rifling sum; that it was lending little more than a gilder on each inhabitant's estate, and that it was absurd to require a mortgage on my estate for the loan of a gilder. He answered, that this was usual in all loans made in Holland to foreign states, and that the money could not otherwise be obtained.

The second proposition was (verbatim, as the first), "That out of the produces again through all those thirteen States of America, shall be sent over and shipped to Europe, and chiefly, or as much as possible, to the port of Amsterdam, during the ten years of this loan, the double of one tenth part of this loan to the value of four hundred thousand gilders, which, as far as is possible, they will come to Amsterdam, shall be sold there by Mr. John de Neufville and Son, and what goes to other ports, by their correspondents, and the money kept at their disposal for the use of Congress, at least during the first five years; and, during the last five years of this loan, one half of this money is to serve to discharge every year one tenth part of the money bcrrowed, engaging, that, before the end of the tenth year, there will be remitted in such a manner, and left in the hands of said John de Neufville and Son, of Amsterdam, a sufficient sum of money to discharge this whole loan, with the interest due thereon."

You will observe, that this article is obscurely expressed. I was obliged to demand an éclaircissement in conversation. The conversation was also difficult to understand, M. de Neufville's English not being then of the clearest. But from the whole, after much discourse, I gathered that we were to send over every year for the first five years in tobacco, rice, indigo, codfish, oil, &c. &c., the value of four hundred thousand gilders, to be sold by Messrs. John de Neufville

and Son for our use, on a commission of five per cent, and that the money was to remain in their hands to enable them to pay off in the last five years the principal of the loan, though one half of it was to remain in their hands till the end of the term. A subsequent article also provides that one hundred thousand gilders more should be annually sent over in produce to them, and sold, to discharge the interest.

My objections were, that, if we were able to purchase produce in value two millions of gilders to lodge in the hands of Messrs. de Neufville and Son, we might use that sum in our affairs at home, and should have no occasion to borrow it in Holland; and that, if we were to buy up this value of produce with the money borrowed, and to lodge it in the hands of those gentlemen, it would be borrowing money to give them the use of it for a number of years without interest, while we were paying interest for it ourselves.

One would think this project, if it could take, might be sufficiently profitable for these gentlemen; but in another paper, part French, part English, proposed for me to sign, it was to be stipulated, that, after exchanging for the new promises all those transacted by Messrs. Fizeau and Grand to the amount of forty or fifty thousand gilders, which exchange was to be made without charge; "pour le reste de cet emprunt il leur (Messrs. de Neufville et fils) sera alloué, outre les conditions d'intérest, &c., contenues dans les termes y stipulés, un per cent. d'intérest, savoir, dix per cent. une seule fois sur les sommes qu'ils négocieront; et en outre deux per cent. encore, y compris toutes les allouances ordinaires et extraordinaires, fraix à faire, et toute commission, sans qu'ils pourront jamais rien exiger de plus à ce sujet."

Very gracious terms these! by which, after stopping

a tenth part of the sum borrowed, they would be content with two per cent upon the rest to defray charges.

Besides this, I was led to understand, that it would be very agreeable to these gentlemen, if, in acknowledgment of their zeal for our cause and great services in procuring this loan, they would be made by some law of Congress the general consignee of America, to receive and sell upon commission, by themselves and correspondents in the different ports and nations, all the produce of America, that should be sent by our merchants to Europe. On my remarking the extravagance and impossibility of this proposition, it was modestly reduced to the following, wherein I am supposed to say and sign;

"Je veux bien encore, pour les engager (Messrs. de Neufville et fils) à suivre avec le même zèle qu'ils y ont employé jusqu'ici pour les intérests de l'Amérique, appuyer de mes recommandations leur solicitations auprès du Congrès, pour qu'il leur soit accordé pour la suite le titre de Commissioners for trade and navigation and Treasurers of General Congress, ana every private State of the thirteen United States of North America, through the Seven United Provinces; dont il leur sera alloué commissions regulières et usitées de commerce, payement, et emprunt, tels que d'honnêtes négociants pourront les passer sans en pretendre jamais d'autre appointement. Donné à Passy, le, &c."

By this time, I fancy, your Excellency is satisfied, that I was wrong in supposing John de Neufville as much a Jew as any in Jerusalem, since Jacob was not content with any per cents, but took the whole of his brother Esau's birthright, and his posterity did the same by the Canaanites, and cut their throats into the bargain; which, in my conscience, I do not think Mr. John de Neufville has the least inclination to do

by us, while he can get any thing by our being alive. I am, with the greatest esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM WILLIAM ALEXANDER TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR SIR,

Paris, 15 December, 1781.

I told you, the last time I had the pleasure of seeing you at Passy, that I would make a trip to London, but had no notion it would be so soon. On coming to town last evening, I found such pressing letters, that I propose setting off this evening, or tomorrow at latest. I would have called, if possible, to receive your commands, but, as I am pinched in time, I must content myself with sending for them. The bearer will call for them an hour after receiving this letter.

I shall probably be interrogated about the dispositions in this country to peace. My own idea is, that you seek only your independence, and that this country, were that secured, will be moderate in other matters, as the object of the war does not seem to be conquest. Let me know if this is proper language. I notice that a courtly argument has been used in Parliament for continuing the continental war, that withdrawing would make you insolent, and give France exclusive advantages. Were it not proper that this were contradicted flatly? Any commissions you may have will be taken care of, and I shall be back, barring accidents, in three weeks.

Wishing you every thing that is good, I remain, with equal esteem and respect, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

W. ALEXANDER.

ney.

TO WILLIAM ALEXANDER.

DEAR SIR,

Passy, 15 December, 1781.

I thank you for informing me of your intended jourYou know so well the prevailing sentiments here, and mine in particular, that it is unnecessary for me to express them; and, having never been believed on that side of the water, it would be useless. I will say, however, that I think the language you mention very proper to be held, as it is the truth; though the truth may not always be proper.

Wishing you a good voyage, and happy return to your children, I am, with great esteem, dear Sir, yours, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

TO DAVID HARTLEY.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Passy, 15 December, 1781.

I received your favor of September 26th, containing your very judicious proposition of securing the spectators in the opera and play houses from the danger of fire. I communicated it where I thought it might be useful. You will see by the enclosed, that the subject has been under consideration here. Your concern for the security of life, even the lives of your enemies, does honor to your heart and your humanity. But what are the lives of a few idle haunters of play houses, compared with the many thousands of worthy men, and honest industrious families, butchered and destroyed by this devilish war? Oh that we could find some happy invention to stop the spreading of the flames, and put an end to so horrid a conflagration! Adieu, I am ever yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN.