FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 16 August, 1782.

Yours I received by Major Young, together with the work of your véritable philosophe, which is full of humanity. I was not, before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my véritable philosophe, in the present actual scene of public politics. Your honest, anxious, and unremitted endeavours towards the reestablishment of peace, must endear you to your own country, and to all mankind. Whatever may have been transacted in America, (if it can be possible, that the suspicions which you mention should become true, viz. to tamper with America for a breach of faith, of which some suspicions seem to be thrown out by the Provinces of Maryland and Philadelphia,) I can give the strongest testimonies of the constant honor and good faith of your conduct and correspondencies; and my letters to you will bear me equal testimony, that I have never thrown out any dishonorable suggestions to you. When the proposed Congress of your véritable philosophe shall meet, neither of us need fear its censures, upon the strictest examination of our correspondence. We will claim the poet's character of the sincere statesman,

"Who knew no thought, but what the world might hear." In times of suspicion, it must be some satisfaction to both of us to know, that no line or word has ever passed between us, but what the governments of Great Britain, France, and America, might freely peruse as the words of good faith, peace, and sweet reconciliation.

The resolutions of Maryland and Philadelphia, to

me.

gether with the slow proceedings of our plenipotentiaries, and even the doubt suggested, whether they may not be waiting for events in America, give me much concern. Not being informed to a certainty of the state of the negotiation, I have declined any concern with the ministry upon the subject of the refugees, &c. My assistance cannot be indispensable upon that topic, but I deem it indispensable to myself not to be committed in unknown ground, which, from the points above mentioned, must appear dubious to These are the reasons which I gave to the minister for declining. I must, at the same time, give him the justice of the most absolute and unlimited professions of sincerity for peace. Whatever divisions there may have been, as you say, suspected in the cabinet, there are some of his colleagues still remaining, in whom I have the greatest confidence for sincerity and good intentions. The public prints of this country have stated what are called shades of difference as to the mode. Those opinions, which are imputed to Mr. Fox, are certainly most suitable to my opinions. I am free to confess to you, that my wishes would have been, to have taken the most decisive ground relating to independence, &c., immediately from the 27th of March last, viz. the accession of the change of ministry. But I agree with you in sentiment, viz. to concur with all the good that offers, when we cannot obtain all the good that we might wish. The situation of my sentiments at present is, an unbiassed neutrality of expectation, as events may justify.

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I shall be obliged to you for the earliest communications of any public events in America, that may come to Europe, with any public resolutions of Congress or the provinces, &c., and all memorials or negotiations, which may pass between the parties in

America. I am very anxious to have the earliest information to form my opinions upon, and to be prepared accordingly. My utmost endeavours will always be exerted to the blessed work of peace. I am ever your affectionate D. HARTLEY.

TO MRS. MARY HEWSON.

MY DEAR GOOD CHILD,

Passy, 17 August, 1782

I received your kind letter by Dr. Shuttleworth. It always gives me great pleasure to hear of the welfare of you and yours. As to myself, I continue as hearty as at my age could be expected, and as cheerful as ever you knew me, hoping ere long to see peace and my friends, whose continued regard for me, after so long and so thorough an acquaintance with me, I esteem among my honors and felicities.

It is now a quarter of a century since our friendship commenced; and, though we lived much of the time together, it has never been interrupted by the smallest misunderstanding or coolness. In this observation I include your good mother, from whom I had lately the pleasure of receiving a few lines. I embrace you both with the most tender affection, being ever sincerely yours, B. FRANKLIN.

FROM COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.

Translation.

Versailles, 23 August, 1782.

SIR,

I have received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me on the 9th instant, as well as the

memorial enclosed in it. I communicated the paper to the Marquis de Castries, and I make no doubt, but that the minister will take into consideration its contents, as far as circumstances will permit. We are desirous to adopt every measure, that may tend to the prosperity of the commerce established between France and the United States, and we shall neglect nothing to accomplish this object to the universal satisfaction of the two countries. Congress will greatly facilitate our labor, if they will communicate their ideas and wishes on this subject; and I make the request with greater confidence, as I am convinced that that assembly desires as much as we do to establish, on an advantageous and solid basis, the commercial concerns between France and America. I have the honor to be, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Allowance to William Temple Franklin as Secretary. -Salaries of Foreign Ministers.

SIR,

Passy, 3 September, 1782.

I have just received yours, dated the 23d of June.* The accounts of the general sentiments of our people, respecting propositions from England, and the rejoicings on the birth of the Dauphin, give pleasure here; and it affords me much satisfaction to find the conduct of Congress approved by all who hear or speak of it, and to see all the marks of a constantly growing regard for us, and confidence in us, among those in whom such sentiments are most to be desired.

*See Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. III. p. 366.

I hope the affair of Captain Asgill was settled as it ought to be, by the punishment of Lippencot. Applications have been made here to obtain letters in favor of the young gentleman. Enclosed I send you a copy of the answer I gave to that made to me.

I had before acquainted M. Tousard, that his pension would be paid in America, and there only, it being unreasonable to expect that Congress should open a pay office in every part of the world, where pensioners should choose to reside. I shall communicate to him that part of your letter.

You wish to know what allowance I make to my private secretary. My grandson, William T. Franklin, came over with me, and served me as a private secretary during the time of the Commissioners; and no secretary to the commission arriving, though we had been made to expect one, he did business for us all, and this without any allowance for his services, though both Mr. Lee and Mr. Deane at times mentioned it to me as a thing proper to be done, and in justice due to him. When I became appointed sole minister here, and the whole business, which the Commissioners had before divided with me, came into my hands, I was obliged to exact more service from him, and he was indeed, by being so long in the business, become capable of doing more. At length, in the beginning of the year 1781, when he became of age, considering his constant close attention to the duties required, and his having thereby missed the opportunity of studying the law, for which he had been intended, I determined to make him some compensation for the time past, and fix some compensation for the time to come, till the pleasure of Congress respecting him should be known. I accordingly settled an account with him, allowing him from the beginning of December, 1776,