Part 2

To Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, July 18th, 1778, 176 Enclosing the resolutions of Congress relative to the negotiation of a loan of two millions sterling.--Requests that application may be made to the King of Spain for the same.--Sacrifices of the United States.--Depreciation of paper money.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, July 29th, 1778, 178 Engagement between the English and French fleets.--German affairs.--Impracticability of despatching cruisers to the East Indian seas.--The 11th and 12th articles of the treaty to be omitted.

James Gardoqui to Arthur Lee. Madrid, August 13th, 1778, 179 Cannot obtain the loan required in Spain.

James Gardoqui to Arthur Lee. Madrid, August 20th, 1778, 180 Suggesting the cession of Florida and supply of ship timber to Spain, as a means of obtaining the loan.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, August 21st, 1778, 181 Difficulty of obtaining a loan.--M. Holker.

To James Gardoqui. Paris, August 27th, 1778, 183 Importance of a loan to the United States.--Peace the natural policy of the United States.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, August 31st, 1778, 186 Requesting instructions as to the cession of Florida, and the supply of ship timber to Spain, on condition of supplies of money.

To James Gardoqui. Paris, September 1st, 1778, 187 Mr Lee ready to treat with full powers.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, September 9th, 1778, 187 Remittances received.--Encloses the accounts of articles shipped.

James Gardoqui to Arthur Lee. Madrid, September 28th, 1778, 189 Complains of the capture of Spanish property by an American privateer.--Probability of obtaining the loan in Spain; on what terms.

To Count de Vergennes. Chaillot, September 28th, 1778, 190 Conversation relating to M. Holker.--The duties.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, September 30th, 1778, 191 General reluctance to war.

To James Gardoqui. Paris, October 6th, 1778, 192 Necessity of decision on the part of Spain.

To Count de Vergennes. Paris, October 12th, 1778, 193 Indecision of Spain.--Interference of France requested.

Count de Vergennes to Arthur Lee. Versailles, October 17th, 1778, 195 Advising the suspension of his proposed measures at the Court of Spain.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, October 19th, 1778, 195 Aspect of affairs in Holland.--Ports of the two Sicilies open to vessels of the United States.--Deceived in the fusils from Prussia.

To Baron de Schulenburg. Chaillot, October 21st, 1778, 197 Complains of the fusils received from Prussia.

Count de Vergennes to Arthur Lee. Versailles, October 24th, 1778, 199 D’Estaing’s squadron separated by unfavorable winds.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, November 4th, 1778, 199 Preparations of Great Britain.--Will receive no aid from Russia.--English Whale fishery on the coast of Brazil.--Instruments for abolishing the 11th and 12th articles exchanged.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, November 15th 1778, 201 Preparations and plans of Great Britain.--The effect of a general war.--Prospect of a loan or of supplies in Holland.--Capture of Spanish property by Captain Cunningham.--Arms ordered by Virginia.

To James Gardoqui. Paris, December 4th, 1778, 204 Requests the shipment of blankets on the old plan.--Desires to know whether American produce and prizes may be sold in Spanish-American ports.--D’Estaing’s fleet.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, December 5th, 1778, 205 Lord Suffolk’s speech.--Plan of the British to destroy everything before them.--France declares the goods of the enemy, in neutral ships, lawful prize.--Spain admits the sale of French prizes, and the entrance of American vessels.--German affairs.

To Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, December 17th, 1778, 207 Proclamation and manifesto of the British Commissioners, threatening to destroy the Colonies.--Cruelties of the British in America.

To the Baron de Schulenburg. Paris, December 25th, 1778, 210 The Prussian fusils.--Counter-manifesto of Congress to the manifesto of the British Commissioners.

To Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, December 27th, 1778, 213 Enclosing copies of absolution and manifesto of Congress in reply to the British manifesto.

To Count de Vergennes. Chaillot, Jan. 3d., 1779, 214 Proposals of Dr Berkenhout.

Count de Vergennes to Arthur Lee. Versailles, January 4th, 1779, 214 Advice in regard to Dr Berkenhout.

To Count de Vergennes. Chaillot, Jan. 8th, 1779, 215

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, January 5th, 1779, 216 English influence in Holland.--Expenses of England.--Military establishment.--Fourteen regiments to be sent to America.--Beaumarchais. --Mr Lee’s account.

