because I think your service requires that I remain yet some time
unknown, at least until Mr Deane arrives here, for then I shall be
known everywhere for the most zealous American in all the Republic,
and it will be my pride. All that can come of it will be the loss of
my present post; but in this case I am sure that Congress will
indemnify me by a subsistence suitable for me and mine, seeing that I
shall be able to continue useful to them as much and even more than in
time past, because I shall not be encumbered with other duties, and
all my faculties will be employed in the service of America. I have
been much mortified in not being at liberty, as I have expressed to Mr
Deane. I should have flown to Paris to assist him, at least by the
knowledge I have of many European languages.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
FOOTNOTES:
[24] M. Dumas usually signed his despatches with a fictitious name.
* * * * *
B. FRANKLIN TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Philadelphia, October 1st, 1776.
Sir,
I have just time to acknowledge the receipt of your two packets, with
the pamphlets enclosed, the contents of which are very satisfactory.
You will hear from me more fully in a little time.
With great esteem, I am, Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
_P. S._ We have a great force brought against us here, but continue
firm.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, October 3d, 1776.
Dear Sir,
Since my last, in which I mentioned the King of Prussia, I have
obtained a method of sounding that monarch's sentiments more directly
through another channel, which voluntarily offering, I have accepted,
and therefore waive writing on the subject for the present anything,
save that you may undoubtedly serve the United States of America most
essentially in this affair in a few weeks from this. The attention to
my business here, which is not merely political, but partly
commercial, the critical situation of affairs at this Court, and the
anxious suspense for the events at New York and Canada have actually
fixed me here, and the having received no intelligence for some time
past has well nigh distracted me. I have, however, favorable
prospects, and the most confirmed hopes of effecting my views in
Europe. I am too much engaged to say more in this, and will be more
particular in my next.
I am, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, October 6th, 1776.
Sir,
Yours of the 1st instant I received, and observe by the contents, that
Mr Lee is returned to London. I have not seen Mr Ellis. In answer to
your queries; first, a reconciliation between Great Britain and the
United States of America is improbable ever to take place; it is
absolutely impossible, until after the sitting of Parliament.
Secondly, Admiral Howe joined his brother early in August, and sent on
shore to General Washington a letter, which was returned unopened, as
no title was given to General Washington; a second was sent, and met
the same fate. The Congress justified the General in his conduct, and
ordered him to receive no letters, except they were directed to him
with his proper title. Lord Howe sent to the Governors of several
Colonies his proclamation, which, by the army and people of New York,
was treated with contempt and ridicule.
Thus matters continued until the 20th of August, when General Howe had
collected his whole force, and was preparing to attack New York. On
the other side, all the eminences and advantageous posts near the city
were secured and fortified, and the Americans strongly entrenched on
them; the city of New York fortified with batteries next to the water,
and all the principal streets with barriers across them, and, at the
same time, the houses filled with combustibles ready to be set on
fire, should the city be found tenable. The two men-of-war, which had
passed up the river above the city, were returned terribly damaged by
attacking a battery. This, in a word, was the state of affairs in New
York on the 20th of August, from which important news may be expected
every hour.
Thirdly, I know what Dr Franklin's sentiments were when I left
America, and that nothing but a miracle could convert him to wish for
an accommodation on other terms, than the independence of the
Colonies. Depend upon it, my good friend, the Ministry of Great
Britain labor incessantly to propagate stories of an accommodation,
for it is well known, that they despair of reducing the Colonies by
arms this campaign; at the close of which, the national debt will
amount to nearly L150,000,000 sterling, part of which will remain
unfunded; and where are their resources for supporting the next
campaign? He that can discover the philosopher's stone can answer.
