dine at that same house, said that I had been with him, and that I
told him I would go also to the other house the next day at eleven
o'clock. I went in fact, and was received _tete a tete_ with great
ceremony in the hall of audience. I opened briefly my business and
drew out a memoir to read to him. He told me that he could not hear me
without the order of his master. I read, notwithstanding, and he did
not stop his ears. I prayed him to receive and keep the memoir. He
refused, alleging continually that he could do nothing without orders.
I drew out then my originals and showed him my three signatures,
which he looked at eagerly. In separating, I asked him to keep my name
concealed at ----. He said to me that he would keep it secret
everywhere. He asked me, however, if that was my true name. I assured
him it was; he paid me some personal compliments, and we parted. I
learnt on the next day by another channel, that he had,
notwithstanding, given an account to his master of this visit; which
suffices me, for I have need, as you know, of only one of these good
houses. I am always very politely received, and as a friend. This is
all that I ask. I do not multiply too much my visits, but to render
them always desirable, I never appear there without having something
interesting to say; and to this end, the letters of my worthy
correspondent at London are very useful to me. This last has addressed
to me lately a person, whose conversation, joined to the contents of
the letter of which he was bearer, has served me in the composition of
a memoir which they approve, and I have reason to think they have
sent.
This person has induced me to write a letter to you, dated the 4th of
August, by way of Bordeaux to St Domingo, under an envelope of Mr
Caton, merchant at Port St Nicholas in that island, of which here is
an extract.
"A gentleman belonging to Jamaica, a particular friend of Dr Franklin,
and very well known to him, has charged me to write to him, to assure
him on good authority, of the singular esteem that he has for him and
his friends; that they ought to think, _and that he prays him to let
them know it_, that the present voice of Parliament is the voice of
the English people; that there exists, and gathers strength, _a great
body_, which, in truth, is not the strongest, but which regards the
cause of the Americans as its own, their safety and liberty as its
own, which will prefer to see them independent rather than subjugated,
and which will make, at the future meeting of Parliament, the greatest
efforts in their favor; that the basis of this party is already forty
Peers, and one hundred and sixty members of the Commons."
The letter which this gentleman brought me began thus; "This will be
delivered to you by Mr Ellis, a friend of Dr Franklin, of liberty, and
of America. He is a philosopher, very well instructed on the subject
of America, and, I trust, will be both an agreeable and useful
acquaintance while he remains near you." This assuring me, I
discovered to him that I was the man whom he was seeking, provided
with credentials and orders from Congress sufficient to do all the
good offices that his friends could wish to render. Thereupon I showed
him my credentials; he was satisfied with them, and we exchanged
addresses. He promised to write me; and we separated satisfied with
each other.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
FOOTNOTES:
[23] Meaning the person with whom he had the interview, mentioned in
the preceding letter, doubtless the French Ambassador.
* * * * *
ARTHUR LEE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
London, July 6th, 1776.
Dear Sir,
This will be delivered you by Mr Ellis, a friend of Dr Franklin, of
liberty, and of America. He is a philosopher, very well instructed on
the subject of America, and, I trust, will be both an agreeable and
useful acquaintance while he remains near you.
I thank you for your favor of the 21st of last month. By the last
advices from America, General Howe was prepared to sail for Halifax,
and, it is imagined, to land at New York, where he will certainly be
strongly opposed. He numbers ten thousand regulars, and it will be
fortunate for us, if he makes his attempt before he is joined by the
Germans, who sailed the 6th of May.
The Americans have taken post upon the river Richelieu and the lakes,
so that Montreal, not being tenable, is evacuated. General Lee is in
Virginia, with ten thousand men, expecting Lord Cornwallis and General
Clinton. General Washington commands at New York, and General Ward in
Boston.
The strange timidity _de la Cour Francaise_ requires great patience
and management; but I think it will at last be brought to act an
avowed and decided part. When that happens, _Angleterre_ must submit
to whatever terms they please to impose, for she is totally incapable
of sustaining a war with France.
Adieu,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, July 26th, 1776.
