is likely to be advantageous, and may proceed on surer grounds. England has now acknowledged our independence, and the sovereignty of our government; and several states of Europe who think a commerce with us may be beneficial to them are preparing to send ministers to reside near the Congress. It is possible to establish a profitable trade between the kingdom of Naples and America. Should your court be of that opinion, and think fit to employ some one to visit our several States and take information of our productions and wants, the nature of our commerce, etc., etc., perhaps it could not find a fitter person than yourself for such a mission. I would afford you all the assistance in my power towards its due execution, and by this means your voyage would not only be without expense to you, but might afford you some profit. SIR, 1385. TO RICHARD OSWALD (LANS.) Passy, January 14, 1783. I am much obliged by your Information of your intended Trip to England. I heartily wish you a good Journey and a speedy Return, and request your kind Care of a Packet for Mr. Hodgson. I inclose two Papers, that were read at different times by me to the Commissioners; they may serve to show, if you should have occasion, what was urged on the Part of America on certain Points; or may help to refresh your Memory. I send you also another Paper, which I once read to you separately. It contains a Proposition for improving the Law order, and so much injustice is committed in the execution of them, that I have been sometimes inclined to imagine less would exist in the world if there were no such laws, and the punishment of injuries were left to private resentment. I am glad, therefore, that you have not suffered yourself to be discouraged by any objections or apprehensions, and that we may soon expect the satisfaction of seeing the two volumes on that subject which you have now under the press.1 With regard to your project of removing to America, though I am sure that a person of your knowledge, just sentiments, and useful talents would be a valuable acquisition for our country, I cannot encourage you to undertake hastily such a voyage; because for a man to expatriate himself is a serious business, and should be well considered, especially where the distance is so great and the expense of removing thither with a family, of returning if the country should not suit you, will be so heavy. I have no orders or authority of any kind to encourage strangers with expectations of employment by our government, nor am I empowered to be at any expense in transporting them; though our country is open, and strangers may establish themselves there, where they soon become citizens and are respected according to their conduct. Men know, because they feel, the inconveniences of their present situation; but they do not know those that may, if they change, attend the new one. I wish, therefore, you could see that country by yourself before you carry thither the lady with whom you propose to be united in marriage. You will then be able to form a good judgment how far the removal 2 In 1783 Filangieri married Caroline de Frendel, governess of the infanta, the second daughter of the King of Naples. — ED. is likely to be advantageous, and may proceed on surer grounds. England has now acknowledged our independence, and the sovereignty of our government; and several states of Europe who think a commerce with us may be beneficial to them are preparing to send ministers to reside near the Congress. It is possible to establish a profitable trade between the kingdom of Naples and America. Should your court be of that opinion, and think fit to employ some one to visit our several States and take information of our productions and wants, the nature of our commerce, etc., etc., perhaps it could not find a fitter person than yourself for such a mission. I would afford you all the assistance in my power towards its due execution, and by this means your voyage would not only be without expense to you, but might afford you some profit. SIR, 1385. TO RICHARD OSWALD (LANS.) Passy, January 14, 1783. I am much obliged by your Information of your intended Trip to England. I heartily wish you a good Journey and a speedy Return, and request your kind Care of a Packet for Mr. Hodgson. I inclose two Papers, that were read at different times by me to the Commissioners; they may serve to show, if you should have occasion, what was urged on the Part of America on certain Points; or may help to refresh your Memory. I send you also another Paper, which I once read to you separately. It contains a Proposition for improving the Law of Nations, by prohibiting the Plundering of unarmed and usefully employed People. I rather wish than expect, that it will be adopted. But I think it may be offered with a better Grace by a Country, that is likely to suffer least and gain most by continuing the ancient Practice; which is our Case, as the American Ships, laden only with the gross Productions of the Earth, cannot be so valuable as yours, filled with Sugars or with Manufactures. It has not yet been considered by my Colleagues, but if you should think or find that it might be acceptable on your Side, I would try to get it inserted in the general Treaty. I think it will do honour to the Nations that establish it. With great and sincere Esteem, I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant, B. FRANKLIN. Propositions relative to Privateering, communicated to Mr. Oswald. It is for the interest of humanity in general, that the occasions of war, and the inducements to it, should be diminished. If rapine is abolished, one of the encouragements to war is taken away, and peace therefore more likely to continue and be lasting. The practice of robbing merchants on the high seas, a remnant of the ancient piracy, though it may be accidentally beneficial to particular persons, is far from being profitable to all engaged in it, or to the nation that authorizes it. In the beginning of a war, some rich ships, not upon their guard, are surprised and taken. This encourages the first adven turers to fit out more armed vessels, and many others to do the same. But the enemy at the same time become more careful, arm their merchant ships better, and render them not so easy to be taken; they go also more under protection of convoys; thus, while the privateers to take them are multiplied, the vessels subject to be taken, and the chances of profit, are diminished, so that many cruises are made, wherein the expenses overgo the gains; and, as is the case in other lotteries, though particulars have got prizes, the mass of adventurers are losers, the whole expense of fitting out all the privateers, during a war, being much greater than the whole amount of goods taken. Then there is the national loss of all the labour of so many men during the time they have been employed in robbing; who, besides, spend what they get in riot, drunkenness, and debauchery, lose their habits of industry, are rarely fit for any sober business after a peace, and serve only to increase the number of highwaymen and housebreakers. Even the undertakers, who have been fortunate, are by sudden wealth led into expensive living, the habit of which continues when the means of supporting it ceases, and finally ruins them; a just punishment for their having wantonly and unfeelingly ruined many honest, innocent traders and their families, whose subsistence was employed in serving the common interests of mankind. Should it be agreed and become a part of the law of nations, that the cultivators of the earth are not to be molested or interrupted in their peaceable and useful employment, the inhabitants of the sugar islands would perhaps come under the protection of such a regulation, which would be a great advantage to the nations who at present hold those islands, since the cost of sugar to the consumer in those nations consists |