, with esteem and regard, &c.
RICHARD H. LEE,
THOMAS HAYWARD, JR.
JAMES LOVELL.
* * * * *
M. DE SARTINE TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Translation.
Versailles, 14th July, 1778.
Gentlemen,
Notwithstanding the precautions, which I have taken to supply the
inhabitants of the islands of St Pierre and Miquelon with provisions
for their subsistence, who, in their present circumstances, can
receive very small or no succors from the commerce with France, it may
happen that the intervention of one or more of the vessels sent to
those islands with provisions, may reduce the people to great
distress, and it will be too late to apply a remedy after the
knowledge of the event shall reach us. I have thought, that in case of
pressing necessity, we might count on supplies from the United States
of America, and have indicated the same to the administrators of the
islands of St Pierre and Miquelon. It will be highly agreeable to his
Majesty if you should concur in this opinion, and do what may be in
your power to procure such succors, by recommending to the United
States, and particularly to the government of Boston, to induce the
fitting out of expeditions to those isles, for the purpose of taking
provisions to the inhabitants, and supplying their wants.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DE SARTINE.
* * * * *
TO M. DE SARTINE.
Passy, July 16th, 1778.
Sir,
We have the honor of your Excellency's letter of the 14th instant. We
shall embrace the first opportunity of writing to Congress, and to the
government of the Massachusetts Bay, and enclosing copies of your
Excellency's letter to us, which we are persuaded will have the most
powerful influence with them to exert themselves, and to recommend to
their fellow citizens to engage in expeditions for the relief of the
inhabitants of St Pierre and Miquelon. There is not the smallest doubt
of their ability to supply the wants of their friends at those places,
provided the British men of war should be withdrawn from the Halifax
and Newfoundland station. But if there should remain as many ships of
war on those stations as there have been for the last two years, the
difficulty will be very great.
We have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a copy of a letter
just received from Mr Schweighauser, whereby your Excellency will see
the difficulties that still embarrass our frigates in relation to
their prizes. We entreat your Excellency's further attention to the
subject, that orders may be given for the relief of our officers and
men from these embarrassments.
We have the honor to request your Excellency's attention to another
subject, that of the British prisoners made by our frigates, the
Providence, the Boston, and the Ranger, and all others in future. As
it is necessary for these frigates, forthwith to proceed to sea, and
as we have some hopes of an exchange of prisoners in Europe, we
request your Excellency that we may have leave to confine them in your
prisons, to be maintained there at our expense, until exchanged or
sent by us to America, and that your Excellency would give the
necessary directions accordingly.
We have the honor to be, with respect, your Excellency's, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE COUNCIL OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
Passy, July 16, 1778.
May it please your Honors,
We have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter just received from M.
de Sartine, the minister of state for the marine of this kingdom, in
answer to which we have had the honor to assure his Excellency, that
we would embrace the first opportunity of communicating it to your
honors. We have not the smallest doubts of the good inclinations of
the people in America, to supply the necessities of their friends in
St Pierre and Miquelon, nor of the abilities of those in the northern
States to do it effectually, provided the British men of war are
withdrawn from the Halifax and Newfoundland stations, and perhaps it
may be done, notwithstanding the dangers of men of war. We hope,
however, it will be attempted. There is no doubt but a good price may
be obtained, at the same time that an acceptable act of friendship and
of humanity will be performed.
We have the honor to request, that this letter and its enclosure may
be laid before the General Court, and that such measures may be taken
as their wisdom shall dictate to the accomplishment of so desirable a
purpose.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Passy, July 17th, 1778.
Sir,
We herewith communicate to your Excellency a resolution of Congress,
relative to the treaties, which we request may be laid before the
King. Thereby his Majesty will perceive the unfeigned sentiments of
that body, as well as the whole American people, whose hearts the King
has gained, by his great benevolence towards them, manifested in
these treaties, which has made so deep an impression on their minds,
that no time will efface it.
We have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,
JOHN ADAMS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Passy, 20th July, 1778.
Sir,
We have the honor to inform Congress, that the Spy, Captain Nyles, has
arrived at Brest, and brought us a ratification of the treaties with
His Most Christian Majesty, which has given much satisfaction to this
Court and nation. On the 17th instant we had the honor of exchanging
ratifications with his Excellency the Count de Vergennes. The treaties
ratified, signed by his Majesty, and under the great seal of France,
are now in our possession, where, perhaps, considering the dangers of
enemies at sea, it will be safest to let them remain at present.
Copies of them we shall have the honor to transmit to Congress by this
opportunity.
War is not yet declared between France and England, by either nation,
but hostilities at sea have been already commenced by both, and as the
French fleet from Brest, under the command of the Count d'Orvilliers,
and the British fleet, under Admiral Keppel, are both at sea, we are
in hourly expectation of a rencontre between them. The Jamaica fleet,
the Windward Island fleet, and a small fleet from the Mediterranean,
have arrived at London, which has enabled them to obtain by means of a
violent impress, perhaps a thousand or fifteen hundred seamen, who
will man two or three ships more, in the whole making Admiral Keppel's
fleet somewhat nearer to an equality with the French. In the mean
time, the Spanish flotilla has arrived, but the councils of that Court
are kept in a secrecy so profound, that we presume not to say with
confidence what are her real intentions. We continue, however, to
receive from various quarters encouraging assurances, and from the
situation of the powers of Europe it seems highly probable, that Spain
will join France in case of war.
A war in Germany, between the Emperor and King of Prussia, seems to be
inevitable, and it is affirmed that the latter has marched his army
into Bohemia, so that we apprehend that America has at present nothing
to fear from Germany. We are doing all in our power to obtain a loan
of money, and have a prospect of procuring some in Amsterdam, but not
in such quantities as will be wanted. We are constrained to request
Congress to be as sparing as possible in their drafts upon us. The
drafts already made, together with the great expense arising from the
frigates which have been sent here, and the expenses of the
commissioners, the maintenance of your ministers for Vienna and
Tuscany, and of prisoners who have made their escape, and the amount
of clothes and munitions of war already sent to America, are such,
that we are under great apprehensions that our funds will not be
sufficient to answer the drafts, which we daily expect, for the
interest of loan office certificates, as well as those from Mr
Bingham.
We have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter from M. de Sartine,
the Minister of Marine, and to request the attention of Congress to
the subject of it.
We are told in several letters from the honorable Committee for
Foreign Affairs, that we shall receive instructions and authority for
giving up, on our part, the whole of the 11th article of the treaty,
proposing it as a condition to the Court of France, that they on their
part should give up the whole of the 12th. But unfortunately, these
instructions, and authority were omitted to be sent with the letters,
and we have not yet received them. At the time of the exchange of the
ratifications, we mentioned this subject to the Count de Vergennes,
and gave him an extract of the Committee's letter. His answer to us
was, that the alteration would be readily agreed to, and he ordered
his secretary not to register the ratification till it was done. We
therefore request that we may be honored with the instructions and
authority of Congress to set aside the two articles as soon as
possible, and while the subject is fresh in memory.
The letter to M. Dumas[51] is forwarded, and in answer to the
Committee's inquiry, what is proper for Congress to do for that
gentleman, we beg leave to say, that his extreme activity and
diligence in negotiating our affairs, and his punctuality in his
correspondence with Congress as well as with us, and his usefulness to
our cause in several other ways, not at present proper to be
explained, give him, in our opinion, a good title to two hundred
pounds sterling a year at least.