Part 1

THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

VOL. III.

THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION;

BEING

THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M. DUMAS AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WHOLE REVOLUTION;

TOGETHER WITH

THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

ALSO,

THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS, GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS.

Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably to a Resolution of Congress of March 27th, 1818.

EDITED

BY JARED SPARKS.

VOL. III.

BOSTON: NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN; G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON. 1829.

HALE'S STEAM PRESS. No. 6 Suffolk Buildings, Congress Street, Boston

CONTENTS

OF THE

THIRD VOLUME.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S CORRESPONDENCE.

* * * * *

Page.

To John Hancock, President of Congress. Nantes, December 8th, 1776, 5

Announces his arrival in France.--Does not assume a public character.--Military stores destined for America.

To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Nantes, December 8th, 1776, 7

The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Benjamin Franklin. Baltimore, January 1st, 1777, 9

Announcing his appointment as Commissioner to Spain.

To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, January 4th, 1777, 9

Arrives in Paris.--Has an audience with Count de Vergennes.--Interview with the Spanish Ambassador.--The nation favorable to the American cause.

To the President of Congress. Paris, January 20th, 1777, 10

Recommending Captain Balm.

To the Count d'Aranda, Spanish Ambassador to the Court of France. Passy, April 7th, 1777, 11

Communicates the propositions of the United States to Spain.--Congress will also assist France and Spain in the conquest of the English sugar islands.

To General Washington. Paris, June 13th, 1777, 12

Recommending Count Kotkouski.--Count Pulaski.

To General Washington. Paris, June 13th, 1777, 13

Recommending Baron de Frey.

M. Dubourg to B. Franklin. Paris, September 8th, 1777, 14

Requesting a letter of recommendation for M. Gerard, who wishes to settle in America.

To Richard Peters. Passy, September 12th, 1777, 15

Recommending M. Gerard.

Remarks on a Loan for the United States, 15

America a safer debtor than Britain, from her general industry, frugality, prudence, ability, and virtue.

To David Hartley, member of Parliament. Passy, October 14th, 1777, 23

The conduct of Great Britain has rendered submission impossible.--Cruel treatment of the American prisoners in England.--Propositions for their relief.

To James Lovell. Paris, December 21st, 1777, 27

Mr Deane's recommendations of officers.--Numerous and vexatious applications, with high recommendations.

To James Hutton. Passy, February 1st, 1778, 29

Means of reconciling America.

To David Hartley. Passy, February 12th, 1778, 31

Alienation of America from Great Britain.--Kindness and cordiality of France.--Change of Ministry necessary for conciliation.--Subscriptions in England for the relief of American prisoners.--Mr Hutton.

To David Hartley. Passy, February 26th, 1778, 34

Lord North's conciliatory bills.--Advice to the English whigs.

To James Hutton. Passy, March 24th, 1778, 37

The Commissioners are ready to treat.

Note from William Pultney to B. Franklin. March 29th, 1778, 37

Desires an interview with Dr Franklin.

To William Pultney. Passy, March 30th, 1778, 38

America cannot treat on any terms short of independence-- will not treat at all in case of a war against France.

To Dr Bancroft. Passy, April 16th, 1778, 40

British Commissioners cannot succeed in America on their terms.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. Paris, April 23d, 1778, 40

Advises him to take care of his own safety.

To Count de Vergennes. Passy, April 24th, 1778, 41

Giving an account of his conversations with Mr Hartley; of the visit of Mr Chapman, an agent of Lord Shelburne.--The Quebec fleet.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, April 25th, 1778, 44

Policy of the English to excite divisions and distrust.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Yorktown, June 20th, 1778, 45

Answer to a letter from Brussels. Passy, July 1st, 1778, 45

Reply to insinuations against the faith of France.--Future prospects of America.--Acknowledgment of the independency of little consequence to America.--The King's political studies.--Peace is to be obtained only on equal terms.--Ridicules the offers of rewards.

To James Lovell. Passy, July 22d, 1778, 52

Proceedings relative to Mr Deane.--Beaumarchais.--Eleventh and twelfth articles of the treaty.--Mr Izard.--Inconvenience and expense of maintaining several Commissioners instead of one.--War between England and France; war in Germany.--Difficulty of raising loans.--Drafts of Congress on the Commissioners.

Instructions to B. Franklin, as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of France, 59

Committee of Foreign Affairs to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, October 28th, 1778, 62

Forwarding his new credentials.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, December 8th, 1778, 63

Depreciation of the currency.

