Part 1

THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

VOL. V.

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. V.

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

1829.

Steam Power Press--W. L. Lewis, Printer. No. 6, Congress Street, Boston.

CONTENTS

OF THE

FIFTH VOLUME.

JOHN ADAMS' CORRESPONDENCE,

CONTINUED.

Page. To the President of Congress. Paris, April 17th, 1780, 3

Probable effects of the armed neutrality.--Critical situation of England.--The opposition carry the resolution, that the influence of the Crown is increasing, and ought to be diminished.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 18th, 1780, 6

Encloses a letter written from England on the subject of peace with America.--Exposes the errors of the writer; on the confederacy with France and Spain; on the probability of America violating her treaty with France; on the notion that the policy of France has been to expose the States in order to exhaust them; on the plan of a reconciliation and reunion of America with Great Britain.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 24th, 1780, 12

Proceedings of Russia in regard to the armed neutrality.-- Proceedings in Holland in relation to the same subject.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, April 25th, 1780, 18

Enclosing papers from America.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 25th, 1780, 18

State of Ireland.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 26th, 1780, 24

Debate in the House of Lords on the declaration of Russia; Lord Camden expresses his astonishment at the doctrine of free ships and free goods; Lord Shelburne's remarks on the critical state of England.--Anti-English policy of Russia.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 28th, 1780, 27

Declaration of the English Council, placing the subjects of the United Provinces on the footing of neutral powers, not privileged by treaties.--Address of the States of Groningen to the States-General, recommending the protection of commerce by convoys.--Second Address of the States of the same Province, proposing answers to the Memorials of Sir J. Yorke.--The Province of Holland recommends the acceptance of the invitation of Russia to accede to the armed neutrality.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 29th, 1780, 37

English naval expeditions.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 29th, 1780, 38

Mutiny in the English fleet.--County meetings adopt resolutions censuring the war.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 2d, 1780, 41

Memorial of the French Ambassador to the States-General, announcing the abolition of the duty of fifteen per cent on Dutch merchandise entering France.--Decree of the French Council on the same subject.--The Seven Provinces have resolved to refuse the succors demanded by Great Britain; to grant convoys; and to accept the invitation of Russia.-- Instructions of the States of Holland and West Friesland to their deputies in the States-General on the attack of the Dutch convoy by the English.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 3d, 1780, 50

General exchange of prisoners agreed on between France and England.

From Elbridge Gerry to John Adams. Philadelphia, May 5th, 1780, 52

Favorable effects of the resolutions of Congress for cancelling the two hundred millions of dollars previously emitted on the currency.--New emission of five millions.-- Financial concerns of the confederacy.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 54

Instructions of the United Provinces to their Minister at London, on the subject of Lord Stormont's answer to former representations relative to the attack on the Dutch convoy.--Resolutions of the States regulating the trade of foreigners with the Dutch Colonies.--Proceedings of the different Provinces relative to the Russian Memorial; the granting of unlimited convoys; raising of subsidies.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 63

Enclosing the letter of the Count de Florida Blanca to the Spanish Minister of the Marine, regulating the treatment of neutrals.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 73

Copy of the Swedish ordinance providing convoys.--Answer of the Court of St James to the Russian declaration.-- Difference of the English and Russian doctrine of blockade in these documents.--English recruits in Germany.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 8th, 1780, 79

The Russian declaration hostile to the policy of England.--Lord Stormont's letter to the Dutch Envoy.

To an unknown person. Paris, May 9th, 1780, 82

Observations on the Dean of Gloucester's proposals.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 9th, 1780, 84

The Dean of Gloucester's proposals for a general pacification.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 10th, 1780, 86

Proceedings in the Irish Commons relative to the sovereignty of the Irish Parliament.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, May 10th, 1780, 88

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 11th, 1780, 89

Motions of Mr Hartley in the House of Commons, on the subject of reconciliation.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, May 9th, 1780, 91

The American party in England hope to make a separate peace with the United States.--The alliance with France will not be violated.--Mr Adams always an advocate of the alliance.

To John Jay. Paris, May 13th, 1780, 93

Difficulty of influencing the views and conduct of European Ministers.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 13th, 1780, 94

Answer of France to the Russian declaration, approving the doctrines of Russia.--Orders issued to the English commanders to detain Dutch ships, having on board effects belonging to the enemy, or which are considered as contraband by the law of nations.

To John Jay. Paris, May 15th, 1780, 98

Facility and importance of intercepting the English West India fleet.--Policy to be observed towards Spain and Portugal.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 16th, 1780, 100

Rumor of opening the navigation of Antwerp.--Naval preparations of Austria.

