make her the most formidable power the world has yet seen; and from her natural pride and insolence in prosperity, of all others the most intolerable."

To the same.

"You desire to know my opinion of what will probably be the end of this war; and whether our new establishments will not be thereby reduced again to deserts. I do not, for my part, apprehend much danger of so great an evil to us. I think we shall be able, with a little help, to defend ourselves, our possessions, and our liberties so long, that England will be ruined by persisting in the wicked attempt to destroy them. I must nevertheless regret that ruin, and wish that her injustice and tyranny had not deserved it. And I sometimes flatter myself that, old as I am, I may possibly live to see my country settled in peace and prosperity, when Britain shall make no more a formidable figure among the powers of Europe.

"You put me in mind of an apology for my conduct, which has been expected from me, in answer to the abuses thrown upon me before the privy council.1 It was partly written, but the affairs of public importance I have been ever since engaged in, prevented my finishing it. The injuries too that my country has suffered, have absorbed private resentments, and made it appear trifling for an individual to trouble the world with his particular justification, when all his compatriots were stigmatized by the King and Parliament as being in every respect the worst of mankind! I am obliged to you, however, for the friendly part you have always taken in the defence of my character; and it is indeed no small argument in my favor, that those who have known me most and longest, still love me and trust me with their most important interests, of which my election into the congress by the unanimous voice of the assembly, or parliament of Pennsylvania, the day after my arrival from England, and my present mission hither by the congress itself, are instances incontestable."

Dr. Franklin was privately received with every demonstration of regard and respect by the minister for foreign affairs, Mons. le Comte de Vergennes; who assured him and the other American commissioners, that they should personally enjoy in France" toute la sureté et tous les agréments que nous y faisons éprouver aux étrangers."

"See Memoirs, p. 185, and Appendix, No. 7.

A conviction of the advantages to be derived from a commercial intercourse with America, and a desire of weakening the British empire by dismembering it, induced the French court secretly to give assistance in military stores to the Americans, and to listen to proposals of an alliance. But they at first shewed rather a reluctance to the latter measure, which, however, by Dr. Franklin's address, aided by a subsequent important success attending the American armis, was eventually overcome. The American commissioners began privately to grant letters of marque to a number of French-American privateers, which harassed the English coasting trade, intercepted a great number of British merchant vessels, and took many prisoners. Lord Stormont, his Britannic Majesty's ambassador at Versailles, when applied to by the American commissioners relative to an exchange of those prisoners, haughtily and unfeelingly gave them for answer, "that he received no letters from rebels, unless they were to petition his Majesty's pardon!!" or words to that effect. His lordship presented several memorials to the French minister, complaining of the equipment of American vessels in the ports of France, bringing in of their prizes, &c. and of the assistance France was underhandedly affording the insurgents; demanding at the same time a categorical answer respecting such conduct.

On this occasion Count De Vergennes affected to remonstrate with the American commissioners, and on the 16th July, 1777, wrote to them that they had exceeded the bounds limited at their first interview with him, which were expressly, "Que la navigation et commerce Américains éprouveroient toutes les facilités en France, qui seroient compatibles avec l'exacte observance de ses traités avec l'Angleterre; qu'il étoit dans les principes du Roi de remplir religieusement."

This remonstrance might also in some measure have been influenced by the very unfavorable accounts latterly received from America, and which bore a most unpromising aspect for the success of the American cause. In England it was generally thought, even by the friends of America, that her struggle for independence was at an end, and that nothing was left for her but unconditional submission. Dr. Fothergill, a particular friend of Dr. Franklin, and a well-wisher to America, in a letter to his nephew, Mr. John Chorley, dated June 1777, written with the view to its being communicated to Dr. Franklin, (which it shortly after was,) thus expresses

himself:

"Should thy friend think proper to go to Passy, he may say to Dr. Franklin, that if he has enemies in this country, he has also friends; and must not forget these, because the former are ignorant and malicious, yet all-powerful. He will doubtless inform the Doctor, that there remains not a doubt on this side the water, that VOL. I.

2 R

American resistance is all at an end—that the shadow of congressional authority scarce exists—that a general defection from that body is apparent—that their troops desert by shoals—that the officers are discontented—that no new levies can be made that nothing can withstand the British forces, and prevent them from being masters of the whole continent; in short, that the war is at an end, and that nothing remains to be done, but to divide the country among the conquerors. This is the general language; and that neither France nor Spain will afford them any other than a kind of paralytic aid; enough to enable them to protract a few months longer a miserable existence !"

In the midst of this supposed gloomy state of affairs in America, the news of the surrender of the British army commanded by General Burgoyne, to that of the Americans under General Gates, at Saratoga, on the 17th October, 1777, arrived in France; and at the very moment when the French cabinet was as yet undecided in regard to the steps to be adopted relative to the United States. This memorable event immediately turned the scale, and fixed the French nation in their attachment to the infant republic.

