fidence of nations, her parliaments must be free and independent and the same measure which gives independency to the English parliament, will, under God's providence, restore to us peace with America and with all the world. < "I write not thus, induced thereto solely from an attachment to my native soil-the world is my country-and the region which is the seat of freedom has in my eyes charms more attractive than my native soil. I write not thus from an attachment to a favorite measure, but from a full conviction that such a preliminary as I have mentioned, being inserted in every proposition for peace on the part of America, would lay a lasting foundation for that peace--and would be a perpetual security that the independence, which América so justly claims, and in the establishment of which every nation under Heaven is interested, would never be brought into question to the end of time.

The sum and substance of what I urge is this-That as a more equal representation of the English people, in annual parliaments, is a point essential to the restoration of our freedom; it is equally essential, as a foundation for a federal union with the American states.

After all the changes in the affairs of men, whether they be revolutions in the fortunes of nations, or of individuals, are in the hands of Providence; and are directed by its resistless power to the general good. That good will finally prevail, whatever the hearts and heads of politicians may devise. The only differences will be, a difference in the time and manner in which the ends of providence are brought to pass; and a difference in the final fate of those who are employed as the means of their accomplishment.

The fell destroyers of their species shall see their measures, though planned with Machiavelian policy, and for a

of

time successful, finally abortive-failing in the attainment of the evil wished for, and productive of the good they hate On the contrary, if virtue, honor, zeal for the interests four country and of human kind form the outline of the character, the agent of heaven will be renowned in his day; and long futurity, through every successive age, shall impart increase of glory. The joys of self-complacency shall gild the evening of his days, They will also be the earnest of an happiness which will know no boundsus as JOHN JEBBON gnad bauerfasnt evi

TO SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, ESQ. bətə Capture of Mr. Laurens. Confined in the Tower of

in Sou9, 199999 London, &c.

2009', 19999 9999980190 19q 5 #1 bluow. [EXTRACT]

"The news

Passy, Dec. 3, 1780 MA

2ws of Mr. Laurens being taken, myst have reached you loug since. He is confined in the Tower but of late has some more liberty for taking air and exercise than first was allowed him. Certain papers found with him relating to the drafts of a treaty proposed in Holland, have been sent over to the stadtholder, who laid them before their high mightinesses, who communicated them to the government of the city of Amsterdam; which justified the transaction. This has drawn from England, a memorial delivered by Sir Joseph Yorke, demanding that the pensionary and magistrates of that city should be punished; and declaring that the king will resent a refusal of the states to comply with this demand. What answer will be given to this insolent memorial we do not yet know. But I hear it has produced much displeasure in Holland, and it is thought to have occasioned a more prompt accession to the armed neutrality which had before

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met with obstructions from the English party there."
B. FRANKLIN.

itibus pose To Count de VERGENNES.

31 of gula. The d. dept AC $... SIR Passy, Feb. 13, 1781. P1I have just received from Congress their letter for the king, which I have the honor of putting herewith into the hands of your excellency. 6 of ampum sii

.

I am charged at the same time to represent in the strongest terms the unalterable resolution of the United States, to maintain their liberties and independence, and inviolably to adhere to the alliance at every hazard, and in every event; and that the misfortunes of the last campaign, instead of repressing, have redoubled their ardor; that congress are resolved to employ every resource in their power to expel the enemy from every part of the United States, by the most vigorous and decisive co-ope ration with the marine and other forces of their illustrious, ally that, they have accordingly called on the several states, for a powerful army and ample supplies of provisions; and that the states are disposed effectually to comply with their requisitions.

A

That if in aid of their own exertions, the court of France, can be prevailed on to assume a naval superiority in the American seas, to furnish the arms, ammunition, and clothing specified in the estimate heretofore transmit ted, and to assist with the loan mentioned in the letter, they flatter, themselves that under the divine blessing, the wari must speedily be terminated with glory and advantage to both nations. By several letters to me from intelligent persons it appears, that the great and expensive exertions of the last year, by which a force was, assembled capable of facing the enemy, and which accordingly drew towards New York, and lay long near that city, were rendered inef

fectual by the superiority of the enemy at sea, and that their success in Carolina, had been chiefly owing to that superiority, and to the want of the necessary means for furnishing, marching, and paying the expense of troops, sufficient to defend that province.

The marquis de la Fayette, writes to me that it is im possible to conceive, without seeing it, the distress the troops have suffered for want of clothing, and the following is a paragraph of a letter from General Washington, which I ought not to keep back from your excellency, viz.

I doubt not you are so fully informed by congress of our political and military state, that it would be superfluous to trouble you with any thing relative to either. If I were to speak on topics of the kind, it would be to show, that our present situation makes one of two things essential to us-a peace--or the most vigorous aid of our allies, particularly in the article of money; of their disposition to serve us we cannot doubt:" their generosity wille do every thing their means will permit."

:

They had in America great expectations, I know not on what foundation, that a considerable supply of money would be obtained from Spain, but that expectation has failed and the force of that nation in those seas has been employed to reduce small forts in Florida, without render ing any direct assistance to the United States; and indeed the long delay of that court in acceding to the treaty of commerce, begins to have the appearance of its not inclining to have any connection with us; so that for effectual friendship, and for the aid so necessary in the present conjuncture, we can rely on France alone, and in the continuance of the king's goodness towards us. edg

I am grown old, I feel myself much enfeebled by my VOL. L.

2 G

late long illness, and it is probable I shall not long have any more concern in these affairs. I therefore take this

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1919

occasion to express my opinion to your excellency, that the present conjuncture is critical; that there is some danger lest the congress should lose its influence over the people, if it is found unable to procure the aids that are wanted; and that the whole system of the new govern ment in America may thereby be shaken.

W

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That if the English are suffered once to recover that country, such an opportunity of effectual separation as the present, may not occur again in the course of ages; and that the possession of those fertile and extensive ions, and that vast sea coast, will afford them so broad a basis for future greatness, by the rapid growth of their commerce, and breed of seamen and soldiers, as will enable them to become the terror of Europe, and to exercise with impunity that insolence which is so natural to their nation, and which will encrease enormously with the increase I am with great respect, &c. 2017

their power,

B. FRANKLIN.

To HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN ADAMS, ESQ.

of

Duties on American Exports, &c tihum vot

"I have with you no doubt that America will be easily able to pay off not only the interest but the principal of all the debt she may contract in this war. But whether duties upon her exports will be the best method of doing it, is a question I am not so clear in. England raised indeed a great revenue by duties on tobacco. But it was by virtue of a prohibition of foreign tobaccos, and