that I came to Europe last, with full power to make peace, that those powers had been announced to the public upon my arrival, and continued in force till last summer, when congress sent a new commission, containing the same powers to five persons, whom I named. That if the king of England were my father, and I the heir apparent to his throne, I could not advise him ever to think of a truce, because it would be but a real war under a simulated appearance of tranquillity, and would end in another open and bloody war, without doing any real good to any of the parties.

He said that the ministry would send some person of consequence over, perhaps general Conway; but they were apprehensive that he would be ill treated or exposed. I said that if they resolved upon such a measure, I had rather they would send immediately to Doctor Franklin, because of his situation near the French court. But there was no doubt if they sent any respectable personage, properly authorized, who should come to treat honorably, he would be treated with great respect. But that if he came to me, I could give him no opinion upon any thing, without consulting my colleagues, and should reserve a right of communicating every thing to them and to our allies.

He then said that his mission was finished, that the fact to be ascertained was simply, that there was a commission in Europe to treat and conclude; but that there was not one in Great Britain who could affirm or prove that there person was such a commission, although it had been announced in the gazettes.

I desired him, and he promised me not to mention Mr. Laurens to the ministry, without his consent, and (without informing him that it was impossible that he should say any thing in the business) because he knew nothing of our instructions, because although it was possible that his being in such a commission might induce them to release him, yet it was also possible it might render them more difficult concerning his exchange.

The picture he gives of the situation of things in Eng

land is gloomy enough for them. The distresses of the people, and the distractions in administration and parliament, are such as may produce any effect almost that can be imagined.

The only use of all this, I think, is to strike decisive strokes at New York and Charleston. There is no position so advantageous for negociation, as when we have all an enemy's armies prisoners. I must beg the favor of you sir, to send me by one of count de Vergennes's couriers to the Duc la Vauguion, a copy in letters of our peace instructions. I have not been able to decypher one quarter part of mine. Some mistake has certainly been made.

Ten or eleven cities of Holland have declared themselves in favor of the American independence, and it is 1 expected that to-day or to-morrow this province will take the decisive resolution of admitting me to my audience. Perhaps some of the other provinces may delay it for three or four weeks. But the prince has declared that he has no hopes of resisting the torrent, and therefore that he shall not attempt it. The Duc de la Vauguion, has acted a very friendly and honorable part in this business, without however doing any ministerial act in it.

With great respect, &c.

JOHN ADAMS.

To R. R. Livingston, Esq. Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Passy, April 8, 1782.

SIR, SINCE my last an extraordinary revolution has taken 'place in the court of England. All the old ministers are out, and the chiefs of the opposition are in their places.. The newspapers that I send will give you the names as correctly as we yet know them; our last advices mention their kissing hands, but they had yet done nothing in their respective offices, by which one might judge of their projected measures, as whether they will ask a peace, of which they have great need, the nation having of late suffered

many losses, men grown extremely scarce, and lord North's new taxes, proposed as funds for the loan, meeting with great opposition; or whether they will strive to find new resources and obtain allies to enable them to please the king and nation, by some vigorous exertions against France, Spain and Holland. With regard to America having, while in opposition, carried the vote for making no longer an offensive war with us, they seem to have tied their own hands from acting against us. Their predecessors had been tampering with this court for a separate peace. The king's answer gave me great pleasure. It will be sent to M. de la Luzerne, and by him communicated to congress. None of their attempts to divide us, meet with the least encou ragement, and I imagine the present set will try other mea

sures.

My letters from Holland, give pleasing accounts of the rapid progress our affairs are making in that country. The packet from Mr. Dumas, which I forward with this, will give you the particulars.

Monsr. le prince de Broglie, will do me the favor of delivering this to you. He goes over to join the French army with the more pleasure, as it is employed in the cause of liberty, a cause he loves, and in establishing the interests of America, a country for which he has much regard and affection. I recommend him earnestly to the civilities and services it may be in your power to render him, and I request you would introduce him to the president of congress, and to the principal members civil and military.

Our excellent friend the marquis de la Fayette, will sail in about three weeks; by that time, we may have more interesting intelligence from England, and I shall write you

fully.

With

great esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

T

SIR,

To Robert Morris, Esq.

Passy, April 8, 1782.

The bills accepted by Mr. Jay, and afterwards protested for non-payment, are come and coming back to France and Holland, and I have ordered them to be taken up and discharged by our banker; I hope none will be returned to America.

There is a convoy just going, and another it is said will follow in about three weeks; by these two, I hope the best part if not all our goods will be got out.

Since my last of the 30th past, we hear that the old ministry are all out to a man, and that the new ministry has kissed hands, and were about to enter upon their respective functions, as yet we know nothing of their projects. They are all of them men who have in parliament, declared strongly against the American war, as unjust. Their predecessors made various separate and private essays to dispose us to quit France, and France to forsake us, but met with no encouragement. Before our friend the Marquis sails, we shall probably receive some interesting information, which I will take care to forward to you.

Our public affairs go on swimingly in Holland, and a treaty will probably soon be entered into between the two republics. I wish I could give you as good news of our private business; Mr. Barclay is still detained by it, and I am deprived of his assistance here.

This will be delivered to you by M. le prince de Broglie, who goes over to join the army of M. de Rochambeau. He bears an excellent character, is fond of America and its glorious cause, and will have great satisfaction in fighting for the establishment of liberty. I recommend him earnestly to those civilities, which I know you have a pleasure in shewing to strangers of merit and distinction.

Your two fine boys continue well. They dine with me every Sunday, being at school in my neighbourhood. With great esteem and regard, &c.

B. FRANKLIN,

To Robert R. Livingston, Esq. Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

SIR,

Passy, April 12, 1782.

Being at court on Tuesday, I learnt from the Dutch minister, that the new English ministry have offered, through the ministers of Russia, a cessation of arms to Holland, and a renewal of the treaty of 1674. M. de Berkenrode seemed to be of opinion, that the offer was intended to gain time to obstruct the concert of operations with France, for the ensuing campaign, and to prevent the conclusion of a treaty with America. It is apprehended, that it may have some effect in strengthening the hands of the English party in that country, and retard affairs a little; but it is hoped that the proposal will not be finally agreed to: it would indeed render the Dutch ridiculous.

A, having a cane in his hand, meets his neighbour B, who happens to have none, takes the advantage and gives him a sound drubbing; B, having found a stick, and coming to return the blows he received, A, says my old friend, why should we quarrel, we are neighbours, and let us be good ones, and live peaceably by each other, as we used to do: if B, is so easily satisfied and lays aside his stick, the rest of his neighbours as well as A, will laugh at him. This is the light in which I stated it. Enclosed I send you a copy of the proposition.

I see by the newspapers that the Spaniards having taken. a little post called St. Joseph, pretend to have made a conquest of the Illinois country. In what light does this proceeding appear to congress? While they decline our offered friendship, are they to be suffered to encroach on our bounds, and shut us up within the Apalachian mountains? I begin to fear they have some such project.

Having seen in the English prints, an article from Lisbon, that two American ships, under French colors, being arrived in that port were siezed by government. I asked the Portuguese embassador if it was true. He said he had no advice of it, as he certainly should have had, if such a thing had happened; he therefore did not give the least credit to