NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08173738 3
THE WORKS
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
VOL. IX.
THE
WORKS
OF
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN;
CONTAINING
SEVERAL POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL TRACTS
NOT INCLUDED IN ANY FORMER EDITION,
AND
MANY LETTERS OFFICIAL AND PRIVATE
NOT HITHERTO PUBLISHED;
NOTES
A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR
By JARED SPARKS.
VOLUME IX.
BOSTON.
HILLIARD, GRAY, AND COMPANY.
1839.
Entered according to the act of Congress, in tne year one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-nine, by Hilliard, Gray, and Co., in the Clerk's
Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
CAMBRIDGE:
STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY
FOLSOM, WELLS, AND THURSTON,
PRINTERS TO THE UNIVERSITY.
CONTENTS
VOLUME NINTH
CORRESPONDENCE.
PART THIRD;
COMPRISING LETTERS, PRIVATE AND OFFICIAL, FROM
THE BEGINNING OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO
THE END OF THE AUTHOR'S MISSION TO FRANCE.
1775 ā 1785.
(Continued.)
Page
1781.
To the President of Congress. 12 March. ... 1
The King of France grants to the United States a further
Sum of Six Millions of Livres. ā Declines the Mediation
of Russia and Austria. ā Dr. Franklin requests Permission
of Congress to return Home.
To the Board of Admiralty. 17 March. ... 7
Account of the Squadron and Expedition of Paul Jones. ā
Disposition of the Prizes. ā Captain Landais.
To William Hodgson. 1 April. 15
Conduct of Mr. Digges. ā Peace. ā Proposals of Media-
tion.
To Francis Dana. 7 April 17
Respecting Mr. Dana's Mission to the Court of St. Peters-
burg.
From John Adams to B. Franklin. 10 April. . . . 19
Difficulty of procuring a Loan in Holland.
To William Carmichael. 12 April 20
Dr. Franklin's Enemies in America.
To John Adams. 29 April 28
vi CONTENTS.
To Charles W. F. Dumas. 4 May. 1781. ... 25
From Miss Georgiana Shipley to B. Franklin. 6 May. . 25
To Court de Gebelin. 7 May 27
Indian Languages. ā Mariner's Compass.
To the Marquis de Lafayette. 14 May 29
Expedition against Arnold. ā British Policy. ā Colonel
Laurens.
To the President of Congress. 14 May 32
Supplies. ā Exchange of Prisoners. ā Plans of the English
Ministry.
To Samuel Cooper. 1 5 May 35
New Constitution of Massachusetts. ā Maintenance of the
Clergy ā Scripture Phrases.
To Francis Lewis. 16 May 37
To John Adams. 19 May 38
Duties on American Exports.
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 8 June. . 40
To D. Wendorp and Thomas Hope Heyhger. 8 June. . 40
From John Laurens to B. Franklin. 9 June. ... 41
Suggests the Appointment of a Secretary of Legation.
To the President of Congress. 1 1 June 44
To John Adams. 1 1 June. 44
Expenses of Foreign Ministers charged on Public Account.
From Samuel Huntington to B. Franklin. 19 June. . 46
Communicating Instructions for the Negotiation of Peace.
To William Jackson. 28 June 47
Stopping Payment of Money in Holland.
To David Hartley. 30 June 48
To William Jackson. 5 July 49
Reasons for detaining the Money which was Part of the
Grant obtained by Dr. Franklin.
To William Jackson. 5 July 50
To William Jackson. 6 July 51
Account of the Manner in which the Money referred to
in the preceding Letters was obtained.
To Count de Vergennes. 6 July 55
Mistakes respecting American Bills of Exchange and Com-
merce corrected.
From John Jay to B. Franklin. 9 July 57
CONTENTS. VU
To the President of Congress. 11 July. 1781. . . 58
From Robert Morris to B. Franklin. 13 July. . . 59
Efforts to restore the Credit of the United States. ā Ne-
cessity of foreign Aid.
To Robert Morris. 26 July 65
To Robert Morris. 26 July 66
Disposition of the Moneys raised in France. ā American
Banker in Paris.
