1482. TO JOHN PAUL JONES 1 1 Passy, March 4, 1784. SIR:- I return herewith the paper you communicated to me yesterday. I perceive by the extract from M. de Sartine's letter that it was his intention that all the charges which had accrued upon the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough should be deducted from the prize-money payable to the captors, particularly the expense of victualling the seamen and prisoners, and that the liquidation of those charges should be referred to me. This liquidation, however, never was referred to me, and, if it had been, I should have been cautious of acting in it, having received no power from the captors, either French or Americans, authorizing me to decide upon anything respecting their interests. And I certainly should not have agreed to charge the American captors with any part of the expense of maintaining the 600 prisoners in Holland till they should be exchanged for Americans in England, as was your intention, and as we both had been made to expect. With great esteem I have the honour to be, etc., B. FRANKLIN. 1483. TO BENJAMIN VAUGHAN 2 DEAR SIR, Passy, March 5, 1784. You mention, that I may now see verified all you said about binding down England to so hard a peace. I suppose you do 1 Printed from "The Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin" (Bigelow), Vol. VIII, p. 452. — ED. 2 From "The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin" (1818), Vol. I, p. 457.- Ed. not mean by the American treaty; for we were exceeding favourable, in not insisting on the reparations so justly due for the wanton burnings of our fine towns, and devastations of our plantations in a war, now universally allowed to have been originally unjust. I may add, that you will also see verified all I said about the article respecting the royalists, that it will occasion more mischief than it was intended to remedy, and that it would have been better to have omitted all mention of them. England might have rewarded them according to their merits at no very great expense. After the harms they had done to us, it was imprudent to insist on our doing them good. I am sorry for the overturn you mention of those beneficial systems of commerce, that would have been exemplary to mankind. The making England entirely a free port would have been the wisest step ever taken for its advantage. I wish much to see what you say a respectable friend of mine has undertaken to write respecting the peace. It is a pity it has been delayed. If it had appeared earlier, it might have prevented much mischief, by securing our friends in their situations; for we know not who will succeed them, nor what credit they will hold. By my doubts of the propriety of my going soon to London, I meant no reflection on my friends or yours. If I had any call there besides the pleasure of seeing those whom I love, I should have no doubts. If I live to arrive there, I shall certainly embrace your kind invitation, and take up my abode with you. Make my compliments and respects acceptable to Mrs. Vaughan. I know not what foundation there can be for saying that I abuse England as much as before the peace. I am not apt, I think, to be abusive; of the two, I had rather be abused. Enclosed are the letters you desire. I wish to hear from you more frequently, and to have, through you, such new pamphlets, as you may think worth my reading. I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately, B. FRANKLIN 1484. TO COMTE DE VERGENNES (A. P. S.) Passy, March 5, 1784. SIR, I received the letter which your Excellency did me the honour of writing to me,' respecting the necessity of producing legal proof of the arrangement made with the creditors mentioned in Mr. Williams' state of his affairs. I am much obliged by the attention you are so good as to afford this business on my recommendation, and I send herewith the original of those arrangements, for your inspection. With great respect, I am, sir, etc., B. FRANKLIN. P. S. These papers being Mr. Williams' only discharge, he requests they may be returned to him after examination. SIR, 1485. TO CHARLES THOMSON 2 Passy, March 9, 1784. I received a few days since a letter from Annapolis, dated June the 5th, in your handwriting, but not signed, acquaint 1 A letter dated March 4, 1784, and written in reply to Franklin's letter of February 26, 1784. — Ed. 2 From "Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States" (Sparks), Vol. I, p. 377.- ED. ing the Commissioners with the causes of delay in sending the ratification of the definitive treaty. The term was expired before that letter came to hand; but I hope no difficulty will arise from a failure in a point not essential, and which was occasioned by accidents. I have just received from Mr. Hartley a letter on the subject, of which I enclose a copy. We have had a terrible winter, too, here, such as the oldest men do not remember, and indeed it has been very severe all over Europe. I have exchanged ratifications with the ambassador of Sweden, and enclose a copy of that I received from him. Mr. Jay is lately returned from England. Mr. Laurens is still there, but proposes departing for America next month, as does also Mr. Jay, with his family. Mr. Adams is in Holland, where he has been detained by business and bad weather. These absences have occasioned some delays in our business, but not of much importance. The war long expected between the Turks and Russians. is prevented by a treaty, and it is thought an accommodation will likewise take place between them and the Emperor. Everything here continues friendly and favourable to the United States. I am pestered continually with numbers of letters from people in different parts of Europe, who would go to settle in America, but who manifest very extravagant expectations, such as I can by no means encourage, and who appear otherwise to be very improper persons. To save myself trouble, I have just printed some copies of the enclosed little piece, which I purpose to send hereafter in answer to such letters. Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to Congress, and believe me to be, with sincere esteem, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN. VOL. IX-N 1486. TO HENRY LAURENS (L. C.) Passy, March 12th, 1784 DEAR SIR:- I received your kind letter by Mr. Chollet with the Pamphlets and newspapers, and since, a paper of the 5th, which came under cover to Mr. Grand. I am much obliged to you for these Communications. Your sentiments and mine respecting the continual Drafts on Europe coincide perfectly. I have just received a letter from Mr. Carmichael dated the 14th past, in which he says; "Bills from Congress come to hand from time to time, some of which Mr. M. has advised me of; the others I am at a loss what to do with; but having no Instructions to the contrary I cannot refuse accepting them. I should be glad to know your sentiments thereon." All I can say to him in answer is, that it will behove him to consider where he can find Funds for Payment, since there is not the smallest Probability that I shall be able to assist him from hence. Sure it must be some unavoidable necessity that induces so prudent a Man as Mr. Morris to take such Measures: and the several States must be much to blame to leave him under that necessity. I heartily wish you success in your Endeavors to recover your £2,800 from the Treasury. I know too well the Dexterity of that Board (Dexterity is acquired by much Practice) in fighting off Payments, not to think you very lucky if you can obtain your Right by only mounting twice more their 70 steps. The Commission for a Commercial Treaty, ordered to be prepared by the Vote of May last, is indeed not yet come to hand; but by their sending us repeatedly Copies of that |