being in every respect the worst of mankind! I am obliged to you, however, for the friendly part you have always taken in the defence of my character; and it is indeed no small argument in my favour, that those who have known me most and longest, still love me and trust me with their most important interests, of which my election into the congress by the unanimous voice of the assembly, or parliament of Pennsylvania, the day after my arrival from England, and my present mission hither by the congress itself, are instances incontestable."

that has happened, and which is now so wide, that no endeavours of mine can possibly heal it. You know the treatment I met with from that imprudent court: but I keep a separate account of private injuries, which I may forgive; and I do not think it right to mix them with public affairs. Indeed there is no occasion for their aid to whet my resentment against a nation, that has burnt our defenceless towns in the midst of winter, has excited the savages to assassinate our innocent farmers with their wives and children, and our slaves to murder their masters! It would therefore be deceiving you, if I suffered you to remain in the supposition you have taken Dr. Franklin was privately received with up, that I am come to Europe to make peace: every demonstration of regard and respect by I am in fact ordered hither by the congress the minister for foreign affairs, monsieur le for a very different purpose; viz. to procure compte de Vergennes; who assured him and such aids from European powers, for enabling the other American commissioners, that they us to defend our freedom and independence, should personally enjoy in France "all the which it is certainly their interest to grant; security and all the good offices which stranas by that means the great and rapidly grow-gers could receive."* ing trade of America will be open to them all, and not a monopoly to Great Britain as heretofore: a monopoly, that if she is suffered again to possess, will be such an increase of her strength by sea, and if she can reduce us again to submission, she will have thereby so great an addition to her strength by land, as will, together, make her the most formidable power the world has yet seen; and from her natural pride and insolence in prosperity, of all others the most intolerable.""

To the same.

You desire to know my opinion of what will probably be the end of this war; and whether our new establishments will not thereby reduced again to deserts. I do not, for my part, apprehend much danger of So great an evil to us. I think we shall be able, with a little help, to defend ourselves, our possessions, and our liberties so long, that England will be ruined by persisting in the wicked attempt to destroy them. I must nevertheless regret that ruin, and wish that her injustice and tyranny had not deserved it: and I sometimes flatter myself that, old as I am, may possibly live to see my country settled in peace and prosperity, when Britain shall nake no more a formidable figure among the powers of Europe.

"You put me in mind of an apology for my Conduct, which has been expected from me, in answer to the abuses thrown upon me before the privy council. It was partly written, but the affairs of public importance I have been ever since engaged in, prevented my finishing it. The injuries too that my country has suffered, have absorbed private resentments, and made it appear trifling for an individual to trouble the world with his particular justification, when all his compatriots were stigmatized by the king and parliament as VOL. I....T 13

A conviction of the advantages to be derived from a commercial intercourse with America, and a desire of weakening the British empire, by dismembering it, induced the French court secretly to give assistance in military stores to the Americans, and to listen to proposals of an alliance. But they at first showed rather a reluctance to the latter measure, which, however, by Dr. Franklin's address, aided by a subsequent important success attending the American arms, was eventually

overcome.

The American commissioners began privately to grant letters of marque to a number of French American privateers, which harassed the English coasting trade, intercepted a great number of British merchant vessels, and took many prisoners. Lord Stormont, his Britannic majesty's ambassador at Versailles, when applied to by the American commissioners relative to an exchange of those prisoners, haughtily and unfeelingly gave them for answer, "that he received no letters from rebels, unless they were to petition his majes ty's pardon!!" or words to that effect. His lordship presented several memorials to the French minister, complaining of the equipment of American vessels in the ports of France, bringing in of their prizes, &c., and of the assistance France was underhandedly affording the insurgents; demanding at the same time a catagorical answer respecting such conduct.

On this occasion, count de Vergennes affected to remonstrate with the American commissioners, and on the 16th July, 1777, wrote to them that they had exceeded the bounds limited at their first interview with him, which were expressly, "That the navigation and commerce with the Americans, should

faisons éprouver aux étrangers."

"Toute la sureté et tous les agréments que nous y

obtain all the facilities in France which were compatible with the due observance of her treaties with England; that to these principles the king would religiously adhere."*

66

to the French ministry, "that there was not a moment to be lost, if they wished to secure the friendship of America, and detach her entirely from the mother-country." Urged by these considerations, and fearful lest an accommodation might take place between Great Britain and her colonies, the court of France instantly determined to declare its intentions, and accordingly on the 6th December, 1777, monsieur Gerard, secretary to the council of state, repaired to the hotel of the American commissioners, and informed them, by order of the king, "that after a long and mature deliberation upon their propositions, his majesty had determined to recognize the independence of, and to enter into a treaty of commerce and alliance with, the United States of America; and that he would not only acknowledge their independence, but actually support it with all the means in his power: that perhaps he was about to engage himself in an expensive war upon their account, but that he did not expect to be reimbursed by them: in fine, the Americans were not to think that he had entered into this resolution solely with a view of serving them, since independently of his real attachment to them and their cause, it was evidently the interest of France to diminish the power of England, by severing her colonies from her."