To your fourth query, you will excuse my answering more, than that
your conjecture is not far out of the way. My letter will inform you
why I must still delay sending what I promised you the 14th ultimo. In
the meantime, Sir, you may add to indigo and rice, tobacco, logwood,
redwood, sugar, coffee, cotton, and other West India produce, which
pass through the hands of the North Americans, in payment for their
supplies to the West India Islands, which cannot exist without their
produce. Also, in course of trade, spermaceti oil and salt-fish may be
supplied to Prussia and Germany as cheap, or cheaper from the
Colonies, than from Holland and Germany. The United Colonies exported
to Europe chiefly, indeed, to Great Britain, fish-oil, whalebone,
spermaceti, furs, and peltry of every kind, masts, spars, and timber,
pot and pearl ashes, flax-seed, beef, pork, butter and cheese, horses
and oxen; to the West Indies chiefly, wheat-flour, bread, rye, Indian
corn, lumber, tobacco, iron, naval stores, beeswax, rice, and indigo,
&c. &c. to the amount of more than L4,000,000 sterling annually, and
for some years past, and received the pay in European manufactures;
and when I remind you that the inhabitants of that country double
their number every twenty years, and inform you that this exportation
has increased for the last century in the same ratio, you will be able
to form some idea of this commerce, and of how much importance it is
to Europe. I hope, by the coming post, to send you some favorable
news from America, and I may not add to this without missing the post.
I am, with the most sincere esteem, dear Sir, your most obedient
servant,
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, October 9th, 1776.
Sir,
I wrote you by last post. This comes by Mr Carmichael, a gentleman of
Maryland, in America, who has for some time lived with, and assisted
me in my business. You can have the fullest confidence in him, and as
he knows I place the most absolute in you, it would be trifling to
swell a letter with news or observations, of both which he can _viva
voce_ satisfy you. He will communicate to you his business in Holland,
and I am sure you will assist him to the utmost of your power. He can
tell you what an anxious and laborious life I lead here; and, what
adds to my misfortune, how impossible it is, in the present critical
situation of affairs, for me to quit this post for a single day; much
more it is as yet impossible for me to leave long enough to visit you
in Holland, which having long promised to myself, and anticipated with
pleasure, the disappointment greatly chagrins me. To have so kind and
hospitable, and, at the same time, so judicious and safe a friend,
inviting me to what must at once yield me the purest pleasure and the
most solid advantage, viz. an interview, and not to be able to profit
by it at once, is a misfortune I feel most sensibly.
Mr Carmichael can give you the best intelligence of our present
affairs in America, and his observations and inferences will be from
the best grounds, and made with precision and judgment. My most
grateful and respectful acknowledgments to your lady, whom I yet may
have the honor of waiting on in the course of a month.
I have the honor to be, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, October 13th, 1776.
Sir,
Before the receipt of this, you will have seen Mr Carmichael, to whom
I refer you on many subjects. Yours of the 8th I received since his
departure, and have only to ask of you to procure the proper
testimonials of this very extraordinary and cruel proceeding at H----,
respecting Mr Shoemaker, a family of which name I knew in
Philadelphia. These testimonials will be a proper ground to go upon in
demanding satisfaction, which I do not think, however, had best be
asked, until the independence of the Colonies has been formally
announced; and proper powers for this step have been delayed
strangely, or, perhaps, interrupted. Your zeal in this cause reflects
honor on your private, as well as public sentiments of justice and
rectitude, and I will transmit to the honorable Congress of the United
States in my first letters a copy of your memoir. I am still without
intelligence of any kind from America, save that on the 20th of August
a battle was hourly expected at New York. No prospect of
reconciliation. The British forces in Canada are not likely to effect
anything this season; and, consequently, all hopes in England rest on
the event of a single action at New York, which the public are made
to believe will prove decisive; and so it may, if the fate of the day
should be for us, and the enemy have no retreat or resources in
America; but by no means decisive if it incline the other way. I
trouble you with the enclosed for Mr Carmichael.
I am, with great respect, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Amsterdam, October 22d, 1776.
