TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.*

Requesting Permission to publish in Paris a Translation of the Constitutions of the United States.

SIR,

Passy, 24 March, 1783.

I am desirous of printing a translation of the Constitutions of the United States of America, published at Philadelphia, in 1781, by order of Congress. Several of these Constitutions have already appeared in the English and American newspapers; others have appeared elsewhere; but there has never yet been a complete translation of them. That, of which I have the honor to speak to your Excellency, being an octavo volume, contains the different Constitutions of the United States, their treaty with France, and no foreign matter. I have made arrangements for this purpose with M. Pierres, who is ready to commence the impression, and I hope that your Excellency will give your approbation.

M. Pierres will need a permit from the Keeper of the Seals for printing and selling this work, after having furnished me with the number of copies agreed upon. As I strongly desire, that this translation may appear at an early day, I shall feel under great obligations to your Excellency, if you will have the goodness to request the Keeper of the Seals to send the order without delay; and, should the formalities required for the purpose demand any considerable time, to request him to authorize by letter M. Pierres to proceed with the work. I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

*This letter is translated from a French copy.

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FROM FRANCIS HOPKINSON TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY EVER DEAr Friend,

Philadelphia, 27 March, 1783.

To be noticed by the great is an honor, but to enjoy the friendship of the good is more than honor; it is happiness. I was much gratified by your kind letter by Captain Barney, and thank you for the Premiere Livraison of the Encyclopédie.

A vessel arrived here a few days ago express from Cadiz, with letters from the Marquis de Lafayette, announcing peace to all the world. This has diffused general joy through this suffering country. Yet there are some, who, though they cannot be sorry for it with a good grace, are nevertheless sorry. I mean those, who have large quantities of goods on hand at war prices. But, if it should never rain till it suited every individual's convenience, the whole world would blow away in dust. The terms for America are unexceptionable; the boundary lines of the United States liberal and permanent. I have heard no objections. Even long-sighted politicians, of the Grumbletonian fraternity, seem satisfied.

Blessings, like misfortunes, seldom come unaccompanied. I am told you intend to return and spend the remainder of your days at home. This will be a most agreeable gratification to your friends; to none more than to me. America gave you breath; you have repaid the obligation by being so principally instrumental in giving her peace, liberty, and independence. Individuals will readily acknowledge how much the public is indebted to you for your important services. How far the public will be found grateful, is a problem. The least, I think, that can be expected, is, that you

may enjoy the remainder of your days in ease and honor. The official despatches respecting the peace are looked for every day, and great pageantries are preparing for the joyful proclamation.

You flatter my vanity by approving of my piece respecting the Trees. The law was repealed, and the innocents were saved from slaughter.

I amused myself one snowy day with devising a new game at cards. I enclose you a copy of the rules, printed on the wrapping paper of each pack, and also a couple of the cards as a sample. They are not so well executed as I could wish, but may serve for a first essay. My object was to make my children dexterous and critical in spelling, and to give them a knowledge of the use of letters in the formation of words. These cards are getting into great vogue. * Adieu, and be assured I am ever your faithful and affectionate FRANCIS HOPKINSON.

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

Communicating a Supplemental Treaty.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 31 March, 1783.

I send you a paper entitled Supplemental Treaty,† the substance of which I sent you some time ago, as I read it in part of a speech in the House of Commons. I have given a copy of it to Mr. L——, as the grounds upon which my friend, the Duke of Portland, would have wished that any administration, in

See a piece entitled A New Game with Cards for the Improvement of Orthography, contained in HOPKINSON'S Miscellaneous Essays, &c., Vol. I. p. 290.

† See Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. IV. p. 92.

VOL. IX.

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which he might have taken a part, should have treated with the American ministers. All negotiations for the formation of a ministry in concert with the Duke of Portland are at an end.

The tenth article, which is supposed to be referred to the definitive treaty, is a renewal of the same proposition, which I moved in Parliament some years ago, viz. on the 9th of April, 1778. I see nothing inconsistent with that proposition, either in the declaration of independence, or in the treaty with France. Let it therefore remain, and emerge after the war, as a point untouched by the war. I assure you my consent should not be wanting to extend this principle between all the nations upon earth. I know full well, that those nations, to which you and I are bound by birth and consanguinity, would reap the earliest fruits from it. Owing no man hate, and envying no man's happiness, I should rejoice in the lot of my own country, and on her part say to America, Nos duo turba sumus. I send you, likewise, enclosed with this, some sentiments respecting the principles of some late negotiations, drawn up in the shape of Parliamentary motions by my brother, who joins with me in the sincerest good wishes to you for health and happiness, and for the peace of our respective countries and of mankind. Your ever affectionate D. HARTLEY.

FROM M. SALVA TO B. FRANKLIN.

Attempt of the Algerines to seize American Vessels.

SIR,

Translation.

Algiers, 1 April, 1783.

The imminent danger to which the vessels of your nation were exposed, which sailed in March last from

Marseilles, and which owed their safety to the god of the seas alone, emboldens me to call your attention to this point.

Some secret enemies (whom I know) having given information to this Regency of their departure, nine armed ships immediately sailed to wait for them at Cape Palos. It is to be presumed, that the Americans had passed the Straits.

Algiers has many ships, and the politics of certain European powers do not restrain them from paying tribute to enjoy peace; they make use of these human harpies as a terror to the belligerent nations, whose commerce they chain to the car of Algerine piracy. We saw an example of this, when his Imperial Majesty, to protect his flag, made use of the firman of the Sublime Porte. It was attacked, and five prizes were brought into this port in 1781, four of which with ballast were restored in February, 1782, at the claim of a Capapigi Bashaw of the Porte, and of M. Timone, the Imperial agent, who was expelled, and whose correspondent I am, having been his secretary on this occasion, and having revealed to his Highness, Prince Kaunitz-Rietberg, minister at the court of Vienna, horrors and crimes, which would have remained unpunished but for my pen.

Humanity alone, Sir, has engaged me to give you this advice. I request you will be pleased to keep it secret; your prudence will effect what may be necessary on this occasion.

I have the honor to offer you every information respecting this port, and flatter myself that I shall succeed therein. I think to depart from this in May or June next for Marseilles, and to leave these barbarian pirates. I have the honor to be, &c.

SALVA.