hope, however, that you will have received the former, and that the
ratification is forwarded. The King, as the Ambassador informs me, is
now employed in examining the duties payable in his ports, with a view
of lowering them in favor of America, and thereby encouraging and
facilitating our mutual commerce.
M. de Walterstorff, Chamberlain of the King of Denmark, formerly Chief
Justice of the Danish West India Islands, was last year at Paris,
where I had some acquaintance with him, and he is now returned hither.
The newspapers have mentioned him as intended to be sent Minister from
his Court to Congress, but he tells me no such appointment has yet
been made. He assures me, however, that the King has a strong desire
to have a treaty of friendship and commerce with the United States,
and he has communicated to me a letter, which he received from M.
Rosencrone, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressing that
disposition. I enclose a copy of the letter, and if Congress shall
approve of entering into such a treaty with the King of Denmark, of
which I told M. de Walterstorff I made no doubt, they will send to me,
or whom else they shall think proper, the necessary instructions and
powers for that purpose. In the meantime, to keep the business in
train, I have sent to that Minister for his consideration, a
translation of the plan, _mutatis mutandis_, which I received from
Congress for a treaty with Sweden, accompanied by a letter, of which
likewise I enclose a copy. I think it would be well to make it one of
the instructions to whoever is commissioned for the treaty, that he
previously procure satisfaction for the prizes mentioned in my letter.
The definitive treaties have met with great delays, partly by the
tardiness of the Dutch, but principally from the distractions in the
Court of England, where for six or seven weeks there was properly no
Ministry, nor any business effected. They have at last settled a
Ministry, but of such a composition as does not promise to be lasting.
The papers will inform you who they are. It is now said, that Mr
Oswald, who signed the preliminaries, is not to return here, but that
Mr David Hartley comes in his stead to settle the definitive. A
Congress is also talked of, and that some use is to be made therein of
the mediation formerly proposed of the Imperial Courts. Mr Hartley is
an old friend of mine, and a strong lover of peace, so that I hope we
shall not have much difficult discussion with him; but I could have
been content to have finished with Mr Oswald, whom we always found
very reasonable.
Mr Laurens, having left Bath, mended in his health, is daily expected
at Paris, where Messieurs Jay and Adams still continue. Mr Jefferson
has not yet arrived, nor the Romulus, in which ship I am told he was
to have taken his passage. I have been the more impatient of this
delay, from the expectation given me of full letters by him. It is
extraordinary, that we should be so long without any arrivals from
America in any part of Europe. We have as yet heard nothing of the
reception of the preliminary articles in America, though it is now
nearly five months since they were signed. Barney, indeed, did not get
away from hence before the middle of January, but copies went by other
ships long before him; he waited some time for the money he carried,
and afterwards was detained by violent contrary winds. He had a
passport from England, and I hope arrived safe; though we have been in
some pain for him, on account of a storm soon after he sailed.
The English merchants have shown great eagerness to reassume their
commerce with America, but apprehending that our laws prohibiting that
commerce, would not be repealed till England had set the example by
repealing theirs, a number of vessels they had loaded with goods, have
been detained in port, while the Parliament have been debating on the
repealing bill, which has been altered two or three times, and is not
agreed upon yet. It was at first proposed to give us equal privileges
in trade with their own subjects, repealing thereby with respect to
us, so much of their navigation act, as regards foreign nations. But
that plan seems to be laid aside, and what will finally be done in the
affair is uncertain. There is not a port in France, and few in Europe,
from which I have not received several applications of persons
desiring to be appointed consuls for America. They generally offer to
execute the office for the honor of it, without salary. I suppose the
Congress will wait to see what course commerce will take, and in what
places it will fix itself, in order to find where consuls will be
necessary, before any appointments are made, and perhaps it will then
be thought best to send some of our own people. If they are not
allowed to trade, there must be a great expense for salaries. If they
may trade, and are Americans, the fortunes they make will mostly
settle in our own country at last. The agreement I was to make here
respecting consuls, has not yet been concluded. The article of trading
is important. I think it would be well to reconsider it.
