member of Congress. He has some commission to execute for that
province, but none that I know of from Congress. He has an open letter
for you from Mr Lovell, which he has shown me. It is full of
expressions of his esteem; and I understand from Mr Searle, that you
stand exceedingly well with the Committee and with the Congress in
general. I am sorry to see any marks of uneasiness and apprehension in
your letters. M. Chaumont tells me, that you want some assurance of
being continued. The Congress itself is changeable at the pleasure of
their electors, and none of their servants have, or can have, any such
assurance. If, therefore, anything better for you, and more
substantial should offer, nobody can blame you for accepting it,
however satisfied they may be with your services. But as to the
continuance of what you may enjoy, or of something as valuable in the
service of the Congress, I think you may make yourself easy, for your
appointment seems more likely to be increased than diminished, though
it does not belong to me to promise anything.
Mr Laurens was to sail three days after Mr Searle, who begins to fear
he must be lost, as it was a small vessel he intended to embark in. He
was bound directly to Holland.
I enclose some extracts of letters from two French officers of
distinction in the army of M. de Rochambeau, which are pleasing, as
they mark the good intelligence that subsists between the troops,
contrary to the reports circulated by the English.
They will do perhaps for your Leyden Gazette.
With great esteem and affection, I am ever, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Passy, October 9th, 1780.
Dear Sir,
I received yours of the 29th of September and 3d of October. It is a
very good addition you have made to your Memoir for the Ministers of
Russia and Sweden. I am glad to find you are again on such good terms
with the Ambassador, as to be invited to his comedy. I doubt not of
your continuing to cultivate that good understanding. I like much your
insertions in the gazettes. Such things have good effects.
Your information relative to the transactions at Petersburgh and in
Denmark are very interesting, and afforded me a good deal of
satisfaction, particularly the former. Mr Searle will have the
pleasure of seeing you. I recommend him warmly to your civilities. He
is much your friend, and will advise Mr Laurens to make you his
secretary, which I hope you will accept. I have given it as my
opinion, that Mr L. can nowhere find one better qualified, or more
deserving. The choice is left to that Minister, and he is empowered to
give a salary of £500 sterling a year. I am in pain on account of his
not being yet arrived, but I hope you will see him soon. I request
you would find means to introduce Mr Searle to the Portuguese
Ambassador. Pray consider the enclosed papers, and after advising with
your friend, give me your opinion as to the manner of the application
to the States-General, whether I should make it through their
Ambassador, or directly with a letter to the Grand Pensionary, or in
what other manner. You know we wrote to him formerly, and received no
answer.
With great esteem, I am, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
_P. S._ You say nothing of Mr Adams? How do you stand with him? What
is he doing?
* * * * *
JAMES LOVELL TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, October 28th, 1780.
Sir,
A Committee was appointed on the 6th to draft "a letter to our
Ministers at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid, to enforce the
instructions given by Congress to Mr Jay, by their resolutions of the
4th instant, and so to explain the reasons and principles on which the
same are founded, that they may respectively be enabled to satisfy
those Courts of the justice and equity of the intentions of Congress."
That Committee reported a draft of a letter to Mr Jay, "and that a
copy of it be communicated to Doctor Franklin, together with the
resolution directing the draft."
There is no member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs attending
Congress but myself, nor have the Committee had a secretary or a
clerk since T. Paine's resignation. I must entreat you, therefore,
Sir, to excuse the economy of my request, that you would transmit to
Mr Jay all the papers which happen to reach you directed for him,
taking copies of such as are left open, for your information. I
persuade myself you will readily communicate to Mr Adams what appears
so much connected with his commission, though it has not been
specially ordered by the report of the Committee on the draft.
I am, Sir, your most humble servant,
JAMES LOVELL,
_For the Committee of Foreign Affairs_.
* * * * *
TO SIR GREY COOPER, BARONET, SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY OF GREAT
BRITAIN.
Passy, November 7th, 1780.
