when it will be in my power to go, I know not. Your present
negotiation about peace falls in very well to aid a proposition, which
I am instructed to make, as soon as the Court of Versailles shall
judge proper, of a triple or quadruple alliance. This matter, the
treaty of commerce, which is now under deliberation, and the loan,
will render it improper for me to quit this station, unless in case of
necessity. If there is a real disposition to permit Canada to accede
to the American association, I should think there would be no great
difficulty in adjusting all things between England and America,
provided our allies are contented too. In a former letter, I hinted
that I thought an express acknowledgment of our independence might now
be insisted on, but I did not mean that we should insist upon such an
article in the treaty. If they make a treaty of peace with the United
States of America, this is acknowledgment enough for me.
"The affair of a loan gives me much anxiety and fatigue. It is true I
may open a loan for five millions, but I confess I have no hopes of
obtaining so much; the money is not to be had. Cash is not infinite in
this country. Their profits by trade have been ruined for two or three
years, and there are loans open for France, Spain, England, Russia,
Sweden, Denmark, and several other powers, as well as their own
national, provincial, and collegiate loans. The undertakers are
already loaded with burthens greater than they can bear, and all the
brokers in the republic are so engaged, that there is scarcely a ducat
to be lent but what is promised.
"This is the true cause why we should not succeed, yet they will seek
an hundred other pretences. It is considered such an honor, and such
an introduction to American trade to be the house, that the eagerness
to obtain the title of American banker is prodigious. Various houses
have pretensions, which they set up very high, and let me choose which
I will, I am sure of a cry and a clamor. I have taken some measures to
endeavor to calm the heat, and give a general satisfaction, but have
as yet small hopes of success. I would strike with any house, that
would insure the money, but none will undertake it now it is offered,
although several were very ready to affirm that they could, when it
began to be talked of. Upon inquiry, they do not find the money easy
to obtain, which I could have told them before. It is to me,
personally, perfectly indifferent which is the house, and the only
question is, which will be able to do best for the interest of the
United States. This question, however simple, is not easy to answer.
But I think it clear, after very painful and laborious inquiry for a
year and a half, that no house whatever will be able to do much.
Enthusiasm at some times, and in some countries, may do a great deal,
but there has, as yet, been no enthusiasm in this country for America
strong enough to untie many purses. Another year, if the war
continues, perhaps we may do better. I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS."
During Mr Oswald's absence, I received the following from Mr Laurens.
* * * * *
HENRY LAURENS TO B. FRANKLIN.
London, April 20th, 1782.
"Sir,
"I wrote to you on the 7th instant, by Mr Oswald, since which, that is
to say, on the 28th, I was honored by the receipt of your letter of
the 12th, enclosing a copy of the commission for treating for peace,
by the hands of Mr Young. The recognizance exacted from me by the late
Ministry, has been vacated and done away by the present; these have
been pleased to enlarge me without formal conditions, but, as I would
not consent that the United States of America should be outdone in
generosity, however late the marks appeared on this side, I took upon
me to assure Lord Shelburne, in a letter of acknowledgment for the
part, which his Lordship had taken for obtaining my release, that
Congress would not fail to make a just and adequate return. The only
return in my view, is Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis. Congress
were pleased sometime ago, to offer a British Lieutenant General for
my ransom, and as I am informed, a special exchange of Lord Cornwallis
for the same subject was lately in contemplation, it would afford me
very great satisfaction to know, that you will join me in cancelling
the debt of honor, which we have impliedly incurred, by discharging
his Lordship from the obligations of his parole.
"For my own part, though not a bold adventurer, I think I shall not
commit myself to the risk of censure, by acting conjunctly with you in
such a bargain. I entreat you, Sir, at least, to reflect on this
matter; I shall take the liberty of requesting your determination when
I reach the continent, which will probably happen in a few days.