To John Adams. 6 August 68
To Charles W. F. Dumas. 6 August 69
Expects little Aid from Holland.
To Charles W. F. Dumas. 10 August 70
To William Carmichael. 24 August 71
Congress refuse to accept Dr. Franklin's Resignation.
To William Nixon. 5 September 73
Means of doing much Good with little Money.
To Robert Morris. 12 September 74
Concerning the Payment of Bills drawn hy Congress on
their Ministers in Europe.
To the President of Congress. 13 September. . . 76
Interview with Count de Vergennes. ā Appointed One of
the Commissioners for negotiating Peace.
To Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. 13 September. 78
To Richard Bache. 13 September. .
Loss of Dr. Franklin's Papers. ā Galloway.
To Francis Hopkinson. 13 September. .
Friends and Enemies.
From John Adams to B. Franklin. 4 October.
Commission for negotiating Peace.
To John Adams. 12 October
To Edmund Burke. 15 October.
Relative to General Burgoyne and Mr. Laurens.
From Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. 24 October. 85
Mr. Livingston appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
To Thomas M c Kean. 5 November 86
American Prisoners in England. ā Proposed Mediation not
agreed to by the British Cabinet. ā Purchases of Goods in
Holland.
To Messrs. Kornmann. 21 November 92
Relative to a Claim of Relationship with Dr. Franklin.
78
80
81
82
84
viii CONTENTS.
To Thomas Pownall. 23 November. 1781. ... 93
To John Adams. 26 November 94
Capitulation of Lord Cornwallis. ā General Greene.
From John Adams to B. Franklin. 26 November. . 95
Proposed Treaty of Alliance between France, Holland, and
the United States.
From Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. 26 November. 96
Financial Difficulties of the United States. ā Necessity of
further Assistance from France. ā Preparations for another
Campaign.
From Robert Morris to B. Franklin. 5 December. . .102
Impolicy of the Purchases in Holland. ā Disposition of the
American People towards the French.
To Mrs. C. Edes. 13 December 104
Mr. Laurens's Imprisonment in the Tower.
To John Adams. 14 December 106
Scheme of a Loan proposed by John de Neufville of Am-
sterdam.
From William Alexander to B. Franklin. 15 December. Ill
To William Alexander. 15 December 112
To David Hartley. 15 December 112
To Charles W. F. Dumas. 19 December. . . .113
From Brissot de W T arville to B. Franklin. 22 December. 114
Project of a Work on Legislation.
To Miss Martha Laurens. 29 December. . . .115
Account of the Means used for the Release of Mr. Laurens.
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 31 December. 117
1782.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 2 January. . .118
History of the Proceedings for promoting a Negotiation of
Peace. ā Lord North. ā Propositions for a separate Treaty
between England and America.
From Professor Embser to B. Franklin. 6 January. . 126
Bipontine Edition of the Classics.
From Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. 7 January. . 128
Suggestions respecting the general Terms of Peace. ā
Boundaries. ā Fisheries. ā Loyalists. ā Restoration of Rec-
ords and Papers.
To David Hartley. 15 January 141
No Negotiations can be opened without the Concurrence
of France. ā Commissioners authorized to treat.
CONTENTS. ix
To John Jay. 15 January. 1782 145
To John Jay. 19 January. 145
Difficulty of meeting the Drafts drawn by Congress on
their Ministers in Europe. ā Loan in Holland. ā Conduct
of the Court of Spain in Regard to the United States.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 24 January. . . 149
Correcting Misapprehensions of his Propositions. ā Cases
in which the United States might treat separately.
To John Barry. 24 January 154
To Robert R. Livingston. 28 January 155
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 1 February. . . 156
To Gustavus Conyngham. 6 February 156
From M. de Blome to Count de Vergennes. 6 February. 157
Complaints of an Outrage of American armed Vessels on
the Coast of Norway.
To John Barry. 10 February 159
Requesting him to take public Goods to America for the
Use of the Troops.
From Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. 13 February. 160
Pressing for further Assistance from France. ā Sufferings
of American Prisoners in England. ā Disturbances in Ver-
mont and New Hampshire.
To David Hartley. 16 February 163
Causes of Jealousy between England and France. ā The
first Step towards a Peace with the United States must
be taken by England.