Sir,
The enclosed letter from Dr Franklin will hint at my business in this
city, where I arrived the 7th instant, and I should have sent forward
this earlier, had I not had hopes of having the honor of presenting it
to you in person. This I now find I cannot expect, without delaying it
beyond all bounds. I therefore forward it by the common conveyance,
and inform you that my address in this city is to Messrs Germany,
Guardot & Co. bankers; that I shall tarry here till the last of
August, when I propose going to Dunkirk, thence to Amsterdam and
Hamburg, in which journey I hope for the pleasure of seeing you. In
the meantime, I shall be happy in a correspondence with you on the
subject of the dispute between the United Colonies and Great Britain,
or any other that shall be agreeable to you; and I wish to be informed
if I shall be in danger of any disagreeable treatment in my journey
through Holland, in a private capacity, though it should be known that
I was in the service of the United Colonies. It has been suggested to
me, that I might meet with some interruption or difficulties from the
friends of the British Ministry, which occasions my making this
inquiry.
I have the honor to be, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
_P. S._ I read and understand the French language tolerably well,
though I am unable to write it.
* * * * *
ARTHUR LEE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
London, August 13th, 1776.
Dear Sir,
I answered your last letter immediately. I now enclose you several
pamphlets, which contain such an authentic state of facts, and such
arguments on the American question, as will enable its advocates with
you to maintain their ground against the pensioner of this Court. I
beg particularly, that you will send some of them to the gentleman who
has answered Pinto, the pensioner of this Court.
The pamphlet entitled the _Rights of Great Britain_, &c. is full of
the grossest falsehoods. A very material one is exposed by the
enclosed extracts from the acts of Parliament, granting bounties upon
American produce, which proves by their own words, that those bounties
were given for their own interests only. Yet that pamphlet has given a
long list of the amount of those bounties, and charged it to the
Colonies. The fact is, as Dr Smith, a Scotchman, and an enemy to
American rights, has stated it, in his late labored and long expected
book on the Wealth of Nations. "Whatever expense," says he "Great
Britain has hitherto laid out in maintaining this dependency, has
really been laid out in order to support their monopoly." Speaking of
the debt incurred last war, he says,--"This whole expense is, in
reality, a bounty, which has been given in order to support a
monopoly. The pretended purpose of it was to encourage the
manufactures, and to increase the commerce of Great Britain." The
operation of this monopoly against the Colony he states thus,--"The
monopoly of the Colony trade, therefore, like all the other mean and
malignant expedients of the mercantile system, depresses the industry
of all other countries, but _chiefly that of the Colonies_."
When you write to the Congress it would be well, I think, to mention
that as all the evils have been produced by Scotch counsel, and those
people prosecute the business with more rancor and enmity, a
distinction ought to be made between the treatment of them and other
people, when made prisoners.
We expect every day some decisive news from New York. The last gazette
gives us no reason to fear anything but the chance of war, against
which no prudence can provide. We have certain intelligence from
Canada, that it will be the last of August before the boats will be
ready upon Lake Champlain for the Ministerial army; so that there is
no possibility of their joining Howe. They are putting eleven ships
of the line in commission, here, which is kept very secret, or it
would shake the stocks exceedingly.
Adieu,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, August 18th, 1776.
Sir,
Your favor of the 8th, and one earlier, but without a date, are before
me, and I return you my thanks for the attention paid to mine, and
more especially for the good opinion you entertain of my countrymen,
and your tenders of service. The business before me is of such a
nature, that I must be detained some time in this city. If I take a
journey to Holland, it will be my choice to make it as a private
gentleman; as such I am in Paris, and that character I shall keep,
unless obliged to alter it. Parade and pomp have no charms in the eyes
of a patriot, or even a man of common good sense; but at the same
time, I can never submit to the changing of my name, unless I am
convinced that so humiliating a step will promote the service of my
country. I can pass unnoticed under that name, as well as any other,
whilst I conduct in every other step as a private gentleman. I have
now but little hopes of being in Holland till October, before which,
such intelligence may arrive from America, as may alter my present
designs.