"Lord Cornwallis, in a late conversation with me, put the following
case. 'Suppose,' said his Lordship, 'it shall have been agreed, in
America, that Lord Cornwallis should be offered in exchange for Mr
Laurens, don't you think, although you are now discharged, I ought to
reap the intended benefit?' A reply from the feelings of the heart, as
I love fair play, was prompt; 'Undoubtedly, my Lord, you ought to be,
and shall be, in such case, discharged, and I will venture to take the
burthen upon myself.' Certain legal forms, I apprehend, rendered the
discharge of me, without condition, unavoidable; but I had previously
refused to accept of myself for nothing, and what I now aim at was
understood as an adequate return; it is not to be doubted, his
Lordship's question was built on this ground.
"I had uniformly and explicitly declared to the people here, people in
the first rank of importance, that nothing short of independence in
terms of our treaty of alliance, would induce America to treat for
truce or peace, and that no treaty could be had without the consent of
our ally first obtained; in a word, if you mean to have peace, you
must seek for a general peace. The doctrine was ill relished,
especially by those whose power only could set the machine in motion;
but having, since my return from Haerlem, asserted in very positive
terms, that I was confirmed in my former opinions, the late obduracy
has been more than a little softened, as you will soon learn from the
worthy friend, by whom I addressed you on the 7th, who two days ago
set out on his return to Passy and Versailles, with, I believe, a more
permanent commission than the former.
"Accept my thanks, Sir, for the kind offer of a supply of money. I
know too well how much you have been harassed for that article, and
too well, how low our American finances in Europe are; therefore, if I
can possibly avoid it, I will not further trouble you, nor impoverish
them, or not till the last extremity. Hitherto I have supported myself
without borrowing from anybody, and I am determined to continue living
upon my own stock while it lasts; the stock is indeed small; my
expenses have been and shall be in a suitable modest style. I pray God
to bless you. I have the honor be, &c.
HENRY LAURENS."
_P. S._ "I judged it proper not only to show the peace commission to
Lord Shelburne, but to give his Lordship a copy of it, from an opinion
that it would work no evil, being shown elsewhere."
On the 4th of May, Mr Oswald returned, and brought me the following
letter from Lord Shelburne.
* * * * *
LORD SHELBURNE TO B. FRANKLIN.
Shelburne House, April 20th, 1782.
"Dear Sir,
"I have received much satisfaction in being assured by you, that the
qualifications of wisdom and integrity, which induced me to make
choice of Mr Oswald, as the fittest instrument for the renewal of our
friendly intercourse, have also recommended him so effectually to your
approbation and esteem. I most heartily wish the influence of this
first communication of our mutual sentiments may be extended to a
happy conclusion of all our public differences.
"The candor with which the Count de Vergennes expresses His Most
Christian Majesty's sentiments and wishes, on the subject of a speedy
pacification, is a pleasing omen of its accomplishment. His Majesty is
not less decided in the same sentiments and wishes, and it confirms
his Majesty's Ministers in their intention to act in like manner, as
most consonant to the true dignity of a great nation. In consequence
of these reciprocal advances, Mr Oswald is sent back to Paris, for the
purpose of arranging and settling with you the preliminaries of time
and place. And I have the pleasure to tell you, that Mr Laurens is
already discharged from those engagements, which he entered into when
he was admitted to bail.
"It is also determined, that Mr Fox, from whose department that
communication is necessarily to proceed, shall send a proper person,
who may confer and settle immediately with the Count de Vergennes the
further measures and proceedings, which may be judged proper to adopt
toward advancing the prosecution of this important business.
"In the mean time, Mr Oswald is instructed to communicate to you my
thoughts upon the principal objects to be settled. Transports are
actually preparing for the purpose of conveying your prisoners to
America, to be there exchanged, and we trust, that you will learn,
that due attention has not been wanting to their accommodation and
good treatment.
"I have the honor to be, with very sincere respect, dear Sir, your
very faithful and obedient humble servant,
SHELBURNE."
* * * * *
Having read the letter, I mentioned to Mr Oswald the part, which
refers me to him for his Lordship's sentiments. He acquainted me,
that they were very sincerely disposed to peace; that the whole
Ministry concurred in the same disposition; that a good deal of
confidence was placed in my character for open, honest dealing; that
it was also generally believed, I had still remaining some part of my
ancient affection and regard for Old England, and it was hoped it
might appear on this occasion. He then showed me an extract from the
Ministers of Council, but did not leave the paper with me. As well as
I can remember, it was to this purpose.