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 24 February. 167
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 28 February. . 168
Prospect of Peace. ā The Ministry favorably disposed.
From Edmund Burke to B. Franklin. 28 February. . 169
Resolutions of the House of Commons. ā Mr. Laurens.
To Count de Vergennes. 3 March 171
Relative to the Complaints of the Danish Court. ā Amer-
ican Prizes seized in Danish Ports.
To Robert R. Livingston. 4 March 172
Complaints against American Cruisers. ā Lafayette. ā Em-
blematical Medal. ā British Ministry. ā Relations with
France. ā Robert Morris. ā American Prisoners in 1'mlt-
land. ā Deane's Discontents and objectionable Conduct
VOL. IX. b
CONTENTS.
11 March. .
. 179
12 March. .
. 181
. 182
21 March. .
. 183
i in England.
5 March.
. 186
To Robert R. Livingston. 9 March. 1782. . . .178
Address of tlie House of Commons to the King against
continuing the War in America.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin.
British Ministry.
To John Jay. 16 March.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin.
Change of Ministry. ā Peace des:
From John Adams to B. Franklin.
Interview with Digges. ā Opposes the Plan of a Truce. ā
Affairs in Holland.
To Robert R. Livingston. 30 March 189
Policy of the British Ministry to separate France and the
United States.
To John Adams. 31 March 190
Digges's Mission. ā Delays of Holland and Spain.
To David Hartley. 31 March 192
To George Washington. 2 April 192
Introducing Count de Segur. ā England.
To David Hartley. 5 April 194
American Commissioners are ready to treat. ā Reconcilia-
tion more than a Peace. ā Means of effecting it
From the Chevalier Delfino to B. Franklin. 6 April. . 197
To the Chevalier de Chastellux. 6 April. . . .198
Change of Ministry in England. ā Campaign in America.
ā Count de Segur.
To George Washington. 8 April 199
Introducing the Prince de Broglie.
To Robert R. Livingston. 8 April 200
Change of Ministry. ā Recommends the Prince de Broglie.
To Robert Morris. 8 April. . ... 202
Change of Ministry. ā Holland. ā Prince de Broglie.
To Henry Laurens. 12 April 203
From M. de Rayneval to B. Franklin. 12 April. . . 204
Proposal of the British Ministry for a Separate Treaty
with France.
To Robert R. Livingston. 12 April 206
Holland. ā Spain. ā Portugal.
To Mrs. Mary Hewson. 13 April 207
CONTENTS. XI
To David Hartley. 13 April. 1782 208
Insincerity of the late Ministry in their Proposals for a
Reconciliation.
To John Adams. 13 April 210
Canada offered to France, to induce her to treat separate-
ly. ā Answer of the French Court
To Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Hewson. 19 April. . .211
To John Jay. 22 April 211
To John Jay. 24 April 212
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 1 May. . . .213
The Late Ministry.ā Various Remarks concerning Pro-
posals for Peace.
To a Friend. 8 May .221
Remarks on Cowper's Poems.
From Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. 22 May. . 222
Condition of Affairs in the United States.
To Mrs. Mary Hewson. June 224
To Joseph Priestley. 7 June ā¢ 225
Conduct of Mankind to each other. ā Apologue. ā Experi-
ments of Lavoisier.
To Jonathan Shipley. 10 June 228
To Mrs. Mary Hewson. 13 June 230
To Richard Price. 13 June 231
Effect of Dr. Price's Writings. ā Influence of the Press.
From John Adams to B. Franklin. 13 June. . . . 232
British Ministry. ā The Dutch friendly to the United
States. ā Mr. Jay. ā Policy of Russia.
To John Ingenhousz. 21 June 235
Lavoisier. ā American Affairs.
To Miss Alexander. 24 June 236
JOURNAL OF THE NEGOTIATION FOR PEACE WITH GREAT
BRITAIN. FROM MARCH 21st TO JULY 1st, 1782.
To the Earl of Shelburne. 22 March 239
Desires a general Peace.
From the Earl of Shelburne to B. Franklin. 6 April. . 240
Sends Mr. Oswald to confer with Dr. Franklin on Terms of
Peace.