Dr Price to B. Franklin. London, Jan. 18th, 1779, 64

Declines removing to America.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, January 29th, 1779, 65

English successes in Georgia.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, February 8th, 1779, 66

To David Hartley. Passy, February 22d, 1779, 66

America cannot relinquish her alliance with France to treat with Britain.

Letter respecting Captain Cook. Passy, March 10th, 1779, 67

Recommending to afford Captain Cook all the assistance he may need.

To David Hartley. Passy, March 21st, 1779, 68

Delay in the exchange of prisoners.--Losses of the English.--Growth of America.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, April 22d, 1779, 70

Proposing a truce.--Interests of France.--Advantages of adopting some preliminaries.

Observations by Mr Hartley, 74

Enclosed in the preceding.

Instructions to John Paul Jones, Commander of the American Squadron in the service of the United States, now in the port of L'Orient, 77

To David Hartley. Passy, May 4th, 1779, 78

Relative to Mr Hartley's propositions.

To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, May 26th, 1779, 81

Receives his credentials.--Presented to the King.--American prisoners in France released.--Captain Jones's squadron.--Exchange of prisoners with England.--American prisoners there committed for high treason.--Necker unfavorably disposed towards America.--Accounts of the Commissioners.--Difficulty of raising a loan.--Charges of William Lee and Ralph Izard.--Recommends the appointment of consuls.--Agents and applications of the separate States.--Barbary Powers.--Disposition of the French.--Preparations of Spain.--Preparations in France.--Opinion of the Howes, Cornwallis, &c. of the impracticability of the conquest of America.

To James Lovell. Passy, June 2d, 1779, 95

Currency.--Charges of Mr Lee and Mr Izard.--Communication between Europe and America.--M. de la Luzerne.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, June 13th, 1779, 98

Enclosing a resolve relative to Beaumarchais's accounts.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, July 9th, 1779, 98

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, July 16th, 1779, 99

Burning of Fairfield.--Compensation of Ministers.--Forwards letters to the King of France.--Invoices of supplies desired.

Instructions from Congress to B. Franklin. In Congress, August 14th, 1779, 101

Proposing the mutual guaranty of the fisheries by France and the United States.

To the Marquis de Lafayette. Passy, August 24th, 1779, 104

Forwarding him a sword, in the name of the Congress.

The Marquis de Lafayette to B. Franklin. Havre, August 29th, 1779, 104

Acknowledging the reception of the sword.

To James Lovell. Passy, September 30th, 1779, 105

Supplies.--Receives nothing himself.

To Mr Bridgen. Passy, October 2d, 1779, 106

Devices on coins.

To John Jay, President of Congress. Passy, October 4th, 1779, 108

Beaumarchais's accounts.--Supplies.--M. Neufville's offers of a loan.--Demands of Mr Ross, Mr Izard, and Mr Lee.--Inactivity of the combined fleets.-- Relations of Holland and England.--Favorable disposition of Portugal.--Exchange of prisoners.-- Jones's cruise in the English waters.--Complaints of French officers returning from America.--Complaints against American cruisers.--Luxury of the Americans.--Monument to General Montgomery.--Supplies from Spain.

To James Lovell. Passy, October 17th, 1779, 118

Jones's cruise.--Mr Lee and Mr Deane.--Prospect of peace.--Return of Commodore Jones.

To R. Bernstorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Denmark. Passy, December 22d, 1779, 121

Remonstrates against the seizure of the American prizes in the ports of Norway.

To David Hartley. Passy, February 2d, 1780, 125

America will not treat without her allies.--His former offers to pay for the tea destroyed in Boston.--Indisposition to peace on the part of England.--Exchange of prisoners.--British barbarities in America.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, February 24th, 1780, 128

Drafts merely nominal.

To Samuel Huntington, President of Congress. Passy, March 4th, 1780, 129

Seizure of the prizes in Norway.--Quarrel between Commodore Jones and Captain Landais.--Necessity of appointing a consul.--Exchange of prisoners.--Prospects of England.--Supplies of France.

From R. Bernstorf, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Denmark, to B. Franklin. Copenhagen, March 8th, 1780, 134

On the seizure of the American prizes.

To James Lovell. Passy, March 16th, 1780, 135

Proposed convention in London.--Affairs of England.

