Mr. Lovel, containing his Letters of December 8, January 29, and Feb. 8, with one from the President, dated Jan. 3. Several Papers are mention'd as sent with them, and by other Opportunities, but none are come to hand, except the Resolution to postpone the attempt upon Canada; and these are the first Dispatches received here since the Date of those sent by the Marquis de la Fayette. I have also just received a letter from Mr. Bingham, acquainting me, that the ship Dean, and the General Gates, are just arriv'd at Martinico, and apply to him to be careened, refitted, and procure a fresh Supply of Provisions; and that, tho' he has no Orders, he must draw upon me for the Expence. I think it right to acquaint you thus early, that I shall be oblig'd to protest his Bills. I have just obtain'd from his Majesty Orders to the Government of Guadaloupe, to make reasonable Reparation to Captain Giddins of Newbury for the Loss of his Vessel, sunk in mistake by a Battery of that Island. Great Preparations are now making here, with much Activity in all the SeaPorts, taking up Transports, and building small Vessels, proper for the landing of Troops, &c.; so that many think an Invasion of England or Ireland is intended. The Intention, whatever it is, may change; but the Opinion of such an Intention, which seems to prevail in England, may tend to keep their Troops and Ships at home. General and Lord Howe, Generals Cornwallis and Grey, Col. Montresor, Capt. Hammond, and others, have formally given it as their Opinion, in Parliament, that the Conquest of America is impracticable. This Week, as we hear, John Maxwell, Esq., Joseph Galloway, Esq., Andrew Allen, Esq., John Patterson, Theophilus Morris, Enoch Storey, and Jabez Fisher, are to be examined to prove the contrary. One would think the first Set were likely to be the best Judges. Be pleased to present my dutiful Respects to the Congress, and assure them of my most faithful Services. I have the honour to be, gentlemen I should sooner have sent this passport, but that I hoped to have had the other from this court in time to send with it. If you should stay a few days in England, and will let me know how it may be directed to you, I can send it to you per post. I received some time since a letter from a person at Belfast, informing me, that a great number of people in those parts were desirous of going to settle in America, if passports could be obtained for them and their effects, and referring me to you for further information. I shall always be ready to afford every assistance and security in my power to such under 1 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin” (W. T. F.), London, 1818, Vol. I, p. 37. Sir Edward Newenham (1732-1814) was one of the most constant and intimate of Franklin's correspondents. He was a politician who represented the County of Dublin from 1776 to 1797. He wrote numerous political tracts under the pen-names Brutus and Leonidas. He was in entire sympathy with the colonists in the Revolution. Upon the arrival of the news of General Montgomery's death he appeared in Parliament in deep mourning,"deeper even," as he said, "than his own brother." Unfortunately the letters addressed to him by Franklin appear to have been destroyed. — ED. takings, when they are really meant, and are not merely schemes of trade with views of introducing English manufactures into America, under pretence of their being the substance of persons going there to settle. I admire the spirit with which I see the Irish are at length determined to claim some share of that freedom of commerce, which is the right of all mankind, but which they have been so long deprived of by the abominable selfishness of their fellow subjects. To enjoy all the advantages of the climate, soil, and situation in which God and nature have placed us, is as clear a right as that of breathing; and can never be justly taken from men but as a punishment for some atrocious crime. The English have long seemed to think it a right, which none could have but themselves. Their injustice has already cost them dear, and, if persisted in, will be their ruin. I have the honour to be with great esteem, Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. 1010. TO COMTE DE VERGENNES (?)1 (P. A. E. E. U.) June 1, 1779 THE refusal of the Director-General to accede to the proposition of Mr. Franklin and his pressing needs determine him, that he may have nothing wherewithal to reproach himself if the events follow which he apprehends, to renew his appeal to the administration. To avoid them, therefore, he asks one million as a loan. Although this sum will not suffice for his 1 The translation of this document into French is endorsed "enclosing blank promissory note with coupons." - ED. necessities, he hopes that before it will be all used he will receive other supplies, either from America or by borrowing, for which he has authority, and for which he has caused to be printed the promissory notes of the thirteen States, reimbursable in ten years at Paris, with annual interest. He offers these notes at par, and if the administration fails to realize on them before they fall due, he engages to take them up with the first funds which he shall have available for that purpose. Although by this arrangement the operation appears more like an investment than a benefaction, Mr. Franklin will none the less appreciate the service which will be rendered, and which, he may add, the interest of the two nations makes a necessity to-day, if they would not expose themselves to lose the fruit of their union. B. FRANKLIN. 1 IOII. TO HORATIO GATES 1 (D. S. W.) Passy, June 2, 1779. DEAR SIR, I received your obliging letter by the Chevalier de Raymondis, who appears extremely sensible of the civilities he received at Boston, and very desirous of being serviceable to the American cause. His wound is not yet right, as he tells me there is a part of the bone still to be cut off. But he is otherwise well and cheerful, and has a great respect for you. The pride of England was never so humbled by any thing as by your capitulation of Saratoga. They have not yet got over it, though a little elevated this spring by their success 1 At that time Major-General in the American army. S. against the French commerce. But the growing apprehension of having Spain too upon their hands has lately brought them down to an humble seriousness, that begins to appear even in ministerial discourses, and the papers of ministerial writers. All the happy effects of that transaction for America are not generally known. I may some time or other acquaint the world with some of them. When shall we meet again in cheerful converse, talk over our adventures, and finish with a quiet game of chess? The little dissensions between particular States in America are much magnified in England, and they once had great hopes from them. I consider them, with you, as the effects of apparent security; which do not affect the grand points of independence, and adherence to treaties; and which will vanish at a renewed appearance of danger. This court continues heartily our friend, and the whole nation are warm in our favour; excepting only a few West Indians, and merchants in that trade, whose losses make them a little uneasy. With sincere and great esteem and affection, I am ever, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. SIR, 1012. TO JAMES LOVELL (L. C.) Passy, June 2, 1779. I received a few Days since, via Eustatia and Holland, the Triplicates of your several Favours, of Dec. 8, Jan. 29, and Feb. 8. The preceding Copies of the same Dates never came to hand. I thank you very much for the Newspapers, tho' the Disputes I see in them give me pain. You observe |