Xll CONTENTS.
From Henry Laurens to B. Franklin. 7 April. 1782. . 241
Introducing Mr. Oswald.
To Count de Vergennes. 16 April 243
Mission of Mr. Oswald, and Conversation with him.
To the Earl of Shelburne. 18 April 245
Account of introducing Mr. Oswald to Count de Vergennes,
and Conversation with that Minister.
Notes for Conversation with Mr. Oswald 250
To John Adams. 20 April 253
Account of Proceedings with Mr. Oswald. ā Desires the
Presence of Mr. Adams and Mr. Laurens to assist in ne-
gotiating a Treaty.
To Henry Laurens. 20 April 254
Details Mr. Oswald's Proceedings.
From John Adams to B. Franklin. 16 April. . . . 256
Interview with Mr. Laurens. ā Suggestions respecting
Terms of Peace.
To John Adams. 20 April 259
The Act of Parliament for the Exchange of American
Prisoners as Prisoners of War, a tacit Acknowledgment
of Independence. ā Circumstances in Holland favorable for
obtaining a Loan.
From John Adams to B. Franklin. 2 May. . . . 260
Plan of a triple or quadruple Alliance. ā Difficulty of ob-
taining a Loan in Holland.
From Henry Laurens to B. Franklin. 20 April. . . 262
Requesting the Discharge of Lord Cornwallis in Return
for his own Enlargement. ā Disposition in England favor-
able to the Acknowledgment of Independence, and to a
general Peace.
From the Earl of Shelburne to B. Franklin. 20 April. . 265
Mr. Oswald is sent back to settle the Time and Place of
Treating.
To the Count de Vergennes. 4 May 268
Mr. Oswald brings Information that it has been agreed in
Council to treat at Paris of a general Peace.
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 5 May. . 268
Appointing an Interview.
To John Adams. 8 May 270
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 17C3.
CONTENTS. xiii
From Charles J. Fox to B. Franklin. 1 May. 1782. . 271
Expresses his Wishes for a Reconciliation. ā Mr. Grenville
is acquainted with his Sentiments. ā Journal continued ; Mr.
Grenville represents England as ready to treat with all the
Powers. ā Dr. Franklin accompanies him on an Interview
with the Count de Vergennes. ā They maintain that Eng-
land should expect no Concessions in Return for the Ac-
knowledgment of Independence, which was already con-
quered by America. ā Dr. Franklin sees Lafayette, who
expresses a wish to be sent to England.
To Charles J. Fox. 10 May 277
To the Earl of Shelburne. 10 May 277
Time of treating not yet settled. ā Discharge of American
Prisoners.
To the Earl of Shelburne. 13 May 279
Desires that Mr. Oswald may be sent to treat. ā Journal
continued. ā Conversation with Mr. Grenville relative to
the Obligations of America to France.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 3 May. ... 282
Favorable Prospect of Reconciliation.
To David Hartley. 13 May 283
The Release of the American Prisoners will tend to pro-
mote a Reconciliation. ā Journal continued; Ministers of
the European Powers determined not to return the Visits
of the American Ministers. ā Anecdote of the Russian
Minister and the Count du Nord.
From Henry Laurens to B. Franklin. 17 May. . . 287
Declines engaging in the Negotiations. ā His Opinions
coincide with those of Dr. Franklin. ā Lord Cornwallis de-
sires to be discharged.
To Henry Laurens. 25 May 290
Nations are never satisfied with the Terms of a Peace. ā
Discharge of Lord Cornwallis.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 13 May. . . 294
Relative to his Proceedings with the new Ministry. ā Pro-
poses Preliminaries. ā Journal continued ; Mr. Grenville
states that he has received full Powers to treat with
France and her Allies. ā The Power relates only to
France.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 25 May. . . 301
Exchange of Prisoners. ā Reconciliation.
From the Earl of Shelburne to B. Franklin. 21 May. . 302
VOL. IX. Ā«
xiv CONTENTS.
