treaty of commerce, which was signed here a few days ago. This treaty
has not been much altered from the one agreed upon by Congress, in
September, 1776, and transmitted to the Commissioners to be proposed
to the Court of France. The principal alteration is that respecting
molasses. The 12th article in the original treaty requires, that “no
duty shall be imposed on the exportation of molasses from any of the
Islands of The Most Christian King, in the West Indies, to any of
the United States.” When this proposition was made to the French
Ministry, it was objected, that this would be laying the king under
a disagreeable restraint, and would be in fact making him not master
in his own dominions; but that the States might be perfectly easy on
that point, as it was inconsistent with the policy of France ever to
lay a duty on molasses. One of the Commissioners still discovered a
great inclination to have the article inserted in the treaty, and the
Ministry believing from this circumstance, that Congress had made a
point of it, thought it a good opportunity to secure an exemption of
all duty upon tobacco exported to every part of the French dominions,
and proposed it as an equivalent. The Commissioners objected to any
particular article being selected, lest it might be complained of as
a partiality, and offered to exempt from duty not only tobacco but
every other production of the United States, that should be exported
to the West Indies, provided molasses should be exempted from duty.
This was so advantageous a proposal, that it was immediately accepted
by them.
While this matter was depending, it appeared to me, that a very
disadvantageous bargain was about to be made on our part, and I did
every thing in my power to prevent it. Mr Lee, and his brother, who
is Commissioner for the Court of Vienna, agreed with me perfectly
in opinion. The execution of the treaty being left entirely to the
Commissioners at this Court, neither Mr William Lee nor I had any
vote in the business. Dr Franklin and Mr Deane continuing determined
to have the molasses exempted from duty, the article was agreed to,
and now forms part of the treaty. I understand, however, that if
Congress objects to it, there is a verbal promise on the part of
France, that it shall be expunged.
Mr Lee has received a commission for the Court of Madrid; and the
successes of America have once more put the French Ministry into good
humor, so that our affairs will I hope now go well. My gout, which
has been very severe, is a great deal better, and as soon as the
weather grows a little milder, I intend setting out for Italy.
Ships have been despatched to America, without the least notice given
to me, that I might get my letters ready; intelligence received from
Congress, whatever the nature of it, has never been communicated to
me but by report, and when the important news of General Burgoyne’s
surrender was received, Dr Franklin and Mr Deane did not think proper
to give me any information about it, though I was confined to my bed.
It did not seem decent, that such an event should be communicated
to me from any other quarter. These circumstances you will allow to
be not very agreeable. I was determined, however, not to quarrel;
it seemed to me better to bear with them, than to risk an addition
to those animosities, which I have already mentioned, and which
I am convinced have been very prejudicial to our public affairs.
That there might, however, be no excuse for the continuance of such
conduct, I wrote a note to Dr Franklin, appointed an interview,
and with studied moderation, mentioned such parts of his conduct
as I disapproved of. He acknowledged everything, apologized for
everything, and promised, that in future I should have no reason
to complain. He has not thought proper to be so good as his word,
and his proceedings since have been more exceptionable than before.
As far as he and Mr Deane have had it in their power, they have
concealed from Mr William Lee and me every proceeding respecting the
treaty of commerce, which has for some time been negotiating, and I
heartily wish they had carried it through without my having occasion
to interfere. I thought it my duty so to do, and have sent you my
letter to Dr Franklin on the subject, with his trifling answer, and
my reply.[64] This is all that has passed between us on the business,
and the only satisfaction that I have in the matter is, that the
French Minister has, in consequence of this correspondence, given the
verbal promise already mentioned.
