from Boston, the brig Rising States, Capt. Thomson,1 has sent in a Prize there, laden with Fruit and Wine from Lisbon to London, being the third she has taken. And Mr. Greenwood, a Painter, formerly of Boston, who was here a few Days since, and returned to London, writes from Dover that he saw landed there eight Captains and their Mates, out of a Dutch homeward-bound Ship, which had been put on board her in the Channel by an American Privateer, who had taken their several Ships and burnt two of them. We do not know the Privateer's Name.]

With great respect, etc.

B. FRANKLIN.

843. TO SAMUEL COOPER

(L. C.)

Paris, May 1, 1777.

I THANK YOU for your kind Congratulations on my safe Arrival here, and for your good Wishes. I am, as you supposed, treated with great Civility and Respect by all Orders of People; but it gives me still greater Satisfaction to find, that our being here is of some Use to our Country. On that head I cannot be more explicit at present.

I rejoice with you in the happy Change of Affairs in America last Winter. I hope the same Train of Success will continue

1 Probably Captain Thomas Thompson, a choleric commander whose criticism of politics and politicians at home and abroad lends sharpness and humour to Franklin's correspondence. He arrived in October, 1777, at Port Louis, without despatches and explained that he was tired of waiting upon a dilatory Congress: "We have obtained leave after various pretences, not consistent with the Honour of the U. S. nor the respect due to a Man of War belonging to a free and independent Empire-but small Folks must sing small and for the sake of convenience must abate their dignity." — ED.

7

thro' the Summer. Our Enemies are disappointed in the Number of additional Troops they purposed to send over. What they have been able to muster will not probably recruit their Army to the State it was in the beginning of last Campaign; and ours I hope will be equally numerous, better arm'd, and better clothed, than they have been heretofore.

All Europe is on our Side of the Question, as far as Applause and good Wishes can carry them. Those who live under arbitrary Power do nevertheless approve of Liberty, and wish for it; they almost despair of recovering it in Europe; they read the Translations of our separate Colony Constitutions with Rapture; and there are such Numbers everywhere, who talk of Removing to America, with their Families and Fortunes, as soon as Peace and our Independence shall be established, that 'tis generally believed we shall have a prodigious Addition of Strength, Wealth, and Arts, from the Emigrations of Europe; and 'tis thought, that, to lessen or prevent such Emigrations, the Tyrannies established there must relax, and allow more Liberty to their People. Hence 'tis a Common Observation here, that our Cause is the Cause of all Mankind, and that we are fighting for their Liberty in defending our own. 'Tis a glorious task assign'd us by Providence; which has, I trust, given us Spirit and Virtue equal to it, and will at last crown it with Success. I am ever, my dear Friend, yours most affectionately,

B. F[RANKLIN].

844. TO JOHN WINTHROP

DEAR SIR,

(L. C.)

Paris, May 1, 1777.

I received your kind Letter of February 28,' which gave me great Pleasure. I forwarded your Letter to Dr. Price, who was well lately; but his Friends, on his acc*, were under some Apprehensions from the Violence of Government, in consequence of his late excellent Publications in favour of Liberty. I wish all the Friends of Liberty and of Man would quit that Sink of Corruption, and leave it to its Fate.

The People of this Country are almost unanimously in our favour. The Government has its reasons for postponing a War, but is making daily the most diligent Preparations wherein Spain goes hand in hand. In the mean time, America has the whole Harvest of Prizes made upon the British Commerce; a kind of Monopoly that has its Advantages, as, by affording greater Encouragement to Cruisers, it increases the Number of our Seamen, and thereby augments our naval Power.

The Conduct of those Princes of Germany, who have sold the Blood of their People, has subjected them to the Contempt and Odium of all Europe. The Prince of Anspach, whose Recruits mutinied and refus'd to march, was obliged to disarm and fetter them, and drive them to the seaside by the help of his Guards; himself attending in Person. In his Return he was publicly hooted by Mobs thro' every Town he passed in Holland, with all sorts of reproachful Epithets. The

1 The letter dated February 28 is in A. P. S. and is printed in Hale's "Franklin in France," Vol. I, p. 106. — ED.

King of Prussia's Humour of obliging those Princes to pay him the same Toll per Head for the Men they drive thro' his Dominions, as used to be paid him for their Cattle, because they were sold as such, is generally spoken of with Approbation, as containing a just reproof of those Tyrants. I send you enclos'd one of the many Satires that have appeared on this occasion.1

With best Wishes of Prosperity to yourself and to my dear Country, where I hope to spend my last Years, and lay my Bones, I am ever, dear Sir, your affectionate Friend, and humble Servant.

B. FRANKLIN.

SIR,

845. TO GEORGE WASHINGTON'

Paris, June 13, 1777.

The bearer, M. le Comte Kotkouski, a Polish officer, is recommended to me by several Persons of worth here, as a man of experience in military affairs, and of tried bravery. He has lost his family and estate in Poland, by fighting there in the cause of liberty, and wishes, by engaging in the same cause, to find a new country and new friends in America. Count Pulaski, who was a general of the confederates in Poland, and who is gone to join you, is esteemed one of the greatest officers in Europe. He can give you the character of this M. Kotkouski, who served under him as lieutenant-colonel.'

1 Perhaps a reference to the satirical jeu d'esprit on p. 27. - ED.

2 Printed by Jared Sparks, "The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution," Boston, 1829, Vol. III, p. 12.- ED.

& Count Kothkowski embarked on a Dutch vessel for Boston, with this letter of recommendation. He was taken prisoner and carried to Portsmouth, where he suffered much, and in December appealed to Franklin for help.—ED.

It is with regret that I give letters of introduction to foreign officers, fearing that you may be troubled with more than you can provide for, or employ to their and your own satisfaction. When particular cases seem to have a claim to such letters, I hope you will excuse my taking the liberty. I give no expectations to those who apply for them; I promise nothing; I acquaint them, that their being placed when they arrive is a great uncertainty, and that, the voyage being long, expensive, and hazardous, I counsel them not to undertake it. This honest gentleman's zeal is not to be discouraged by such means; he determines to go and serve as a volunteer, if he cannot be employed immediately as an officer; but I wish and hope, that your Excellency may find a better situation for him, and that he will be a useful officer. He has the advantage of understanding English, and will soon speak it intelligibly. He also speaks German, and some other European languages, and the Latin. With the truest esteem and respect, I have the honour to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

846. TO GEORGE WASHINGTON 1

Paris, June 13, 1777.

SIR, The person, who will have the honour of delivering this to your Excellency, is Monsieur le Baron de Frey, who is well recommended to me as an officer of experience and merit, with a request that I would give him a letter of introduction. I have acquainted him, that you are rather overstocked with 1 Printed by Jared Sparks, "The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution," Boston, 1829, Vol. III, p. 13.-ED.