Part 3

From the Commissioners to Ralph Izard. Paris, August 25th, 1778, 430 Advise an application to Count de Vergennes on the subject of a loan in Genoa.--Intend to present him a memorial on the interposition of France with the Barbary powers.

To the Abbé Niccoli. Paris, September 1st, 1778, 431 Urging a loan.---Trade to Leghorn.

To Count de Vergennes. Paris, Sept. 2d, 1778, 433 Requesting the assistance of France in obtaining a loan from Genoa.

To Henry Laurens, President of Congress. Paris, September 12th, 1778, 434 Relative to the 11th, 12th, and 5th articles of the treaty.--Policy of Spain.--France declines interfering in the business of a loan.---The fisheries.--Confusion of the commercial business of the United States in France.

The Committee of Foreign Affairs to Ralph Izard. Philadelphia, October 28th, 1778, 440

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, January 28th, 1779, 441 Cannot be publicly received at Florence.--Dr Franklin refuses to accept his draft.--Requests permission to return to America.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, March 4th, 1779, 444 Requests leave to return.

The Committee of Foreign Affairs to Ralph Izard. Philadelphia, July 17th, 1779, 445 Communicating his recall.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, September 29th, 1779, 446 Relative to the payment for his services.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, August 6th, 1780, 448 Announces his arrival.--Offers information respecting affairs in Europe.

HENRY LAURENS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Instructions to Henry Laurens. In Congress, October 26th, 1779, 453

Committee of Foreign Affairs to Henry Laurens. Philadelphia, December 11th, 1779, 454 Enclosing acts of Congress for drawing on him for £100,000.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Charleston, January 24th, 1780, 455 Relative to the bills of exchange mentioned in the preceding letter.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Charleston, February 14th, 1780, 457

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Charleston, February 24th, 1780, 458 Proposes to embark for Martinique.--Ships indigo on account of the United States.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Vestal--British frigate, St John’s, Newfoundland, September 14th, 1780, 461 He and his papers captured.--Ordered to England by the Governor.

To the President of Congress. Tower of London, December 20th, 1781, 462 Cruel treatment in the tower.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, May 30th, 1782, 463 History of his confinement in the tower.--Declines his appointment to treat with Great Britain.--His services while in confinement.--Lord Shelburne declares that he “shall part with America with regret.”

To the President of Congress. Nantes, September 5th, 1782, 472 Applies for a passport from England.--Dr Franklin offers to supply his expenses.

Robert R. Livingston to Henry Laurens. Philadelphia, September 17th, 1782, 476 Announces his appointment as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.--Congress declines accepting Mr Laurens’ resignation.

Robert R. Livingston to Henry Laurens. Philadelphia, November 8th, 1782, 477 Union and firmness of the States.--Military intelligence.--Death of Colonel Laurens.

To Lord Cornwallis. Paris, December 9th, 1782, 479 His exertions to effect the release of Lord Cornwallis.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Paris, December 15th, 1782, 480 Acknowledges the receipt of certain acts of Congress.--Repairs to Paris in compliance with the order of Congress to assist in the negotiations.--His services in England.--Declines receiving any further sums of money.--Signing of the preliminary articles between Great Britain and the United States communicated to Russia.--Exchange of Lord Cornwallis.--Requests permission to return.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Paris, December 24th, 1782, 484 Mr Hartley’s motion in the House of Commons on a reconciliation with America.--Little prospect of a general peace.--Notions in England of a _reconciliation_ with the _colonies_. --Attempts to excite jealousies of France.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Paris, January 9th, 1783, 487 Little prospect of a definitive treaty.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. London, March 15th, 1783, 488 Visits London.--Urges the withdrawing of British troops from America previous to any intercourse between the countries.--Provisional treaty, if obtained without the concurrence of France, disgraceful to the American Ministers.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. London, April 5th, 1783, 491 Third bill of the provisional establishment of trade with America dropped.--Mr Laurens’s supposed American bill for regulating commerce with Great Britain.--The new Ministry arranged.--Conference with Mr Fox.--United States included in the Foreign Department.--Mr Hartley appointed to negotiate a definitive treaty of peace.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. London, April 10th, 1783, 493 Leave given to bring in a bill repealing certain bills prohibiting an intercourse with the United States.--Deputation of merchants urge the opening of a communication with America.--Mr Laurens insists on the previous withdrawing of the troops.