Should Congress be informed by either of the Commissioners, that
there would have been danger of the miscarriage of the treaty if
this article had not been inserted, you may depend upon it, that
is not true. The Ministry were very willing to have the article
respecting the molasses left out, and likewise that, which has been
agreed to by the Commissioners as an equivalent. The instructions
from Congress, which accompanied the treaty, did not authorise them
to offer any equivalent. Congress seemed not to be much interested
in the fate of the article, and the Commissioners, instead of being
empowered to offer such a sacrifice in favor of the New England
Provinces, were expressly enjoined to give up the article, if any
objection was made to it, taking it for granted, I suppose, that it
never could enter into the heart of a Frenchman to lay a duty on a
commodity, that without the American market would be totally useless
to them. These are the words of their instructions. “The twelfth and
thirteenth articles are to be waved, if you find that the treaty will
be interrupted by insisting on them.” How those gentlemen could take
it upon them to act so directly in opposition to this instruction, I
cannot conceive. It is true, they were both born in New England, but
it is not to be supposed, that they could be so forgetful of their
duty to the public, as to suffer themselves to be biassed by any such
motives.
I understand they mean to exert themselves in support of what they
have done, and that they expect their arguments will prevail upon
Congress to approve of the article. For my part I am convinced, that
the article is injurious to America, and, therefore, I have not only
given myself but you a great deal of trouble about it, and bespeak
your attention to it, and hope, that if you agree with me in opinion,
you will not only oppose it yourself, but likewise make all the
interest you can to get it expunged.
If you are acquainted with Mr Duer, I should be glad that you would
communicate the contents of this letter to him, as I shall not be
able to write to him by this opportunity. Every thing seems to bear
the strongest appearance of war in this country, and every Frenchman
seems to be desirous of it. England on her part is making great
preparations, and in all likelihood there will be a very bloody
contest, as the two nations are exasperated against each other to a
great degree. England entered foolishly into this business at first,
and she does not yet seem perfectly convinced of her error, as she
is going to plunge deeper into misfortune, without men, money, or
allies. Russia and Portugal are the only connexions that she has.
One of these powers is in such a state as rather to require than
afford assistance, and the other will have enough upon her hands
from the Turks. Holland has manifested very unfriendly dispositions
towards her, and the King of Prussia has given the most explicit and
unequivocal assurance, that he will be the second power in Europe to
acknowledge the independence of America.
The death of the Elector of Bavaria was a circumstance, that
occasioned some alarm here, as it was feared that France might be
forced into a continental war, in support of the succession of the
Elector Palatine. This, however, in some degree has passed over, and
I hope the German Princes will be left to settle their differences by
themselves.
In one of my letters I informed you, that Congress had neglected
to furnish Mr William Lee and me with funds to support us in the
characters they had done us the honor of investing us with. We were
informed, that the Commissioners at this Court were possessed of a
very large sum of money belonging to Congress, and therefore applied
to them for a letter of credit on their banker, to the amount of two
thousand louis d’ors, each of us, on the public account, which they
gave us.
You will see how improper it will be for me to depend upon these
gentlemen for information respecting the proceedings of Congress, and
the state of affairs in America. You will I hope take care, that they
be regularly transmitted to me, as it will be of great importance to
me not to be neglected.
I am, dear Sir, with great regard, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
[64] See the three preceding letters.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO RALPH IZARD.
Passy, March 27th, 1778.
Sir,
The bearer says he is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, and he
wants a pass to go into Italy. I do not well understand the account
he gives of himself. He seems to be lost and to want advice. I beg
leave to refer him to you, who will soon be able to discover whether
his account is true.
I have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Paris, March 29th, 1778.
Sir,
I have seen the person you referred to me, and who is desirous of
my recommending him to you for a passport to go into Italy. He says
that he was born in South Carolina, but has been so long out of it,
that he neither knows anybody there, nor does anybody know him. He
left London with an intention of going to Italy, and came to Paris
to see the world, before he settled with a merchant, to whom he is
engaged as a clerk, at a place he hears is called Livorno. As this
account did not appear very satisfactory, I desired him to excuse my
troubling you with any recommendations, until he put it in my power
to do it with propriety.