Sir,
I enclose a letter, which I expected to deliver ere this in person. I
arrived here last Friday, and had so many inquiries to make to gratify
Mr Deane's curiosity, that it has not been in my power to attend to
you so soon as I could wish. For fear that I should not be able to
leave this tomorrow, to do myself the honor of waiting upon you, I
have sent this letter. When I come to the Hague, I shall put up at the
_Hotel de Turenne_, where you will do me much pleasure to leave your
address particularly. The knowledge I have had of you for many months
by Mr Deane and others, makes me regret every moment that delays me
here, and denies me the pleasure of assuring you in person, how much I
am, what every true American is,
Your very humble servant,
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.
* * * * *
COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Philadelphia, October 24th, 1776.
Sir,
Our worthy friend, Dr Franklin, being indefatigable in the labor of
his country, and few men so qualified to be useful to the community of
which he is a member, you will not be surprised that the unanimous
voice of the congress of delegates from the United States of America
has called upon him to visit the Court of France, in the character of
one of their Commissioners for negotiating a treaty of alliance, &c.
with that nation. He is the bearer of this letter, and on his arrival
will forward it. To him we refer you for information as to the
political state of this country; our design in addressing you at this
time being only to continue that correspondence, which he has opened
and conducted hitherto on our behalf.
We request to hear from you frequently; and if you make use of the
cypher, the Doctor has communicated the knowledge of it to one of our
members. Your letters, via St Eustatia, directed to the Committee of
Secret Correspondence, then put under a cover to Mr Robert Morris,
merchant, Philadelphia, and that letter covered to Mr Cornelius
Stevenson, or Mr Henricus Godet, merchants at St Eustatia, or under
cover to Mr Isaac Gouveneur, merchant at Curracoa, will certainly come
safe, and if you can send with them regular supplies of the English
and other newspapers, you will add to the obligation. The expense of
procuring them shall be reimbursed, together with any other charges,
and a reasonable allowance for your time and trouble in this agency.
The members of this committee, styled the Committee of Secret
Correspondence, are John Jay, Thomas G. Johnson, Robert Morris,
Richard Henry Lee, William Hooper, and John Witherspoon; and as
vacancies happen by death or absence, the Congress fill them up with
new members, which we mention for your information, and with great
respect and esteem remain, Sir, your most obedient, humble servants,
ROBERT MORRIS,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
JOHN WITHERSPOON,
WILLIAM HOOPER.
* * * * *
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Amsterdam, October 27th, 1776.
Dear Sir,
You owe to my forgetfulness what ought only to proceed from my
respect, yet I will not quarrel with anything that gives me an
opportunity of writing to you.
I left the Memoir on Commerce in your hands, and it is necessary I
should have it as soon as possible. I send you _Common Sense_, but you
must look on my presents as _Indian_ ones, for I, like they, expect
much larger in return; as much as you please, and I am sure you can
spare a great deal of what I send you. My present is only the rough
material of America, your returns will be elegant and superb
manufactures of Europe.
The English mail is not arrived. I have a very angry letter from Mr
William Lee on the subject I mentioned to you, respecting Dr B. I am
happy to know that I acted for the public good, and that, without
partiality to any person, will, I hope, always be the rule of my
conduct.
I am, &c.
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.
* * * * *
ARTHUR LEE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
London, November 15th, 1776.
Dear Sir,
The indispensable business of my profession has hitherto prevented me
from complying, as I wished, with the desire of your very obliging
favors.
You will have seen, by the proceedings of Parliament, how decided the
King is in prosecuting the American war. For, in truth, he alone is
Minister, and his will governs with absolute sway. At the same time
the powers which he has given to Lord Howe appear, from his
declaration in America, to be most ample. That, however, I rather
attribute to what is deemed the art of government, than to any pacific
or redressing intention. We can never forget the perfidy of making
Lord Botetourt declare to the assembly, that the revenue acts should
be repealed, when in fact no such thing was intended or done; and the
Secretary of State being ordered to tell the agents of Congress, that
his Majesty had received their petition very graciously, and from the
importance of it would lay it before his two Houses of Parliament,
when, at the same time, the same Secretary wrote, by his Majesty's
commands, to all the governors of America, denominating that very
Congress an illegal meeting, their grievances pretended, and ordering
them to prevent their meeting again. These facts are too decisive to
leave a doubt of the credit that is due to the promises of this Court,
and, at this very time, they are abusing the Howes for negotiating;
the language of Court being, "we sent them to use their hands, and
they are employing their heads."