I have caused to be struck here the medal, which I formerly mentioned
to you, the design of which you seemed to approve. I enclose one of
them in silver, for the President of Congress, and one in copper for
yourself; the impression on copper is thought to appear best, and you
will soon receive a number for the members. I have presented one to
the King, and another to the Queen, both in gold, and one in silver to
each of the Ministers, as a monumental acknowledgment, which may go
down to future ages, of the obligations we are under to this nation.
It is mighty well received, and gives general pleasure. If the
Congress approve of it, as I hope they will, I may add something on
the die (for those to be struck hereafter) to show that it was done by
their order, which I could not venture to do till I had authority for
it.
A multitude of people are continually applying to me personally, and
by letters, for information respecting the means of transporting
themselves, families, and fortunes to America. I give no encouragement
to any of the King's subjects, as I think it would not be right in me
to do it, without their sovereign's approbation; and, indeed, few
offer from France but persons of irregular conduct and desperate
circumstances, whom we had better be without; but I think there will
be great emigrations from England, Ireland, and Germany. There is a
great contest among the ports, which of them shall be of those to be
declared _free_ for the _American trade_. Many applications are made
to me to interest myself in the behalf of all of them, but having no
instructions on that head, and thinking it a matter more properly
belonging to the consul, I have done nothing in it.
I have continued to send you the English papers. You will often see
falsehoods in them respecting what I say and do, &c. You know those
papers too well to make any contradiction of such stuff necessary from
me.
Mr Barclay is often ill, and I am afraid the settlement of our
accounts will be, in his hands, a long operation. I shall be impatient
at being detained here on that score, after the arrival of my
successor. Would it not be well to join Mr Ridley with Mr Barclay for
that service? He resides in Paris, and seems active in business. I
know not indeed whether he would undertake it, but wish he may.
The finances here are embarrassed, and a new loan is proposed by way
of lottery, in which it is said by some calculators, the King will pay
at the rate of seven per cent. I mention this to furnish you with a
fresh convincing proof against cavillers of the King's generosity
towards us, in lending us six millions this year at five per cent, and
of his concern for our credit, in saving by that sum the honor of Mr
Morris's bills, while those drawn by his own officers abroad have
their payment suspended for a year after they become due. You have
been told that France might help us more liberally if she would. This
last transaction is a demonstration of the contrary.
Please to show these last paragraphs to Mr Morris, to whom I cannot
now write, the notice of this ship being short, but it is less
necessary, as Mr Grand writes him fully.
With great esteem, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
_P. S._ Mr Laurens is just arrived.
* * * * *
CHARLES J. FOX TO B. FRANKLIN.
St James's, April 19th, 1783.
Sir,
Although it is unnecessary for me to introduce to your acquaintance a
gentlemen so well known to you as Mr Hartley, who will have the honor
of delivering to you this letter, yet it may be proper for me to
inform you, that he has the full and entire confidence of his
Majesty's Ministers upon the subject of his mission.
Permit me, Sir, to take this opportunity of assuring you how happy I
should esteem myself, if it were to prove my lot to be the instrument
of completing a real and substantial reconciliation between two
countries, formed by nature to be in a state of friendship one with
the other, and thereby to put the finishing hand to a building, in
laying the first stone of which I may fairly boast that I had some
share.
I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of regard and esteem,
Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
C. J. FOX.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Passy, April 27th, 1783.
Sir,
The Count del Veome, an Italian nobleman of great distinction, does me
the honor to be the bearer of this. I have not the satisfaction to be
personally acquainted with this gentleman, but am much solicited by
some of my particular friends, to whom his merits and character are
known, to afford him this introduction to you. He is, I understand, a
great traveller, and his view in going to America is merely to see the
country and its great men. I pray you will show him every civility,
and afford him that counsel, which as a stranger he may stand in need
of.
With great respect, I am, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.
Translation.
