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lier de Luzerne to be forwarded to France, when it was too late to revoke it. It was supposed also that Mr. Laurens, then in the Tower, would not be out, and that Mr. Jefferson would not go; and that the greater the number of ministers, the greater the danger of discords and indiscretions. It was added, that as it was expected that nothing would be yielded by Great Britain which was not extorted by the address of France in managing the mediators, and as it was the intention of Congress that their minister should not oppose a peace, recommended by them, and approved by France, it was thought good policy to make the declaration to France, and by such a mark of confidence to render her friendship the more responsible for the issue. At the worst, it could only be considered as a sacrifice of our pride to our interest.

These considerations still justified the original measure in the view of the members who were present and voted for it. All the new members who had not participated in the impressions which dictated it, and viewed the subject only under circumstances of an opposite nature, disapproved it. In general, however, the latter joined with the former in opposing the motion of Mr. CLARK, arguing with them that, supposing the instruction to be wrong, it was less dishonorable than the instability that would be denoted by rescinding it; that if Great Britain was disposed to give us what we claimed, France could not prevent it; that if Great Britain struggled against those claims, our only chance of getting them was through the aid of France; that to withdraw our confidence would lessen the chance

and degree of this aid; that if we were in a prosperous or safe condition, compared with that in which we adopted the expedient in question, this change had been effected by the friendly succours of our Ally, and that to take advantage of it to loosen the tie would not only bring on us the reproach of ingratitude, but induce France to believe that she had no hold on our affections, but only in our necessities; that in all possible situations we should be more in danger of being seduced by Great Britain, than of being sacrificed by France; the interests of the latter, in the main, necessarily coinciding with ours, and those of the former being diametrically opposed to them; that as to the intercepted letter, there were many reasons which indicated that it came through the hands of the enemy to Mr. Jay; that it ought, therefore, to be regarded, even if genuine, as communicated for insidious purposes; but that there was strong reason to suspect that it had been adulterated, if not forged; and that on the worst supposition, it did not appear that the doctrines maintained, or the measures recommended in it, had been adopted by the French Ministry, and consequently that they ought not to be held responsible for them.

Upon these considerations it was proposed by Mr. WOLCOTT, Seconded by Mr. HAMILTON, that the motion of Mr. CLARK should be postponed, which took place without a vote."

Mr. MADISON moved that the letter of Dr. Franklin, of the fourteenth of October, 1782, should be referred to a committee, with a view of bringing into consideration the preliminary article proposing that

British subjects and American citizens should reciprocally have, in matters of commerce, the privilege of natives of the other party; and giving the American Ministers the instruction which ensued on that subject. This motion succeeded, and the committee appointed consisted of Mr. MADISON, Mr. RUTLEDge, Mr. CLARK, Mr. HAMILTON, and Mr. OSGOOD.

The contract of General Wayne was confirmed with great reluctance; being considered as improper with respect to its being made with individuals, as admitting of infinite abuses, as out of his military line, and as founded on a principle that a present commerce with Great Britain was favorable to the United States-a principle reprobated by Congress and all the States. Congress, however, supposed that these considerations ought to yield to the necessity of supporting the measures which a valuable officer, from good motives, had taken upon himself.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST.

The report of the Committee made in consequence of Mr. MADISON's motion yesterday, instructing the Ministers Plenipotentiary on the article of commerce, passed unanimously, as follows:

"Resolved, That the Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace be instructed, in any commercial stipulations with Great Britain which may be comprehended in a treaty of peace, to endeavour to obtain for the citizens and inhabitants of the United States a direct commerce to all parts of the British dominions and possessions, in like manner as all parts of

the United States may be opened to a direct commerce of British subjects; or at least that such direct commerce be extended to all parts of the British dominions and possessions in Europe and the West Indies; and the said Ministers are informed, that this stipulation will be particularly expected by Congress, in case the citizens and subjects of each party are to be admitted to an equality in matters of commerce with natives of the other party."

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1st, 1783.

The decision of the controversy between Connecticut and Pennsylvania was reported.

The communications made from the Minister of France concurred, with other circumstances, in effacing the impressions made by Mr. Jay's letter and Marbois's enclosed. The vote of thanks to Count Rochambeau passed with unanimity and cordiality, and afforded a fresh proof that the resentment against France had greatly subsided.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND.

Nothing requiring notice.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3RD.

The vote of thanks to the Minister of France, which passed yesterday, was repealed in conse

quence of his having expressed to the President a desire that no notice might be taken of his conduct as to the point in question, and of the latter's communicating the same to Congress. The temper of Congress here again manifested the transient nature of their irritation against France.

The motion of Mr. HOWELL, put on the Secret Journal, gave Congress a great deal of vexation. The expedient for baffling his scheme of raising a ferment in his State, and exposing the foreign transactions, was adopted only in the last resort; it being questioned by some whether the Articles of Confederation warranted it.

The answer to the note of the French Minister passed unanimously, and was a further testimony of the abatement of the effects of Mr. Jay's letter, &c.

The proceedings of the Court in the dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania were, after debates as to the meaning of the Confederation in directing such proceeding to be lodged among the acts of Congress, entered at large on the Journals. It was remarked that the Delegates from Connecticut, particularly Mr. DYER, were more captious on the occasion than was consistent with a perfect acquiescence in the decree.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH.

The memorial from the Army was laid before Congress, and referred to a Grand Committee. This reference was intended as a mark of the important light in which the memorial was viewed.

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