CHAPTER X.

Committee of Secret correspondence appointed by Congress-Direct a Letter to be sent to a gentleman in Holland-Send Silas Deane to France, in March 1776, as a Commercial and Political Agent-His instructions-Arrives in Paris in July 1776-Has an interview with the French Minister, Count de Vergennes-Is well received and promised protection in his commercial arrangements-French ports open to the Americans-Mr. Deane was to appear in the character of a merchant only-Congress prepare a commercial treaty to be proposed to France-Dr. Franklin, Mr. Deane, and Arthur Lee, appointed commissioners to the French Court-Their instructions-Meet at Paris in Dec. 1776-France not prepared openly to join the Americans-A paper signed by the King himself, is read to the Commissioners in January 1777—He declines entering into a treaty, but promises them protection, and gives two millions of livres-This to be kept a secret-Congress offer to France and Spain more favorable terms-These terms insufficient-Capture of Burgoyne creates consternation in England-Lord North declares his intention to offer the Americans terms of reconciliation--France accepts the offers of the American Commissioners, and enters into treaties-Reasons for this given by the French Monarch in a letter to the King of Spain-Policy of France in relation to America explained— She affords secret aid to the Americans--For this purpose, secretly puts money and arms into the hands of an Agent, by the name of Beaumarchais-The Agent sends arms to America, under the name of Horttales & Co.-American Commissioners send despatches by Capt. Folger-They are secretly taken out by some one, and blank papers substituted-Folger suspected and is imprisoned, but afterwards released-Beaumarchais sends an Agent to America, to demand payment for the articles furnished by him-Divisions in Congress on the subject-Congress agree to pay Beaumarchais-Deane recalled-Thomas Paine publishes some of the secret despatches-Displeases the French Minister-He applies to Congress to disavow the publication-Arthur Lee's letters relating to the claim of Beaumarchais-The officers of the Treasury charge him with one million of livres paid to him by France, for the use of the Americans-He disputes this, and applies to Congress for relief.

Ar an early stage of the contest with Great Britain, the attention of congress had been drawn, to the subject of securing foreign aid, in case of necessity. This interesting portion of American history, now claims our notice. On the 29th of November 1775, a committee, consisting of Mr. Harrison, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Jay, was appointed for the sole purpose of holding a secret correspondence, with the friends of

America, in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world.* The principal object of this committee, was, to sound indirectly some of the principal powers of Europe, and particularly France and Spain, on American affairs. With this view, Dr. Franklin soon after the appointment of the committee, wrote to a gentleman in Holland, by the name of Dumas, who was friendly to the American cause.

"We are threatened from England," says Dr. Franklin to this gentleman, "with a very powerful force, to come next year against us. We are making all the provision in our power here to oppose that force, and we hope we shall be able to defend ourselves. But as the events of war are always uncertain, possibly, after another campaign, we may find it necessary to ask aid of some foreign power. It gives us pleasure to learn from you that toute l'Europe nous souhaite le plus heureux succés pour le maintien de nos libertés. But we wish to know, whether any one of them, from principles of humanity, is disposed magnanimously to step in for the relief of an oppressed people, or whether, if, as it seems likely to happen, we should be obliged to break off all connection with Britain, and declare ourselves an independent people, there is any state or power in Europe, who would be willing to enter into an alliance with us for the benefit of our commerce, which amounted before the war, to near seven millions sterling per annum, and must ultimately increase, as our people increase most rapidly. Confiding, my dear friend, in your good will to us and in your sagacity and abilities for business, the committee of congress, appointed for the purpose of establishing and conducting a correspondence with our friends in Europe, of which committee I have the honor to be a member, have directed me to request of you, that, as you are situated at the Hague, where ambassadors from all the courts reside, you would make use of the opportunity that situation affords you, of discovering the disposi tion of the several courts with respect to such assistance or alliance, if we should apply for the one or the other. As it may possibly be necessary, in particular instances, that you should, for

* Secret Journals of Congress, vol. 2, p. 1.

this purpose, confer directly with some great ministers, and show them this letter as your credential, we only recommend it to your discretion, that you proceed therein with such caution, as to keep the same from the knowledge of the English ambassador, and prevent any public appearance, at present, of your being employed in any such business, as thereby, we imagine, many inconveniences may be avoided, and your means of rendering us service, increased."

