yesterday by express from New York, the one from General Carleton and
the other from Rear Admiral Digby. Both covered copies of his
Britannic Majesty's Proclamation for a cessation of hostilities. I
presume Congress will consider this advice as sufficiently authentic
to justify the discharge of their prisoners, who are now a useless
expense, though not so much so as to render it proper to proceed to
the measures directed by the fifth Article of the provisional treaty,
till that treaty is officially communicated and ratifications
exchanged.
I am at a loss to determine when hostilities are of right to cease
between the United States and Great Britain. If, as the Proclamation
asserts, the times therein mentioned were agreed between the Ministers
of the several powers at war, to take effect upon their respective
ratifications, then hostilities have not yet ceased between us and
Great Britain, except so far as the King of Great Britain has thought
proper to shorten the term by his special act. If no such ratification
was necessary on our part, then hostilities ceased immediately after
ratifications were exchanged between France and England. If the same
term has been fixed for the cessation of hostilities between Great
Britain and the United States, as that agreed upon between France and
Great Britain, then it becomes a question, what is meant by "_as far
as the Western Islands_?" If it refers to the latitude, then all
prizes made after the 3d of March, on the greater part of our coast,
must be restored. As much property may depend upon the decision of
these questions, I presume Congress will do no act, which shall lead
to a determination of it, till we receive further advices from our own
Ministers.
I shall be pardoned when I take the liberty to request, that the
enclosed letters may not find their way into the papers, unless
Congress shall determine, that this publication may answer some useful
purposes.
I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Philadelphia, April 10th, 1783.
Sir,
I do myself the honor to enclose the draft of a Proclamation for the
suspension of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain,
and the resolution for the discharge of prisoners, together with one
for referring a part of Mr Adams's letters, which is all that it is
necessary to report upon the letters referred to me.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO GENERAL GREENE.
Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Dear Sir,
I am now to congratulate you on the return of peace, and a cessation
from your labor. I some time since sent you the Provisional Treaty
between Great Britain and the United States. On Wednesday last, Sir
Guy Carleton sent me the enclosed Proclamation of his Britannic
Majesty, and informed me, that he had directed a similar Proclamation
to issue at New York, and proposed to discharge all our prisoners. I
had a letter from Admiral Digby to the same effect; the next day I
received advices of the agreement of the cessation of hostilities,
from our Ministers. Congress, in consequence of these advices,
yesterday issued the enclosed Proclamation.
I reported to them on the propriety of releasing their prisoners. The
report is to be considered today, and I doubt not that it will be
agreed to. The British Parliament appear to be extremely dissatisfied
at the terms of peace; a majority, headed by Lord North, has been
obtained against the Administration, so that I think Lord Shelburne
has little prospect of continuing in the Administration; but this is
of no consequence to us, unless we are bound to like an Administration
that has served us against their will. As doubts may arise with
respect to the restitution of prizes taken after the epoch fixed by
the Proclamation, it may not be improper for me to mention to you,
that we conceive, that hostilities ceased in those parts of the
Atlantic Ocean, which lay in the same _latitude_ with the Canaries, on
the 3d of March.
I am, Sir, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO SIR GUY CARLETON.
Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Sir,
I received your letter of the 6th instant, informing me of the arrival
of a Packet, by which you have official intelligence, that the
Preliminary Articles of Peace with France and Spain were signed at
Paris on the 20th of January last; that the ratifications have been
since exchanged, and that his Britannic Majesty has ordered a
cessation of arms to be proclaimed, as well by sea as by land; and
that you propose, agreeably to his orders, to issue a similar
Proclamation, and to set at liberty your prisoners of war.
This interesting intelligence was communicated to the United States in
Congress, who, though they had yet received no official accounts,
would immediately have made it the basis of pacific measures, without
entertaining doubts of its authenticity, or yielding to suspicions
which would tend to prolong the calamities of war; but while these
measures were under consideration, they received from their Ministers
official advices of the agreement between them and the Court of Great
Britain relative to a cessation of hostilities, on which they have
founded the enclosed Proclamation.[29] They have likewise under
consideration measures for the discharge of their prisoners; these
measures will be carried into effect as soon as possible after they
are determined on.
It cannot be doubted, Sir, as you justly observe, that Congress will
embrace the earliest opportunity to perform the stipulations contained
in the fifth, as well as every other of the Provisional Articles,
immediately after the same shall have been ratified. In the meanwhile,
it must be obvious to your Excellency that a recommendation to restore
to the loyalists the estates they have forfeited, will come with less
weight before Legislatures composed of men, whose property is still
withheld from them by the continuance of his Britannic Majesty's
fleets and armies in this country, than it will do when peace and the
full enjoyment of their rights shall have worn down those asperities,
which have grown out of eight years' war. This reflection will, I
doubt not, induce you to give every facility in your power to the
execution of the seventh Article of the Provisional Treaty, and to fix
as early a day for the evacuation of New York, and its dependencies,
as may consist with your orders.