To M. Genet, at Versailles. Paris, May 17th, 1780, 101

Objections to General Conway's assertion, that the alliance between France and the United States is unnatural.--Habits; language; religion.--These circumstances will rather tend to separate America and England.--The commercial interests of England and America different.--Boundaries will form a source of dispute.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, May 19th, 1780, 106

The Assembly of Pennsylvania cut to pieces the great seal of the Province.--American privateers.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 19th, 1780, 107

Answer of Spain to the Russian declaration, approving the principles therein contained.--Conversation between Lord Stormont and the Count de Welderen on the attack on the Dutch convoy.--Proceedings in Ireland.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 20th, 1780, 110

General Conway proposes a bill for reconciliation or peace.--Debate on the subject in the House of Commons.--Denmark accedes to the armed neutrality.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 20th, 1780, 116

General Conway's Speech on his bill for reconciliation.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 23d, 1780, 120

The different Powers accede to the armed neutrality.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, May 24th, 1780, 123

Expressing full confidence in his conduct in case of overtures from England.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 26th, 1780, 124

Address of the Bar at Dublin to Mr Grattan.--Reply of Mr Grattan.--Extracts from the journals.--Letter of M. de Sartine, concerning the treatment of neutrals.--Letter from the Count de Florida Blanca.

To the President of Congress. Paris, May 27th, 1780, 133

Application of the principles of the British Constitutions to external dominions, extensively studied in America.-- Effects of the American publications on this subject, on other foreign possessions of Great Britain.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 1st, 1780, 135

Indecisive engagement between the French and English fleets.--Governor Pownal asks leave to bring in a bill authorising a convention, truce, or peace with the Colonies.--The House proceeds to the order of the day.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 1st, 1780, 137

Report of a Committee of the citizens of Dublin, declaring the independence of the Irish Parliament, and returning thanks to those members who have supported it.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 2d, 1780, 142

Petitions of the Dutch merchants to the States-General, and to the States of Holland and West Friesland, praying for a speedy protection of commerce. Answer of Spain to the Russian declaration.--Extracts from the Journals, on the destination of the naval forces of France.--Proceedings of Congress kept more secret than the plans of the European Courts.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 2d, 1780, 149

Declaration of Lord George Germain, that there is a prospect of peace with America, on good and honorable terms for England, not with the Congress, but with the people.--Fallacy of these statements; America could not make peace with England, without involving herself with France and Spain; Congress cannot oppose the will of the people in America, which is expressed through the press, the towns, the juries, and the assemblies.--Other errors concerning the misery of the people, the debt, dislike to France, &c. exposed.--Barriers to a reconciliation or peace between England and America. (_Note._)

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 4th, 1780, 159

Extracts from numerous European journals.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 5th, 1780, 166

Extracts from the journals.--Petitions of the Corn Merchants of Amsterdam to the States-General and to the States of Holland and West Friesland, praying for protection of the commerce.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 10th, 1780, 170

Preparations for supporting the armed neutrality.--An East India company formed at Trieste.--English losses in Africa.--Critical situation of the British power in India.--Duty imposed on sugars imported from England, by the Irish Parliament.--Violation of neutral ground on the Dutch coast by the English.--Representations of the States of Holland and West Friesland to the States-General, and of the latter to the Dutch Minister at London on this subject.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 12th, 1780, 181

Extract from Lord Shelburne's Speech, relating to the policy of the Ministry towards Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Turkey.--The American war was the true cause of that policy.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 12th, 1780, 186

Copy of Governor Pownal's bill, empowering the King to make peace with the United States.--Meeting of merchants at Dublin to obtain a duty on sugars imported into the kingdom.--Proceedings of the Irish House of Commons on the same subject.--Port of Vendre on the Mediterranean repaired.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 16th, 1780, 190

Extracts from pamphlets published under the name of Mr Galloway, but probably written by the refugees.--Refutation of the statements therein contained.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 16th, 1780, 201

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 17th, 1780, 201

Governor Hutchinson's death and character.--Further extracts from the pamphlets abovementioned.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 20th, 1780, 207

On the paying off of the loan office certificates.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, June 21st, 1780, 208

Injustice of obliging the French holders of the American paper money to suffer by the depreciation.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 22d, 1780, 212

Requesting a delay of the orders instructing the French Minister in America to make representations against the resolutions of Congress for the paying off the paper money at its depreciated value.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, June 22d, 1780, 213

Defence of the resolutions of Congress above referred to.--The holders have received the bills at the depreciated value, and are not therefore entitled to the nominal value.--The loss will not fall on French holders, who have received them at their depreciated value.--The same measure was adopted by the colony of Massachusetts Bay, without being objected to by the English government or merchants.--Very little of the paper in the hands of French subjects.

To B. Franklin. Paris, June 22d, 1780, 225

Suggesting the propriety of requesting a revocation of the orders to the French Minister in America, abovementioned.--Evils which they may produce in America.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 26th, 1780, 226

Clamor in Europe against the resolutions providing for the paying off the paper bills.--Interview and correspondence with Count de Vergennes on the subject.

To the President of Congress. Paris, June 29th, 1780, 228

Recommends the appointment of Consuls to relieve the Minister.--Also, that strict instructions be given to the commanders of ships-of-war, in which there has been a want of subordination.

