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exact conditions in the treaty of peace, that are goading and constantly mortifying to the other. I take this to be the case of your "commissioner at Dunkirk." What would be your feelings, if France should take and hold possession of Portsmouth, or Spain of Plymouth, after a peace, as you formerly held Calais, and now hold Gibraltar? Or, on restoring your ports, should insist on having an insolent commissioner stationed there, to forbid your placing one stone upon another by way of fortification? You would probably not be very easy under such a stipulation. If therefore you desire a peace, that may be firm and durable, think no more of such extravagant demands. It is not necessary to give my opinion further on that point, yet I may add frankly, as this is merely private conversation between you and me, that I do think a faithful ally, especially when under obligations for such great and generous assistance as we have received, should fight as long as he is able, to prevent, as far as his continuing to fight may prevent, his friends being compelled again to suffer such an insult.

My dear friend, the true pains you are taking to restore peace, whatever may be the success, entitle you to the esteem of all good men. If your ministers really desire peace, methinks they would do well to empower some person to make propositions for that purpose. One or other of the parties at war must take the first step. To do this belongs properly to the wisest. America, being a novice in such affairs, has no pretence to that character; and, indeed, after the answer given by Lord Stormont (when we proposed to him something relative to the mutual treatment of prisoners with humanity), that "the King's ministers receive no applications from rebels, unless when they come to implore his Majesty's clemency," it cannot be expected, that we should hazard the ex

posing ourselves again to such insolence.* All I can say further at present is, that in my opinion your enemies do not aim at your destruction, and that if you propose a treaty you will find them reasonable in their demands, provided that on your side they meet with the same good dispositions. But do not dream of dividing us; you will certainly never be able to effect it. With great regard and affection, I am ever, dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.

The reference here is to a correspondence between the American Commissioners and Lord Stormont, the British ambassador at the Court of France, soon after Dr. Franklin arrived in Paris, as contained in the following letters.

TO LORD STORMONT.

"Paris, 23 February, 1777.

"MY LORD, "Captain Wickes, of the Reprisal frigate, belonging to the United States of America, has now in his hands near one hundred British seamen, prisoners. He desires to know, whether an exchange may be made with him for an equal number of American seamen, now prisoners in England? We take the liberty of proposing this matter to your Lordship, and of requesting your opinion (if there be no impropriety in your giving it), whether such an exchange will probably be agreed to by your court.

"If your people cannot be soon exchanged here, they will be sent to America. We have the honor to be, with great respect, your Lordship's most obedient, humble servants,

"MY LORD,

TO LORD STORMONT.

"B. FRANKLIN, "S. DEANE."

"Paris, 2 April, 1777.

"We did ourselves the honor of writing some time ago to your Lordship, on the subject of exchanging prisoners. You did not condescend to give us any answer, and therefore we expect none to this. We, however, take the liberty of sending you copies of certain depositions, which we shall transmit to Congress, whereby it will be known to your court, that the United States are not unacquainted with the barbarous treatment their people receive, when they have the misfortune of being your prisoners here in Europe; and that, if your conduct towards us is not altered, it is not unlikely that severe reprisals may be thought justifiable, from the necessity of putting some check to such abominable practices.

FROM COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

SIR,

Versailles, 24 February, 1782.

*

You will find enclosed an official despatch, which has been sent me from the court of Copenhagen, respecting some excesses, that are said to have been committed near the coast of Norway by three American vessels. I make no doubt but you will take the earliest opportunity to transmit it to Congress, that they may decide agreeably to the principles of the laws of nations upon the claim of his Danish Majesty. I have the honor, &c. DE VERGENNES.

"For the sake of humanity, it is to be wished, that men would endeavour to alleviate, as much as possible, the unavoidable miseries attending a state of war. It has been said, that, among the civilized nations of Europe, the ancient horrors of that state are much diminished; but the compelling men by chains, stripes, and famine, to fight against their friends and relations, is a new mode of barbarity which your nation alone had the honor of inventing; and the sending American prisoners of war to Africa and Asia, remote from all probability of exchange, and where they can scarce hope ever to hear from their families, even if the unwholesomeness of the climate does not put a speedy end to their lives, is a manner of treating captives, that you can justify by no other precedent of custom, except that of the black savages of Guinea. We are, your Lordship's most obedient humble servants,

"MY LORD,

TO LORD STORMONT

“B. FRANKLIN, "S. DEANE."

"Paris, 3 April, 1777.

"In answer to a letter, which concerns some of the most material interests of humanity, and of the two nations, Great Britain and the United States of America, now at war, we received the enclosed indecent paper, as coming from your Lordship, which we return, for your Lordship's more mature consideration. "B. FRANKLIN, "S. DEANE."

The words of the paper sent by Lord Stormont, and referred to in the above letter, were, "The King's Ambassador receives no applications from rebels, unless they come to implore his Majesty's mercy." • See Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. III. p. 296.

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

Prospect of Peace. - The Ministry favorably disposed.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 28 February, 1782.

I have not as yet any thing to communicate to you. I have upon many occasions recommended the road to peace in the most earnest way. I am not without hopes. I think I may venture to say, that the arguments which I have stated have made an impression. I have not expected to receive the final answer from Lord North, till after the Parliamentary arrangements of the year are settled. I am just for three or four days in the country, upon a little business, but upon a furlough, as I may say, with the knowledge of Lord North, who, during the budget week, cannot possibly want to see me. I have therefore taken that week for a little private business in the country; and, if Lord North should happen to wish to see me, my brother keeps watch, and is to send express for me. Public report will tell you, that on Friday last there was a division in the House on an American question, of one hundred and ninety-four to one hundred and ninetythree.

I cannot answer for the dispositions of ministers, but in point of justice I ought to say, that I think, as far as I can judge from the conferences which I have had, that I have found good dispositions towards peace. I do not pledge myself, because I may be deceived; however, that is my opinion; and I say thus much, lest my silence should appear suspicious, and create alienation in other parties. I think I have seen good dispositions from the first commencement of my conferences on peace. My brother sends me

word, that Mr. Alexander is to return by the next mail. I therefore write this to send either by him or at least in the same packet. I have had much conversation with him, and he will tell you that I have done my utmost to serve the cause of peace. I will conclude this with a quotation, which I have applied to another person in argument respecting peace. "Consulere patriæ, parcere afflictis, ferâ cæde abstinere, iræ tempus dare, orbi quietem, sæculo pacem suo, hæc summa virtus, hac cælum petitur viâ.”

God bless you and prosper our pacific endeavours. I shall probably write again to you soon. Your affectionate

D. HARTLEY.

FROM EDMUND BURKE TO B. FRANKLIN.

Resolutions of the House of Commons.-Mr. Laurens. London, 28 February, 1782.

DEAR SIR,

Your most obliging letter demanded an early answer. It has not received the acknowledgment, which was so justly due to it. But Providence has well supplied my deficiencies; and the delay of the answer has made it much more satisfactory, than at the time of my receipt of your letter I dared to promise myself it could

This letter was written in answer to one from Dr. Franklin, requesting Mr. Burke to negotiate an exchange of Henry Laurens, when in the Tower, for General Burgoyne. Mr. Laurens was at the time under some mistake in regard to this subject, as he supposed, that Mr. Burke first applied to Dr. Franklin to effect such an exchange, and imagined that Dr. Franklin neglected him; whereas he took the most prompt and efficient means in his power to procure Mr. Laurens's release. See Henry Laurens's letter, dated May 30th, 1782, Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. II. p. 463.

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