You will give me leave to remind you, that I had the honor of
addressing you on the 30th of January, in reply to yours of the 29th,
and requested the favor of you to reconsider the article in the
treaty then negotiating, respecting the exports of North America,
which had given me much uneasiness, and in which I think myself
greatly interested. From your letter of the 29th I had reason to
hope, that in a few days you intended to give me an explanation on
certain points, wherein I thought myself injured, and to show me
that I was mistaken. In vain have I expected this satisfaction. I
am very desirous of receiving it, and when the dates referred to
are considered, I hope I shall not be thought too importunate, in
requesting that it may be soon. At the same time, you will be so good
as to inform me, why no answer has been given to my letter to you,
and the other Commissioners at this Court, of the 5th of this month,
and whether I am to expect any.
I have the honor to be, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO RALPH IZARD.
Passy, March 30th, 1778.
Sir,
From the account you give me of the man who pretends to be of
Carolina, as well as from my own observation of his behavior, I
entertain no good opinion of him, and shall not give him the pass he
desires.
Much and very important business has hitherto prevented my giving you
the satisfaction you desired, but you may depend upon my endeavoring
to give it to you as soon as possible. An answer was written to
your letter of the 5th of this month, and signed by us all, which
I thought had been sent to you till Mr Lee informed me that having
communicated to you the contents, you told him it would not be
satisfactory, and desired it might be reconsidered, and he had
accordingly stopped it for that purpose. We have not since had an
opportunity of reconsidering it, and as the end is now answered by
the communication of the treaty, perhaps it is not necessary.
I condole with you sincerely on the great loss sustained in
Charleston by the fire in January last, said to have destroyed six
hundred houses, valued with the goods at a million sterling.
I have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Paris, March 31st, 1778.
Sir,
I received yesterday the treaty of alliance, and the alterations
that have been made in the treaty of commerce proposed by Congress,
from the hands of your grandson, and likewise a letter from you,
which informs me that much and very important business has hitherto
prevented your giving me the satisfaction respecting your conduct
which I desired, but that I might depend on your endeavoring to give
it to me as soon as possible. While you were engaged in settling the
treaty, I avoided giving you any additional trouble, especially as
I am persuaded that the satisfactory explanation you have promised
will require no uncommon exertion of your abilities. I conceive you
have acted unjustifiably; you think that I am mistaken, and I shall
be heartily rejoiced to find myself so. You will excuse my requesting
that the explanation I have desired may be given soon.
I have the honor to be, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
TO HENRY LAURENS.
Paris, April 1st, 1778.
Sir,
I am but this moment informed by report, that Mr Gerard, who is
appointed Minister Plenipotentiary from this Court to Congress, is
immediately going to set out for America. It would have been improper
that this should have been publicly known, as the Court of England
might have endeavored to intercept him. Dr Franklin and Mr Deane
were, however, acquainted with it, and as usual concealed it from Mr
Lee and myself.[65] I shall make no comment on this behavior. If it
does not upon the bare recital of it strike you as unjustifiable, and
disrespectful to Congress, in not acquainting us whenever they knew
of proper opportunities to write, nothing that can be said will make
you think so.
I congratulate you most heartily on the presentation of the three
Commissioners at this Court, as representatives of a sovereign and
independent State. This happened on the 20th of March. I should
immediately after have left this city for Italy. My inclinations
lead me most strongly to do it, but I am sorry to inform you that a
little longer delay is become absolutely necessary. I am assured from
Florence, of the favorable dispositions of the Grand Duke towards us,
and I had no doubt but immediately after the acknowledgment of our
independence here, the example would have been followed in Tuscany.
Most unfortunately the death of the Elector of Bavaria has thrown
all Germany into convulsions. The claims of the House of Austria to
part of that Electorate, and the coldness lately shown by France
towards the Emperor on that account, are likely to dispose the latter
towards England in the approaching war. I say likely, for nothing is
certainly known yet respecting these matters. My letters, however,
from Florence give me reason to fear, that my reception there in a
public character will depend upon the proceedings of the Court of
Vienna. I have acted hitherto without paying the least regard to my
own inclinations, in perfect conformity to what I have thought the
wishes of Congress, and I shall continue to act in the same manner to
the best of my judgment. It will make me very happy to be assured of
the approbation of Congress.