"At a Cabinet Council, held April 27th, 1782, Present, Lord
Rockingham, Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lord Camden, &c. &c. to
the number of fifteen or twenty, being all Ministers, and great
officers of State,
"It was proposed to represent to his Majesty, that it would be well
for Mr Oswald to return to Doctor Franklin and acquaint him, that it
is agreed to treat for a general peace, and at Paris; and that the
principal points in contemplation are, the allowing of American
Independence, on condition that England be put into the same
situation, that she was left in by the peace of 1763."
Mr Oswald also informed me, that he had conversed with Lord Shelburne
on the subject of my paper of _Notes_, relating to reconciliation.
That he had shown him the paper, and had been prevailed on to leave it
with him a night, but it was on his Lordship's solemn promise of
returning it, which had been complied with, and he now returned it to
me. That it seemed to have made an impression, and he had reason to
believe that matter might be settled to our satisfaction towards the
end of the treaty; but in his own mind he wished it might not be
mentioned at the beginning. That his Lordship indeed said, he had not
imagined reparation would be expected, and he wondered I should not
know whether it was intended to demand it. Finally, Mr Oswald
acquainted me, that as the business now likely to be brought forward
more particularly appertained to the department of the other
Secretary, Mr Fox, he was directed to announce another agent coming
from that department, who might be expected every day, viz. the
honorable Mr Grenville, brother to Lord Temple, and son of the famous
Mr George Grenville, formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer. I
immediately wrote the following note to the Count de Vergennes.
* * * * *
TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Passy, May 4th, 1782.
"Sir,
"I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that Mr Oswald is just
returned from London, and is now with me. He has delivered me a letter
from Lord Shelburne, which I enclose for your perusal, together with a
copy of my letter, to which it is an answer. He tells me, that it has
been agreed in Council to treat at Paris, and to treat of a _general
peace_; and that, as it is more particularly in the department of Mr
Fox to regulate the circumstantials, a gentleman, Mr Grenville, to be
sent by him for that purpose, may be daily expected here. Mr Oswald
will wait on your Excellency whenever you shall think fit to receive
him. I am, with respect, &c.
B. FRANKLIN."
And the next day I received the following answer.
* * * * *
COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.
Translation.
Versailles, May 5th, 1782.
"Sir,
"I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write to me
the 4th instant, as also those which accompanied it. I will see you
with your friend, with pleasure, at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning. I
have the honor to be, &c.
DE VERGENNES."
Accordingly, on Monday morning I went with Mr Oswald to Versailles,
and we saw the Minister. Mr Oswald acquainted him with the disposition
of his Court to treat for a general peace, and at Paris; and he
announced Mr Grenville, who he said was to set out about the same time
with him, but as he would probably come by way of Ostend, might be a
few days longer on the road. Some general conversation passed,
agreeable enough, but not of importance.
In our return, Mr Oswald repeated to me his opinion, that the affair
of Canada would be settled to our satisfaction, and his wish that it
might not be mentioned, till towards the end of the treaty. He
intimated too, that it was apprehended, the greatest obstructions in
the treaty might come from the part of Spain; but said, if she was
unreasonable, there were means to bring her to reason. That Russia was
a friend to England, had lately made great discoveries on the back of
North America, could make establishments there, and might easily
transport an army from Kamsckatka to the Coast of Mexico, and conquer
all those countries. This appeared a little visionary at present, but
I did not dispute it.
On the whole, I was able to draw so little from Mr Oswald of the
sentiments of Lord Shelburne, who had mentioned him as intrusted with
the communication of them, that I could not but wonder at his being
sent again to me, especially as Mr Grenville was so soon to follow.
