work goes on. I admire your magnanimity in the undertaking, and the perseverance with which you have prosecuted it.

I join with you most perfectly in the charming wish you so well express, "that such measures may be taken by both parties as may tend to the elevation of both, rather than the destruction of either." If any thing has happened endangering one of them, my comfort is, that I endeavoured earnestly to prevent it, and gave honest, faithful advice, which, if it had been regarded, would have been effectual. And still, if proper means are used to produce, not only peace, but what is much more interesting, a thorough reconciliation, a few years may heal the wounds that have been made in our happiness, and produce a degree of prosperity of which at present we can hardly form a conception. With great and sincere esteem and respect, I am, dear Sir, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

TO THE EARL OF GRANTHAM.

MY LORD,

Passy, 11 September, 1782.

A long and severe indisposition has delayed my acknowledging the receipt of the letter your Lordship did me the honor of writing to me by Mr. Fitzherbert.

You do me justice in believing, that I agree with you in earnestly wishing the establishment of an honorable and lasting peace; and I am happy to be assured by your Lordship, that it is the system of the ministers with whom you are coöperating. I know it to be the sincere desire of the United States; and, with such dispositions on both sides, there is reason to hope, that the good work in its progress will meet with little difficulty. A small one has occurred in the com

mencement, with which Mr. Oswald will acquaint you. I flatter myself that means will be found on your part for removing it; and my best endeavours in removing the subsequent ones (if any should arise) may be relied on.

I had the honor of being known to your Lordship's father. On several occasions he manifested a regard for me, and a confidence in me. I shall be happy if my conduct in the present important business may procure me the same rank in the esteem of his worthy successor. I am, with sincere respect, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant, B. FRANKLIN.

TO DAVID HARTLEY.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Passy, 17 September, 1782.

Since those acknowledged in my last, I have received your several favors of August the 16th,* 20th, and 26th. I have been a long time afflicted with the gravel and gout, which have much indisposed me for writing. I am even now in pain, but will no longer delay some answer.

I did not perfectly comprehend the nature of your appointment respecting the refugees, and I supposed you would in a subsequent letter explain it. But, as I now find you have declined the service, such explanation is become unnecessary.

I did receive the paper you inquire about, entitled Preliminaries, and dated May, 1782; but it was from you, and I know nothing of their having been com

*See Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. III. p. 502.

municated to this court. The third proposition, "that, in case the negotiation between Great Britain and the allies of America should not succeed, but the war continue between them, America should act and be treated as a neutral nation," appeared at first sight inadmissible, being contrary to our treaty. The truce, too, seems not to have been desired by any of the parties. With unalterable esteem and affection, I am, my dear friend, ever yours, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM RICHARD OSWALD TO B. FRANKLIN.

SIR,

Paris, 24 September, 1782.

Having received, by a courier just now arrived, a letter from Mr. Secretary Townshend, in answer to mine, which went by the messenger, despatched from hence on the 12th, I take this opportunity of Mr. Whitefoord to send you a copy of it.* I hope he will bring good accounts of your health, which I sincerely wish, and am your Excellency's, &c.

RICHARD OSWALD.

This was a short letter, dated September 20th, an extract from which, containing the most important part, is printed above, p. 408.

FROM BENJAMIN LINCOLN, SECRETARY OF WAR, TO B. FRANKLIN.*

Requesting Information respecting certain Regulations in European Armies. State of the American Army. -French Troops in the United States.

SIR,

Philadelphia, 25 September, 1782.

Congress has ordered me to prepare and lay before them a state of the pay, rations, and subsistence of the officers and men in the armies of the different powers in Europe. As these often vary, I have no means of procuring the necessary information with accuracy from any books I have seen. I am under the necessity, therefore, of requesting that your Excellency would be so good as to procure and forward to me the state of the pay, rations, and subsistence of the officers and men in the service of France, Spain, and the Emperor of Germany.

The state of matters here, your Excellency will receive from the secretary of foreign affairs. I cannot, however, avoid mentioning to you, that we have now a better army in the field, than we have had at any time before during the war. They are well clothed and are in high discipline. Count de Rochambeau a few days since was polite enough, on seeing the American troops, to compliment the Commander-in-chief with having a Prussian army.

The troops of His Most Christian Majesty are joining the main army on the Hudson. I should be wanting in duty, and deny myself a particular pleasure, did I not assure you, that the order and regularity

General Lincoln was chosen Secretary of War by Congress on 30th of September, 1781.

uniformly observed by this army, and the cheerfulness with which they have fought and bled in our cause, have endeared them to the people of America; and they are held in esteem, not merely by the thread of policy, but by the permanent bond of sincere friendship. There is the greatest harmony between the troops of the two armies, and no other contest but what arises from the spirit of the soldier, and what ought to be considered an honorable pursuit, to excel in the field and in acts of politeness and generosity. I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

B. LINCOLN.

SIR,

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Passy, 26 September, 1782.

I have just received yours dated the 9th of August, which mentions your not having heard from me since March. I have, however, written sundry letters, viz. of April the 8th, and June the 12th, June the 25th and 29th, August the 12th, and September the 3d, and sent copies of the same, which I hope cannot all have miscarried.

The negotiations for peace have hitherto amounted to little more than mutual professions of sincere desires, &c., being obstructed by the want of due form in the English commissions appointing their plenipotentiaries. The objections made to those for treating with France, Spain, and Holland were first removed; and by the enclosed it seems, that our objections to that for treating with us will now be removed also, so that we expect to begin in a few days our negotia

*This refers to Mr. Oswald's commission, which may be found in the Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. X. p. 80.