Count de Vergennes to Arthur Lee. Versailles, January 10th, 1779, 220 Mr Lee’s answer to Dr Berkenhout.--English convoys.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, January 15th, 1779, 221 Proceedings in Great Britain; Admiral Keppel’s trial; general excitement there; losses at sea; financial embarrassments.

Dr Price to Arthur Lee. Newington-Green, January 18th, 1779, 222 Acknowledges the reception of a letter with the resolution of Congress.

John Adams to Count de Vergennes. Passy, February 11th, 1779, 224 Mr Deane’s Address to the people of America. --Mr Lee’s services and fidelity.--Character of his two brothers.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, February 13th, 1779, 227 Of Mr Deane’s Address.--Promises Mr Adams an interview.

Count de Vergennes to Arthur Lee. Versailles, February 15th, 1779, 228 Desiring an interview.--Mr Lee’s note, giving an account of the interview.

Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee. Passy, February 18th, 1779, 229 Transmitting resolutions of Congress.

To Benjamin Franklin. Chaillot, Feb. 18th, 1779, 229 Acknowledging receipt of preceding.

Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee. Passy, February 18th, 1779, 230 Requesting Mr Lee to send him public papers belonging to his department.

To Benjamin Franklin. Chaillot, Feb. 21st, 1779, 230 Declines sending the papers belonging to the Commissioners.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, February 25th, 1779, 231 Mr Deane’s representations to Congress; confusion and incompleteness of his accounts.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Nantes, March 7th, 1779, 234 Mr Deane.--Proceedings of Dr Franklin since his appointment as Minister.

Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee. Passy, March 13th, 1779, 236 Reasons for asking for the papers of the Commissioners in Mr Lee’s possession.--Offers Mr Lee copies of those in his own hands.

Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin. Paris, March 19th, 1779, 238 Relating to public papers in his possession.--Reasons for retaining them.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, April 22d, 1779, 239

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, April 26th, 1779, 240 Reinforcements of the British force.--Ministry intend making great exertions.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, May 21st, 1779, 241 Peace between Russia and the Porte.--Probability of the peace of Teschin.--Politics of the German powers.--Power, credit, and importance of Spain.--The States-General grant convoys.--Discontents in the English army and navy.--Irritation of Scotland.--State of Ireland.--Disposition of the King.--Successes of the English privateers.--Successes in India.--Prince Ferdinand.--De la Luzerne appointed to succeed M. Gerard.--M. de Marbois Secretary of the embassy.--Treaty of Teschin.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 31st, 1779, 246 Requesting his recall.

To Count d’Aranda. Paris, June 7th, 1779, 246 Enclosing the following.

To Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, June 6th, 1779, 247 Enclosing a Memorial to the Court of Spain.

Memorial to the Court of Spain. Paris, June 6th, 1779, 247 Importance of prizes to the English.--Recommends an embargo on Spanish ships, or convoys to protect them.

John Adams to Arthur Lee. L’Orient, June 10th, 1779, 249 Testimony to Mr Lee’s services and fidelity.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 21st, 1779, 250 Recall of the English and Spanish Ambassadors respectively.--Propositions in the House of Commons.

To Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, June 27th, 1779, 251 Enclosing a memorial on the operations of the English in Georgia.

Memorial to Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, June 27th, 1779, 252

Committee of Foreign Affairs to Arthur Lee. Philadelphia, July 16th, 1779, 253 Destruction of Fairfield.

Count de Florida Blanca to Arthur Lee. Madrid, August 6th, 1779, 254 Acknowledges the receipt of his letters on English affairs.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, August 10th, 1779, 255 Junction of the Spanish and French fleets.--Preparations for the invasion of England; and the blockade of Gibraltar.--West India and Baltic fleets safely arrived in England.

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, August 14th, 1779, 256 Requesting Dr Franklin to consult Count de Vergennes as to the propriety of applying to the Court of Spain on the subject of an alliance.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, August 24th, 1779, 257 Mediation of Russia between the European belligerents.--Embarrassments of England.--Combined fleet on the English coast.

To the President of Congress. Paris, September 10th, 1779, 259 Complains of the mode of proceeding in Congress relative to himself.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, September 19th, 1779, 260 Complains, of the treatment by Congress.--Requests instructions relative to the boundaries between the territories of Spain and the United States.

Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee. Passy, September 30th, 1779, 262 Unable to supply Mr Lee with money for his support in Spain.--Advises his return to America.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, October 13th, 1779, 262 Admiral Rodney appointed to the command in the West Indies.--Meditated invasion of England.