The declaration of independency, made by the United Colonies, is
announced in the English papers, but I have received no despatches on
the event, though I am in daily expectation of them. You ask me two
questions in your first letter; to the former, I answer at once
affirmatively, that I have a certain prospect of succeeding in my
business; but as to the latter, or second query, I cannot so readily
reply, for I know not how far the knowledge of me and my concerns may
have extended. I am here as a private merchant, and appear as such,
whatever suspicion may circulate. As such, I can travel, I trust, in
your country, which I most ardently wish to see, and the more so on
account of the kind, simple, and engaging invitation you have given
me. It really affected me, and brought instantaneously to view those
happy and peaceful scenes of domestic felicity, to which I am at
present a stranger. You have all I can give you, a grateful
acknowledgment of your kindness, and depend that I will in person
acknowledge it on my first arrival in Holland.
It is the policy of the United Provinces of Holland to be neuter to
every attention. The United Colonies only wish them to keep steady to
their only true system of policy in the present case; and give me
leave to say, that a reflection on their former struggles must show
them in what point of light the Americans are to be considered. The
United Colonies ask no aid or alliances. Let Britain court every, even
the most petty and mercenary power in Europe, the United Colonies only
ask for what nature surely entitles all men to, a free and
uninterrupted commerce and exchange of the superfluities of one
country for those of another; and the first power in Europe, which
takes advantage of the present favorable occasion, must exceed every
other in commerce.
But I am rambling. I pray to know in your next letter, what sums are
due to Holland from the government of England. Whether the King of
Prussia is wholly inattentive to the present proceedings, and on
which side his wishes are. _Omnia tentanda._ I really hope to be at
the Hague in October, and promise myself great pleasure in seeing you
and your lady, to whom, though otherwise unknown, since you have
introduced me, you cannot refuse presenting my best respects.
I am, with great esteem, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
WILLIAM LEE TO C. F. W. DUMAS.
London, September 10th, 1776.
Sir,
The 27th ult. and the 7th instant, in the absence of my brother,
Arthur Lee, your two letters for him came safe to my hands. My brother
is now on the continent, and perhaps may write to you from where he
is. The declaration of independence on the part of America, has
totally changed the nature of the contest between that country and
Great Britain. It is now on the part of Great Britain a scheme of
conquest, which few imagine can succeed. Independence is universally
adopted by every individual in the Thirteen United States, and it has
altered the face of things here. The tories, and particularly the
Scotch, hang their heads and keep a profound silence on the subject;
the whigs do not say much, but rather seem to think the step a wise
one, on the part of America, and what was an inevitable consequence of
the measures taken by the British Ministry. In short every one wants
to form his judgment by the event of the present campaign, as
something decisive is expected to happen from the arrangements under
General and Lord Howe, and General Carleton, before the meeting of
Parliament, which will be the 24th of October.
In the meantime every effort is made to prevent France from taking any
open or even private part with America, for which purpose Mr Stanley,
Mr Jenkinson, one of the Lords of the Treasury, and confidential
friend of Lord Bute, and of the Solicitor-General, Mr Wedderburne,
have been at Paris some time to aid the negotiations of the British
Minister, Lord Stormont. As far as money will answer their purpose, it
will not be spared. The French are generally acute enough in observing
what is for their interest, but most people here are at a loss to
conceive what plan they have in view, as they have not hitherto, as we
know of, taken any part with America.
The public papers will tell you all the material news we have from
America, but in general it is supposed the Americans will stand
greatly in want of arms, ammunition, and artillery, to oppose such a
force as is sent against them, and it is evident they have not
experienced officers sufficient to manage such extensive operations as
they have in hand. Should you have occasion to write to me, you may
address, under cover, as you do to my brother.
I am, with esteem, Sir, &c.
WILLIAM LEE.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, September 11th, 1776.
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 29th ultimo, of the
2d, 5th and 7th of this month, and at the same time to make my excuses
for not answering them earlier; which was owing to my hurry of
business, in part, and part to my hopes of being able to send you
something agreeable from America, when I should next write you.
