FROM COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. Translation. SIR, Versailles, 24 February, 1782. You will find enclosed an official despatch,* which has been sent me from the court of Copenhagen, respecting some excesses, that are said to have been committed near the coast of Norway by three American vessels. I make no doubt but you will take the earliest opportunity to transmit it to Congress, that they may decide agreeably to the principles of the laws of nations upon the claim of his Danish Majesty. I have the honor, &c. DE VERGENNES. "For the sake of humanity, it is to be wished, that men would endeavour to alleviate, as much as possible, the unavoidable miseries attending a state of war. It has been said, that, among the civilized nations of Europe, the ancient horrors of that state are much diminished; but the compelling men by chains, stripes, and famine, to fight against their friends and relations, is a new mode of barbarity which your nation alone had the honor of inventing; and the sending American prisoners of war to Africa and Asia, remote from all probability of exchange, and where they can scarce hope ever to hear from their families, even if the unwholesomeness of the climate does not put a speedy end to their lives, is a manner of treating captives, that you can justify by no other precedent of custom, except that of the black savages of Guinea. We are, your Lordship's most obedient humble servants, "MY LORD, TO LORD STORMONT. "B. FRANKLIN, "S. DEANE." "Paris, 3 April, 1777. "In answer to a letter, which concerns some of the most material interests of humanity, and of the two nations, Great Britain and the United States of America, now at war, we received the enclosed indecent paper, as coming from your Lordship, which we return, for your Lordship's more mature consideration. "B. FRANKLIN, "S. DEANE." The words of the paper sent by Lord Stormont, and referred to in the above letter, were, "The King's Ambassador receives no applications from rebels, unless they come to implore his Majesty's mercy." • See Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. III. p. 296. FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. Prospect of Peace. - The Ministry favorably disposed. London, 28 February, 1782. MY DEAR FRIEND, I have not as yet any thing to communicate to you. I have upon many occasions recommended the road to peace in the most earnest way. I am not without hopes. I think I may venture to say, that the arguments which I have stated have made an impression. I have not expected to receive the final answer from Lord North, till after the Parliamentary arrangements of the year are settled. I am just for three or four days in the country, upon a little business, but upon a furlough, as I may say, with the knowledge of Lord North, who, during the budget week, cannot possibly want to see me. I have therefore taken that week for a little private business in the country; and, if Lord North should happen to wish to see me, my brother keeps watch, and is to send express for me. Public report will tell you, that on Friday last there was a division in the House on an American question, of one hundred and ninety-four to one hundred and ninetythree. I cannot answer for the dispositions of ministers, but in point of justice I ought to say, that I think, as far as I can judge from the conferences which I have had, that I have found good dispositions towards peace. I do not pledge myself, because I may be deceived; however, that is my opinion; and I say thus much, lest my silence should appear suspicious, and create alienation in other parties. I think I have seen good dispositions from the first commencement of my conferences on peace. My brother sends me word, that Mr. Alexander is to return by the next mail. I therefore write this to send either by him or at least in the same packet. I have had much conversation with him, and he will tell you that I have done my utmost to serve the cause of peace. I will conclude this with a quotation, which I have applied to another person in argument respecting peace. "Consulere patriæ, parcere afflictis, ferâ cæde abstinere, iræ tempus dare, orbi quietem, sæculo pacem suo, hæc summa virtus, hac cælum petitur viâ." God bless you and prosper our pacific endeavours. I shall probably write again to you soon. Your affectionate D. HARTLEY. FROM EDMUND BURKE TO B. FRANKLIN.* Resolutions of the House of Commons. - Mr. Laurens. London, 28 February, 1782. DEAR SIR, Your most obliging letter demanded an early answer. It has not received the acknowledgment, which was so justly due to it. But Providence has well supplied my deficiencies; and the delay of the answer has made it much more satisfactory, than at the time of my receipt of your letter I dared to promise myself it could This letter was written in answer to one from Dr. Franklin, requesting Mr. Burke to negotiate an exchange of Henry Laurens, when in the Tower, for General Burgoyne. Mr. Laurens was at the time under some mistake in regard to this subject, as he supposed, that Mr. Burke first applied to Dr. Franklin to effect such an exchange, and imagined that Dr. Franklin neglected him; whereas he took the most prompt and efficient means in his power to procure Mr. Laurens's release. See Henry Laurens's letter, dated May 30th, 1782, Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. II. p. 463. be. I congratulate you, as the friend of America; I trust, as not the enemy of England; I am sure, as the friend of mankind; on the resolution of the House of Commons, carried by a majority of nineteen, at two o'clock this morning, in a very full house. It was the declaration of two hundred and thirty-four; I think it was the opinion of the whole. I trust it will lead to a speedy peace between the two branches of the English nation, perhaps to a general peace; and that our happiness may be an introduction to that of the world at large. I most sincerely congratulate you on the event. I wish I could say, that I had accomplished my commission. Difficulties remain. But, as Mr. Laurens is released from his confinement, and has recovered his health tolerably, he may wait, I hope, without a great deal of inconvenience, for the final adjustment of his troublesome business. He is an exceedingly agreeable and honorable man. I am much obliged to you for the honor of his acquaintance. He speaks of you as I do, and, is perfectly sensible of your warm and friendly interposition in his favor. I have the honor to be, with the highest possible esteem and regard, dear Sir, your most faithful and obedient humble serEDMUND BURKE. vant, P. S. General Burgoyne presents his best compliments to you, with his thanks for your obliging attentions towards him. TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. Relative to the Complaints of the Danish Court.American Prizes seized in Danish Ports. SIR, Passy, 3 March, 1782. I received the letter your Excellency did me the honor of writing to me, the 24th past, enclosing an official paper on the part of the Danish court, relating to the burning of some English vessels on the coast of Norway by three American ships. I shall not fail to transmit the same immediately to the Congress, who will, I make no doubt, inquire into the facts alleged, and do thereupon what shall appear to be just and right, it being their constant and earnest desire to avoid giving any offence to neutral nations, as will appear by their instructions to all armed vessels, of which I have the honor to present a copy. In the mean time, as it is natural to expect, that those who exact a rigorous observation of the laws of nations, when their own interest or honor seems affected, should be themselves ready to show an example of their own regard for those laws, where the interest of others is concerned, I cannot but hope the court of Denmark will at length attend to a demand, long since made by me, but hitherto without effect, that they would restore to the United States the value of three vessels, amounting to fifty thousand pounds. sterling.* These vessels were fair and good prizes, which had been made by our ships of war, not on the coast of Denmark, but far distant on the high seas, • Vessels captured by the squadron under Paul Jones. See Dr. Franklin's letter to Count Bernstorff on this subject, Vol. VIII. p. 407. |