Committee of Foreign Affairs to Arthur Lee. Philadelphia, October 13th, 1779, 264 Announcing Mr Jay’s appointment to Spain.--Enclosing the resolution of Congress allowing Mr Lee’s return to America.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, October 21st, 1779, 264 Disposition of England unfavorable to peace.--Debt of England.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, November 6th, 1779, 265 Requests a decision on the accusations against him.--Impracticability of a loan in Europe.--Requests a fixed allowance.--Plans of the French and British cabinets for the ensuing campaign.--Spanish ultimatum.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, November 30th, 1779, 271 Change in the British Ministry.--Ascendancy of the war party.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, December 8th, 1779, 273 King’s speech.--Memorial of the English Ambassador at the Hague.

To Count de Florida Blanca. Paris, December 16th, 1779, 273 Plan of operations in the south.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, December 25th, 1779, 274 Exertions of the English for the ensuing campaign.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, January 19th, 1780, 275 Receives the King’s picture on taking leave.

To John Jay, Minister from the United States of America at Madrid. L’Orient, March 17th, 1780, 276 Necessity of secrecy at the Court of Spain.--Gardoqui.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, October 7th, 1780, 278 Deposits the King’s picture with the President.--Requests a hearing before Congress.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, December 7th, 1780, 280 State of Europe.--League of the neutral powers.--Difficulty of obtaining a loan in Europe.--Necessity of a Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.--Importance of Russia.

WILLIAM LEE’S CORRESPONDENCE.

Instructions to William Lee. Philadelphia, July 1st, 1777, 289 Commissioner to the Courts of Vienna and Berlin.--Instructed to propose treaties of friendship and commerce with those Courts, and to solicit the acknowledgment of the independence of the States.

To the President of Congress. Paris, Oct. 7th, 1777, 291 Acknowledges the receipt of his instructions.

To Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress. Paris, November 24th, 1777, 292 Anglo-German troops.--Supplies from the North.

To Charles Thomson. Paris, Dec. 18th, 1777, 294 Prussia forbids the passage of the German troops; desirous of commerce with America.

To Charles Thomson. Paris, January 2d, 1778, 296 Emperor discountenances the use of German troops by the English.--Commerce through Emden.

To the President of Congress. Paris, Jan. 22d, 1778, 298 Imperfection in his commission.

To the President of Congress. Paris, February 28th, 1778, 300 Threatened rupture between Austria and Prussia.--Situation and measures of the British Ministry.--Spain.

To the President of Congress. Paris, March 23d, 1778, 302 Acknowledgment of the independence of the United States.--France will not join either party in case of a German war.

The Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Lee. York, May 14th, 1778, 304 Resolution of Congress providing for his pay.--Unanimity and firmness of Congress; the nation.--Mr Lee’s powers to be enlarged.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, September 12th, 1778, 306 War in Germany.--Retires from Vienna to Francfort.--Draft of a treaty between Holland and the United States.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Francfort, October 15th, 1778, 310 Plan of a treaty with Holland.--State of German affairs.

Plan of a treaty with Holland, 313

From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Lee. Philadelphia, October 28th, 1778, 334 Return of the British Commissioners.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Francfort, February 25th, 1779, 335 States-General determine to protect their trade.--Prospect of a peace in Germany, under the mediation of France and Russia.--Commerce with Prussia.

To the President of Congress. Paris, March 16th, 1779, 339 Answer to Mr Deane’s charges.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, March 25th, 1779, 346 Conferences between Prussia and Austria at Teschin.--Danger of England’s obtaining recruits from the German free corps.--Dr Franklin declines joining him in consulting with Count de Vergennes on German affairs.--Mr Deane’s charges.

Ralph Izard and Arthur Lee to William Lee. Paris, June 22d, 1779, 349 Propriety of waiting for the decision of Spain, before an application to Prussia to acknowledge the independence of the United States; of changing the channel of application.

James Lovell to William Lee. Philadelphia, July 17th, 1779, 350 Communicating his recall from Vienna and Berlin.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Francfort, September 28th, 1779, 351 Effect of Dr Franklin’s refusal to assist him at the French Court.--Rescript of the Spanish Ambassador.--Answer of the Prussian Minister to his application for an acknowledgment of the independence of the United States.--Mediation of Russia.--Commerce with Prussia.--British Ministry disposed to acknowledge the independence of America.--Disposition of the king.

