Part 2

Mr Livingston is appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs.--Military operations.--Preparations for another campaign.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, October 24th, 1781, 242

Announcing the capitulation of Yorktown.--Expresses a wish that Dr Franklin will accept his new appointment as negotiator.

To Thomas Mc'Kean, President of Congress. Passy, November 5th, 1781, 243

State of American prisoners in England.--Difficulties in effecting exchanges.--England refuses the mediation of the Powers; will treat with the United States only as subjects.--Proceedings of Colonel Laurens in Holland.--Confusion in shipping the supplies.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, November 24th, 1781, 249

Recommending certain French officers in the American service.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, November 26th, 1781, 250

Financial difficulties of America.--Importance of a French naval force in the American waters.--The commission for negotiating a commercial treaty with Great Britain discharged.--Preparations for a new campaign.--Supposed letters of Mr Deane.

William Alexander to B. Franklin. Paris, December 15th, 1781, 256

Requesting information concerning the disposition of France and America to treat with Great Britain.

To William Alexander. Passy, Dec. 15th, 1781, 257

To David Hartley. Passy, December 15th, 1781, 257

Concerning Mr Hartley's plan for securing the lives of the spectators at public spectacles in case of fire.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, December 16th, 1781, 258

Military operations.--Enclosing a resolution of Congress for raising a pillar at Yorktown; also an ordinance ascertaining what captures on the waters are lawful, with other American State papers.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, January 2d, 1782, 260

History of his proceedings for promoting negotiations for peace.--Conciliatory Bill of 1780, proposed as a basis; the question of independence to be waived; a separate treaty with America to be negotiated--Communicates these propositions to Lord North as general grounds of negotiation towards peace.--Lord North wishes to know if any person is authorised to treat on the part of America.--Urges the making of overtures for a separate negotiation.

Remarks on the Conciliatory Bill, 267

Enclosed in the preceding.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, January 7th, 1782, 268

Suggesting the objects of most importance to be negotiated; the limits of the United States; extend to the Mississippi on the West.--The fisheries; right of the Americans to fish on the banks of Newfoundland; sentiments of France on this subject.--Compensation to American royalists--Restitution of records and papers taken from America.

To David Hartley. Passy, January 15th, 1782, 281

No negotiations can be opened without the concurrence of France.--Objections to the Conciliatory propositions--Commissioners authorised to treat.--A formal acknowledgment of independence not made necessary by the treaty with France.

To the Count de Vergennes. Passy, Jan. 18th, 1782, 285

Capture of Flemish ships by American privateers.--English ships furnished with imperial papers after a pretended sale of ship and cargo at Ostend.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, January 23d, 1782, 287

Intercepted letters of Mr Deane.--Complains of want of intelligence from Europe.--Encloses resolutions of Congress relating to the fisheries and the western limits.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, January 24th, 1782, 288

Correcting Dr Franklin's misapprehensions of his propositions.--Cases in which America might treat separately.

Explanatory letter to Mr Hartley, referred to in the preceding, 293

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, January 26th, 1782, 294

Enclosing a convention for the establishment of consuls.

To Robert R. Livingston, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Passy, January 28th, 1782, 295

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, February 1st, 1782, 295

Interview with the Minister; he is favorably disposed for peace.

The Danish Minister to the Count de Vergennes. Paris, February 6th, 1782, 296

Complains of the outrages of American armed vessels on the coast of Norway.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, February 13th, 1782, 297

Pressing for further assistance from France.--This measure would be advantageous to France herself.-- Sufferings of American prisoners in England.-- Disturbances in Vermont and New Hampshire.

To David Hartley. Passy, February 16th, 1782, 301

Acknowledges his misapprehension of Mr Hartley's former proposition.--Reasons of jealousy between France and England; English Commissioner at Dunkirk.--England must take the first step towards a peace with America.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, February 24th, 1782, 303

Enclosing the complaint of the Danish Count respecting outrages by American vessels on the coast of Norway.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. Feb. 28th, 1782, 304

Prospects of peace.--The Ministry favorably disposed.

Edmund Burke to B. Franklin. London, February 28th, 1782, 305

Resolution of the House of Commons.--Mr Laurens.