Mr Deane, I understand, accompanies Mr Gerard, and has received a
present from the French Ministry. This is a thing of course; he may,
however, make use of it with Congress as a reason why he should
return. I shall avoid entering into particulars respecting this
gentleman, and shall only in general give you my opinion of him,
which is, that if the whole world had been searched, I think it would
have been impossible to have found one on every account more unfit
for the office into which he has, by the storm and convulsions of the
times, been shaken.[66] I am under the fullest persuasion, that the
Court of France might long ago have been induced to stand forth in
our favor, if America had had proper representatives at this Court.
I must repeat what I have done in some former letters, that whatever
good dispositions were shown by Mr Lee, they were always opposed and
overruled by the two eldest Commissioners.
If Congress are desirous of having a representative in Italy, it may
be proper to send a commission for the Court of Naples. It would
be agreeable to me to have such a commission, so that I might be
either there or in Tuscany, as occasion might require. This I only
mention to you in case of such a thing being thought of. I wish not
to solicit any thing for myself, neither do I desire my friends to
trouble themselves much about me. Whenever they think of me without
any application on my part, I look upon myself as the more obliged to
them.
I am, dear sir, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
[65] They were not permitted by the French Court to make it known.
[66] In reply to this letter, see Mr Deane’s letter to the President of
Congress, dated October 12th, 1778, Vol. I. p. 129.
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Paris, April 4th, 1778.
Sir,
It is with reluctance, that I find myself compelled to be again
troublesome to you. Your conduct has given me great uneasiness.
I have repeatedly complained to you, and you have several times
verbally and by letter promised me an explanation of it. It is of
great importance that I should have this satisfaction, and that it
should be no longer delayed; you will therefore be so good as to
write me by the gentleman, who is the bearer of this, when I may
expect you to comply with your promise. I must also request that you
will give me in writing the reasons, which at Chaillot you told me
induced you to think, that Congress did not intend I should have the
alterations proposed in the treaty of commerce communicated to me.
This you assured me, at the time, should be done within a day or two,
and though several weeks have elapsed, I have heard nothing from you
on the subject. I mention this matter to you now, because I believe
my conversation with you has been misrepresented. If this has been
done by mistake, I am desirous of having it corrected.
I am, Sir, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO RALPH IZARD.
Passy, April 4th, 1778.
Sir,
If I continue well, and nothing extraordinary happens to prevent it,
you shall have the letter you so earnestly desire some time next week.
I am, Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
TO HENRY LAURENS.
Paris, April 11th, 1778.
Dear Sir,
I send copies of my letters whenever I hear of an opportunity,
in hopes of some of them getting safe to your hands.
Mr Adams arrived in Paris two days ago, and it is no small
disappointment to me, that he has brought me no letters from you.
I was at first afraid that my despatches by the Benjamin, which Mr
Folger had the charge of, had been stolen, as well as Mr Lee’s, but
am very glad to find, by a letter from Mr Lovell to Dr Franklin,
that all my letters got safe. What a very extraordinary piece of
villany this must have been. I have the strongest suspicion who the
person is that was at the bottom of it, but will not take upon me
to mention his name. I most sincerely hope, whoever he is, that he
may be discovered and brought to light. It is much to be feared,
that this will prove a difficult matter, as the person, who could be
capable of it, must be sensible how dangerous it must be for him to
be discovered, and, therefore, without doubt, the utmost cunning and
precaution have been employed to conceal himself.
I think myself much obliged to my friends in Congress, who have
assigned me the department of Tuscany; I prefer it to any of the
Courts except France or England. The former, it is probable, will
be filled by one of the present Commissioners. Should England in
two or three years acknowledge the sovereignty and independence of
the States, it would be very agreeable to me if Congress thought me
worthy of being their representative at that Court. I flatter myself
with the hopes of having your approbation; at the same time, I must
repeat what I have mentioned in a former letter, that I would wish to
be as little troublesome to my friends as possible.