Robert R. Livingston to Henry Laurens. Philadelphia, May 8th, 1783, 495 Enclosing the resolution of Congress permitting his return.--The provisional treaty ratified.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. London, June 17th, 1783, 496 Delays of the British negotiator.--Weakness of the new Ministry.

Articles proposed by the American Commissioners to Mr Hartley, 499

Mr Hartley’s proposed Article of Agreement, delivered by him to the American Commissioners for their Consideration, May 21st, 1783, 500

Observations and Propositions of Mr Hartley, left with the American Ministers, May 21st, 1783, 502

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Bath, June 27th, 1783, 505 Regrets that the British troops were not removed previous to a free communication between the countries.--His accounts.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Bath, July 17th, 1783, 507 Recommending the Rev. Mr Wells and Mr Carpenter.--Mr Deane reported to have been active in drawing up a treaty of commerce in London.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Bath, July 17th, 1783, 508 Requested by Dr Franklin to return to Paris.--Complies.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Ship Washington, off Poole, August 2d, 1783, 508 Intends to apply to the Ministers for information, as to the reception of an American Minister in London.

To L. R. Morris. London, August 9th, 1783, 509 His accounts.

To the Ministers of the United States at Paris. London, August 9th, 1783, 510 Conference with Mr Fox.--With the Duke of Portland.--Second conference with Mr Fox.--The meeting at Philadelphia.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. London, August 9th, 1783, 515 His accounts.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. London, September 11th, 1783, 517 The definitive treaty only a re-confirmation of the provisional treaty.--Mr Jennings’s accusations.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Dover, September 16th, 1783, 520

To Charles Thomson. Bath, March 28th, 1784, 520 Term for exchanging ratifications extended.--Extension of the Intercourse Bill.--Trade of the United States with the British West Indies.--Disposition of the English towards America.

David Hartley to Henry Laurens. Golden Square, March 26th, 1784, 523 Proposed term for the exchange of ratifications extended.

To the President of Congress. London, April 24th, 1784, 524 Proclamation for extending the American intercourse.--Restrictions on the American trade to the West Indies.--Effects of a retaliation.--Opposition to a reconciliation with America.--The King opposed to the late war; willing to receive an Ambassador from the United States.--Plan for the King’s abdication, and rescinding the alienation of the Prince of Wales’s inheritance.--Mischief done by the loyalists in England.

To the President of Congress. London, April 30th, 1784, 527 Bitterness in England against the United States.--Mr Deane and others oppose the interests of the United States.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ARTHUR LEE,

COMMISSIONER FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE COURT OF FRANCE.

ARTHUR LEE was a native of Virginia, and born on the 20th of December, 1740. His early education was finished at Eton College, in England, whence he proceeded to Edinburgh, with a view of preparing himself for the medical profession. Having gone through with the usual courses, he took the degree of doctor of medicine. After leaving Edinburgh, he travelled in Holland and Germany, and then returned to Virginia, where he commenced the practice of physic. Not well satisfied with this calling, he resolved to abandon it, and apply himself to the study of the law. He went over to London, and became a student in the Temple, about the year 1766.

From this period till the beginning of the Revolution, Arthur Lee held a correspondence with his brothers, and several other persons in America, respecting the political state of things in England, and the transactions relating to the Colonies. He was warmly attached to the interests of his country, and was appointed by the Assembly of Massachusetts to be Agent for that Colony, as successor to Dr Franklin, who left England in the spring of 1775. In December, of the same year, the Committee of Secret Correspondence requested Mr Lee to act as their secret agent in London, and to transmit to them any information, which he might think important. He wrote to the Committee several letters, while acting in this agency.

When Commissioners to the Court of France were appointed, Mr Jefferson, one of the number, declined accepting the appointment, and Arthur Lee was put in his place, October 22d, 1776. He proceeded from London to Paris, where he met the other Commissioners. In the spring of 1777 he went to Spain, by the advice of his colleagues, with the design of procuring aid from the Spanish Government for the United States, in which he was partially successful. On his return to Paris, he made a short tour to Vienna and Berlin for similar purposes, and maintained for some time a correspondence of a political nature with Baron de Schulenburg, one of the Prussian Ministers. Meantime he received from Congress the appointment of Commissioner to Spain, but he never went out of France while acting under this commission. It expired when Mr Jay was made Minister Plenipotentiary to that Court.

Arthur Lee returned to the United States in September, 1780, and the next year he was chosen a Representative to the Assembly of Virginia. By this body he was sent a Delegate to Congress. While in that capacity, he was made one of a commission to form treaties with the Indians on the Northwestern frontiers, and was occupied several months in the duties of that expedition. He died in Virginia, after a short illness, on the 12th of December, 1792.

THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ARTHUR LEE.

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO ARTHUR LEE.

Philadelphia, December 12th, 1775.

Sir,

By this conveyance we have the pleasure of transmitting to you sundry printed papers, that such of them as you think proper may be immediately published in England.

We have written on the subject of American affairs to Monsieur C. G. F. Dumas, who resides at the Hague. We recommend to you to correspond with him, and to send through his hands any letters to us which you cannot send more directly. He will transmit them via St Eustatia.

Mr Story may be trusted with any despatches you think proper to send us. You will be so kind as to aid and advise him.

It would be agreeable to Congress _to know the disposition of foreign powers towards us_, and we hope this object will engage your attention. We need not hint that _great circumspection and impenetrable secrecy_ are necessary. The Congress rely on your zeal and abilities to serve them, and will readily compensate you for whatever trouble and expense a compliance with their desire may occasion. We remit you for the present £200.

Whenever you think the importance of your despatches may require it, we desire you to send an express boat with them from England, for which service your agreement with the owner there shall be fulfilled by us here.

We can now only add, that we continue firm in our resolutions to defend ourselves, notwithstanding the _big threats_ of the ministry. We have just taken one of their ordnance storeships, in which an abundance of carcasses and bombs, intended for burning our towns, were found.

With great esteem, we are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants,

B. FRANKLIN, JOHN DICKINSON, JOHN JAY.

TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

London, February 13th, 1776.

The enclosed will easily explain itself. The intelligence you should observe, and take measures accordingly. A fund for necessary expenses should be fixed here, in such hands as can be confided in. You know who is to be trusted. From experience I can say, (though without any connexion or commerce with them) the New England men are fittest to be trusted in any dangerous or important enterprise. Show this only to R. H. L.[1] of Virginia, and he will _guess_ from whence it comes.

The intelligence, if it gets to hand in time, should be communicated as soon as possible to every part of America, that she may be prepared.

[1] Richard Henry Lee.

TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLDEN.[2]

[Enclosed in the foregoing.]

London, February 13th, 1776.

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 30th of November, 1775, announcing the appointment of a Secret Committee reached me a few days since. Miscarriages will be manifold indeed, if you have not frequently heard from me. All my solicitude has been about my letters reaching you; every disguise was necessary to effect that. I am, however, much obliged to the General for the step taken to secure me.

You will be curious to know what are the ministerial intentions, and their force for the next campaign. The following is their army upon paper,--Hessians, 12,000; Brunswickers, Woolfenbutlers and Waldeckers, 5000; six regiments under Lord Cornwallis, 3000; eight more to sail in the spring, 4000; Highlanders, 2000; now in America, 8000.

The sailing and destination of this armament is thus. Those under General Lord Cornwallis are now embarked at Cork, and wait for sailing orders, their destination, Virginia. By the treaty just now signed, the Germans are to be ready on the 27th of this month to march to the seacoast and embark, but for what part of America is not exactly known; the march by land is near six weeks, so that they cannot sail before April. The second embarkation from Cork will be about the same time, and it seems probable that their destination will be against Canada, under General Burgoyne, who is soliciting that command. In the meantime, the 29th regiment, with General Carleton’s brother, is to sail from hence immediately to reinforce Quebec, supposing that they can get high enough up the river, as far as the Isle of Orleans, to make good their march by land. The regiments under Lord Cornwallis are the 37th, 33d, 54th, 15th, 28th, 46th. Those for the spring are the 34th, 53d, 62d, 3d, 9th, 11th, 20th, 24th. Lord Howe is appointed to the command at sea, but the commander on land is not known; certain however it is, that there are two Lieutenant Generals, and one of them old, that go with the Germans, so that it must be one of great reputation and old in the service to command over them. It is therefore conjectured Count de Lippe will be the man. He commanded the army in Portugal during the last war. They are taking up East Indiamen for the transport service, supposing they will be able to beat off the cruisers. A great number of artillery and waggon horses are to be sent, and a train of large battering cannon is preparing, which it would seem can only be intended against Quebec, should it be taken by General Montgomery.

The English and Irish troops go with infinite reluctance, and strong guards are obliged to be kept upon the transports to keep them from deserting by wholesale. The Germans too, I am well informed, are almost mutinous, but the Landgrave of Hesse is an absolute tyrant, and must be obeyed. It is therefore conceived, that if the Congress have proposals prepared in English and German, to distribute among them when they land, which no precautions can prevent, multitudes will desert.