I give the fullest credit, Sir, to your assurances, that you are ready
to cultivate the spirit of harmony and good will between the subjects
and citizens of his Britannic Majesty and these States, since I find
them warranted by the humanity which has uniformly distinguished your
command in America. But, Sir, time only, with liberality in those that
govern in both countries, can entirely efface the remembrance of what
has passed, and produce that perfect good will, which I sincerely
concur with you in wishing to cultivate.
I am, Sir, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
FOOTNOTES:
[29] See this Proclamation in the _Correspondence of the Commissioners
for Peace_, Vol. X. p. 133.
* * * * *
TO REAR ADMIRAL DIGBY.
Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Sir,
I received your letter, enclosing a Proclamation for the suspension of
hostilities, and informing me of your design to recall your cruisers
and release your prisoners. In return, Sir, I have the pleasure to
enclose a Proclamation by the United States of America for a
suspension of hostilities. Congress have the measures necessary for
the return of their prisoners under consideration; I shall acquaint
you with those they adopt.
The resolution transmitted in my last, has already informed you, that
the humanity of Congress induced them, on the first intimation of the
cessation of hostilities, to recall their cruisers. It is to be hoped,
Sir, that no difficulties will arise on either side as to the
restitution of such vessels as may have been taken after the epoch
mentioned in the Proclamations of his Britannic Majesty and the United
States. For though this may be of no great moment when considered in a
national light, yet it becomes important, from the number of captures
made on this coast within the latitude of the Canaries, since the 3d
of March last, as well as from the presages, which the first steps may
furnish, of the respect that will in future be paid to the
stipulations in the treaty.
The gentleman, who delivered me your letter, will inform you, that it
came open to my hands from a mistake in the direction. I am so fully
persuaded, Sir, that I do not deceive myself, when I impute this
rather to mistake, than to the principle followed, in some instances,
in an early period of the late war, that I should not have noticed it
now but to prevent, in future, the inconveniences, with which it has
been in this instance attended.
I am, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Dear Sir,
I congratulate your Excellency most sincerely upon the cessation of
hostilities, which you will learn from the enclosed Proclamation. You
will doubtless have heard directly from General Carleton on the
subject, so that it will not be necessary to trouble you with the
substance of his letter to me.
Congress will this day, upon my report, take into consideration the
propriety of discharging the prisoners, and the manner in which it is
to be done. Sir Guy Carleton presses hard in his letter for the
execution of the fifth of the Preliminary Articles. I have replied,
that it cannot be executed till the treaty is ratified; and in the
mean time endeavored to convince him, that the recommendation of
Congress will be received with much more respect, when the persons,
who compose our Legislatures, have returned to their respective homes,
and the asperities occasioned by the war shall be a little worn down
by the enjoyment of peace. It is a very capital omission in our
treaty, that no time has been fixed for the evacuation of New York.
It were to be wished, that General Carleton's intentions on this head
could be sounded by your Excellency.
I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.
Philadelphia, April 12th, 1783.
Sir,
Permit me to offer you my congratulations on the important event
announced by the United States, in Congress, in the enclosed
Proclamation for the cessation of hostilities; an event, which is not
only pleasing, as it relieves us from the accumulated distresses of
war in the bowels of our country, but as it affords the fairest and
most flattering prospects of its future greatness and prosperity. I
need not, I am persuaded, Sir, use any arguments to urge your
Excellency and the State over which you preside, to the most
scrupulous attention to the execution of every stipulation in our
treaty, which may depend on you or them. A national character is now
to be acquired. I venture to hope, that it will be worthy of the
struggles by which we became a nation.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
SIR GUY CARLETON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
New York, April 14th, 1783.
Sir,
As I observe in the seventh article of the Provisional Treaty it is
agreed, after stipulating that "all prisoners on both sides shall be
set at liberty," that "his Britannic Majesty shall with all convenient
speed, and without causing any destruction, or carrying away any
negroes, or other property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all
his armies, garrisons, and fleets from the United States, and from
every port, place, and harbor within the same, &c.;" and as
embarkations of persons and property are on the point of being made, I
am to request that Congress would be pleased to empower any person or
persons, on behalf of the United States, to be present at New York,
and to assist such persons as shall be appointed by me to inspect and
superintend all embarkations, which the evacuation of this place may
require; and they will be pleased to represent to me every infraction
of the letter or spirit of the treaty, that redress may be immediately
ordered.