From the Earl of Shelburne to B. Franklin. 25 May. 1782. 304
Mr. Oswald has received Orders to return to Paris, with
the necessary Instructions. ā Journal continued ; Mr. Gren-
ville explains the Omission of America in the Power. ā
His Instructions are full, empowering him to acknowledge
the Independence of America. ā Conversation on the Res-
olution of the Americans not to treat without the Allies.
To Mr. Grenville. 31 May 308
Releasing Captain M<Leod conditionally from his Parole.
To John Adams. 2 June 309
Suspicions as to the Omission of America in Mr. Gren-
ville's Power. ā Journal continued ; Mr. Oswald states that
Peace is absolutely necessary ; that no more Money can
be raised.
From the Earl of Shelburne to Richard Oswald. 21 May. 313
Relative to Mr. Walpole's Appointment to negotiate. ā
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.
ā Conversation with Mr. Oswald on those Points. ā Rus-
sian Offer of Mediation to Holland.
From W. H. Hartley to B. Franklin. 24 May. . .318
From Richard Oswald to B. Franklin. 5 June. . .319
Proposed Exchange of Lord Cornwallis for President Lau-
rens.
To Richard Oswald. 6 June 321
Journal continued ; Release of Lord Cornwallis. ā Errone-
ous Statements in the English Newspapers respecting the
Negotiation. ā Letter from Mr. Dana at St. Petersburg.
ā Conversation with the Marquis de Lafayette.
To Richard Oswald. 1 1 June 326
Discharge of Lord Cornwallis. ā Journal continued; Con-
versation 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 any
one of them. ā Mr. Ross accepts Lord Cornwallis's condi-
tional Discharge. ā M. Boeris informs, that Holland wdl de-
cline the Mediation of Russia for a separate Treaty. ā Mr.
Grenville receives full Powers, authorizing him to treat with
any other Prince or State. ā Empowered to acknowledge
the Independence of America previous to the Treaty, and
CONTENTS. XV
to propose the Peace of 1763 as a Basis. ā Suggests a
doubt, whether Great Britain will allow America to be
designated by the expression, State. ā Comparison of Mr.
Fox and Lord Shelburne ; of Mr. Oswald and Mr. Grenville.
From M. de Lafayette to B. Franklin. 20 June. 1782. 337
Count de Vergennes proposes to meet Mr. Grenville, and
adopt Measures for an official Communication to the Allies.
ā Journal continued ; Arrival of Mr. Jay. ā Visit to the
Count de Vergennes, who expresses a Doubt of the Sin-
cerity of the British Court.
To Robert R. Livingston. 25 June 339
New Loan in France. ā Progress of the Negotiation of
Peace. ā Exchange of Prisoners in England. ā Sweden
proposes to treat with the United States.
To Robert Morris. 25 June 343
To Richard Oswald. 27 June 344
Expresses a Wish that he should be employed to treat. ā
Doubts whether the word State in Mr. Grenville's Powers
would apply to America, the Enabling Act not having
then been passed . ā Journal continued; British Agents in
America for proposing a Reunion with Great Britain.
To Robert R. Livingston. 28 June 346
Progress of the Negotiation. ā Divisions in the British
Cabinet.
To Samuel Cooper. 28 June .349
Journal continued. ā Visit to the Spanish Ambassador. ā
His Remarks on the Subject of the Treaty. ā End of the
Journal.
CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.
To Henry Laurens. 2 July. . ... 351
Delays in the Opening of the Negotiation. ā Suggests
Doubts of the Sincerity of the British Ministry.
From Thomas Povvnall to B. Franklin. 5 July. . . 355
Proposition for Peace.
To James Hutton. 7 July 358
Moravian Indians.
From the Marquis de Lafayette to B. Franklin. 9 July. 359
To the Marquis de Lafayette. 9 July ;{,;,)
Xvi CONTENTS.
To David Hartley. 10 July. 1782 360
Complains of the Delay in opening the Negotiation. ā
Manuscript of a French Peasant.
To Benjamin Vaughan. 11 July 362
Plan of Lord Shelburne to retain the Sovereignty of the
King over America, with an independent Parliament in
that Country. ā The Plan impracticable.
To Richard Oswald. 12 July 365
Mr. Fox's Resignation.