Upon the whole, the ministry, if every thing favors them, may have about thirty thousand men in America by the latter end of June. They will have no horse but two regiments of light dragoons, that are now there, and Burgoyne’s, which is to go. If the Americans have horse well trained to the woods, it will harrass such an army infinitely; and if they act upon the defensive, entrench well, harrass them continually, cut off their convoys, and if ever they hazard an engagement, make their push upon one wing; it is imagined here, that no General on earth can make the campaign decisive, and it is hardly possible this country can stand another. They have found it impossible to recruit in England, Ireland, or Scotland, though the leading people of the last are to a man violently against America. They have therefore been obliged to draft from the other regiments to complete those which are going, so that when the whole are embarked, there will be scarce 2000 men remaining in Ireland, and as many in England, besides the foot guards and cavalry. I am well assured, that the French Government will wink at the exportation of arms and ammunition. A General of the first abilities and experience would go over, if he could have any assurance from the Congress of keeping his rank; but that being very high, he would not submit to have any one but an American his superior, and that only in consideration of the confidence due to an American in a question so peculiarly American.

Let me have your opinion of all these things. The opposition gains ground, and the nation begins to feel; but America must trust to her own arm and Heaven for protection. The resolutions of January the 2d[3] do you infinite honor, and will undoubtedly serve the cause. Your conduct, I trust, will be noble, as that is great and good. I know your attachment to the country you have adopted. Prince Ferdinand’s recommendation of the General mentioned above is in these words. “As to experience, intelligence and valor, I do not know whether another can be found to equal him.” Your letter of the 30th of November, 1775, cost 19_s._ 6_d._ postage, there was so much superfluous paper; would not a packet sent to some of the Canary Islands, and committed to proper care, reach us safest and soonest? If there is any friend there to be trusted, the opportunities from thence hither are frequent. Cover mine and address it to John Horsfall, Treasurer, Middle Temple.

[2] The name of Lieutenant Governor Colden of New York, to whom this and two other letters are directed, was doubtless assumed by Mr Lee for the purpose of disguise, in case the letters should fall into the enemy’s hands. Colden was a royalist.

[3] See the Journal of Congress for January 2d, 1776.

TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLDEN.

London, February 14th, 1776.

Dear Sir,

The enclosed list is the ministerial army upon paper. In effect it will amount to about 15000 Germans and 18000 British; their destination I can now give you with some certainty; 4000 Brunswickers and Waldeckers, with 500 Hessians from Hanan, are now at Stade, a port in Hanover, ready for immediate embarkation and destined for Canada, to be joined by the twentyninth regiment, and 1000 drafted from the Foot Guards, under Colonel Matthews. There is to be another embarkation in the spring from Ireland for Canada, and the whole is to be commanded by General Burgoyne, and Carleton I believe recalled.

The second body, being Hessians, are to march this day for Stade, and the third on the 14th of next month; these are for Boston. Lord Cornwallis, with six regiments, to sail immediately from Cork for Virginia, where General Clinton is to take the command. They have certain assurances of being joined by the Scotch in Virginia, and those on the borders of North Carolina under the command of one M’Donald. In the mean time, they have been directed to protect themselves under a treaty of neutrality. Besides this land force, Lord Howe is to have a fleet of seventytwo sail to block up the coast. For this purpose large ships are to be stationed at the mouths of the great rivers, and the rest are to cruise at some distance from the coast three deep, but not in file, so as to render it more difficult to cross them. They are to get possession of New York and Hudson’s river, so as to cut off all south and north communications, and they have some idea of attacking Canada too, by Montreal. Halifax is to be their naval magazine.

The Germans are commanded by two Lieutenant Generals, of whom the eldest is named De Heister, who has some military character. This is the favorable review of their plan. On the contrary, the whole army, native and foreign, is averse to the service, so that it is much apprehended, that if the provincials are dexterous in throwing among them advantageous propositions, and faithful in performing them, the desertion will be immense. The British troops have not one in five that is a soldier, the rest are boys and debilitated manufacturers, just recruited, at the reduced standard of five feet four inches. A vast number of the best subaltern officers have quitted the service. It is thought they will make Howe commander in chief, which must disgust the German generals, who are much older. The expense will be immense, the difficulty of providing magazines immense, and another campaign hardly possible. Lord George Sackville is the minister, with absolute and hated authority even in the Cabinet.