On Tuesday I was at Court, as usual on that day. M. de Vergennes asked
me if Mr Oswald had not opened himself further to me? I acquainted him
with the sight I had had of the minute of Council, and of the loose
expressions contained in it, of what was in contemplation. He seemed
to think it odd, that he had brought nothing more explicit. I supposed
Mr Grenville might be better furnished. The next morning I wrote the
following letter to Mr Adams.
* * * * *
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Passy, May 8th, 1782.
"Sir,
"Mr Oswald, whom I mentioned in a former letter, which I find you have
received, is returned, and brought me another letter from Lord
Shelburne, of which the above is a copy. It says Mr Oswald is
instructed to communicate to me his Lordship's thoughts. He is,
however, very sparing of such communication. All I have got from him
is, that the Ministry have in contemplation the allowing independence
to America, on condition of Britain being put again into the state she
was left in by the peace of 1763, which I suppose means being put
again in the possession of the islands, which France has taken from
her. This seems to me a proposition of selling to us a thing, that was
already our own, and making France pay the price they are pleased to
ask for it.
"Mr Grenville, who is sent by Mr Fox, is expected here daily. Mr
Oswald tells me, that Mr Laurens will soon be here also. Yours of the
2d instant is just come to hand. I shall write to you on this affair
hereafter, by the Court couriers, for I am certain, that your letters
to me are opened at the Post Office, either here or in Holland, and I
suppose that mine to you are treated in the same manner. I enclose the
cover of your last, that you may see the seal. With great respect, I
am, Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN."
I had but just sent away this letter, when Mr Oswald came in, bringing
with him Mr Grenville, who was just arrived. He gave me the following
letter from Mr Secretary Fox.
* * * * *
CHARLES J. FOX TO B. FRANKLIN.
St James's, May 1st, 1782.
"Sir,
"Though Mr Oswald will, no doubt, have informed you of the nature of
Mr Grenville's commission, yet I cannot refrain from making use of the
opportunity that his going offers me, to assure you of the esteem and
respect, which I have borne to your character, and to beg you to
believe, that no change in my situation has made any in those ardent
wishes for reconciliation, which I have invariably felt from the very
beginning of this unhappy contest.
"Mr Grenville is fully acquainted with my sentiments upon this
subject, and with the sanguine hopes, which I have conceived, that
those with whom we are contending are too reasonable to continue a
contest, which has no longer any object, either real or even
imaginary. I know your liberality of mind too well to be afraid, lest
any prejudices against Mr Grenville's _name_ may prevent you from
esteeming those excellent qualities of heart and head, which belong
to him, or from giving the fullest credit to the sincerity of his
wishes for peace, in which no man in either country goes beyond him. I
am, with great truth and regard, &c.
C. J. FOX."
I imagined the gentlemen had been at Versailles, as I supposed Mr
Grenville would first have waited on M. de Vergennes before he called
on me. But finding, in conversation, that he had not, and that he
expected me to introduce him, I immediately wrote to that Minister,
acquainting him, that Mr Grenville was arrived, and desired to know
when his Excellency would think fit to receive him, and I sent an
express with my letter.
I then entered into conversation with him on the subject of his
mission, Mr Fox having referred me to him, as being fully acquainted
with his sentiments. He said that peace was really wished for by
everybody, if it could be obtained on reasonable terms, and as the
idea of subjugating America was given up, and both France and America
had thereby obtained what they had in view originally, it was hoped,
that there now remained no obstacle to a pacification. That England
was willing to treat of a general peace with all the powers at war
against her, and that the treaty should be at Paris.
I did not press him much for further particulars, supposing they were
reserved for our interview with M. de Vergennes. The gentlemen did me
the honor of staying to dinner with me, on the supposition, which I
urged, that my express might be back before we parted. This gave me an
opportunity of a good deal of general conversation with Mr Grenville,
who appeared to me a sensible, judicious, intelligent, good tempered,
and well instructed young man, answering well the character Mr Fox had
given me of him.