The Rockingham part of the opposition are determined upon seceding
from Parliament, in which Lord Shelburne, Lord Camden, and the Duke of
Grafton refuse to accompany them for two reasons; 1st, because the
feelings of the public are not high enough for so decisive a measure;
and, 2dly, because the others will not agree to make the great
fundamental abuse of the constitution, as well as the temporary
misconduct of government, the groundwork of that secession. In a word,
because they will not declare, that the object of the measure is to
obtain the abolition of corruption, and not merely the change of those
who minister it. This schism will, however, reduce opposition so as to
leave the Court at perfect ease from that quarter.
I thank you for the magnanimity of your sentiments towards our
friends, on the supposition that the late occurrences are events of
consequence. I am by no means of that opinion. After the affair of
Long Island, the loss of New York was inevitable; but is not the
successful army still faced and kept at bay, by that over which it is
supposed to have obtained, these decisive advantages? Could any one
expect more from a new raised army, than that it should face the
disciplined invaders, almost equal in numbers, and much superior in
equipments, to win its way by inches. Where, then, is the ground for
despair, when our friends are looking the enemy in the face, and he
does not dare to attack them? Of two things, Sir, you may be
satisfied, that the advantage on Long Island was obtained neither by
the superiority of the troops nor of the General, but by his having
bribed the officer who commanded the first pass,[25] who giving up his
post, without suffering a gun to be fired, enabled Clinton to march in
the night and take the left wing of the Americans, so as to put them
between two fires, from much superior numbers, with an immense train
of artillery. The other fact is, that the officer who brought the last
despatches declares, that the American lines upon New York island
cannot be forced, but with a certainty of so much loss as cannot be
hazarded. General Howe will therefore try his former art of treachery
and corruption, from which alone I am satisfied we have anything to
fear.
The talk of the Congress having sent Deputies to Staten Island, to
negotiate with Lord Howe is not, that I know of, authenticated.
Adieu,
ARTHUR LEE.
FOOTNOTES:
[25] This wants proof before it can be adopted as a historical fact.
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Without date.
Dear Sir,
I am still indebted to you for your favors of the 29th ultimo, and the
15th instant, to which I should earlier have replied, but for a slight
indisposition, and much chagrin at some unfavorable news. However, I
am recovering in health, with which my spirits return, and I keep ever
in my mind the motto _de republica nil desperandum_. I counted the
cost when I entered the lists, and balanced private fortune, ease,
leisure, the sweets of domestic society, and life itself in vain,
against the liberties of my country; the latter instantly
predominated, and I have nothing to complain of, though much to grieve
at, occasioned by the miscarriage or delay of my full powers for open
and public application. I sent you a memoir on American commerce, and
wish to know your sentiments on that subject. The vessel detained at
Bilboa has been dismissed, and the commissary reprimanded for her
detention, and ordered to lend the Captain every assistance he needed.
This is a great point gained. I must suspend saying anything on the
proposals of officers for entering the service of the American States,
as also anything further on the other artists I wrote about, until I
receive intelligence, which I hourly have long expected, and which I
think cannot possibly be far off, as I despatched a vessel early in
September, express, with an account of my situation, and that of
affairs here; besides, a war is evidently at hand here in Europe.