This remonstrance might also in some measure have been influenced by the very unfavourable accounts latterly received from America, and which bore a most unpromising aspect for the success of the American cause. In England it was generally thought, even by the friends of America, that her struggle for independence was at an end, and that nothing was left for her but unconditional submission. Dr. Fothergill, a particular friend of Dr. Franklin, and a well-wisher to America, in a letter to his nephew, Mr. John Chorley, dated June, 1777, written with a view to its being communicated to Dr. Franklin, (which it shortly after was,) thus expresses himself:Should thy friend think proper to go to Passy, he may say to Dr. Franklin, that if he has enemies in this country, he has also friends; and must not forget these, because the former are ignorant and malicious, yet all-powerful. He will doubtless inform the doctor, that there remains not a doubt on this side the water, that American resistance is all at an end-that the shadow of congressional authority scarce exists-that a general defection from that body is apparent-that their troops desert by shoals-that the officers are discontented-that no new levies can be made-that nothing can withstand the British forces, and prevent them from being masters of the whole continent; in short, that the war is at an end, and that nothing remains to be done, but to divide the country among the conquerors. This is the general language; and that neither France nor Spain will afford them any other than a kind of paralytic aid; enough to enable them to protract a few months longer a miserable existence!" In the midst of this supposed gloomy state This forms a memorable epoch in the poof affairs in America, the news of the surren-litical life of Dr. Franklin, as well as in the der of the British army, commanded by gene- annals of the United States, because it was in ral Burgoyne, to that of the Americans under a great measure owing to the aid derived from general Gates, at Saratoga, on the 17th Octo- this powerful alliance, that the American ber, 1777, arrived in France; and at the very colonies were enabled to resist the mother moment when the French cabinet was as yet country, and eventually to establish their inundecided in regard to the steps to be adopted dependence. relative to the United States. This memorable event immediately turned the scale, and fixed the French nation in their attachment to the infant republic.

In consequence of this amicable and frank declaration, treaties were soon after entered upon with monsieur Gerard, who, on the 30th of January, 1778, had received two distinct commissions from the king for that purpose: and on the 6th day of February following, a treaty of amity and commerce, and another of alliance eventual and defensive, between his most Christian majesty and the thirteen United States of North America, were concluded and signed at Paris by the respective plenipotentiaries.

It was mutually agreed that these treaties should be kept secret till the ratifications were exchanged; but some time after, accounts having been received of the intention The news of the defeat and capture of this of the English ministry to send lord Carlisle, British general and his whole army, was re- Mr. W. Eden, and governor Johnstone as adceived in France with as great demonstra-ditional commissioners to America, to be jointions of joy, as if it had been a victory gained by their own arms. Dr. Franklin took advantage of this circumstance, and suggested

"Que le navigation et commerce Américans éprouveroient toutes les facilities en France, qui seroient compatibles avec l'exacte observance de ses traits

avec l'Angleterre; qu'il étoit dans les principes du roi de remplir religieusement."

ed to the commanders-in-chief of the British land and sea forces there, with full powers to treat, settle, and agree on terms, even with congress, but subject to the confirmation of parliament; the French government, with the view to counteract any favourable result to Great Britain from this project, immediately

instructed their ambassador at St. James's ed for him in the passage, and hailed him with (the marquis de Noailles) to communicate their acclamations." officially to the English government, that the abovementioned treaties had been concluded and signed. On this the British cabinet instantly dispatched instructions to lord Stormont, to withdraw from the court of France, without taking leave; and this having been intimated to the marquis de Noailles, he left England about the same time.

measure shall be agreeable to, and supported by, the courts of France and Spain.'

"It is understood that the strictest union subsists between those two courts; and in case Spain and France should think fit to attempt the conquest of the English sugar islands, the congress have further proposed to furnish provisions to the amount of two millions of dollars, and to join the fleet employed on the occasion, with six frigates of not less than twenty-four guns each, manned and fitted for service; and to render any other assistance which may be in their power, as becomes good allies; without desiring for themselves the possession of any of the said islands.