The news of the defeat and capture of this British general and his whole army, was received in France with as great demonstrations of joy, as if it had been a victory gained by their own arms. Dr. Franklin took advantage of this circumstance, and suggested to the French ministry, "that there was not a moment to be lost, if they wished to secure the friendship of America, and detach her entirely from the mother-country." Urged by these considerations, and fearful lest an accommodation might take place between Great Britain and her colonies, the court of France instantly determined to declare its intentions, and accordingly on the 6th December 1777, Mons. Gerard, secretary to the council of state, repaired to the hotel of the American Commissioners, and informed them, by order of the King, "that after a long and mature deliberation upon their propositions, his Majesty had resolved to recognize the independence of, and to enter into a treaty of commerce and alliance with, the United States of America; and that he would not only acknowledge their independence, but actually support it with all the means in his power: that perhaps he was about to engage himself in an expensive war upon their account, but that he did not expect to be reimbursed by them: in fine, the Americans were not to think that he had entered into this resolution solely with a view of serving them, since independently of his real attachment to them and their cause, it was evidently the interest of France to diminish the power of England, by severing her colonies from her."

In consequence of this amicable and frank declaration treaties were soon after / entered upon with Mons. Gerard, who on the 30th of January, 1778, had received two distinct commissions from the King for that purpose. And on the 6th day of February following, a treaty of amity and commerce, and another of alliance eventual and defensive, between his most Christian Majesty and the thirteen United. States of North America, were concluded and signed at Paris by the respective plenipotentiaries.

This forms a memorable epoch in the political life of Dr. Franklin, as well as in the annals of the United States, because it was in a great measure owing to the aid derived from this powerful alliance, that the American colonies were enabled to resist the mother-country, and eventually to establish their independence.

It was mutually agreed that these treaties should be kept secret till the ratifications were exchanged; but some time after, accounts having been received of the intention of the English ministry to send Lord Carlisle, Mr. Eden, and Governor Johnstone, as additional commissioners to America, to be joined to the commandersin-chief of the British land and sea forces there, with full powers to treat, settle, and agree on terms, even with congress, but subject to the confirmation of parliament; the French government, with the view to counteract any favorable result to Great Britain from this project, immediately instructed their ambassador at St. James's (the Marquis de Noailles) to communicate officially to the English government, that the above-mentioned treaties had been concluded and signed. On this, the British cabinet instantly dispatched instructions to Lord Stormont, to withdraw from the court of France, without taking leave; and this having been intimated to the Marquis de Noailles, he left England about the same time.

These circumstances, however, did not prevent the new British commissioners from proceeding to America; but their presence there was of no avail, notwithstanding every art and deception was made use of by them to effect their purpose. Governor Johnstone in particular had publicly asserted, that Dr. Franklin had approved of the propositions the commissioners had carried over with them. This was an absolute falsehood, of which Dr. Franklin, as soon as apprized of it, expressed his indignation to the president of the state of Pennsylvania, in his letter dated Passy, March 19, 1780.1

Hostilities now commenced between Great Britain and France; and Monsieur

Sce PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE, 4to. p. 245,-Svo. vol. 2. p. 18.

Gerard was sent by his most Christian Majesty as envoy to the new States of America. The American commissioners plenipotentiary were immediately presented at court in their public character, with the accustomed forms, and were very graciously received by the King and all the royal family.

A French historian, M. Hilliard D'Auberteuil, thus notices Dr. Franklin's first appearance at the court of Versailles.

"Dr. Franklin, at length, had an interview with his most Christian Majesty; he was presented to him, in the gallery of Versailles, by the Count de Vergennes, minister for foreign affairs. On this occasion, he was accompanied and followed by a great number of Americans, and individuals of foreign states, who were collected together by curiosity. His age, his venerable appearance, the simplicity of his dress on such an occasion, every thing that was either singular or respectable in the life of this American, contributed to augment the public attention. Clapping of hands, and a variety of other demonstrations of joy, announced that warmth of affection, of which the French are more susceptible than any other people, and of which their politeness and civility augments the charm to him who is the object of it.

"His Majesty addressed him as follows:

"You may assure the United States of America of my friendship; I beg leave also to observe, that I am exceedingly satisfied in particular with your own conduct, during your residence in my kingdom.' When the new ambassador, after this audience, crossed the Court, in order to repair to the office of the minister of foreign affairs, the multitude waited for him in the passage, and hailed him with their acclainations."

Dr. Franklin was undoubtedly the fittest person that could have been found for rendering essential services to the United States at the court of France. He was well known as a philosopher throughout all Europe, and his character was held in the highest estimation. In France he was received with the greatest marks of respect by all the literary characters; and this was extended amongst all classes of men, and particularly at the court. His personal influence was hence very considerable. To the effects of this were added those of various writings which he published, tending to establish the credit and character of the United States; and to his exertions in this way, may in no small degree be ascribed, not only the free gifts obtained from the French government, but also the loans negotiated in Holland, which greatly contributed to bring the war to a favorable con clusion, and the establishment of American independence.

During the progress of these transactions at the court of France, Dr. Franklin