Versailles, May 5th, 1783.
Sir,
I have received the two letters of yesterday and today, which you have
done me the honor to write to me, and a copy of the three articles
discussed between the Commissioners of the United States and Mr
Hartley. You are aware that I shall want a sufficient time to examine
them, before submitting to you the observations, which may relate to
our reciprocal interests. Receive, in the meantime, my sincere thanks
for this communication.
I hope to have the honor of seeing you tomorrow at Versailles. I trust
you will be able to be present with the foreign Ministers. It is
observed, that the Commissioners from the United States rarely show
themselves here, and inferences are drawn from it, which I am sure
their constituents would disavow, if they had a knowledge of them.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DE VERGENNES.
* * * * *
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Passy, May 5th, 1783.
Sir,
It was my intention to pay my devoirs at Versailles tomorrow. I thank
your Excellency, nevertheless, for your kind admonition. I omitted
two of the last three days from a mistaken apprehension, that being
holidays there would be no Court. Mr Laurens and Mr Jay are both
invalids; and since my last severe fit of the gout, my legs have
continued so weak, that I am hardly able to keep pace with the
Ministers who walk fast, especially in going up and down stairs.
I beg you to be assured, that whatever deficiency there may be of
strength, there is none of respect in, Sir, your Excellency's most
obedient and most humble servant,
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
TO DAVID HARTLEY.
Passy, May 8th, 1783.
Dear Friend,
I send you enclosed the copies you desired of the papers I read to you
yesterday.[17] I should be happy if I could see, before I die, the
proposed improvement of the law of nations established. The miseries
of mankind would be diminished by it, and the happiness of millions
secured and promoted. If the practice of privateering could be
profitable to any civilized nation, it might be so to us Americans,
since we are so situated on the globe, as that the rich commerce of
Europe with the West Indies, consisting of manufactures, sugars, &c.
is obliged to pass before our doors, which enables us to make short
and cheap cruises, while our own commerce is in such bulky, low priced
articles as that ten of our ships taken by you are not equal in value
to one of yours, and you must come far from home at a great expense to
look for them. I hope therefore that this proposition, if made by us,
will appear in its true light, as having humanity only for its motive.
I do not wish to see a new Barbary rising in America, and our long
extended coast occupied by piratical States. I fear lest our
privateering success in the two last wars, should already have given
our people too strong a relish for that most mischievous kind of
gaming, mixed blood; and if a stop is not now put to the practice,
mankind may hereafter be more plagued with American corsairs, than
they have been and are with the Turkish. Try, my friend, what you can
do, in procuring for your nation the glory of being, though the
greatest naval power, the first who voluntarily relinquished the
advantage that power seems to give them, of plundering others, and
thereby impeding the mutual communications among men of the gifts of
God, and rendering miserable multitudes of merchants and their
families, artizans, and cultivators of the earth, the most peaceable
and innocent part of the human species.
With great esteem and affection, I am ever, my dear friend, yours most
sincerely,
B. FRANKLIN.
FOOTNOTE:
[17] See the Proposition about privateering, p. 67 of this volume.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, May 9th, 1783.
Dear Sir,
We have yet had no information from you subsequent to the signature of
preliminary articles by France, Spain, and Great Britain; though we
have seen a declaration for the cessation of hostilities signed by
you, Mr Adams, and Mr Jay.
We grow every day more anxious for the definitive treaty, since we
have as yet discovered no inclination in the enemy to evacuate their
ports; and in sending off the slaves, they have directly infringed the
provisional treaty, though we on our part have paid the strictest
regard to it. This will be more fully explained by the enclosed copy
of a letter from General Washington, containing a relation of what
passed between him and General Carleton at a late interview. Let me
again entreat, that no doubt may be left in the treaty relative to the
time and manner of evacuating their ports here. Without more precision
and accuracy in this than we find in the provisional articles, we
shall soon be involved in new disputes with Great Britain.
