SIR, To Robert R. Livingston, Esq. Passy, Oct. 14, 1782. I HAVE but just received information of this opportunity, and have only time allowed to write a few lines. In my last of the 26th past, I mentioned that the negotia tions for peace had been obstructed by the want of due form in the English commissions, appointing their plenipotentiaries. In that for treating with us, the mentioning our states by their public name had been avoided, which we objecting to, another is come, of which I send you a copy inclosed. We have now made several preliminary propositions, which the English minister, Mr. Oswald, has approved, and sent to his court. He thinks they will be approved there, but I have some doubts. In a few days, however, the answer expected will determine. By the first of these articles, the king of Great Britain renounces, for himself and successor,. all claim and pretension to dominion or territory within the Thirteen United States; and the boundaries are described as in our instructions; except that the line between Nova Scotia and New England is to be settled by commissioners after the peace. By another article, the fishery in the American seas is to be freely exercised by the Americans, wherever they might formerly exercise it while united with Great Britain. By another, the citizens and subjects of each nation, are to enjoy, the same protection and privileges in each other's ports and countries respecting commerce, duties, &c., that are enjoyed by native subjects. The articles are drawn up very fully by Mr. Jay, who I suppose sends you a copy; if not, it will go by the next opportunity. If these articles are agreed to, I apprehend little difficulty in the rest. Something has been mentioned about the refugees and English debts, but not insisted on, as we declared at once, that whatever confiscations had been made in America, being in virtue of the laws of See Vol V. p. 191, of this edition. particular states, the congress had no authority to repeal those laws, and therefore could give us none to stipulate for such repeal. The ministry here have been induced to send over M. de Rayneval, secretary of the council, to converse with lord Shelburne, and endeavor to form by that means a more perfect judgment of what was to be expected from the negotiation. He was five or six days in England, saw all the ministers, and returned quite satisfied, that they are sincerely desirous of peace; so that the negotiations now go on with some prospect of success. But the court and people of England are very changeable. A little turn of fortune in their favor sometimes turns their heads; and I shall not think a speedy peace to be depended on, till I see the treaties signed. With great esteem, I have the honor to be, sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. To John Adams, Esq., Minister Plenipotentiary, &c. SIR, A LONG and painful illness has prevented my corresponding with your excellency regularly. Mr. Jay has, I believe, acquainted you with the obstructions our peace negotiations have met with, and that they are at length removed. By the next courier, expected from London, we may be able perhaps to form some judgment of the probability of success, so far as relates to our part of the peace. How likely the other powers are to settle their pretensions, I cannot yet learn. In the meantime, America is gradually growing more easy, by the enemy's evacuation of their posts; as you will see by some intelligence I inclose. With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c. B. FRANKLIN. VOL. VI. 3 T SIR, From T. Townshend, Esq., to Dr. Franklin. Whitehall, Oct. 23, 1782. AS Mr. Strachey is going from hence to Paris, with some particulars for Mr. Oswald, which were not easily to be explained in writing, I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance, though I am not sure, that he is not already a little known to you. The confidential situation in which he stands with me, makes me particularly desirous of presenting him to you. I believe, sir, I am enough known to you, for you to believe me, when I say, that there has not been from the beginning a single person more averse to the unhappy war, or who wishes more earnestly than I do, for a return of peace and mutual amity between Great Britain and America. I am, with great regard, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, T. TOWNSHEND. SIR, To Thomas Townshend, Esq., One of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State.. Passy, Nov. 4, 1782. I RECEIVED the letter you did me the honor of writing to me by Mr. Strachey; and was much pleased with the opportunity it gave me of renewing and increasing my acquain- . tance with a gentleman of so amiable and deserving a character. I am sensible you have ever been averse to the measures that brought on this unhappy war; I have therefore no doubt of the sincerity of your wishes for a return of peace. Mine are equally earnest. Nothing therefore except the beginning of the war, has given me more concern than to learn at the conclusion of our conferences, that it is not likely to be soon ended. Be assured no endeavors on my part would be wanting to remove any difficulties that may have arisen, or even if a peace were made, to procure afterwards any changes in the treaty that might tend to render it more perfect, and the peace more durable. But we who are here at so great a distance from our constituents, have not the possibility of obtaining in a few days fresh instructions, as is the case with your negotiators, and are therefore obliged to insist on what is conformable to those we have, and at the same time appears to us just and reasonable. With great esteem and respect, I have the honor to be, sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. To the Ministers Plenipotentiary from the United States. Paris, Nov. 5, 1782. GENTLEMEN, KNOWING the expectation of the king's ministers, that full indemnity shall be provided for the whole body of refugees, either by a restitution of their property, or by some stipulated compensation for their losses, and being confident as I have repeatedly assured you, that your refusal upon this point will be the great obstacle to a conclusion and ratification of that peace which is meant as a solid, perfect, perma nent reconciliation and re-union between Great Britain and America, I am unwilling to leave Paris without once more submitting the matter to your consideration. It affects equally, in my opinion, the honor and humanity of your country, and of ours. How far you will be justified in risking every favorite object of America, by contending against those principles, is for you to determine. Independence and more than a reasonable possession of territory seem to be within your reach. Will you suffer them to be outweighed by the gratification of resentment against individuals. I venture to assert that such a conduct hath no parallel in the history of civilized nations. I am under the necessity of setting out by two o'clock today; if the time is too short for your re-consideration, and final determination of this important point, I shall hope that you will enable Mr. Oswald to despatch a messenger after me, who may be with me before morning at Chantilly, where I propose sleeping to right, or who may overtake me before I arrive in London, with a satisfactory answer to this letter. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, yours, &c. W. STRACHEY. To W. Strachey, Esq. Paris, Nov. 6, 1782. SIR, WE have been honored with your favor of the 5th instant, and as our answer to a letter we received from Mr. Oswald on the same subject, contains our unanimous sentiments respecting it, we take the liberty of referring you to the inclosed copy of that answer." We have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, &c. B. Vaughan, Esq., to Dr. Franklin. MY DEAREST SIR, Paris, Nov. 27, 1782. I AM so agitated with the present crisis, that I cannot help writing to you, to beseech you again and again to meditate upon some mild expedient about the refugees, or to give a favorable ear, and helping hand to such as may turn up. Both sides agree, that the matter of expense is nothing; and the matter of honor in my opinion is least to that side, which has most sense and most justice on its side. It seems to me, that the matter of present peace, and future happiness, are the only points of true concern to either. If I can judge of favorable moments, the present is of all others most favorable to our views of reconciliation. We have liberal American commissioners at Paris, a liberal Eng See Vol. V. p. 194 to 202, of this edition. |