"These propositions are subject to discussion, and to receive such modifications as may be found proper.

"With great respect I have the honour to be, your excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.”

him by sending him to the other end of the world; and for that purpose scruple not to recommend him to those they wish should recommend him to others, as un bon sujetplein de merite,' &c. &c. In consequence of my crediting such recommendations, my own are out of credit, and I cannot advise any body to have the least dependence on them. If, after knowing this, you persist in desiring my recommendation for this person, who is known neither to me nor to you, I will give it, though, as I said before, I ought to refuse it.

some officer or officer's friend, who as soon as
I am put in good humour by a glass or two of
champaigne, begins his attack upon me.
Luckily I do not often in my sleep dream of
these vexatious situations, or I should be
afraid of what are now my only hours of
comfort. If therefore you have the least re-
maining kindness for me, if you would not
help to drive me out of France, for God's sake,
my dear friend, let this your twenty-third ap-
plication be your last. Yours, &c.
"B. FRANKLIN."

The following letter, on the same subject,

"These applications are my perpetual torment. People will believe (notwithstanding was addressed by Dr. Franklin to an impertinent and unknown applicant; and contains my repeated declarations to the contrary,) that I am sent hither to engage officers.-In some wholesome advice in a tart and pithy truth I never had any such orders. It was style. never so much as intimated to me that it would be agreeable to my constituents. I have even received for what I have done of the kind, not indeed an absolute rebuke, but some pretty strong hints of disapprobation. Not a day passes in which I have not a number of soliciting visits, besides letters. If I could gratify all or any of them it would be a pleasure. I might indeed give them the recommendation, and the promises they desire, and thereby please them for the present; but when the certain disappointment of the expectations with which they will so obstinately flatter themselves shall arrive, they must curse me for complying with their mad requests, and not undeceiving them; and will become so many enemies to our cause and country. You can have no conception how I am harassed. All my friends are sought out and teazed to teaze me. Great officers of all ranks in all departments, ladies great and small, besides professed solicitors, worry me from morning to night. The noise of every coach now that enters my court, terrifies me. I am afraid to accept an invitation to dine abroad, being almost sure of meeting with

"PASSY, near Paris, April 6, 1777. "SIR,-I have just been honoured with a letter from you, dated the 26th past, in which you express yourself as astonished, and appear to be angry that you have no answer to a letter you wrote me of the 11th of December, which you are sure was delivered to me.

"In exculpation of myself, I assure you that I never received any letter from you of this date. And indeed, being then but four days landed at Nantes, I think you could scarce have heard so soon of my being in Europe.

*For cases of this kind, and where it was absolutely impossible to refuse, Dr. Franklin drew up the follow ing as a model for such letters of recommendation, and actually employed it in some instances, to shame the persons making such indiscreet applications; and to endeavour in some measure to put a stop to them. Model of a Letter of Recommendation of a person you are unacquainted with.

PARIS, April 2, 1777.

SIR,--The bearer of this, who is going to America, presses me to give him a letter of recommendation, though I know nothing of him, not even his name. This may seem extraordinary, but I assure you it is known person brings another equally unknown to recommend him; and sometimes they recommend one another! As to this gentleman, I must refer you to himself for his character and merits, with which he is certainly better acquainted than I can possibly be; I recommend him however to those civilities which every stranger, of whom one knows no harm, has a right to, and I request you will do him all the good offices and show him all the favour that, on further acquaintance, you shall find him to deserve. I have the honour to be, &c.

not uncommon here. Sometimes, indeed, one un

"But I received one from you of the 8th of January, which I own I did not answer. It may displease you if I give you the reason; but as it may be of use to you in your future correspondences, I will hazard that for a gentleman to whom I feel myself obliged, as an American, on account of his good will to our

cause.

"Whoever writes to a stranger should observe three points: 1. That what he proposes be practicable. His propositions should be made in explicit terms, so as to be easily understood. 3. What he desires, should be in itself reasonable. Hereby he will give a favourable impression of his understanding, and create a desire of further acquaintance. Now it happened that you were negligent in all these points: for first, you desired to have means procured for you of taking a voyage to America avec sureté;' which is not possible, as the dangers of the sea subsist always, and at present there is the additional danger of being taken by the English. Then you desire that this may be 'sans trop grandes dépenses,' which is not intelligible enough to be answered, because, not knowing your ability of bearing expenses, one cannot judge what may be trop grandes. Lastly, you desire letters of address to the congress and to general Washington; which it is not reasonable to ask of one who knows no more of you than that your name is LITH, and that you live at BAYREUTH.

"In your last, you also express yourself in