Sir,
I understand that Mr Laurens, an American gentleman, for whom I have a
great esteem, is a prisoner in the Tower, and that his health suffers
by the closeness and rigor of his confinement. As I do not think that
your affairs receive any advantage from the harshness of this
proceeding, I take the freedom of requesting your kind interposition,
to obtain for him such a degree of air and liberty, on his parole or
otherwise, as may be necessary for his health and comfort. The fortune
of war, which is daily changing, may possibly put it in my power to do
the like good office for some friend of yours, which I shall perform
with much pleasure, not only for the sake of humanity, but in respect
to the ashes of our former friendship.
With great regard, I have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
CHARLES VERNON, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF THE TOWER OF LONDON, TO SIR
GREY COOPER.
Hampstead, November 27th, 1780.
Dear Sir,
I am much ashamed to think that I shall appear so dilatory in
answering the favor of your letter, but the truth is, I was not in
town when the messenger left it in Cork Street, and by the neglect of
my servants I received it only on Sunday last. I went immediately to
the Tower, to know from Mr Laurens himself if he had any cause of
complaint, and if he had availed himself of the indulgence allowed him
by the Secretary of State, of walking within the Tower whenever it was
agreeable to himself. His answer to me was full and frank to the
questions, that he had received every reasonable indulgence since his
confinement, and that by the liberty allowed him of walking, he found
his health much mended. He said, at the same time, that he had always
thought himself highly honored by the distinguished place of his
confinement, and regretted much it was not in his power to make known
to all the world, the acknowledgments he had more than once made to me
upon this subject.
I beg you will do me the favor to communicate these particulars to
Lord George Germain as soon as convenient.
I have the honor to be, dear Sir, &c.
CHARLES VERNON.
* * * * *
SIR GREY COOPER TO B. FRANKLIN.
London, November 29th, 1780.
Sir,
I have received the honor of your letter, in which you acquainted me,
that you understood that the health of Mr Laurens suffered by the
closeness and rigor of his confinement in the Tower, and after
complaining of the harshness of the proceeding, you request me to
endeavor to obtain for Mr Laurens such a degree of air and liberty, as
may be necessary for his health and comfort. The enclosed letter,
which I received from the Lieutenant Governor of the Tower, will show
that I have not been inattentive to your request, and at the same time
prove, that the intelligence you receive of what passes in this
country, is not always to be depended on for its accuracy and
correctness.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GREY COOPER.
* * * * *
INSTRUCTIONS FROM CONGRESS TO B. FRANKLIN.
In Congress, November 29th, 1780.
Sir,
The letters to His Most Christian Majesty, which accompany these
instructions, you will deliver without loss of time; you will on all
occasions, and in the strongest terms, represent the unalterable
resolutions of these United States to maintain their liberties and
independence, and invariably to adhere to the alliance at every
hazard, and in every event. That the misfortunes of the last campaign,
instead of repressing, have redoubled their ardor. That Congress are
resolved to employ every resource in their power to expel the enemy
from every part of the United States, by the most vigorous and
decisive co-operation with the marine and troops of their illustrious
ally; that they have called for a powerful army and ample supplies of
provisions, and that the States are disposed effectually to a
compliance with their requisitions. That if, in aid of our own
exertions, the Court of Spain can be prevailed on to assume a naval
superiority in the American seas, to furnish the arms, ammunition, and
clothing specified in the estimate herewith transmitted, and to assist
us with the loan mentioned in the letter, we flatter ourselves, that
under the divine blessing the war must be speedily terminated, with
glory and advantage to both nations. To procure these necessary aids
you will employ unremitted attention and your utmost abilities; your
own knowledge of our circumstances, and the fact suggested in the
letter, will supply you with abundant argument to enforce our
requisitions.
You will give Colonel Palfrey, late Paymaster General for our armies,
and now our Consul in France, all the support which is necessary for
the exercise of his Consular functions, as well as for the effectual
execution of the special authority and instructions, which he will
communicate. The sufferings of our army for the want of the clothing
and arms, which the grant of His Most Christian Majesty, and your own
despatch gave us reason to expect, and the absolute and increasing
necessity of their being immediately forwarded to give efficacy to our
future operations, will especially impress upon you the dangerous
consequences of a further disappointment.
