It is also determined that Mr. Fox, from whose department that communication is necessarily to proceed, shall send a proper person, who may confer and settle immediately with M. de Vergennes the further measures and proceedings which may be judged proper to adopt towards advancing the prosecution of this important business. In the mean time Mr. Oswald is instructed to communicate to you my thoughts upon the principal objects to be settled.

Transports are actually preparing for the purpose of conveying your prisoners to America, to be there exchanged, and we trust that you will learn that due attention has not been wanting to their accommodation and good treatment.

I have the honor to be, with very sincere respect, dear sir, your faithful and obedient servant,

SHELBURNE.

Having read the letter, I mentioned to Mr. Oswald the part which refers me to him for his Lordship's sentiments. He acquainted me that they were very sincerely disposed to peace; that the whole ministry concurred in the same dispositions; that a good deal of confidence was placed in my character for open honest dealing; that it was also generally believed I had still remaining some part of my ancient affection and regard for Old England, and it was hoped it might appear on this occasion. He then showed me an extract from the minutes of council, but did not leave the paper with me. As well as I remember it was to this purpose:

At a Cabinet Council held April 27, 1782, present-Lord Rockingham, Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lord Camden, &c. &c. (to the number of

fifteen or twenty, being all ministers and great officers of state):

"It was proposed to represent to his Majesty, that it would be well for Mr. Oswald to return to Dr. Franklin and acquaint him, that it is agreed to treat for a general peace, and at Paris; and that the principal points in contemplation are, the allowing of American independence, on condition that England be put into the same situation that she was left in by the peace of 1763."

Mr. Oswald also informed me, that he had conversed with Lord Shelburne on the subject of my paper of notes relating to reconciliation. That he had shown him the paper, and had been prevailed on to leave it with him a night, but it was on his Lordship's solemn promise of returning it, which had been complied with, and he now returned it to me. That it seemed to have made an impression, and he had reason to believe that matter might be settled to our satisfaction towards the end of the treaty; but in his mind he wished it might not be mentioned at the beginning. That his Lordship indeed said, he had not imagined reparation would be expected; and he wondered I should not know whether it was intended to demand it. Finally, Mr. Oswald acquainted me, that as the business, now likely to be brought forward, more particularly appertained to the department of the other secretary, Mr. Fox, he was directed to announce another agent coming from that department, who might be expected every day, viz. the Honorable Mr. Grenville, brother of Lord Temple, and son of the famous Mr. George Grenville, formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I immediately wrote the following note to M. le Comte de Vergennes :

SIR,

Paris, May 4, 1782.

I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency that Mr. Oswald is just returned from London, and now with me. He has delivered me a letter from Lord Shelburne, which I enclose for your perusal, together with a copy of my letter to which it is an answer. He tells me, that it has been agreed in council to treat at Paris, and to treat of a general peace; and that as it is more particularly in the department of Mr. Fox to regulate the circumstantials, a gentleman (Mr. Grenville), to be sent by him for that purpose, may be daily expected here. Mr. Oswald will wait on your Excellency whenever you shall think fit to receive him. I am, with respect, your Excellency's most obedient and most, &c. &c. B. FRANKLIN.

And the next day I received the following answer :

A Versailles, le 5 Mai, 1782. J'ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m'avez fait l'honneur de m'écrire le 4 de ce mois, ainsi que celles qui y étoient jointes. Je vous verrai avec plaisir avec votre ami demain matin à onze heures. J'ai l'honneur d'être sincèrement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur,

DE VERGENNES.

Accordingly on Monday morning I went with Mr. Oswald to Versailles, and we saw the minister. Mr. Oswald acquainted him with the disposition of his

court to treat for a general peace and at Paris; and he announced Mr. Grenville, who he said was to set out about the same time with him, but, as he would probably come by way of Ostend, might be a few days longer on the road. Some general conversation passed, agreeable enough, but not of importance. In our return Mr. Oswald repeated to me his opinion, that the affair of Canada would be settled to our satisfaction, and his wish that it might not be mentioned till towards the end of the treaty. He intimated too, that it was apprehended the greatest obstructions in the treaty might come from the part of Spain; but said if she was unreasonable, there were means to bring her to reason; that Russia was a friend to England, had lately made great discoveries on the back of North America, could make establishments there, and might easily transport an army from Kamschatka to the Coast of Mexico, and conquer all those countries. This appeared to me a little visionary at present, but I did not dispute it. On the whole I was able to draw so little from Mr. O. of the sentiments of Lord S., who had mentioned him as entrusted with the communication of them, that I could not but wonder at his being sent again to me, especially as Mr. Grenville was so soon to follow.

On Tuesday I was at court as usual on that day; M. de Vergennes asked me if Mr. Oswald had not opened himself farther to me.. I acquainted him with the sight I had had of the minute of council, and of the loose expressions contained in it of what was in contemplation. He seemed to think it odd that he had brought nothing more explicit. I supposed Mr. Grenville might be better furnished.

VOL. II.

K

The next morning I wrote the following letter to Mr. Adams.

SIR,

Passy, May 8, 1782.

Mr. Oswald, whom I mentioned in a former letter which I find you have received, is returned, and brought me another letter from Lord Shelburne, of which the above is a copy. It says, Mr. Oswald is instructed to communicate to me his Lordship's thoughts. He is however very sparing of such communication. All I have got from him is, that the ministry have in contemplation the "allowing Independence to America on condition of Britain being put again into the state she was left in by the peace of 1763," which I suppose means being put again in possession of the islands France has taken from her. This seems to me a proposition of selling to us a thing that is already our own, and making France pay the price they are pleased to ask for it. Mr. Grenville, who is sent by Mr. Fox, is expected here daily. Mr. Oswald tells me that Mr. Laurens will soon be here also. Yours of the 2nd instant is just come to hand. I shall write to you on this affair hereafter by the Court couriers, for I am certain your letters to me are opened at the post-office either here or in Holland. I suppose mine to you are treated in the same manner. I enclose the cover of your last that you may see the seal. With great respect I am, Sir, your Excellency's, &c. &c. B. FRANKLIN.

I had but just sent away this letter, when Mr. Oswald came in, bringing with him Mr. Grenville, who was recently arrived. He gave me the following letter from Mr. Secretary Fox.