I am, Sir, &c.
GUY CARLETON.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Philadelphia, April 21st, 1783.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose a letter, just received from Mr Dana. I am
much surprised to find that such considerable sums as he mentions are
necessary on the signature of a treaty with Russia, since I cannot
learn that money is demanded of right on similar occasions by any
civilized nation in Europe; though it is usual among them to present
gratifications to the Ministers on both sides, which being for the
most part of equal value, the account is balanced. As I do not
conceive, that we are under the least necessity of buying a treaty
with Russia, I think it would be well for Mr Dana, (if he should not
have been misinformed) to declare to the Court of St Petersburg, that
the Ministers of the United States are restrained from receiving
presents, that to make them in such circumstance, would be either to
arrogate a superiority to which they were not entitled, or to
acknowledge that they were so far the inferior of those with whom they
treated, as to be compelled to purchase a connexion, which should be
founded in equality and mutual advantage. That he therefore found
himself compelled in the one case, by respect for the Empress, in the
other by a regard to the United States, rather to break off the
treaty, than to take a step which might be supposed to derogate from
either. After all, I apprehend, that Mr Dana has not received his
information on this subject through the best channel, and that he must
have mistaken a particular case for a general custom.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Head Quarters, April 22d, 1783.
Sir,
I have been honored with your two favors, dated the 12th and 15th
instant.
In consequence of the resolutions of Congress on the 15th instant, and
the express declarations of the Secretary at War, respecting the
sense and expectations of Congress, arrangements have been agreed upon
between him and me, for an immediate liberation of all land prisoners;
and I have yesterday given this information to Sir Guy Carleton. The
particulars of the arrangement, with the opinion given the British
Commander in Chief, you will obtain through the Minister at War.
In order to obtain the sense of Sir Guy Carleton upon the matters,
contained in the resolution of the 15th, I have proposed a personal
interview with him at an early day. The result of this meeting, if
acceded to, will probably lead us to a decision upon some questions,
which are more doubtful, and that with greater decision and despatch,
than could otherwise be procured.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Head Quarters, May 13th, 1783.
Sir,
Your favor of the 3d came to hand by the last post. Before this time
you will have seen the report I made to Congress of the interview with
Sir Guy Carleton. I am very sorry its result proved so indecisive.
That this arises from the cause you mention I am not fully persuaded.
I believe a want of information from his Court, which had been for
some time without any administration, has been a great embarrassment
to him.
The civil jurisdiction of West Chester County Sir Guy Carleton
appeared very willing, in his conversation, to relinquish to the
State; but what reply he will make to the Governor, when he comes to
reduce it to writing, I know not. Long Island he seemed to think could
not be so easily delivered up. It would be attended with many
inconveniences, and he mentioned particularly the facility it would
give to desertions, and the necessity of holding it for the
accommodation of those people, who must eventually be obliged to leave
the country. Staten Island was also necessary for his convenience.
I have had no reply from Sir Guy since his return to New York, nor, I
presume, has Governor Clinton heard anything from him.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS.
Philadelphia, May 19th, 1783.
Sir,
The inquiries that the committee were pleased to do me the honor to
make this morning, relative to my continuing to exercise the office of
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, were extremely embarrassing to me,
because, on the one hand, I find it impossible to continue in the
office on the present establishment, without material injury to my
private affairs, and, on the other, to propose the terms on which I
would stay would be to overrate my own importance, and to suppose that
others could not be had upon such conditions as Congress have been
pleased to consider as sufficient. Having given my whole time, and a
considerable part of my property to the public during the war, I see,
with pleasure, that the affairs of the United States are not now in
such a situation as to render the contributions of an individual
necessary. It is my wish to endeavor to repair the injuries my estate
has sustained by the ravages of the enemy, and my own neglect, by the
offices I have held.
From my former letter, Congress will be able to judge how far my
expenses in the office exceed the salary. But as it by no means
follows, that another by greater economy and humbler, but, perhaps,
more just ideas of the importance of this office, could not live at
less expense, I do not think that mine should be any reason to induce
Congress to make other changes, than such as they shall of themselves
deem necessary. And in this view, I requested the committee, that
called upon me last winter, to keep the matter of emoluments entirely
out of sight in their report, as I then considered my stay only as a
temporary inconvenience.
At present, Sir, I must choose between the office I have been honored
with from Congress and an important State office. If I continue in the
first, I must suppose it the business of years, and lose sight of all
other objects in my own State, where I have something to hope from my
connexions and the favor of my countrymen, and where I possess an
estate, the value of which depends in a great measure upon my
attention to it. Under these circumstances, I flatter myself that the
committee will not think me blamable, when I assure them, that though
I am willing to give my time and services to the public if they should
be deemed necessary, yet I cannot in justice to myself or my family,
add to this gift that of such a portion of my property as I find
absolutely necessary to support the office I hold.