With respect to the loan, we foresee, that the sum we ask will be
greatly inadequate to our wants. We wish, however, to depend as much
as possible on our internal exertions. In this negotiation the state
of our finances requires, that you should endeavor to procure as long
a respite after the war for payment of the principal as may be in your
power. You may agree for an interest not exceeding the terms allowed
or given on national security, in endeavoring to suspend the discharge
of the interest for two or three years if possible.
The loan must prove ineffectual, unless the specie is actually
remitted. Experience has shown, that the negotiations of bills is
attended with insuperable loss and disadvantage. His Most Christian
Majesty, we are persuaded, will see in the strongest light the
necessity of despatching an effective naval armament to the American
seas. This is a measure of such vast moment, that your utmost address
will be employed to give it success. By such a conveyance the specie
may be remitted by different ships of war with a prospect of safety.
You are instructed to procure a correspondence with Monsieur Stephen
d'Andibert Caille, Consul for unrepresented nations at the Court of
the Emperor of Morocco. Assure him in the name of Congress, and in the
most respectful terms, that we entertain a sincere disposition to
cultivate the most perfect friendship with the Emperor of Morocco, and
are desirous of entering into a treaty of commerce with him, and that
we shall embrace a favorable opportunity to announce our wishes in
form. You are to take upon yourself, as far as may be consistent with
your present functions, the office of adjusting preliminaries for a
treaty with that Prince, according to the articles herewith forwarded;
provided, that you shall conceive it for the honor and interest of
the United States to make such overtures, and it shall be agreeable to
the Court at which you reside.
I have the honor to be, &c.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_.
* * * * *
TO JAMES LOVELL.
Passy, December 2d, 1780.
Sir,
I duly received your several favors of August the 15th, and September
the 7th, with the resolves of Congress for drawing on the bills
extraordinary, to the amount of near three hundred thousand dollars.
To keep up the credit of Congress I had already engaged for those
drawn on Mr Laurens. You cannot conceive how much these things perplex
and distress me; for the practice of this government being yearly to
apportion the revenue to the several expected services, any after
demands made, which the treasury is not furnished to supply, meet with
great difficulty, and are very disagreeable to the Ministers. To
enable me to look these drafts in the face, I have agreed to a
proposal contained in the enclosed letter to the President of
furnishing provisions to the King's forces in America, which proposal
I hope will be approved and executed, and that the Congress will
strictly comply with the assurance you have given me, not to draw on
me any more without first knowing that they have funds in my hands.
I wrote to you more fully by Captain Jones. He sailed sometime since
in the Ariel, but met with a severe storm, that entirely dismasted
him, and obliged him to put back for France. He has been long
refitting, but will sail again soon. Everything goes well here.
With great esteem, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Passy, December 2d, 1780.
Sir,
The many mutual advantages, that must arise from carrying into
execution the proposition already communicated to Congress, of
furnishing provisions to the King's forces in America, to be paid for
here, have, I make no doubt, already induced them to begin that
operation. But as the proposition has lately been renewed to me, on
occasion of my requesting further aids of money, to answer the
unexpected drafts drawn upon me ordered by the resolutions of May and
August last, which drafts it is absolutely necessary I should find
funds to pay; and as the Congress have long desired to have the means
of forming funds in Europe, and an easier, cheaper, and safer method
cannot possibly be contrived, and as I see by the journals of
February, that the several States were to furnish provisions in
quantities instead of supplies in money, whereby much will be in the
disposition of Congress, I flatter myself that they will not
disapprove of my engaging in their behalf with the Minister of the
Finances here, that they will cause to be delivered for the King's
land and sea forces in North America such provisions, as may be wanted
from time to time, to the amount of four hundred thousand dollars, the
said provisions to be furnished at the current prices, for which they
might be bought with silver specie.
I have constantly done my utmost to support the credit of Congress, by
procuring wherewith punctually to pay all their drafts, and I have no
doubt of their care to support mine in this instance by fulfilling
honorably my engagement; in which case, receipts in due form should be
taken of the person to whom the provisions are delivered in the
several States, and those receipts sent to me here.