To B. Franklin. Paris, June 29th, 1780, 231

Enclosing his correspondence with the Count de Vergennes, relative to resolutions of Congress for paying off the paper money.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, June 30th, 1780, 232

Adheres to his former opinions on the subject of the paper money.--Expects the views of Congress in reply to the representations.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 1st, 1780, 233

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 6th, 1780, 234

Lists of French, Spanish, American, and English vessels taken and destroyed.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 6th, 1780, 239

Regrets the American losses, and considers the causes. Urges Congress to cherish the navy while it is in their power.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 7th, 1780, 240

Rejection of Mr Hartley's proposal for a bill to empower the King to make peace with America.--Abstract of the bill.--Sir G. Saville's motion, that the American war be declared unconstitutional and ruinous, rejected.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 7th, 1780, 243

Petition of the merchants of Amsterdam to the States-General, for protection of commerce from the English.

B. Franklin to Count de Vergennes. Passy, July 10th, 1780, 245

Agrees that foreign merchants ought not to suffer from the depreciation of the paper money.--Assures him that the sentiments of the Americans in general in regard to the alliance, differ widely from those expressed by Mr Adams.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 13th, 1780, 247

Determination of the English to undertake a new campaign.-- State of things in America.--The advantages which the English derive from being masters of the American seas.--The English in America have been for two years in the power of their enemies.--Their possessions must be protected and supplied by a naval power.--A naval superiority in those seas is the true policy of America and France. The policy of France has been suspected in America, and misrepresented in England on this point.--The real importance of America.--Prejudices against the Americans in France.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 14th, 1780, 259

Proposed congress at St Petersburg.--English accounts of their successes in America.--Ignorance of the American foreign envoys on these subjects.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1780, 260

Preamble of the Russian ordinance relative to neutral rights.--There is no appearance of favor to England in the Russian Court.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1780, 263

Attack on the French vessels in the neutral port of Milo by the English.--Russian, Swedish, Danish, and Dutch naval preparations.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1780, 265

English, French, and Spanish forces at sea.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 17th, 1780, 266

Reasons why his powers ought no longer to be concealed from the English Court.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 19th, 1780, 270

Naval forces of the northern powers.--Russian ordinance ascertaining the neutral rights of Russian commerce.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 19th, 1780, 276

Armed neutral forces.--Quotes speculations from the Amsterdam Gazette relative to the effect of the conquest of Mobile by the Spaniards.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, July 20th, 1780, 278

A French naval force has been sent to America, to co-operate with the American military operations.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 21st, 1780, 279

Expresses his satisfaction with the destination of the armament abovementioned.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 22d, 1780, 280

Extract from the King's speech on the prorogation of Parliament.--Extracts from the journals, showing the state of the navies in Europe.

To the President of Congress. Paris, July 23d, 1780, 285

Messengers pass between London and Madrid.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, July 25th, 1780, 287

Reasons for opposing Mr Adams' communication of his full powers to the English Ministry.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 26th, 1780, 294

Reply to the statements and arguments of the preceding letter.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 27th, 1780, 301

Observations on Count de Vergennes' assertion, that the King had taken measures for sustaining America without solicitations from Congress.--Solicitations were made through the medium of the foreign Envoys of Congress.--Expresses his fears that the French have not a decided naval superiority in the American seas.

Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, July 29th, 1780, 304

Expresses his dissatisfaction with the remarks of Mr Adams.--Shall treat only with Mr Franklin on matters concerning the United States.

Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. Versailles, July 31st, 1780, 305

Transmitting his correspondence with Mr Adams with the request that it may be laid before Congress. (Letter from the President of Congress to Mr Adams on this subject. _Note._)

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August 14th, 1780, 307

Arrives in Amsterdam.--Importance of maintaining an official agent in the United Provinces.--Probability of raising a loan in Holland.--Declaration of Sweden in regard to neutrality.--Declaration of Denmark on the same subject.

To B. Franklin. Amsterdam, August 17th, 1780, 314

Absurd political speculations in Europe on the conditions and prospects of America.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August 22d, 1780, 316

Answer of France to the Swedish declaration.--Questions of Sweden relative to the proposals of Russia, for reciprocal protection and mutual assistance of the neutrals.--Russian answer.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, August 23d, 1780, 321

The English mission to Madrid merely a cover.--Real design of England to continue the war, and to separate the House of Bourbon from America.--Urges the sending a Minister to Holland.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 4th, 1780, 323

Capture of the British West India fleet by the combined fleets of France and Spain.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 5th, 1780, 324

No measures ever taken in England to fix the English language.--Proposes that Congress should effect this object by erecting the American Academy for refining and ascertaining the English language, and by furnishing the necessary funds for a library and the support of its officers.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 19th, 1780, 327

Acknowledges the receipt of his commission for negotiating a loan.--Difficulties of this charge.--Expediency of a Minister Plenipotentiary to Holland, charged with this duty.

Commission to John Adams, referred to in the preceding letter, 329

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 16th, 1780, 330

Congress of St Petersburg.--The policy of Holland doubtful.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 24th, 1780, 332

Determines to negotiate a loan in a private character.--Little reputation of the Dutch owing to their language.--Importance of cultivating the English language in America.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 25th, 1780, 334

General ignorance of America in Holland.--Predominance of the English interest there.--Little prospect of raising a loan.

To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, September 28th, 1780, 338