"That you may be better enabled to answer some questions, which will probably be put to you, concerning our present situation, we inform you, that the whole continent is very firmly united -the party for the measures of the British ministry being very small, and much dispersed—that we had on foot the last campaign, an army of near twenty thousand men, wherewith we have been able, not only to block up the king's army in Boston, but to spare considerable detachments for the invasion of Canada, where we have met with great success, as the printed papers sent herewith will inform you, and have now reason to expect the whole province may be soon in our possession-that we purpose greatly to increase our force for the ensuing year; and thereby we hope, with the assistance of a well-disciplined militia, to be able to defend our coast, notwithstanding its great extent-that we already have a small squadron of armed vessels, to protect our coasting trade, who have had some success in taking several of the enemy's cruizers, and some of their transport vessels and stores."

After the passage of the prohibitory act, which took place soon after the date of this letter, the committee, seeing little prospect of an accommodation, and well aware that France would be disposed to make great sacrifices, to reduce the power of Great Britain, by the severance of her North American colonies, sent Šilas Deane, one of the delegates in congress, from Connecticut, as a commercial and political agent, to the French court. The instructions to Mr. Deane bear date the 2d of March 1776, and were signed by Dr. Franklin, Robert Morris, Mr. Jay, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Dickinson. He was to appear in the character of a merchant, and was directed, among other things, immediately

after his arrival at Paris, to solicit an interview with the Count de Vergennes, the French minister, and to inform him, that con gress being unable to obtain for America, the quantity of arms and ammunition necessary for its defense, had despatched him to apply to some of the European powers for a supply. That he was instructed to make his first application to France, from an opinion, that, in case of a total separation of America from Great Britain, which every circumstance seemed to indicate, it would be most proper to obtain and cultivate her friendship. That in such case, the commercial advantages formerly enjoyed by Great Britain would be transferred to France. That the Americans were in want of clothing and arms for 25,000 men, with a suitable quantity of ammunition, and 100 field pieces. Mr. Deane was, also, directed to sound the French minister, with regard to forming an alliance with the colonies, in case they should be forced to declare themselves independent.

"If at a future conference, "they say, "he [the French minister] sould be more free, and you find a disposition to favor the colonies, it may be proper to acquaint him, that they must necessarily be anxious to know the disposition of France, on certain points, which, with his permission, you would mention, such as whether, if the colonies should be forced to form themselves into an independent state, France would, probably, acknowledge them as such, receive their ambassadors, enter into any treaty or alliance with them for commerce or defense, or both? If so, on what principal conditions? Intimating, that you should speedily have an opportunity of sending to America, if you do not immediately return, and that he may be assured of your fidelity and secrecy, in transmitting carefully any thing he would wish conveyed to congress, on that subject." In case the supplies could not be obtained from the French Court, Mr. Deane was to obtain permission for purchasing them, or for so many, as he could obtain credit for; was to keep a daily journal of all his material transactions, and particularly of what passed in conversations "with great personages:" and transmit to the committee, by every opportunity, all important information.*

* Note 23.

Mr. Deane arrived in Paris, about the first of July, and was indefatigable in pursuing the objects of his mission. His arrival at Paris was immediately known in London, and lord Stormont was sent express to Paris, to watch his movements. Through Dr. Dubourg, a friend to America, he was introduced to Vergennes, a few days after he reached Paris.

He stated to the French minister the objects of his mission, agreeably to his instructions, and in this first conference he touched upon the subject of forming treaties with the Americans, in case of their declaring themselves independent. The American agent was favorably received by the French minister, and was asked many questions, in relation to American affairs. Vergennes informed Mr. Deane, that the importance of American commerce was well known, and that no country could so well supply the American colonies, and in return receive their produce, as France; that an uninterrupted intercourse was therefore, for the interest of both; and for this reason, the court had already ordered their ports to be kept open, and equally free to America, as to Britain. That considering the good understanding between the courts of Versailles and London, they could not openly encourage the shipping of warlike stores, but no obstructions, of any kind, he said, would be given; if there should, as the custom houses were not fully in their secrets in this matter, such obstructions should be removed, on the first applicationThat he might consider himself perfectly free, to carry on any kind of commerce in the kingdom, which any subject of any other state in the world might, as the court had resolved their ports should be equally free to both parties. That he might consider himself, as under his immediate protection; if he should meet with any difficulty either from their police, or from any other quarter, on application to him every thing should be settled.

On the subject of independency he said, that was an event in the womb of time, and it would be highly improper for him to say any thing on that point, until it had actually taken place. Vergennes, at the same time, informed Mr. Deane, that the British ambassador knew of his arrival; and he advised him, not to as