With great respect, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
_P. S._ This value, 400,000 dollars, is to be considered as exclusive
of any provisions already furnished, but the receipts for those should
also be sent me, if not paid for there.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Passy, December 3d, 1780.
Sir,
I duly received the letter your Excellency did me the honor of writing
to me on the 12th of July past, by Mr Searle, and have paid the bills
drawn on me by order of Congress in favor of the President and Council
of Pennsylvania, for one thousand pounds sterling, which were
presented by him. He is at present in Holland.
The news of Mr Laurens having been taken must have reached you long
since; he is confined in the Tower, but of late has some more liberty
for taking air and exercise than first was allowed him. Certain papers
found with him relating to the drafts of a treaty proposed in Holland,
have been sent over to the Stadtholder, who laid them before their
High Mightinesses, who communicated them to the government of the city
of Amsterdam, which justified the transaction. This has drawn from
England a memorial, delivered by Sir Joseph Yorke, demanding that the
Pensionary and Magistrates of that city should be punished, and
declaring that the King will resent a refusal of the States to comply
with this demand. What answer will be given to this insolent memorial
we do not yet know. But I hear it has produced much displeasure in
Holland, and it is thought to have occasioned a more prompt accession
to the armed neutrality, which had before met with obstructions from
the English party there.
We have met with a variety of unaccountable delays and difficulties in
the affair of shipping the clothing and stores. The Alliance went away
without taking her part. The Ariel sailed, but met a storm at sea that
dismasted her, and obliged her to return to France. She is nearly
again ready to sail. Mr Ross, with his cargo of clothes in the Duke of
Leinster, sailed under convoy of the Ariel, but did not return with
her, and I hope may get safe to America. The great ship we hired to
come to L'Orient, and take in the rest of what we had to send, has
been long unexpectedly detained at Bordeaux. I am afraid the army has
suffered for want of the clothes; but it has been as impossible for me
to avoid, as it was to foresee these delays.
The late Minister of the Marine here, M. de Sartine, is removed, and
his place supplied by M. le Marquis de Castries. But this change does
not effect the general system of the Court, which continues favorable
to us.
I have received a copy of the resolutions of Congress of the 19th of
May, and the 9th, 15th, 23d, and 30th of August, directing bills to be
drawn on me for near 300,000 dollars. I shall accept the bills, hoping
the Congress will approve of, and readily comply with the proposition,
contained in a letter to your Excellency, accompanying this, dated
the 2d instant. Probably an answer may arrive here before many of
those bills shall become due, as few of them are yet arrived. If that
answer ratifies the agreement I have made, I shall have no difficulty
in finding means to pay the rest. If not, I shall scarce be able to
bear the reproaches of merchants, that I have misled them to their
loss by my acceptations, which gave a promise of payment, that not
being fulfilled, has deranged their affairs, to say nothing of the
power I am told the Consul's Court here has over the persons, even of
Ministers, in the case of bills of exchange. Let me, therefore, beg
your Excellency to use your endeavors with Congress, that this matter
may be immediately attended to.
Mr Jay, no doubt, has acquainted you with his difficulties respecting
the drafts upon him. I am sorry I cannot extricate him, but I hope he
will still find means.
The Mars, an armed ship belonging to the State of Massachusetts, in
her way to France, took and sent to New England a Portuguese ship
bound to Cork, with salt, belonging to some merchants there. The
Portuguese Captain, who is brought in here, complains heavily of ill
usage and plunder, besides taking his vessel, and the Ambassador of
that nation has communicated to me these complaints, together with all
the papers proving the property of the vessel, &c. representing at the
same time the good disposition of the Queen towards our States, and
his wishes that nothing might lessen it, or tend to prevent or delay a
complete good understanding between the two nations. I advised that
the owners should send over their claim, and empower some person to
prosecute it, in which case I did not doubt our courts would do them
justice. I hope the Congress may think fit to take some notice of
this affair, and not only forward a speedy decision, but give orders
to our cruisers not to meddle with neutral ships for the future, it
being a practice apt to produce ill blood, and contrary to the spirit
of the new league, which is approved by all Europe; and the English
property found in such vessels will hardly pay the damages brought on
us by the irregular proceedings of our Captains, in endeavoring to get
at such property.