To Joseph Reed, President of the State of Pennsylvania. Passy, March 19th, 1780, 137

Mr Pultney.--Errors corrected.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, May 11th, 1780, 140

Recommending the Baron d'Arendt.

To the Judges of the Admiralty at Cherbourg. Passy, May 16th, 1780, 140

Requesting the release of the neutral ship Flora; the cargo, if English, may be condemned.

To the President of Congress. Passy, May 22d, 1780, 141

Recommending the Baron d'Arendt.

To an Agent of American Cruisers. Passy, May 30th, 1780, 142

Free ships make free goods.

To the President of Congress. Passy, May 31st, 1780, 143

Complains of the trouble of maritime affairs.--Difficulty of meeting the drafts.--Accounts of the Commissioners.-- American prizes in Danish ports.--Capture of neutral vessels with English cargoes.--European powers have adopted the rule, that free ships make free goods.-- Unfavorable disposition in Europe towards England.-- Difficulties in the exchange of prisoners.

To the President of Congress. Passy, June 1st, 1780, 149

Recommending Commodore Jones.

To C. W. F. Dumas. Passy, June 5th, 1780, 149

Respecting neutral ships.--Expresses a wish that all private property and all private individuals might be unmolested.--Letter of General Clinton.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, June 30th, 1780, 152

Orders to M. de la Luzerne relative to the French holders of American paper money.

Committee of Foreign Affairs to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, July 11th, 1780, 153

Making new drafts.

Committee of Foreign Affairs to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, July 11th, 1780, 154

Mr Laurens appointed to negotiate a loan in Holland.

Committee of Foreign Affairs to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, July 11th, 1780, 155

Communicating the acknowledgment of Congress for the attentions of the French Consul in Bergen.

Committee of Foreign Affairs to H. Dohrman, merchant, Lisbon. Philadelphia, July 11th, 1780, 155

Informing him of his appointment as agent of Congress for the relief of Americans in distress.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, July 17th, 1780, 157

Enclosing a copy of a conciliatory bill, rejected in the House of Commons.

To C. W. F. Dumas. Passy, July 26th, 1780, 159

Messrs Neufville.--Capture of Charleston of little consequence.

To the President of Congress. Passy, August 9th, 1780, 161

Disputes of Landais and Jones.--Necessity of appointing consuls.--Mr Adams offends the French Court.--The armed neutrality.

To James Lovell. Passy, August 10th, 1780, 167

Little value of pretended confidential information of secrets of State.--Transmits copies of instruments annulling the eleventh and twelfth articles.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, August 15th, 1780, 169

Notifying Dr Franklin of bills to be drawn on him.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Sept. 7th, 1780, 170

Enclosing proceedings of Congress relative to new drafts.--Increase of taxes for the improvement of the currency.

To C. W. F. Dumas. Passy, Oct. 2d, 1780, 171

Relative to M. Dumas's appointment and services.

To C. W. F. Dumas. Passy, Oct. 9th, 1780, 172

Has recommended M. Dumas to Mr Laurens as Secretary.-- Requests advice as to the manner of applying to the States-General.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, October 28th, 1780, 173

Requesting him to transmit certain papers to Mr Jay at Madrid.

To Sir Grey Cooper, Baronet, Secretary to the Treasury of Great Britain. Passy, November 7th, 1780, 174

Requesting relief for Mr Laurens, prisoner in the Tower.

Charles Vernon, Lieutenant Governor of the Tower of London, to Sir Grey Cooper. Hampstead, November 27th, 1780, 175

Mr Laurens's treatment in the Tower.

Sir Grey Cooper to B. Franklin. London, November 29th, 1780, 176

Respecting Mr Laurens; enclosing the preceding.

Instructions from Congress to B. Franklin. In Congress, November 29th, 1780, 176

To James Lovell. Passy, December 2d, 1780, 179

Agrees to furnish the French troops in America with provisions, in order to meet the drafts of Congress.

To the President of Congress. Passy, December 2d, 1780, 180

Recommending the furnishing of provisions to the French troops.

To the President of Congress. Passy, December 3d, 1780, 181

Mr Laurens's captivity.--Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke.--Delays in sending supplies.--Capture of a Portuguese ship with English property by an American armed vessel.--Recommends that neutral ships be not molested.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, December 21st, 1780, 184

Mr Palfrey appointed Consul to France.