To the Earl of Shelburne. 12 July 366
To Count de Vergennes. 18 July 368
Capture of Flemish Ships by American Privateers. ā Eng-
lish Ships furnished with Imperial Papers.
To the Marquis de Lafayette. 24 July 370
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 26 July. . .371
Mr. Townshend appointed Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.
From the Earl of Grantham to B. Franklin. 26 July. . 372
Sincerity of the Ministry. ā Mr. Fitzherbert.
From the Earl of Shelburne to B. Franklin. 27 July. . 373
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 28 July. . 373
Doubts as to the Sincerity of the British Ministry in pro-
posing a Negotiation of Peace.
To Richard Oswald. 28 July 375
Affair of Captain Asgill. ā Justification of the Proceed-
ings in Regard to Him.
To Count de Vergennes. 8 August. .... 376
Mr. Oswald's Commission to treat.
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 8 August. . 378
From Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. 9 August. . 380
Sir Guy Carleton and Admiral Digby. ā Compensation to
Loyalists. ā Fisheries. ā Western Lands.
To Robert R. Livingston. 12 August 382
Accounts between France and the United States. ā Swe-
den ready to treat. ā Medal commemorative of the Victo-
ries at Saratoga and Yorktown. ā Monument procured in
Paris. ā Delays in the Negotiation.
To Robert Morris. 12 August 388
Difficulty of obtaining more Supplies. ā Beaumarchais's
Accounts. ā Funds of the United States in Europe.
CONTENTS. xvii
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 16 August. 1782. 395
To Mrs. Mary Hevvson. 17 August. .... 397
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 23 August. . 397
To Robert R. Livingston. 3 September 398
Allowance to William Temple Franklin as Secretary. ā
Salaries of Foreign Ministers.
To John Jay. 4 September 402
From Richard Oswald to B. Franklin. 5 September. . 402
To Richard Oswald. 8 September. .... 407
To Sir Joseph Banks. 9 September. .... 409
To the Earl of Grantham. 11 September. . . . 410
To David Hartley. 17 September 411
From Richard Oswald to B. Franklin. 24 September. . 412
From Benjamin Lincoln to B. Franklin. 25 September. . 413
Requesting Information respecting certain Regulations in
European Armies. ā State of the American Army. ā
French Troops in the United States.
To Robert R. Livingston. 26 September. . . . 414
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 3 October. . 415
Mr. Barclay's Appointment as Consul confirmed.
From David Hartley to B. Franklin. 4 October. . .416
Proposition for a Commercial Convention.
To Robert R. Livingston. 14 October 417
Progress of the Negotiation.
To John Adams. 15 October 420
From George Washington to B. Franklin. 18 October. . 421
From Thomas Townshend to B. Franklin. 23 October. . 422
Introducing Mr. Strachey.
To Thomas Townshend. 4 November 423
To Robert R. Livingston. 7 November 425
Introducing the Baron de Kermelin.
To Richard Oswald. 26 November 426
On the Indemnification of American Loyalists.
From Benjamin Vaughan to B. Franklin. 27 November. 433
VOL. IX. C B*
XV1U CONTENTS.
To Count de Vergennes. 29 November. 1782. . . 435
To Robert R. Livingston. 4 December 435
Enclosing a Copy of the Preliminary Articles.
To Robert R. Livingston. 5 December 436
Difficulties in conveying Intelligence to America. ā Sup-
plies from France. ā History of the Negotiation. ā Princi-
pal Preliminaries between France and England agreed to.
ā Proceedings in Regard to Sweden.
To Robert Morris. 14 December 445
Efforts used to procure a new Loan in France. ā Dutch
Loan. ā Military Stores. ā Settlement of Accounts.
To Count de Vergennes. 15 December 448
From Count de Vergennes to B. Franklin. 15 December. 419
Complains that the Preliminaries between the British Com-
missioners had been concluded without any Communication
with the French Cabinet.
To Count de Vergennes. 17 December. . . . 450
No Peace can take Place between England and America
without the Concurrence of France.
From Count de Vergennes to M. de la Luzerne. 19 Dec. 452
On the Signing of the Treaty of Peace by the English and
American Commissioners without the Knowledge of the
French Ministry.