With the greatest respect, I have the honor to be, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
* * * * *
JAMES LOVELL TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, December 21st, 1780.
Sir,
The bearer, William Palfrey, our late Paymaster General, has been
appointed Consul in France, with powers adequate to a general agency
in our commercial concerns there. But, while I take up my pen to
introduce him to your patronage, I ought to use it rather, perhaps, by
way of apologising for myself, in the line of a member of the
Committee of Foreign Affairs, from whom you will find no letter. There
was a prospect of much business being committed to you by this
opportunity, but it was altogether depending upon the President and
Secretary to transmit it, which, it seems, they were prevented from
doing, by an arrangement being but partly accomplished, which Congress
has thought fit to connect with those affairs. This proceeding is of a
nature not to admit of my enlarging upon it, because neither my head
nor heart suggests anything of eulogium, and my conscience forbids me
to pursue the usual style of minorities.
The Journals which I send you will show that we have had no letter
from you since that of May last, except two short ones lately,
respecting the private concerns of two officers, Baron d'Arendt, and
another, whose name is not now in my memory. Colonel Palfrey will be
able to give you information additional to the gazettes.
I am, Sir, your most humble servant,
JAMES LOVELL,
_For the Committee of Foreign Affairs_.
* * * * *
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM CONGRESS TO B. FRANKLIN.
In Congress, December 27th, 1780.
Sir,
Since your last instructions[25] Congress have thought it expedient to
send Colonel John Laurens, with powers to negotiate specially the
important affairs to which they more immediately relate. This
gentleman, from the nature of his services and situation, has had
opportunities of information, which peculiarly qualify him for giving
to His Most Christian Majesty a more lively idea of our circumstances,
of our indispensable wants, and of the great advantages which must
result to the allies from his Majesty's complying with our request.
[25] See above, p. 176.
The negotiation is, besides, so critically important, that it was
deemed highly requisite by the mission of this special Minister, to
guard against the accident of your want of health, and the consequent
delay in making the application.
Notwithstanding this appointment, should the duplicates of the
despatches reach you before this Minister's arrival, you will consider
it as the desire of Congress, that you take, with all possible
expedition, every step in your power for effecting the business, or at
least for disposing His Most Christian Majesty and his Ministers to
take a favorable impression from the representation which Colonel
Laurens, from his advantages of fuller information, may be better able
to make.
It is intended, and it is well known to be his own disposition, to
avail himself of your information and influence, and Congress doubt
not that the success of this measure will be much promoted by the
assistance he will derive from you; and they desire you to consider
your attention to him as a matter, which will be very satisfactory to
Congress and advantageous to your country.
I have the honor to be, &c.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_.
* * * * *
TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Passy, February 13th, 1781.
Sir,
I have just received from Congress their letter for the King, which I
have the honor of putting herewith into the hands of your Excellency.
I am charged at the same time, to "represent in the strongest terms,
the unalterable resolution of the United States to maintain their
liberties and independence; and inviolably to adhere to the alliance
at every hazard, and in every event; and that the misfortunes of the
last campaign, instead of repressing, have redoubled their ardor; that
Congress are resolved to employ every resource in their power to expel
the enemy from every part of the United States, by the most vigorous
and decisive co-operation with marine and other forces of their
illustrious ally; that they have accordingly called on the several
States for a powerful army and ample supplies of provisions; and that
the States are disposed effectually to comply with their requisitions.
That, if in aid of their own exertions, the Court of France can be
prevailed on to assume a naval superiority in the American seas, to
furnish the arms, ammunition, and clothing, specified in the estimate
heretofore transmitted, and to assist with the loan mentioned in the
letter, they flatter themselves, that under the divine blessing, the
war must speedily be terminated, with glory and advantage to both
nations."