Mr Carmichael warmly described the kind reception you gave him, and
your zeal for the interest of the United States, and friendship for
me, which he might have spared, as every one of your letters
demonstrates the sincerity and disinterestedness of your friendship,
as well for my country as for myself; and as you value your being the
first Plenipotentiary of the American States, I equally value myself
on your friendship and correspondence in the part I have the honor of
acting with you in this important scene, and am happy to think, that
to the present or coming actors in, or spectators of, the foundation
and rise of this State in a new world, our correspondence will show
that our sentiments ever coincided. Be not discouraged, my dear
friend, America must come off in the end triumphant, and under new and
unprecedented laws, liberty, and commerce, be the happy asylum for the
sons of men in future ages. Whatsoever disappointments I may meet
with, I never will despair of my country, for which I shall count it
my glory to suffer all things, if it receive any advantage therefrom,
and if not, I shall at least enjoy the pleasure, the unalienable
pleasure, resulting from a consciousness of having done all in my
power for its happiness, and connectedly for the happiness of mankind
in general.
The temper of the times is in favor of America, and it is now as fresh
and striking an object to Europe as when first discovered and called
the new world. It is among my principal mortifications, that I cannot
have a few days at least personal conversation with you; but the
situation of affairs here will not allow of a moment's absence, which
Mr Carmichael, I doubt not, explained to you. With persons in public
or private, who are friendly, yet equally apprehensive of
consequences, willing to aid, yet timid, and at the same time not well
acquainted and informed, the task you are sensible is as laborious as
delicate, and at a time when events bear down arguments, one cannot be
released a moment from the closest attention to everything rising real
or imaginary. Your lady's kind preparations for me, Mr Carmichael most
affectionately mentioned, and I will, life permitting, the moment I
can quit Paris, in person acknowledge, as far as words are capable of
expressing, how sensible I am of this more than hospitable kindness,
since to provide for and receive the stranger on arrival is the duty
of hospitality, but here is a work of supererogation, and though no
Roman Catholic myself, yet so catholic as not the less to love and
esteem generous actions on all occasions. My most respectful and
affectionate regards, with my ardent wishes for your mutual felicity,
attend you.
I am, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
_P. S._ Pray for what sum per annum can a young man be educated at
Leyden, adhering to the strictest economy?
* * * * *
SILAS DEANE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, December 13th, 1776.
Dear Sir,
I am indebted for two letters, and the same cause of my neglect, viz.
a hurry of business still subsisting, I cannot make amends by a long
letter in this, but the substance will be agreeable, which is, that Dr
Franklin is arrived at Nantes, and I expect him at Paris tomorrow. He
left Philadelphia the last of October, and everything was favorable in
America. On his passage the ship he was in made two prizes on this
coast. I received a letter from my venerable friend on his landing,
who was in high spirits and good health. Here is the hero, and
philosopher, and patriot, all united in this celebrated American, who,
at the age of seventyfour, risks all dangers for his country. I know
your heart rejoices with me on this occasion.
I am, with respect, &c.
SILAS DEANE.
* * * * *
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Havre, January 21st, 1777.
Dear Sir,
Were I to acknowledge the receipt of all the letters you mention
having written, it would be necessary to apologise for my silence;
this I fear would require a detail long enough to need still another
apology, which would be making it a labor _ad infinitum_. I shall,
therefore, only say, that from the heart of Germany, I am now on the
borders of the Atlantic, and that I have been on the gallop ever since
I parted with you at Leyden. No Saint in the calendar ever ran
through countries with more zeal to gain inhabitants for heaven, than
I have to do miracles on earth. But unfortunately it is not an age for
miracles. I am at present here to botch up a piece of work, which was
originally well imagined but badly executed.
You will no doubt have our Paris news from the prophet, who draws down
fire from heaven. I shall, therefore, only give you my comment on the
text, which is, that France has done too much and much too little. Too
much, since she alarmed England, and made that country put itself in a
better posture of defence than before; or at least, strengthened the
hands of her Ministers for that purpose; much too little, because,
depending even on that little, we looked not out elsewhere in time.
I am, &c.
WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.
* * * * *
ARTHUR LEE TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Paris, January 26th, 1777.
Dear Sir,
My having quitted London some time since to join my colleagues here,
is the reason you did not hear from me, as you complain in your last
letter to Mr Deane. As I am soon to leave this place for one very
remote,[26] I am afraid this will be the last letter I shall have the
honor of writing to you.