To the President of Congress. Brussels, February 10th, 1781, 356 Britain determines not to send more troops to America.--Secret proposals of the Ministry to France and Spain.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Brussels, April 12th, 1781, 357 Mr Lee’s accounts.

James Lovell to William Lee. Philadelphia, September 20th, 1781, 358 Enclosing the decision of Congress in regard to the settlement of his accounts.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Brussels, March 31st, 1782, 359 Change in the British Ministry.--General disposition to peace in England.--Opposition of the King.--Propriety of sending a Minister to the Austrian Netherlands.

RALPH IZARD’S CORRESPONDENCE.

Instructions to Ralph Izard. Philadelphia, July 1st, 1777, 367

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, October 6th, 1777, 369 Interest of the Italian powers to diminish the power of England.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, December 18th, 1777, 370 Friendly disposition of the Tuscan Minister in France; advises a delay of Mr Izard’s visit to Italy.--Effect of the surrender of General Burgoyne.

Arthur Lee to Ralph Izard. January 28th, 1778, 372 Requesting his opinion on the twelfth article of the treaty.

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, January 28th, 1778, 372 Objections to the twelfth article.--Complains of Dr Franklin’s reserve.

Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard. Passy, January 29th, 1778, 375 Circumstances prevent his explaining the motives of his conduct.--Advice to Mr Izard.

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, January 30th, 1778, 376 Recriminations.--Twelfth article.

The Committee of Foreign Affairs to Ralph Izard. York, February 5th, 1778, 378 Depreciation of the currency.--Importance of a loan.

To Henry Laurens, President of Congress. Paris, February 16th, 1778, 379 Proceedings relative to the twelfth article.--Complains of the reserve of Dr Franklin and Mr Deane.--Preparations for war in France and England.--Want of funds.

Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard. Passy, March 27th, 1778, 385

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, March 29th, 1778, 385 Reminds him of his promise of an explanation of his conduct.

Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard. Passy, March 30th, 1778, 386 Reasons of his delay in giving his explanations.

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, March 31st, 1778, 387 Requests a speedy explanation.

To Henry Laurens. Paris, April 1st, 1778, 388 Secrecy of Dr Franklin and Mr Deane relative to M. Gerard’s mission.--Disputes on the Bavarian succession.--Mr Deane’s unfitness for his place.--Proposes a commission for Naples.

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, April 4th, 1778, 390 On the subject of explanations.

Benjamin Franklin to Ralph Izard. Passy, April 4th, 1778, 391 Promises to explain the reasons of his conduct.

To Henry Laurens. Paris, April 11th, 1778, 391 Expresses a wish to be sent to England.--Titles of American Ministers in Europe.

To Benjamin Franklin, Paris, April 25th, 1778, 394 Subject of the explanations.

John J. Pringle to Ralph Izard. Paris, April 26th, 1778, 395 Interview with Dr Franklin on the subject of Mr Izard’s complaints.

Committee of Foreign Affairs to Ralph Izard. York, May 14th, 1778, 399 Enclosing the resolve of Congress providing for his support.--Treaties ratified by Congress.--Future treaties to be made on the basis of mutual benefit.--Enlargement of his powers.

To Arthur Lee. Paris, May 18th, 1778, 401 Objections to the fifth article of the treaty.

Arthur Lee to Ralph Izard. Chaillot, May 23d, 1778, 406 Objections to the fifth article.--Cession of territory to Spain.

To Benjamin Franklin. Paris, June 17th, 1778, 408 Mr Pringle’s interview.--Subject of the explanations promised by Dr Franklin.

To Henry Laurens, President of Congress. Paris, June 28th, 1778, 417 Objections to the treaties.--Complains of Dr Franklin.--German affairs.

To Henry Laurens, President of Congress. Paris, July 25th, 1778, 422 Ratification of the treaties received in France.--Objections to the eighth article.--Mr Lee not received publicly at Vienna.

From the Abbé Niccoli to Ralph Izard. Florence, July 28th, 1778, 426 Advises him not to come to Florence.--State of Tuscany.--Improbability of his obtaining a loan there.--Recommends an attempt in Genoa.

To the Commissioners. Paris, August 25th, 1778, 429 Relative to obtaining a loan in Genoa.--Barbary cruisers.