Our finances are still greatly embarrassed. You may in part see our
distress, and the means Congress are using to relieve themselves, by
the enclosed pamphlet, which I wish you and your colleagues to read,
but not to publish.
The enclosed resolution imposes a new task upon you. I hope you will
find no great difficulty in procuring the small augmentation to the
loan which it requires. Be assured that it is extremely necessary to
set us down in peace.
None of the States, though frequently called upon, have sent me the
estimates of their losses by the ravages of the British, except
Connecticut and Rhode Island, and their accounts are extremely
imperfect. Such as they are I enclose them. For my own part, I have no
great expectation that any compensation for these losses will be
procured; however, if possible it should be attempted. Commissioners
might be appointed to ascertain them here.
Great part of the prisoners are on their way to New York, and the
whole will be sent in a few days. They will amount to about six
thousand men.
Our ports begin to be crowded with vessels. There is reason to fear
that a superabundance of foreign articles will, in the end, produce as
much distress as the want of them has heretofore occasioned.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, May 31st, 1783.
Sir,
I informed you sometime since, that I had written to the Court of
Appeals on the subject of the Nossa Senhora da Soledado San Miguel e
Almas, and laid before them the papers you sent me. The cause has
since been determined in such a way as will, I hope, be satisfactory
to her Portuguese Majesty. I enclose the copy of a letter from the
first Judge of the Court of Appeals on that subject.
Nothing has yet been done as to the acceptance of your resignation,
nor will, as I believe, anything be done very hastily. Many think your
task will not be very burdensome now, and that you may enjoy in peace
the fruit of your past labors.
As this will probably be the last letter, which I shall have the
pleasure of writing to you in my public character, I beg leave to
remind you of the affairs of the Alliance and the Bon Homme Richard,
which are still unsettled. I must also pray you not to lose sight of
the vessels detained by his Danish Majesty. This will be a favorable
opportunity to press for their restitution. I do not see how they can
decently refuse to pay for them. Great Britain is bound in honor to
make them whole again.
Preparations for the evacuation of New York still go on very slowly,
while the distress of our finances has compelled us to grant furloughs
to the greater part of our army.
If it were possible to procure any addition to the last six millions,
it would be extremely useful to us at present.
An entire new arrangement with respect to our foreign department is
under consideration. What its fate will be, I know not.
I am, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Passy, June 12th, 1783.
Sir,
I wrote to you fully by a vessel from Nantes, which I hope will reach
you before this. If not, this may inform you that the ratification of
the treaty with Sweden is come, and ready to be exchanged when I shall
receive that from Congress; that the treaty with Denmark is going on,
and will probably, be ready before the commission for signing it
arrives from Congress. It is on the plan of that proposed by Congress
for Sweden.
Portugal has likewise proposed to treat with us, and the Ambassador
has earnestly urged me to give him a plan for the consideration of his
Court, which I have accordingly done, and he has forwarded it. The
Congress will send commissions and instructions for concluding these
treaties to whom they may think proper; it is only upon the old
authority, given, by a resolution, to myself with Messrs Deane and
Lee, to treat with any European powers, that I have ventured to begin
these treaties in consequence of overtures from those Crowns.
The definitive treaty with England is not yet concluded, their
Ministry being unsettled in their minds as to the terms of the
commercial part; nor is any other definitive treaty yet completed
here, nor even the preliminaries signed of one between England and
Holland. It is now five months since we have had a line from you, the
last being dated the 13th of January; of course we know nothing of the
reception of the preliminary articles, or the opinion of Congress
respecting them. We hoped to receive before this time such
instructions as might have been thought proper to be sent to us for
rendering more perfect the definitive treaty. We know nothing of what
has been approved or disapproved. We are totally in the dark, and
therefore, less pressing to conclude, being still (as we have long
been) in daily expectation of hearing from you. By chance only, we
learn that Barney is arrived, by whom went the despatches of the
Commissioners, and a considerable sum of money. No acknowledgment of
the receipt of that money is yet come to hand, either to me or M.