To the Count de Vergennes. Passy, March 3d, 1782, 306

Relative to the complaints of the Danish Court.--Expects redress for the seizure of American prizes in Danish ports.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, March 4th, 1782, 308

Complaints against American cruisers.--Influence and services of M. de Lafayette.--Changes in the British Ministry.--Unfriendly disposition of the King.-- Relations with France.--Financial arrangements of Mr Morris.--American prisoners.--Arrival and reception of Cornwallis and Arnold in England.--Mr Deane's discontents; his vindication of Arnold.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, March 9th, 1782, 314

Address of the House of Commons to the King against continuing the war in America.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, March 9th, 1782, 315

Enclosing a letter from the Superintendent of Finance.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, March 11th, 1782, 315

Mr Digges appointed by the Ministry to inquire if any persons are authorised to treat.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, March 12th, 1782, 316

Enclosing the Parliamentary proceedings respecting the war with America; prelude to a general bill to enable the administration to treat.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, March 21st, 1782, 318

Dissolution of the Ministry.--Is desirous of negotiating the peace.

T. Digges to B. Franklin. Amsterdam, March 22d, 1782, 320

Appointed by the Ministry to inquire if any persons in Europe are commissioned by Congress to treat and to make known the disposition of the Ministry to open negotiations for a truce.--His communications with Mr Adams.

John Adams to B. Franklin. The Hague, March 26th, 1782, 325

Interview with Mr Digges; opposes the plan of a truce.-- Many cities in Holland declare in favor of American independence.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, March 30th, 1782, 328

Policy of the Ministry; to divide America, and to separate America and France.--Singular language of the bill empowering the King to treat.

To John Adams. Passy, March 31st, 1782, 329

Mr. Digges's mission.--Delays of Holland and Spain.

To David Hartley. Passy, March 31st, 1782, 330

The five Commissioners empowered to treat.

To David Hartley. Passy, April 5th, 1782, 331

Has no confidence in Digges.--The Commissioners are ready to treat.--Reconciliation spoken of in the Parliamentary proceedings more than a mere peace.--Acts necessary to effect it.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, April 8th, 1782, 334

The new Ministry.--Recommending the Prince de Broglie.

To Henry Laurens. Passy, April 12th, 1782, 335

Encloses a copy of his commission, empowering him to treat.--Treaties and instructions forbid their treating without France.

M. de Rayneval to B. Franklin. Versailles, April 12th, 1782, 336

The French Minister approves his reply to Mr Hartley.-- Proposals of the British Ministry for a separate treaty with France by Mr Forth.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, April 12th, 1782, 338

The new Ministry endeavor to gain over Holland.--Capture of St Joseph (Illinois) by the Spaniards.

To David Hartley. Passy, April 13th, 1782, 340

Insincerity of the late Ministry in their proposals for reconciliation; endeavoring at the same time to treat separately with France.

To John Adams. Passy, April 13th, 1782, 341

Mr Forth's mission to the French Ministry; Canada offered to France to induce her to treat separately; answer of the French Court.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, April 23d, 1782, 342

Enclosing the complaint of the Danish Court on account of the capture of a Danish vessel.

David Hartley to B. Franklin, London, May 1st, 1782, 343

The late Ministry wished for peace on prudential grounds, not for reconciliation; proposal of a separate peace was intended to excite distrust in France. His breviate laid before the Ministry, calculated to divest the war with America of hatred and jealousy against France.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, May 22d, 1782, 353

Enclosing a letter to the King; resolutions of Congress on the application of Sir Guy Carleton to forward despatches, and on the subject of prisoners in England.-- Disposition towards France in America.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, May 25th, 1782, 356

Release of the American prisoners in England.--Prospect of reconciliation.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, May 30th, 1782, 357

Memorial on the subject of prize money due Captain Jones.--Inquires why the Danish Court applies to France on account of injuries of American cruisers.-- Affair of Captain Huddy, who was hanged by a party of soldiers.

Richard Oswald to B. Franklin. Paris, June 5th, 1782, 362

Desiring the discharge of Lord Cornwallis's parole.

To Richard Oswald. Passy, June 5th, 1782, 363

Promises to comply with the request to discharge Lord Cornwallis.

John Adams to B. Franklin. The Hague, June 13th, 1782, 364

Mr Grenville only empowered to treat with France; the Ministry will be unwilling to make any concessions.--The Dutch are disposed to an alliance with America.--Policy of Russia.

Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, June 23d, 1782, 366

People in America not disposed to a separate treaty.-- Affairs of Captain Huddy.--Case of the Ernten.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, June 25th, 1782, 368

An additional six millions cannot be obtained from France.--Mr Grenville is sent with full powers to treat with all the belligerent powers together.--Is joined by Mr Jay.--An act of Parliament was considered necessary to authorise the exchange of the American prisoners, as they were committed for high treason.--The Swedish Ambassador expresses a wish to treat with Dr Franklin.--Services of M. Dumas.