Forgive therefore this seeming inattention, and accept my warmest
thanks for the kind sentiments, which you and your good lady entertain
for me and my country. The cause of the Americans is the cause of
mankind in general, and naturally interests the generous and the good
in every part of the world.
The measures you took before my arrival, respecting this Court, were
perfectly right, and you may rely on my secrecy as to your concerns.
Our commerce is now on as good a footing in this kingdom and in Spain,
as the commerce of any other nation; and I trust will very soon have
an important preference. When I said in a former letter we wanted only
a friendly intercourse by way of commerce, I had not the vanity to
suppose the actual assistance of European powers was not an object
deserving attention; but I must say seriously, that if the American
commerce can be established with the trading powers of Europe, and if
those powers of Europe would protect that commerce, it would be all
the assistance necessary; and the Colonies by land would be more than
equal to anything Great Britain could bring against them. You are
entirely right in saying, that the House of Bourbon are the allies we
should first and principally court. France is at the head of this
House, and therefore what is done here is sure to be done by the
whole. This, therefore, requires my whole attention, and I can only
say to you, my prospects are nowise discouraging.
As to the King of Prussia, I will in my next explain more fully my
meaning, and at the same time send to you a state of the United
Colonies, of their commerce, of their present contest, with some
thoughts or observations on the manner in which Europe must be
affected, and what part they ought to take in the present important
crisis. My name and business have long since been known to the British
Ambassador here, and to the Court of London; and they have
remonstrated, but finding remonstrances to no purpose, they have
wisely determined to take no notice of me, as I do not appear as yet
in a public character.
Let me ask of you, if a workman skilful in the founding of brass and
iron cannon can be engaged in Holland to go to America? Also, if I can
engage two or three persons of approved skill in lead mines, to go to
America on good engagement. Your answer will oblige me, and by the
next post I will write you more particularly. The British arms will
not, probably, effect anything in America this season, as they had not
begun to act the 8th of August, and that brings winter to the very
door, as I may say, and an indecisive campaign must prove to Great
Britain a fatal one.
I am, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
ARTHUR LEE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
London, September 23d, 1776.
Dear Sir,
My absence from town till now prevented my answering your two last
favors of September 3d.
By our latest and best accounts from America the die is now cast, and
we may every day expect to hear of a decisive action at New York;
decisive I mean as to the fate of General Howe and New York, but not
of America, which depends very little upon the event of New York being
taken or saved.
There is a public torpor here, which, without being superstitious, one
may regard as a visitation from heaven. The people in general think
the declaration of independence as a thing of course, and do not seem
to feel themselves at all interested in the vast consequences, which
that event must inevitably draw after it. The Ministry have by certain
manoeuvres contrived to keep up the demand for, and price of
manufactures; and while trade and manufactures apparently prosper, the
people are so deaf, that wisdom may cry out in the streets and not be
heard. But the course of the seasons is not more fixed, than it is
certain that these ministerial arts must be temporary in their
operation and fatal in their issue; because the more men are
flattered, the more desperate they are when the calamity comes upon
them. Already the West India Islands begin to cry out, as you will
have seen in the address from the Island of Barbadoes. The great
number of captures lately made of West India ships by the Americans,
have already had very visible effects upon the Royal Exchange. Holland
taking the alarm, which the least movement on the part of France would
produce, must shake our stocks to the foundation, and give an equal
shock to a deluded prince and a deluded people.
The characters you desire me to touch upon are such as seldom occur in
the same period. Lord Sandwich has been noted through a long life for
everything in word and deed, directly opposite to honesty and virtue.
