courage, that I have scarcely seen or heard any thing of what has passed already, or was meant to take place hereafter, that I do not approve and applaud, as conducted upon grand principles. In short, I think, that at last England will mend, not her parties indeed, but the proceedings of those who remain in office, whoever they may be.

The public are not yet instructed in the system of their peace; but pains are taking for this purpose by a respectable friend of yours, and more too will be said in the House. But the ministry were confounded, all but one or two men, at the junction of parties, against them; for, had the crisis of the peace been missed for an attack, the opposition, as politicians, knew that no other would offer, and the ministry would become fixed, and even popular. I do not, however, find that the man of the people* has gained much in the public estimation by his union with Lord North, or his conduct about the peace.

To you I need not point out any of the absurdities of the public proceedings; but you will now see who has been your friend, and upon what principles; for he might have made closer terms with you, had he thought either the measure or manner wise. I am much satisfied at having heard him say, that he repented of nothing of all that he had done, that he would do it all over again, and that he sees that he alone had the resolution to go through it. God be praised that it is done, and that no one asks to have it undone! I am, my dear Sir, yours ever most devotedly and affectionately,

BENJAMIN Vaughan.

❤ Mr. Fox.

FROM THOMAS POWNALL TO B. FRANKLIN.

Congratulation on the Peace. Remarks on the Condition and Prospects of the United States.

MY OLD FRIEND,

Richmond, Surrey, 28 February, 1783.

I write this to congratulate you on the establishment of your country, as a free and sovereign power, taking its equal station amongst the powers of this world. I congratulate you in particular, as chosen by Providence to be a principal instrument of this great revolution; a revolution, that has stronger marks of divine interposition, superseding the ordinary course of human affairs, than any other event, which this world has experienced. Even where God is supposed to work miracles, he uses human means; and it has pleased him to make you the means of this blessing to America, and, under her establishment in political freedom, of a blessing to all men, who are worthy of it, and willing to partake of it.

You expressed a fear, that you should not see peace in your days. You may now say, "Let now thy servant, O Lord, depart in peace, for he hath seen thy salvation." Solon, a real patriot and great philosopher, like yourself, used to say, that it is not the man who lives, but who dies in happiness, that is to be accounted a happy man. You see, that the contemplation of this wonderful event has thrown my mind into a religious frame, and that my words take their form from it. Yet I express but in part what I feel.

I am embarked for another voyage to the Azores. I shall write a second memorial, and address it to the "Sovereigns of America." I use none of the Gothic

Governor Powna.l had lately written a "Memorial addressed to the Sovereigns of Europe."

titles of modern Europe, or the servile ones of Asia, as though I was addressing myself to the republic of Rome, Senatu populoque Romano. I address myself to the United States and citizens of America. I wish by this to express the most marked and profound reverence to a sovereignty of free citizens. If the title of Address, which I use, is wrong, or if there is any other form yet adopted, set me right. I should be sorry to be wrong in this peace-offering, in these firstfruits.

I have taken the liberty to enclose to you two letters for my friends, Mr. Bowdoin and Dr. Cooper, with a power of attorney to them to make for me, a deed of gift to Harvard College of five hundred acres of land which I have (and which was not confiscated) in Pownalborough, in the State of Massachusetts Bay. I have not directed the one for Mr. Bowdoin, as I should be sorry to be wrong in the mode of address. Will you be so good as to direct it, or tell the bearer of this how to do it?

I continue under the idea of my scheme of making the tour of America. I cannot but think, that, if there ever was an object worth the travelling to see, and worthy of the contemplation of a philosopher, it is that in which he may see the beginnings of a great empire at its foundation. Our politicians are quarrelling, in their scrambles, with the peace, and the Hcuse of Commons are declaring themselves dissatisfied with the line, which divides the two empires. This seems like a caution set by Providence openly before the eyes of the States of America, to mark out to them the danger of dissension, and the necessity of union. Where there is a danger, that the internal principle of attraction is not sufficient to hold the parts united in their centre, it is happy for that system, that the

external compelling principle should act to the same end.

I hope the crisis of pain, under which you were suffering, is gone off, and that you are in good health to enjoy the happiness you must feel. That God may less you, is the wish and prayer of your old friend, THOMAS POWNAIL.

P. S. I am this day made happy by having received and hung up an excellent portrait of you, my` old friend, copied from that which West did for you.*

TO JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM.

DEAR SIR,

Passy, 6 March, 1783.

I received your favor of September last. It found me laboring under a painful disorder, which continued long, and put me much behindhand in my correspondence. I thank you for the valuable publications that accompanied it, particularly those of your own composition, which I read with pleasure.

Our late excellent friend† was always proposing something for the good of mankind. You will find instances of this in one of his letters which I enclose, the only one I can at present lay my hand on. I have some very valuable ones in America, if they are not lost in the late confusions. You will be so kind as to return it to me, after having extracted from it what you may think proper. Just before I left England, he, in conjunction with Mr. Barclay and myself, la

* The original of this picture by West, is now in the possession of Mr. Edward D. Ingraham, of Philadelphia.

Dr. Fothergill.

bored hard to prevent the coming war, but our endeavours were fruitless. This transaction is alluded to in the paragraph that begins at the bottom of the first page. If we may estimate the goodness of a man by his disposition to do good, and his constant endeavours and success in doing it, I can hardly conceive that a better man has ever existed.

I desire to be considered as a subscriber, if there is a subscription, for two sets of his works, which I will pay for on demand. With great esteem, I am, Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Loan in France.

Passy, 7 March, 1783.

DEAR SIR,

With this I send you a copy of the last contract I made with this court, respecting the late loan of six millions, the terms of the loan, and the times of repayment. It was impossible for me to obtain more, and, indeed, considering the state of finances and expenses here, I wonder I have obtained so much. You will see by the enclosed Gazette, that the government is obliged to stop payment for a year of its own bills of exchange, drawn in America and the East Indies; yet it has advanced six millions to save the credit of You will, I am sure, do all in your power to avoid drawing beyond your funds here; for I am absolutely assured, that no farther aid for this year is to be expected; and it will not be strange, that they should suffer your bills to take the same fate with their

ours.

own.

You will also see in the contract fresh marks of the