Gerard. I make no doubt that both you and Mr Morris have written, and
cannot imagine what has become of your letters.
With great esteem, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
_P. S._ I beg leave to recommend to your civilities the bearer of
this, Dr Bancroft, whom you will find a very intelligent, sensible
man, well acquainted with the state of affairs here, and who has
heretofore been employed in the service of Congress. I have long known
him, and esteem him highly.
B. F.
* * * * *
THE AMBASSADOR FROM SWEDEN TO B. FRANKLIN.
Translation.
Paris, June 13th, 1783.
Sir,
I have just received his Majesty's ratification of the treaty of
commerce concluded with the United States, which I will have the honor
to send you as soon as it can be exchanged for the one from Congress.
Permit me, Sir, on this occasion to repeat the request which the
Ambassador has made you respecting Mr Franklin, your grandson. He had
the honor to tell you, that it would afford the King a pleasure to
have a person residing with him, in the capacity of the Minister of
Congress, who bears your name in conjunction with such estimable
qualifications as young Mr Franklin possesses. He charged me before he
departed, to repeat to you the same assurances, and you will allow me
to add, on my part, my best wishes for the success of this matter.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LE BARON DE STAEL.
* * * * *
FROM THE GRAND MASTER OF MALTA TO B. FRANKLIN.
Translation.
Malta, June 21st, 1783.
Sir,
I received with the most lively sensibility the medal, which your
Excellency sent me, and the value I set upon this acquisition leaves
my gratitude unbounded. This monument of American liberty has a
distinguished place in my cabinet.
Whenever chance or commerce shall lead any of your fellow citizens or
their vessels into the ports of my Island, I shall receive them with
the greatest welcome. They shall experience from me every assistance
they may claim, and I shall observe with infinite pleasure any growing
connexion between that interesting nation and my subjects, especially
if it will tend to convince your Excellency of the distinguished
sentiments with which I am, Sir, &c.
The Grand Master,
ROHAN.
* * * * *
TO HENRY LAURENS.
Passy, July 6th, 1783.
Dear Sir,
We have been honored with several of your letters, and we have talked
of writing to you, but it has been delayed. I will therefore write a
few lines in my private capacity.
Our negotiations go on slowly, every proposition being sent to
England, and answers not returning very speedily.
Captain Barney arrived here last Wednesday, and brought despatches for
us as late as the first of June. The preliminary articles are
ratified. But General Carleton, in violation of those articles, has
sent away a great number of negroes, alleging, that freedom having
been promised them by a proclamation, the honor of the nation was
concerned, &c. Probably another reason may be, that if they had been
restored to their masters, Britain could not have hoped anything from
such another proclamation hereafter.
Mr Hartley called yesterday to tell us, that he had received a letter
from Mr Fox, assuring him that our suspicions of affected delays or
change of system on their side were groundless; and that they were
sincerely desirous to finish as soon as possible. If this be so, and
your health will permit the journey, I could wish your return as soon
as possible. I want you here on many accounts, and should be glad of
your assistance in considering and answering our public letters. There
are matters in them of which I cannot conveniently give you an account
at present.
Nothing could be more seasonable than success in the project you
proposed, but we have now very little expectation.
Please to give my love to your valuable and amiable son and daughter,
and believe me, with sincere esteem, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
FROM M. ROSENCRONE, MINISTER OF DENMARK, TO B. FRANKLIN.
Translation.
Copenhagen, July 8th, 1783.
Sir,
It was with the greatest alacrity, that I laid before his Majesty the
letter you did me the honor to write to me, as also the project of a
treaty of amity and commerce that accompanied it. The King observed,
with the greatest satisfaction, the assurances contained in that
letter, of the good disposition of Congress to form connexions of
amity and commerce with his kingdoms, such connexions being equally
conformable to the interests of the two States, and to his Majesty's
sincere desire to cement, by every possible means, that harmony,
union, and confidence, which he wishes to establish forever between
his Crown and the United States.