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.

Paris, 24 September, 1782.

SIR, 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. the United States.

- French Troops in

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.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Passy, 26 September, 1782.

SIR,

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.

tions. But there are so many interests to be considered and settled, in a peace between five different nations, that it will be well not to flatter ourselves with a very speedy conclusion.

I mentioned, in a former letter, my having communicated to Count de Vergennes the state of American commerce, which you sent me, and my having urged its consideration, &c. Enclosed is a copy of a letter received from that minister on the subject.

The copy of General Carleton's letter, and the bills of exchange, which you mentioned as enclosed, do not appear. I hope soon to have a better opportunity of writing, when I shall be fuller. With great esteem, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

FROM COUNT DE VERGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN.

Mr. Barclay's Appointment as Consul confirmed.

SIR,

Translation.

Versailles, 3 October, 1782.

I have the honor to return you the commission appointing Thomas Barclay consul of the United States, to reside in France, and I indorse the exequatur, which is requisite for the exercise of his functions. I must inform you that the latter of these will require the Admiral's signature previously to its being registered, either by the secretary of the Admiralty at L'Orient, where Mr. Barclay intends to fix his residence, or by those of other ports of the kingdom, where commercial considerations may require his presence. I have the honor to be, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

Proposition for a Commercial Convention.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Bath, 4 October, 1782.

I

I only write one line to you, to let you know that I am not forgetful of you or of our common concerns. have not heard any thing from the ministry yet; I believe it is a kind of vacation with them, before the meeting of Parliament. I have told you of a proposition, which I have had some thoughts to make as a

kind of copartnership in commerce. I send you a purposed temporary convention, which I have drawn up. You are to consider it only as one I recommend. The words underlined are grafted upon the proposition of my Memorial, dated May 19th, 1778. You will see the principle, which I have in my thoughts to extend for the purpose of restoring our ancient copartnership generally.

I cannot tell you what event things may take, but my thoughts are always employed in endeavouring to arrange that system upon which the China Vase, lately shattered, may be cemented together, upon principles of compact and connexion, instead of dependence.

I have met with a sentiment in this country which gives some alarm, viz. lest the unity of government in America should be uncertain, and the States reject the authority of Congress. Some passages in General Washington's letter have given weight to these doubts. I do not hear of any tendency to this opinion; that the American States will break to pieces, and then we may still conquer them. I believe all that folly is extinguished. But many serious and well-disposed persons are alarmed, lest this should be the ill-fated mo