20, 69, 580, 11, 150, 27, 56, 35, 104, 652, 28, 675, 85, 79, 50, 63, 44, 22, 219, 17, 60, 29, 147, 136, 41, but this is not likely to afford 202, 55, 580, 10, 227, 613, 176, 373, 309, 4, 108, 40, 19, 97, 309, 17, 35, 90, 201, 100, 677. By our last advices our affairs were in a pretty good train, I hope we shall soon have advice of the expulsion of the English from Virginia. I am ever, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. DEAR SIR, Capt. J. P. Jones to M. Dumas. Portsmouth, N. H. December 10, 1781. THIS letter is intended to be presented to you by Major Sherburne, of this state, who will tell you his own story and part of mine. You will present him with my respects to madame Dumas and the virgin muse. I am happy that "the pitiful sir Joseph" has been besieged by "the great man" and forced to evacuate his strong hold with disgrace ?-The author of Hamlet has not given him more surprise at the sight of his father's ghost, than the world has felt to see the Belgians roused from the lithargy of a century! May their long reluctant swords now fall with double vengeance on the insolent heads of their enemies! May the marine be inspired with the military enthusiasm of De Ruyter, to vindicate the national honor of the republic! and may even admiral B... S... L....., catch that enthusiasm, and be employed to ruin and destroy their eastern ports! Feeling as I do for the honor of your nation, how could Mr. Van de Perre suppose I could mean to infringe the liberties of your flag in the affair of the brig Berkenbos? How could you, who know me, believe I could dirty my fingers with such a capture? or that the master's account he gave from St. Lucia was a true one?" He gave me a clear certificate, under his hand, that the property was British; and that certificate was witnessed both by captain Cunyngham and my clerk. Yet I did not decide whether his vessel was or was not a prize; but I left him and his officers the command, and having given him the necessary assistance, advised him to steer for an American port, to which he freely consented. The man I put on board was not, as he pretends a prizemaster; nor had he any orders from me for that purpose; what would have been the consequence had she arrived in one of our ports, I cannot say. Possibly she might have been acquitted! and in that case the owners would have had reason to thank me; as the cargo would have been at the best market. I can justify my conduct; I did my duty both to the republic and the United States; I hope the vessel has been restored; but I am guiltless, and congress know it. I am, dear Sir, &c. DEAR SIR, J. PAUL JONES. Dr. Franklin to M. Dumas. Passy, December 19, 1781. I DULY received yours of the 11th per young Mr. de Neufville, enclosing the pamphlets, of which I gave one the next day to Mr. Boudoin. It was so long since we have heard from you, that we feared you were sick. I enclose sundry American newspapers, out of which perhaps some thing may be drawn for your printers. There are the orders of general Greene after the battle of Eutaw Springs, by which it appears that the militia behaved to general satisfaction. There are also the proceedings relating to colonel Isaac Haynes, which it may be well to publish, as probably we may soon hear that general Greene, according to his promise in his proclamation, has hanged some of the British officers in retaliation; and the knowlege of these proceedings may operate in his justification. In the German paper there are two dialogues, of which you can best judge whether the printing of them in Germany may not have some little effect in opposition to Fawcett's recruiting. suppose this letter may find you at Amsterdam, and there I fore I send it under cover to Mr. Adams, with the usual compliments of the approaching season. I am ever, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. To the same. Passy, May 3, 1782. DEAR SIR, I RECEIVED yours of the 15th past, and perused the contents with great pleasure. I had before received your packet by Mr. Boers, and forwarded it immediately. Inclosed I send you a few copies of a paper that places in a striking light the English barbarities in America, particularly these committed by the savages at their instigation. The FORM may perhaps not be genuine, but the substance is truth; the number of our people of all kinds and ages murdered and scalped by the English being known to exceed that of the invoice. Make any use of them you may think proper, to shame your Anglomanæ, but do not let it be known through what hands they come. I am ever yours affectionately, B. FRANKLIN. My respects and congratulations to Mr. A. MEMORANDA, No. I. Remarks on Article 5. Quils ne les Vendront pas en Details dans les Boutiques en ailleurs. To me at I wish to know the reason of this restriction. present it seems inconvenient, as it may occasion disputes and discussions about what is to be deemed detail. Paris, August 1779. B. FRANKLIN. No. II. PRELIMINARY of a Peace said to be formed by the Rockingham party but if really formed by any minister, Shelburne must be the man. 1. THAT the British troops shall be withdrawn from the thirteen provinces of North America, and a truce made between Great Britain and the said provinces for, suppose ten or twenty years. 2. That a negociation for peace shall, bona fide be opened between Great Britain and the allies of America. 3. If the proposed negociation between Great Britain. and the allies of America should not succeed, so as to produce a peace, but that war should continue between the said parties, that then America should act and be treated as a neutral nation. 4. That whenever peace shall take place between Great Britain and the allies of America, the truce between Great Britain and America shall be converted into a perpetual peace; the independence of America shall be admitted and guaranteed by Great Britain, and a commercial treaty settled between them. 5. That these propositions shall be made to the court of France, for communication to the American commissioners, and for an answer to the court of G. Britain. No. III. 1. The nation has spent in this war, since 1775 an hundred millions of sterling money. 2. The nation has lost by this war fourteen colonies on the continent of America, several Islands in the West Indies, and Minorca. 3. The nation is at war with three powerful states in Europe. 4. The nation has no ally. 5. All these evils have happened from want of foresight and abilities in the ministry. These propositions were moved and seconded, and after a long debate, two hundred and sixteen members voted for them, two hundred and twenty-six against. As many members of the opposition were absent, even sir George Saville, Mr. Wilkes, and others, they are determined to bring them on again. No. IV. IMMEDIATELY after the death of lord Rockingham, the king said to lord Shelburne, "I will be plain with you, "the point next my heart, and which I am determined, be the consequence what it may, never to relinquish, but with my crown and life, is to prevent a total unequivocal recognition of the independence of America. Promise to support me on this ground, and I will leave you unmolested on every other ground, and with full power as the prime minister of this kingdom." The bargain MY grandfather has been for these three weeks past, much indisposed with the gravel, and an attendant severe pain in his thigh. This has prevented, and prevents his answering several of your late letters. He directs me to acknowlege the receipt of your last, dated the 4th instant, and to inform you that the dispatch it enclosed shall be duly forwarded, as were the preceding ones you sent him. For your satisfaction, sir, and as a proof of the high sense my grandfather has of your merit, I enclose to you an extract from one of his late letters to our secretary for foreign affairs, which relates to you: That you may soon experience the effect of it, is the sincere wish of your affectionate, And very humble Servant, W. T. FRANKLIN. We have no news of any importance, or I should communicate it. Please to make my respectful compliments to Mr. Adams. |
