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Secretary, and that I should communicate whatever he should say to me to Dr. Franklin, and the Comte de Vergennės, I would wait for him at home at ten o'clock; but that I had rather he should go to Paris without seeing me, and communicate what he had to say to Dr. Franklin, whose situation enabled him to consult the Court without loss of time. At ten however he came, and told me a long story about consultations with Mr. Penn, Mr. Hartley, Lord Beauchamp, and at last Lord North, by whom he was finally sent, to enquire of me, if I or any other had authority to treat with Great Britain of a truce. I answered, that “ I came to Europe with full powers to make peace, that those powers had been announced to the public upon my arrival, and continued in force until last summer, when Congress sent a new commission, containing the same powers, to four persons, whom I named: that if the King of England were my father, and I the heir apparent to his throne, I could not advise him ever to think of a truce, because it would be but a real war, under a simulated appearance of tranquillity, and would end in another open and bloody war, without doing any real good to any of the parties.”

He said that “ the ministry would send some person of consequence over, perhaps General Conway, but they were apprehensive, that he would be ill-treated or exposed." I said, “ that if they resolved upon such a measure, I had rather they would send immediately to Dr. Franklin because of his situation near the French court. But there was no doubt, if they sent any respectable personage properly authorized, who should come to treat honorably, he would be treated with great respect. But that if he came to me, I could give him no opinion upon any thing without consulting my colleagues, and should reserve a right of communicating every thing to them, and to our allies.”

He then said that “ bis mission was finished. That the

a

fact to be ascertained was simply, that there was a commission in Europe to treat and conclude: but that there was not one person in Great Britain who could affirm or prove that there was such a commission, although it had been announced in the gazettes."

I desired him, and he promised me, not to mention Mr. Laurens to the ministry without his consent, (and without informing him that it was impossible he should say any thing in the business, because he knew nothing of our instructions, because, although it was possible that his being in such a commission might induce them to release him, yet it was also possible it might render them more difficult concerning his exchange.

The picture he gives of the situation of things in England is gloomy enough for them. The distresses of the people, and the distractions in administration and parliament, are such as may produce any effect alınost that can be imagined.

The only use of all this I think is to strike decisive strokes at New York and Charlestown. There is no position so advantageous for negociation, as when we have all an enemy's army prisoners. I must beg the favour of you, Sir, to send me, by one of the Comte de Vergennes's couriers to the Duc de la Vauguion, a copy in letters of your peace instructions. I have not been able to decypher one quarter part of mine. Some mistake has certainly been made.

Ten or eleven cities of Holland have declared themselves in favour of American independence, and it is expected that to-day or to-morrow this province will take the decisive resolution of admitting me to my audience. Perhaps some of the other provinces may delay it for three or four weeks. But the Prince bas declared, that he has no hopes of resisting the torrent, and therefore that he shall not attempt it. The Duc de la Vauguion has acted a very friendly and honorable part in this business, without, however, doing

any ministerial act in it. With great respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

.

dio.. The newspapers which I send you by this conveyance, will acquaint you, with what has since my last passed in parliament. You will there see a copy of the Bill brought in by the Attorney-General, for empowering the King to make peace with the Colonies. They still seem to flatter themselves with the idea of dividing us; and rather than name the Congress, they empower him generally to treat with any body or bodies of men, or any person or persons, &c. They are here likewise endeavouring to get us to treat separately from France, at the same time they are tempting France to treat separately from us, equally without the least chance of success. I have been drawn into a correspondence on this subject, which you shall have with my next. I send you a letter of Mr. Adams's just received, which shows also that they are weary of the war, and would get out of it if they knew how. They had not then received certain news of the loss of St. Christopher's, which will probably render them still more disposed to peace. I see that a bill is also passing through the House of Commons for the exchange of American prisoners, the purport of which I do not yet

my reasons for some addition, and if the treaty were to be held on your side the water, I would do it: otherwise it seems on second thoughts to be unnecessary, and if my letter should be intercepted may be inconvenient. Be as. sured I shall not willingly give up any important right or interest of our country, and unless this campaign should afford our enemies some considerable advantage, I hope more may be obtained than is yet expected.

Our affairs generally go on well in Europe. Holland has been slow, Spain slower, but time will I hope smooth away

all difficulties. Let us keep up not only oậr courage but our vigilance, and not be laid asleep by the pretended half peace the English make with us without asking our consent. We cannot be safe while they keep armies in our country. With great esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN,

To J. ADAMS, Esg.
SIR,

Passy, March 31, 1782. I received yours of the 10th instant, and am of opinion with you, that the English will evacuate New York and Charlestown, as the troops there after the late resolutions of parliament must be useless, and are necessary to defend their remaining islands, where they have not at present more than 3000 men. The prudence of this operation is so obvious, that I think they can hardly miss it; otherwise I own, that considering their conduct for several years past, it is not reasoning consequentially to conclude they will do a thing, because the doing it is required by common sense.

Yours of the 26th is just come to hand. I thank you for

the communication of Digges's message. He has also sent me a long letter, with two from Mr. Hartley. I shall see M. de Vergennes to-morrow, and will acquaint you with

1 The following was Mr. Digges's Account of what passed between him and Mr. Adams, as communicated by him to Lord Shelburne, March 30, 1782, and communicated to Dr. Franklin by Mr. Oswald.

Mr. Adams, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, Mr. Laurens and Mr. Jefferson are the Commissioners in Europe to treat for peace.

concern.

Their powers are to treat and conclude with the Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, or Commissioners of the States with whom it may Each of them are vested with equal powers relative to the establishment of Peace; and a majority of them, or any one (the others not being able to attend) can treat and conclude.

Mr. Adams cannot speak to any proposition of a direct tendemy to truce or peace from England, without consulting his colleagues, and from them it must be expected to go to the French minister; the other Belligerent Powers having as yet no right to expect information about any proposition for peace.

There may, however, questions be asked Mr. Adams and his colleagues, that they may not think essentially necessary to communicate to the French Court; and any proper messenger sent to ask such questions will be answered with confidential secresy.

Mr. Digges read over Mr. Adams's commission; it is dated the 15th of June, 1781, and his powers (which are exactly the same as the other four) are as full as possible, and go to conclude as well as treat for peace.

V