"4th Article. In case you find the American Commissioners are not at liberty to treat on any terms short of independence, you are to declare to them, that you have authority to make that concession. Our ardent wish for peace, disposing us to purchase it at the price of acceding to the complete independence of the Thirteen Colonies, namely, New Hampshire, Ma.s.sachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Three lower Counties on the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, in North America."
TO EARL GRANTHAM.
Pa.s.sy, September 11th, 1782.
My Lord,
A long and severe indisposition has delayed my acknowledging the receipt of the letter your Lordship did me the honor of writing to me by Mr Fitzherbert.
You do me justice in believing, that I agree with you in earnestly wishing the establishment of an honorable and lasting peace; and I am happy to be a.s.sured by your Lordship, that it is the system of the Ministers with whom you are co-operating. I know it to be the sincere desire of the United States, and with such dispositions on both sides there is reason to hope, that the good work in its progress will meet with little difficulty. A small one has occurred in the commencement, with which Mr Oswald will acquaint you. I flatter myself that means will be found on your part for removing it; and my best endeavors in removing the subsequent ones (if any should arise) may be relied on.
I had the honor of being known to your Lordship"s father. On several occasions he manifested a regard for me, and a confidence in me. I shall be happy if my conduct in the present important business may procure me the same rank in the esteem of his worthy successor.
I am, with sincere respect, my Lord, your Lordship"s most obedient and most humble servant,
B. FRANKLIN.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, September 12th, 1782.
Sir,
I have nothing to add to mine of the 5th instant, but to congratulate you on the safe arrival of two vessels from Holland, having on board the goods left by Commodore Gillon, and to present you in the name of Mr Paine, with three copies of a late work of his addressed to the Abbe Raynal, in which he takes notice of some of the many errors with which his work abounds. The Abbe has a fine imagination, and he indulges it. The enclosed resolution contains an important fact, which I am using means to ascertain; but from the ill success I have hitherto met with in every similar attempt, I am fearful that it will be very long before I can effect it.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect and esteem, your most obedient humble servant,
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, September 12th, 1782.
Sir,
Since writing the above, I have received the enclosed resolutions of Congress. I have already antic.i.p.ated all that can be said upon the subject of the last; the melancholy tale of our necessities is sufficiently known to you, it has been too often repeated to need recitation.
Mr Morris, who writes from an empty Treasury amidst perpetual duns, will speak more feelingly. In short, money must be obtained for us at any rate, whether we have peace or war. France having already done much for us, and it not being probable that we shall extend our demands beyond the present, she may think it wise not to let us open accounts with a new banker, since the debtor is always more or less under obligations to the creditor.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with respect and esteem,
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
TO DAVID HARTLEY.
Pa.s.sy, September 17th, 1782.
My dear Friend,
Since those acknowledged in my last, I have received your several favors of August the 16th, 20th, and 26th. I have been a long time afflicted with the gravel and gout, which have much indisposed me for writing. I am even now in pain, but will no longer delay some answer.
I did not perfectly comprehend the nature of your appointment respecting the refugees, and I supposed you would in a subsequent letter explain it. But, as I now find you have declined the service, such explanation is become unnecessary.
I did receive the paper you inquire about, ent.i.tled _Preliminaries_, and dated May, 1782, but it was from you, and I know nothing of their having been communicated to this Court. The third proposition, "that in case the negotiation between Great Britain and the allies of America should not succeed, but the war continue between them, America should act and be treated as a neutral nation," appeared at first sight inadmissible, being contrary to our treaty. The truce too seems not to have been desired by any of the parties.
With unalterable esteem and affection, I am, my dear Friend, ever yours, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO B. FRANKLIN.
Philadelphia, September 18th, 1782.
Sir,
Just after closing my despatches, I was favored with yours of the 25th of April, and the 25th and 29th of June. The ships that brought them were so unfortunate as to be chased into the Delaware by a superior force. The Eagle was driven ash.o.r.e and sunk. The papers and money were however happily saved, and part of the crew. But Captain la Fouche, not having been since heard of, is supposed to be taken. The other frigate has arrived safe, with all the pa.s.sengers of both ships.
As I am just about to leave town for a short time, I will not touch upon the important subject mentioned in your letters, which will on account of my absence be committed to a special committee.
I would only observe to you, that the resolution in my last shows the sense of Congress on the subject of money matters.
You will see by the annexed resolutions, that Congress have refused to accept Mr Laurens"s resignation, and that they have made some alteration in your powers.
I send the papers, which contain the little news we have, and am, Sir,
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
MR SECRETARY TOWNSHEND TO RICHARD OSWALD.
Whitehall, September 20th, 1782.
Sir,
I received, on Sat.u.r.day last, your packets of the 10th and 11th of this month.
A meeting of the King"s confidential servants was held as soon as possible, to consider the contents of them, and it was at once agreed to make the alteration in the commission proposed by Dr Franklin and Mr Jay. I trust that the readiness with which this proposal has been accepted, will be considered as an ample testimony of the openness and sincerity with which the government of this country is disposed to treat with the Americans.