To Robert R. Livingston. Passy, June 29th, 1782, 373

Discharges Lord Cornwallis from his parole.--The intentions of the British Ministry seem to change with success.--Disinclination of the King to America.--Agents are sent by the Ministry into America to attempt a separate treaty.

JOURNAL.

From March 21st to July 1st, 1782. Passy, May 9th, 1782, 376

Reasons for keeping a Journal.--Visited by Lord Cholmondely, by whom he transmits the following.

To Lord Shelburne. Passy, March 22d, 1782, 377

Desires a general peace.

Lord Shelburne to B. Franklin. London, April 6th, 1782, 378

Lord Shelburne appointed Secretary of State; sends Mr Oswald to confer with Dr Franklin.

Henry Laurens to B. Franklin. London, April 7th, 1782, 379

Introducing Mr Oswald.--Desires to effect his exchange.--Conversation with Mr Oswald, in which Dr Franklin declares that America will only treat in concert with France.

To Count de Vergennes. Passy, April 15th, 1782, 381

Stating the mission of Mr Oswald and his proceedings thereon, as above.--Mr Oswald has an interview with M. de Vergennes, and returns to England.

To Lord Shelburne. Passy, April 18th, 1782, 383

M. de Vergennes declares the King ready to treat in concurrence with his allies.--Details of his conversation with Mr Oswald, as given in the succeeding letter to Mr Adams.

Notes for conversation, 388

To John Adams. Passy, April 20th, 1792, 391

In a conversation with Mr Oswald, he observed that if England desires a reconciliation much reparation must be made, that the advantage to the commerce of England from a peace would depend on a reconciliation, without which the peace would not be durable, that it would be politic for England to offer to cede Canada.--Desires the presence of Mr Adams and Mr Laurens.

To Henry Laurens. Passy, April 20th, 1792, 393

Details of Mr Oswald's proceedings.

John Adams to B. Franklin. Amsterdam, April 16th, 1782, 394

Giving an account of his interview with Mr Laurens at Haerlem.--Suggests the necessity of the session of Canada and Nova Scotia, or at least a stipulation that no troops nor fortifications should be maintained on the frontiers.--Mr Laurens represents the new Ministry as feeble and insincere, the nation as desirous of a general peace.--Mr Adams proposes to Dr Franklin to receive no other messenger who is not a plenipotentiary.

To John Adams. Passy, April 21st, 1782, 397

The act of Parliament for exchanging American prisoners as prisoners of war, is a tacit acknowledgement of independence.--Circumstances in Holland favorable for obtaining a loan.

John Adams to B. Franklin. Amsterdam, May 2d, 1782, 399

Plan of a triple or quadruple alliance.--Difficulty of obtaining a loan in Holland.

Henry Laurens to B. Franklin. London, April 20th, 1782, 401

Requesting the discharge of Lord Cornwallis in return for his own enlargement.--Disposition in England is become favorable to the acknowledgement of independence, and to a general peace.

Lord Shelburne to B. Franklin. Shelburne House, April 20th, 1782, 403

Mr Oswald is sent back to settle the time and place of treating.

To Count de Vergennes. Passy, May 4th, 1782, 406

Mr Oswald brings information that it has been agreed in Council to treat at Paris of a general peace, and that Mr Grenville will be sent for that purpose.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, May 5th, 1782, 407

Appointing an interview with Mr Oswald.

To John Adams. Passy, May 8th, 1782, 408

Mr Oswald intimates that the Ministry will acknowledge the independence of America, on condition that Britain is left in the same condition as at the peace of 1763.

Charles J. Fox to B. Franklin. St James, May 1st, 1782, 409

Expresses his wishes for a reconciliation.--Mr Grenville is acquainted with his sentiments.-- Journal continued; Mr Grenville represents England as ready to treat with all the powers.--Dr Franklin accompanies him on an interview with the Count de Vergennes.--They maintain that England should expect no concessions in return for the acknowledgment of independence, which was already conquered by America.--Dr Franklin sees Lafayette, who expresses a wish to be sent to England.

To Mr Secretary Fox. Passy, May 10th, 1782, 415

To Lord Shelburne. Passy, May 10th, 1782, 416

Time of treating not yet settled.--Discharge of American prisoners.

