the footing of dependence, she would forfeit all credit with foreign nations, would be considered by all as faithless and infamous, and would lose the possibility of future foreign aid; after which, the terms now conceded might be retracted, and the war recommenced. To these representations were added the certainty of soon succeeding in establishing completely their independence, and the great advantages to result from such a situation. The letters from the commissioners were treated as mere attempts to sow divisions among the people, of which they might afterwards avail themselves, and thus effect by intrigue what had been found unattainable by arms.

These papers were read every where with avidity, and seem to have produced among the friends of the revolution, the full effect expected from them.

The commissioners appear still to have cherished the hope that a complete knowledge of the terms they had offered, and of all their transactions with Congress, operating on the total disappointment of the high expectations which had been formed of the decisive advantages to be derived from the fleet of D'Estaing, would make a great impression on a large portion of the American people. Before their departure they published a manifesto, addressed not only to the members of Congress, but to all the provincial assemblies, and all the inhabi

tants

tants of the colonies of whatever denomination, in which they briefly recapitulated the different steps taken by them to accomplish the object of the commission, and the refusal of Congress even to open a conference with them. They again set forth the extent and beneficial tendency of the terms they were empowered to offer. Notwithstanding the obstructions they had met with, they declared their readiness still to proceed in the execution of the powers contained in their commission, and to treatnot only with deputies from all the colonies conjointly, but with any provincial assembly or convention individually, at any time within the space of forty days from the date of their manifesto. Then addressing themselves to persons of every description, whether in civil, military, or ecclesiastical capacities, or in private stations, and suggesting severally to the consideration of each of these classes, such motives as might be supposed to have the greatest influence, adjured them all not to let pass so favourable an opportunity of securing their liberties, and their future prosperity and happiness, upon a permanent foundation. They also proclaimed a general pardon for all treasons and rebellious practices committed at any time previous to the date of their manifesto, to such as should, within the term of forty days, withdraw from their opposition to the British government, and conduct themselves in future as faithful and loyal

subjects;

subjects; denouncing at the same time the utmost vengeance of the British nation against such as, after these benevolent offers, should obstinately persist in withholding their allegiance from their lawful sovereign. That all persons might be enabled to avail themselves of the pardon proclaimed by the manifesto, thirteen copies of it were immediately executed under the hands and seals of the commissioners, one of which was transmitted by a flag of truce to each state. A vast number of copies were printed, and endeavours were used, by means of flags and otherwise, to disperse them as extensively as possible among the people.

On being informed of this intention, Congress, without hesitation, embraced the part which the government of an independent nation must ever feel itself bound to pursue, when attempts are made to open negociations with other than the constituted authorities. They declared the prac tice," to be contrary to the laws of nations, and utterly subversive of the confidence necessary for those means which had been invented among civilized nations to alleviate the horrors of war; and therefore, that the agents employed to distribute such papers were not entitled to the protec tion of a flag." They recommended it to the executive authorities in the respective states "to secure in close custody every person who, under

VOL. IV.

the

the sanction of a flag or otherwise, was found employed in circulating those manifestoes." At the same time, to shew that these measures were not taken for the purpose of concealing their conduct from their constituents, they themselves directed a publication of the manifesto in the American papers. Care, however, was taken that it should be accompanied by comments made by individuals, calculated to destroy its effect. A vessel containing a cargo of these papers being wrecked on the coast, the officer and crew having them in charge were made prisoners; and the requisition of Admiral Gambier for their release, in consequence of the privilege afforded by his flag, was answered by a declaration that they had forfeited that privilege by being charged with seditious papers.

Not long after the publication of the manifesto of the British commissioners, (October 30,) a counter-manifesto was issued by Congress, in which, after touching on subjects which might influence the public mind, they " solemnly declare and proclaim, that if their enemies presume to execute their threats, or persist in their present course of barbarity, they will take such exemplary vengeance as shall deter others from a like conduct. They appeal to that God who searcheth the hearts of men, for the rectitude of their intentions; and in his holy presence declare, that, as they are not

moved by any light and hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so through every change of fortune they will adhere to this their determination."

Thus ended the fruitless attempt to restore a connection which had been wantonly broken, the reinstatement of which a variety of causes had rendered impracticable. With the war, and with their independence, a course of opinions had prevailed in America, which not only rendered a reunion between the two countries, under one common sovereign, extremely difficult, but, by substituting discordant materials in the place of the cement which had formerly bound them together, rendered such an event undesirable even to the British themselves. The time had now come when the true interest of that nation required the relinquishment of an expensive war, the object of which was unattainable, and which, if attained, must be preserved with great difficulty; and the establishment of those amicable relations which reciprocal interests produce between independent states, capable, by a fair and equal interchange of good offices, of being serviceable to each other.

This opinion, however, was not yet embraced by the cabinet of London, and great exertions were yet to be made for the re-annexation of North America to the British empire. Even the opposition was not united against a continuance of the war on the present ground; and the Earl