They left me, however, about six o'clock, and my messenger did not
return till near nine. He brought me the answer of the Count de
Vergennes, that he was glad to hear of Mr Grenville's arrival, and
would be ready to receive us tomorrow, at half past ten or eleven
o'clock. I immediately enclosed his note in one to Mr Grenville,
requesting him to be with me at Passy by eight, that we might have
time to breakfast before we set out. I have preserved no copy of these
three last mentioned notes, or I should have inserted them, as I think
that though they seem of almost too trifling a nature, they serve
usefully sometimes to settle dates, authenticate facts, and show
something of the turn and manner of thinking of the writers on
particular occasions. The answer I received was as follows.
* * * * *
"Mr Grenville presents his compliments to Mr Franklin, and will
certainly do himself the honor of waiting upon Mr Franklin tomorrow
morning at eight o'clock."
"Rue de Richelieu, Wednesday night."
* * * * *
We set out accordingly the next morning in my coach, and arrived
punctually at Count de Vergennes', who received Mr Grenville in the
most cordial manner, on account of the acquaintance and friendship
that had formerly subsisted between his uncle and the Count de
Vergennes, when they were ambassadors together at Constantinople.
After some little agreeable conversation, Mr Grenville presented his
letters from Mr Secretary Fox, and, I think, from the Duke of
Richmond. When these were read, the subject of peace was entered
upon. What my memory retains of the discourse amounts to little more
than this, that after mutual declarations of the good dispositions of
the two Courts, Mr Grenville having intimated that in case England
gave America independence, France, it was expected, would restore the
conquests she had made of British islands, receiving back those of
Miquelon and St Pierre. And the original object of the war being
obtained, it was supposed that France would be contented with that.
The Minister seemed to smile at the proposed exchange, and remarked,
the offer of giving independence to America amounted to little.
"America," said he, "does not ask it of you; there is Mr Franklin, he
will answer you as to that point." "To be sure," I said, "we do not
consider ourselves as under any necessity of bargaining for a thing
that is our own, which we have bought at the expense of much blood and
treasure, and which we are in possession of." "As to our being
satisfied with the original object of the war," continued he, "look
back to the conduct of your nation in former wars. In the last war,
for example, what was the object? It was the disputed right to some
waste lands on the Ohio and the frontiers of Nova Scotia. Did you
content yourselves with the recovery of those lands? No, you retained
at the peace all Canada, all Louisiana, all Florida, Grenada, and
other West India islands, the greatest part of the Northern Fisheries,
with all your conquests in Africa and the East Indies." Something
being mentioned of its not being reasonable that a nation, after
making an unprovoked and unsuccessful war upon its neighbors, should
expect to sit down whole, and have everything restored, which she had
lost in such a war, I think Mr Grenville remarked, the war had been
provoked by the encouragement given by France to the Americans to
revolt. On which the Count de Vergennes grew a little warm, and
declared firmly, that the breach was made, and our independence
declared, long before we received the least encouragement from France;
and he defied the world to give the smallest proof of the contrary.
"There sits," said he, "Mr Franklin, who knows the fact, and can
contradict me if I do not speak the truth."
He repeated to Mr Grenville, what he had before said to Mr Oswald,
respecting the King's intention of treating fairly and keeping
faithfully the conventions he should enter into, of which disposition
he should give at the treaty convincing proofs by the fidelity and
exactitude, with which he should observe his engagements with his
present allies, and added, that the points which the King had chiefly
in view were _justice_ and _dignity_; these he could not depart from.
He acquainted Mr Grenville, that he should immediately write to Spain
and Holland, communicate to those Courts what had passed, and request
their answers; that, in the meantime, he hoped Mr Grenville would find
means of amusing himself agreeably, to which he should be glad to
contribute; that he would communicate what had passed to the King, and
he invited him to come again the next day.
On our return, Mr Grenville expressed himself as not quite satisfied
with some part of the Count de Vergennes' discourse, and was
thoughtful. He told me that he had brought two State messengers with
him, and perhaps, after he had had another interview with the
Minister, he might despatch one of them to London. I then requested
leave to answer, by that opportunity, the letters I had received from
Lord Shelburne and Mr Fox, and he kindly promised to acquaint me in
time of the messenger's departure. He did not ask me to go with him
the next day to Versailles, and I did not offer it.