It is particularly distressing to me, as I am living at the public
expense, to be obliged so often to inform you, that it still
continues improper for me to go to Florence. I have consulted this
Court on the subject, and they are of opinion, that I should wait
here until a more favorable opportunity offers. In following this
advice, I think that I am acting according to the wishes of Congress,
and you may depend upon it, that I shall upon all occasions continue
to do so to the best of my judgment. I have not written lately to
the Committee of Foreign Affairs. As I have written to you by every
opportunity, I thought it unnecessary, and I should be obliged to
you if you would give that reason to them. I have never had any
instructions on this point from Congress, and whenever you receive
anything from me, which you think necessary to be laid before those
gentlemen, I should be obliged to you if you would be so good as to
communicate it to them. You will be so good as to let me have your
opinion on this point, whether it will be necessary for me to write
to the Committee, or if it will be sufficient for me to write to you
only.
The Commissioners at this Court have not yet been received into the
_Corps Diplomatique_, because they have not had proper letters of
credence from Congress. When those letters are sent to them, you will
be so good as to let them be sent to me and also to Mr William Lee.
The title of Commissioner is not at present used, as formerly, at the
Courts of Europe. I will venture to give you my opinion privately
on this subject, which is, that the representatives from the States
of America at the Courts of France and Spain should be Ambassadors,
and at the others Ministers Plenipotentiary. The last title is in
general use; the persons possessed of it take rank below envoys, and
therefore I would prefer it because it will probably prevent all
disputes. I mention this solely to yourself, and you will either make
use of it or not, as you think proper.
Mr William Lee has a commission not only to the Emperor, but likewise
one to the King of Prussia. This is a very unlucky circumstance, as
those two princes are, in all probability, on the point of going
to war with each other. Mr Lee is gone into Germany, without being
fully determined which Court he should present himself at first. I
am inclined to think, that it will be that of Berlin. Congress, in
the commission which was sent out for the Court of Vienna, forgot
to mention the Empress Queen. This was a great mistake, as she is
during her life the sovereign of all the hereditary dominions of her
family, and the Emperor is only head of the German Empire. I do not
know whether Mr Lee has mentioned this in his letters to Congress,
but it is of considerable importance, and should be attended to
whenever a new commission is sent out.
I have the honor to be, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
_P. S._ The seal, that I shall make use of in all my letters to you,
will either be my coat of arms, which is on this; or a rattlesnake
with this motto, “don’t tread on me.”
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Paris, April 25th, 1778.
Sir,
It is with the utmost astonishment, that I find myself so often
obliged to remind you of your engagement to me. You have repeatedly
given me the strongest assurances, that you would justify your
conduct to me in writing, but you have not kept your word. Dr
Bancroft and your grandson have both told me, that this justification
has long ago been begun, and you have several times been employed
about it.
The cautious manner in which you concealed the departure of M.
Gerard, the French Plenipotentiary, and Mr Deane, from those who
have complaints against you, manifest on your part no inclination to
discontinue the causes of them. The losses of the public despatches
to Congress, by accident at sea, by the capture of the enemy, and
by the villany or negligence of those to whose care they have been
intrusted, ought to have deterred you from concealing so safe an
opportunity from those, whose duty requires them to write. It might
have been very proper, that the port from which they were to sail
should have been concealed, as well as the manner of their going, but
it appears to me to have been your indispensable duty to inform those
gentlemen, who have the honor of holding commissions from Congress,
whenever you know of a safe opportunity of writing to America.
It may not be necessary to discuss this point with you, as it will
probably be laid before Congress, and they will form a proper
judgment, both of the fact and your motives. My business with you
at present respects your conduct previous to the departure of M.
Gerard and Mr Deane, and I wish that neither your attention nor mine
may be drawn from it. Mr Lloyd has informed me, that you told him
there would be an opportunity of writing soon to America. I must
request, that you will no longer attempt to amuse me with promises
and excuses, but that you will give me the explanation, which you
have so often bound yourself to give that it may be laid, by that
opportunity, if necessary, before the representatives of my country,
or that you will let me know in writing, that you will not give it me.
I am, Sir, &c.
RALPH IZARD.
JOHN J. PRINGLE TO RALPH IZARD.
Paris, April 26th, 1778.
Sir,