With moderate abilities, and little real application, he maintains an
appearance of both by impositions and professions, which at a time so
averse to inquiry as the present pass for facts. Lord George Germain,
though cradled in England, has all the principles of a Scotchman;
subtle, proud, tyrannical, and false. In consequence of his
patronising the Scots, they have always been his panegyrists and his
advocates, and as they are a people indefatigable in all interested
pursuits, they have procured him a character for ability, which he
very little deserves. Dissimulation and craft in worldly occurrences
too often pass for real wisdom; and, in that sense, Lord George is a
wise man. Such a man could not long pass unnoticed and unpatronised by
a Court, which searches with Lyncean eyes for the basest hearts, and
is actuated by Scotch principles and Scotch counsels. Lord Suffolk is
a peer of sullen pride and arbitrary principles. He listed in the
public cause with Mr Wedderburne, under the banner of George
Grenville; and while his life gave the hope of success in getting
preferment, they were the loudest in opposition; but immediately upon
his death, they made their terms, and have been ever since the most
devoted tools of the Court. Lord Suffolk recommends himself very much
to the King, by an indefatigable attention to the little detail
business of his department, and an obsequiousness that knows no
bounds. Lord Rochford is by birth a tory, and is linked with Lord
Mansfield; but his fears have made him withdraw himself upon an ample
pension, for he is persuaded, that France will soon strike a blow,
which will endanger the heads of those who conduct these measures.
I have been apprized by Hortalez, that the business for which I
recommended him to you is to be transacted through France, which is
the reason of your not seeing him.
I do not conceive you need be under any alarm about intercepted
letters, as the Ministry have too much upon their thoughts, and too
many more immediately dangerous and known opponents at home, to suffer
them to look abroad for victims. Their success must be certain and
decisive before they will venture to attack the friends of America in
Europe, and provoke retaliation. I flatter myself with being as much
within the eye of their enmity as any man can be. But I think that the
enmity of bad men is the most desirable testimony of virtuous merit.
Adieu,
ARTHUR LEE.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE.
September 30th, 1776.
Gentlemen,
After having sent to your correspondent at St Eustatia, whose address
you gave me in your letter of the 12th of December, 1775, my third
letter of which you have here annexed a large extract, I commence my
fourth despatch.
M. Hortalez, of whom Mr Arthur Lee spoke in two of his letters, has
not yet appeared; nor have I received the letter that you say you have
written to me between that of the 12th of December, 1775, and that of
the 2d of March, 1776. The non-appearance of this gentleman, and of
the letter here referred to, disquiets me somewhat, not only because
all that comes to me from you, Gentlemen, and from your friends, is
dear and precious to me, but also, and above all, because I fear that
the service of the general Congress may suffer by it.
The bearer of your letter of the 2d of March, (Silas Deane) arrived at
Paris the 7th of July, whence he sent it to me with one of his own,
dated the 26th. I have another from him of the 18th of August, in
which he remarks to me, "that he has a certain prospect of succeeding
in his business." He proposes also to visit Holland.
I have before told you, that the letters I received had contributed
much to render my visits, my letters, and memoirs agreeable in a
certain quarter. This will be seen from the following note, which I
received a short time since, dated August 26th. After having spoken to
me of a service, which he had consented to render me in his country,
where I had some affairs to settle, and which we had agreed upon as a
pretext to mark our interviews, the writer thus proceeds; "Madame ----
has taken the trouble to send me your letters, and I beg you to send
me by her all interesting particulars, including the narration of the
person whom you expect, (Silas Deane.) I pray you to send me all that
you have received since your last letter. I receive packets from all
quarters; it pertains to my office. So I shall receive with gratitude
whatever you may have the goodness to send me."
I have sent to him open, with a flying seal, the letter that I wrote
you by St Domingo. We agreed on this verbally, and he promised me to
send it to Bordeaux well recommended. I have cause to think that this
letter has been forwarded and pleased certain persons, on whose
account I had expressed, at the close of the letter, that when by
legislation and a wise constitution you shall have crowned the work of
your liberty, I shall die content with having seen a great King and a
great Republic sincerely wish the good of the people.
I received some days ago another letter from Mr Deane, dated at Paris,
14th of September. All the letters that I have received from him, as
well from you, are precious to me, and this one doubly so, since
besides the kind expressions with which it is filled, my zeal for
your cause is recompensed by the testimony that I have well served it.