Permit me, Gentlemen, to add, that having no wishes upon this
subject, I am sincerely desirous that personal considerations may not
enter into the arrangements that Congress make thereon. I feel myself
extremely honored by the attention they have shown me in directing you
to confer with me on this subject; and I reflect with great pleasure
on the reasons I have had to be satisfied with their conduct towards
me since I have been honored with the office.
I am, Gentlemen, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO JOSEPH NOURSE.
Philadelphia, May 26th, 1783.
Sir,
In compliance with your request, I have collected from the papers in
my office the following account of the moneys received by loans, or
otherwise, from Holland, France, and Spain.
The first loan that was opened in Holland on our account with success,
was opened by His Most Christian Majesty, and under his special
guarantee, for ten millions of livres. Since that, another loan was
contracted by Mr Adams with private banking houses, to the amount of
five millions of florins.
These houses, in a letter directed to me of the 16th of August last,
write that they had at that time in cash by them, one million four
hundred and eightyfour thousand florins, of which the interest ran as
follows;
1,314,000 florins, from the 1st of June,
170,000 florins, from the 1st of July.
They add, that they had already paid to the order of Mr Adams, in
favor of sundry individuals, the sum of two thousand nine hundred and
two florins, and that that Minister had hinted to them, that it would
be necessary to pay some drafts of Mr Laurens's when arrived, and a
few other unavoidable expenses, which would amount to about two
hundred thousand florins. By a letter of the 18th of November last,
they have acknowledged the receipt of the contract duly ratified, so
that the money they had on hand has been since that time at the
disposal of Congress.
The moneys received from France before the year 1780, cannot be very
accurately stated, for the want of order in the books kept by the
Committee of Foreign Affairs. By the best estimate I have been able to
make, the amount of such moneys appears to be about nine millions of
livres, exclusive of one million received from the Farmers-General on
a particular contract. To this, must be added the grants obtained by
Colonel Laurens, which, _including_ military stores, amount to
fourteen millions of livres. So that the whole of the money received
from France, amounts to about four and twenty millions tournois. I
should observe, that I have not here made any distinction between
loans and gifts, though about eight millions of the above sum have
been granted by France without any expectation of being repaid.
From Spain we have only received one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, which were granted to Mr Jay in the beginning of the year
1780.
I have not mentioned the engagement, which France has lately entered
into to supply the United States with six millions of livres, as you
may find everything that relates to it in the appendix to the address
of Congress to the States.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Philadelphia, June 2d, 1783.
Sir,
I have the honor to submit to Congress a letter from M. Dumas, with
several papers relative to a negotiation, which appears to have been
commenced by the States of Holland with our Ministers. As this subject
may be very important in its consequences, it is to be presumed, that
they would wish to have the direction of Congress. I would therefore
take the liberty to suggest, that these papers be committed to a
special committee.
As my stay in town will not admit of my executing the commission,
which M. Van Berckel requires, I must pray Congress also to give some
direction therein.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ROBERT MORRIS,
SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE.
During the first years of the Revolution the financial concerns of
Congress were managed by a Committee, under the general supervision of
that body. Disorder and confusion were the gradual results of such a
system. It was at length resolved to put this Department into the
hands of a responsible individual, and ROBERT MORRIS was unanimously
chosen _Superintendent of Finance_, on the 20th of February, 1781.
Various reasons prevented his engaging in the duties of the office
till the May following.
The high expectations of Congress, and of the country, were fully
answered by the ability and success with which Mr Morris administered
the affairs of this new Department. Funds were provided, and public
credit restored. He remained in office till November 1st, 1784.
Nothing can afford a stronger proof of his zeal, assiduity, and
unwearied labor, than the correspondence which he has left respecting
the transactions of his office. The letters here published are a
selection only from the large mass, which has been preserved. They
pertain chiefly to the foreign relations of the United States, either
as effected by European loans, or by the agency of the internal
resources of the country. In fact, all the financial operations of
Congress were more or less connected with their Foreign Affairs since
loans from abroad were necessary, and these could be produced only on
the strength of public credit and the means of sustaining it at
home.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ROBERT MORRIS.
* * * * *
ORGANIZATION OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
In Congress, February 7th, 1781.
Congress resumed the consideration of the plan for the arrangement of
the civil executive departments of the United States; and thereupon,
Resolved, That there be a Superintendent of Finance, a Secretary at
War, and a Secretary of Marine;