To Lord Shelburne. Passy, May 13th, 1782, 418

Desires that Mr Oswald may be sent to treat.--Journal continued.--Conversation with Mr Grenville relative to the obligations of America to France.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, May 3d, 1782, 421

Favorable prospect of reconciliation.

To David Hartley. Passy, May 13th, 1782, 422

The release of the American prisoners will tend to promote a reconciliation.--Journal continued; Ministers of the European powers determined not to return the visits of the American Ministers.-- Anecdote of the Russian Minister and the Count du Nord.

Henry Laurens to B. Franklin. Ostend, May 17th, 1782, 425

Declines engaging in the negotiations.--His opinions coincide with those of Dr Franklin.--Lord Cornwallis desires to be discharged.

To Henry Laurens. Passy, May 25th, 1782, 429

Nations are never satisfied with the terms of a peace.-- Discharge of Lord Cornwallis.

David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, May 13th, 1782, 433

Relative to his proceedings with the new Ministry.-- Proposes the following preliminaries; the British troops to be withdrawn from America; a truce made, which shall be converted into a peace, in case of a peace with the allies of America.--Journal continued.--Mr Grenville states that he has received full powers to treat with France and her allies.--The power relates only to France.

Lord Shelburne to B. Franklin. Whitehall, May 28th, 1782, 440

Lord Shelburne to B. Franklin. Whitehall, May 29th, 1782, 440

Mr Oswald has received orders to return to Paris, with the necessary instructions.--Journal continued; Mr Grenville explains the omission of America in the power.--His instructions are full, empowering him to acknowledge the independence of America.-- Conversation on the resolution of the Americans not to treat without the allies.--Mr Grenville suggests the question, whether it includes Holland and Spain? whether it would be adhered to in regard to France at all events?

To Mr Grenville. Passy, May 31st, 1782, 445

Releasing Captain McLeod conditionally from his parole.

To John Adams. Passy, June 2d, 1782, 446

Giving an account of affairs as above related in the Journal.--Suspects the omission of America in Mr Grenville's power.--Journal continued; Mr Oswald states that peace is absolutely necessary, that no more money can be raised.

Lord Shelburne to Richard Oswald. Whitehall, May 21st, 1782, 449

Relative to Mr Walpole's appointment to negotiate.-- Journal continued; Memorandums of Lord Shelburne; that Commissioners be appointed, or any character given to Mr Oswald, which he and Dr Franklin think proper for treating; that compensation be made to the loyalists.--Conversation with Mr Oswald on those points.--Russian offer of mediation to Holland.

W. H. Hartley to B. Franklin. Soho Square, May 24th, 1782, 455

Journal continued; Release of Lord Cornwallis.--Extract from the Evening Post relative to information obtained by Mr Grenville in his visit to Dr Franklin; erroneous statements.--Policy of Russia to mediate a peace between Britain and Holland, and continue the general war.--Major Ross declines receiving the conditional discharge of Lord Cornwallis.

To Richard Oswald. Passy, June 11th, 1782, 460

Discharge of Lord Cornwallis.--Journal continued.-- Conversation with the Count de Vergennes relative to the attempts to separate France and America; suggests the propriety of a treaty between the allies, to support each other in case of a subsequent war by England against either.--Mr Ross accepts Lord Cornwallis's conditional discharge.--M. Boeris informs that Holland will decline the mediation of Russia for a separate treaty. Mr Grenville receives full powers, authorising him to treat with any other Prince or _State_.--Empowered to acknowledge the independence of America previous to the treaty, and to propose the peace of 1763 as a basis.--Suggests a doubt whether Great Britain will allow America to be designated by the expression _State_.--Comparison of Mr Fox and Lord Shelburne; of Mr Oswald and Mr Grenville.

M. de Lafayette to B. Franklin. Versailles, Thursday morning, June 20th, 1782, 471

Count de Vergennes proposes to meet Mr Grenville, and adopt measures for an official communication to the allies.--Journal continued.--Arrival of Mr Jay.--Visit to the Count de Vergennes, who expresses a doubt of the sincerity of the British Court.

To Richard Oswald. Passy, June 27th, 1782, 474

Expresses a wish that he should be employed to treat.--Doubts whether the word _State_ in Mr Grenville's powers would apply to America, the Enabling Act not having then been passed.--Journal continued.--British Agents in America to propose a reunion with Great Britain.--Interview with the Spanish Minister.--Journal closes.

CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.