Additional instructions from Congress to B. Franklin. In Congress, December 27th, 1780, 185

To Count de Vergennes. Passy, Feb. 13th, 1781, 186

Transmitting letters of Congress to the King.-- Communicates the instructions of Congress.--Critical situation of America.--Quotes a letter of General Washington on this subject.--Disappointment in supplies expected from Spain.--Danger to Europe if America is recovered by England.--Necessity of immediate aid.

To Count de Vergennes. Passy, March 6th, 1781, 189

Instructed to apply for an early answer to the application of Congress for more aid.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. March 9th, 1781, 189

Proceedings of Congress on several subjects.

To M. de Rayneval, Secretary to the Council of State. Passy, March 11th, 1781, 190

Relative to supplies.

To the President of Congress. Passy, March 12th, 1781, 192

Relating his proceedings in obedience to his instructions; the King of France grants a further sum of six millions; France declines the mediation of Russia and Austria.--Requests to be relieved from public duties on account of his age and infirmities--Recommends his grandson, William Temple Franklin, to Congress.

To Francis Lewis and the Board of Admiralty. Passy, March 17th, 1781, 197

Account of the squadron and expedition of Captain Jones; disposition of the prizes; affair with Captain Landais; the Ministry wished it to be considered an American expedition.

Agreement between Captain John Paul Jones and the officers of the squadron, 205

James Lovell to B. Franklin. March 31st, 1781, 207

Military operations.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, May 9th, 1781, 208

Desiring the exchange of Mr Gouverneur and Dr Witherspoon.

To M. de Lafayette. Passy, May 14th, 1781, 209

Expedition against Arnold.--English policy.--Appointment of his successor to the Court of France.

To the President of Congress. Passy, May 14th, 1781, 211

Supplies.--Exchange of prisoners.--Plans of the English administration.

To Thomas Lewis. Passy, May 16th, 1781, 215

Supplies.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, May 17th, 1781, 216

Introducing Dr Putnam.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, June 8th 1781, 216

Colonel Laurens's purchases in Holland.--The grant of the king to be expended partly in France.

To the President of Congress. Passy, June 11th, 1781, 217

On the disposition of the French grant.

To John Adams. Passy, June 11th, 1781, 218

Relative to certain expenses of Mr Adams, charged on the United States.

The President of Congress to B. Franklin. In Congress, June 19th, 1781, 220

Appointment of new Ministers for negotiating a peace.--Dr Franklin's services necessary on this occasion.

To Major William Jackson. Passy, June 28th, 1781, 221

Directing him to stop the shipment of money in Holland.

Major William Jackson to B. Franklin. Amsterdam, June 29th, 1781, 221

Reason of his delay at Amsterdam.

To David Hartley. Passy, June 30th, 1781, 222

Informing him that Vergennes declines granting him a passport.

Major William Jackson to B. Franklin. Amsterdam, July 2d, 1781, 223

Remonstrating against the detention of the money, obtained from France by Colonel Laurens, and deposited with M. Fizeaux and Co. Amsterdam.--Communicates his determination to retain the money in his own hands.--Reasons for retaining the money referred to in the preceding letters.

To Major William Jackson. Passy, July 5th, 1781, at six in the morning, 227

Reasons for ordering the detention of the money, which was part of the grant obtained by Dr Franklin.

To Major William Jackson. Passy, July 5th, 1781, 229

Adhering to his former determination relative to the detention of the money.

To Major William Jackson. Passy, July 6th, 1781, 229

Account of the manner in which the money referred to in the preceding letters was obtained.--Exertions of Dr Franklin in obtaining supplies.

To the President of Congress. Passy, July 11th, 1781, 232

Reasons for detaining the money, intended to have been shipped at Amsterdam.

James Lovell to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, July 21st, 1781, 233

Forwarding duplicates of certain resolutions of Congress.

To C. W. F. Dumas. Passy, August 6th, 1781, 234

Entertains little hope of aid from Holland.--Coldness of that country.

To C. W. F. Dumas. Passy, August 10th, 1781, 235

Communicating intelligence from America.--Apologises for expressions in his former letter, and requests that it may not be shown.

To the President of Congress. Passy, September 13th, 1781, 236

Interview with the Count de Vergennes on communicating his instructions relative to the negotiations, and the letter of Congress to the King.--Accepts the appointment of negotiator.--Desires that a Consul-General may be appointed for France.

John Adams to B. Franklin. Amsterdam, October 4th, 1781, 238

Relative to certain expenses of the American Ministers.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, October 20th, 1781, 238