me copies of the correspondence, desiring I would communicate them to congress, and I send them herewith. Mr. Adams did not shew me his letters before he sent them. I have in a former letter to Mr. Lovell, mentioned some of the inconveniences that attend the having more than one minister at the same court, one of which inconveniences is, that they do not hold the same language, and that the impressions made by the one, and intended for the sense of his constituents, may be effaced by the discourse of the other. It is true that Mr. Adams' proper business is elsewhere, but the time not being come for that business, and having nothing else here wherewith to employ himself, he seems to have endeavored supplying what he may suppose my negociations defective in. He thinks, as he tells me himself, that America has been too free in expressions of gratitude to France, for that she is more obliged to us than we areto her, and that we should shew spirit in our applications. I apprehend that he mistakes his ground, and that this court is to be treated with decency and delicacy. The king, a young and virtuous prince, has I am persuaded, in reflecting on the generous benevolence of the action in assisting an oppressed people, and proposes it as a part of the glory of his reign. I think it right to increase this pleasure by our thankful acknowlegements, and that such an expression of gratitude, is not only our duty but our interest. A different conduct seems to me what is not only improper and unbecoming, but what may be hurtful to us. Mr. Adams on the other hand, who at the same time means our welfare and interest as much as I or any man can do, seems to think a little apparent stoutness and greater air of independence and boldness in our demands, will procure us more ample assistance. It is for the congress to judge and regu late their affairs accordingly. M. de Vergennes who appears much offended, told me yesterday that he would enter into no further discussions with Mr. Adams, nor answer

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any more of his letters. He is gone to Holland to try, as he told me, whether something might not be done to render us a little less dependant on France. He says the idea of this court and those of the people in America, are so totally different, as that it is impossible for any minister to please both. He ought to know America better than I do, having been there lately, and he may chuse to do what he thinks will best please the people of America: but when I consider the expressions of congress in many of their public acts, and particularly in their letter to the chevalier de la Luzerne, of the 24th May last, I cannot but imagine that he mistakes the sentiments of a few for a general opinion. It is my intention while I stay here, to procure what advantages I can for our country, by endeavoring to please this court, and I wish I could prevent any thing being said by any of our countrymen here that may have a contrary effect, and increase an opinion lately shewing itself in Paris, that we seek a difference, and with a view of reconciling ourselves to England, some of them have of late been very indiscreet in their conversations.

I have received eight months after their date, the instructions of congress relating to a new article for guaranteeing the fisheries. The expected negotiations for a peace appearing of late more remote, and being too much occupied with other affairs, I have not hitherto proposed that article; but I purpose doing it next week. It appears so reasonable and equitable, that I do not foresee any difficulty. In my next I shall give you an accouut of what passes on the occasion.

The silver medal ordered for the chevalier de Fleury, has been delivered to his order here, he being gone to America. The others for brigadier general Wayne and colonel Stuart, I shall send by the next good opportunity.

The two thousand pounds I furnished to Messrs. Adams and Jay, agreeable to an order of congress for themselves and secretaries, being nearly expended, and no supplies to them arriving, I have thought it my duty to furnish them with further sums, hoping the supplies promised will soon

arrive, to reimburse me and to enable me to pay the bills drawn on Mr. Laurens, in Holland, which I have engaged for, to save the public credit; the holders of those bills threatening otherwise to protest them. Messrs. De Neufville of Amsterdam had accepted of them. I have promised those gentlemen to provide for the payment before they become due, and to accept such others, as shall be presented to me. I hear, and hope it is true, that the drawing of such bills is stopt, and that their number and value is not very great.

The bills drawn in favor of M. de Beaumarchais, for the interest of his debt are paid.

The German prince who gave me a proposal some months since, for furnishing troops to the congress, has lately desired an answer. I gave no expectation that it was likely you would agree to such a proposal, but they being pressed to send it you, it went with some of my former letters.

M. Fouquet who was employed by congress, to instruct people in making gunpowder, is arrived here after a long passage; he has requested me to transmit a memorial to congress, which I do enclose.

The great public event in Europe of this year, is the proposal by Russia of an armed neutrality, for protecting the liberty of commerce. The proposition is accepted now by most of the maritime powers. As it is likely to become the law of nations that free ships should make free goods, I wish the congress to consider whether it may not be proper to give orders to their cruizers not to molest foreign ships, but to conform to the spirit of that treaty of neutrality.

The English have been much elated with their success at Charleston. The late news of the junction of the French and Spanish fleets, has a little abated their spirits, and I hope that junction and the arrival of the French troops and ships in North America, will soon produce news that may afford us also in our turn some satisfaction.

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Application has been made here, requesting that I would solicit congress to permit the exchange of William John Mawhood, a lieutenant in the seventeenth regiment, taken prisoner at Stony Point, July 15th, 1779, and confined near Philadelphia: or if the exchange cannot conveniently be made, that he may be permitted to return to England on his parole. By doing this at my request, the congress will enable me to oblige several friends of ours, who are persons of merit and distinction in this country.

Be pleased, sir, to present my duty to congress, and be. lieve me to be, with great respect, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. A similar application has been made to me in favor of Richard Croft, lieutenant in the 20th regiment, a prisoner at Charlotteville. I shall be much obliged by any kindness shewn to that young gentleman, and so will some friends of ours in England, who respect his father.

SIR,

To James Lovell, Esq.

Passy, August 10, 1780.

I received on the 12th June, 1780, copies of your several favors of April 29th, 1779; June 13th, 1779; July 9th and 16th, August 6, and September 16th, 1779. You will see by this, what delays our correspondence sometimes meets with. I have lately received two of fresher date, viz. February 24 and May 4. I thank you much for the newspapers and journals you have from time to time sent me. I endeavor to make full returns in the same way. I could furnish a multitude of dispatches with confidential information, taken out of the papers I send you, if I chose to deal in that kind of manufacture. I know the whole art of it, for I have had several volunteer correspondents in England, who have in their letters for years together, communicated to me secrets of state extracted from the newspapers, which sometimes come to hand, in those papers by the same post, and sometimes by the post before, you and I send the

papers themselves. Our letters may appear the leaner, but what fat they have is their own.

I wrote to you the 17th October, and the 16th of March, and have sent duplicates, some of which I hope got to hand. You mention receiving one of September 30th, and one of December 30th, but not that of October the 17th. The cypher you have communicated, either from some defect in your explanation or in my comprehension, is not yet of use to me, for I cannot understand by it the little specimen you have wrote in it. If you have that of M. Dumas, which I left with Mr. Morris, we may correspond by it, when a few sentences only are required to be writ in cypher; but it is too tedious for a whole letter.

I send herewith copies of the instruments annulling, the 11th and 12th articles of the treaty. The treaty printed here by the court omitted them, and numbered the subsequent articles accordingly.

I write fully to the president. The frequent hindrances the committee of correspondence meet with in writing as a committee, which appears from the excuses in your parti cular letters, and the many parts of my letters that have long been unanswered, incline me to think that your foreign correspondence would be best managed by one secretary, who could write when he had an opportunity, without waiting for the concurrence or opinions of his brethren, who cannot always be conveniently got together. My chief letters will therefore, for the future, be addressed to the president, till further orders.

..

I send you enclosed some more of . letters." He continues passionately to desire peace with America; but wishes we could be separated from France.

With great esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

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