raising his funds, which it is said he has secured; so that we must provide for another campaign, in which I hope God will continue to favor us, and humble our cruel and haughty enemies; a circumstance which, whatever Mr. Deane may say to the contrary, will give pleasure to all Europe.

This year opens well, by the reduction of Port Mahon, and the garrison prisoners of war, and we are not without hopes, that Gibraltar may soon follow. A few more signal successes in America will do much towards reducing our enemies to reason. Your expressions of good opinion with regard to me, and wishes of my continuance in this employment, are very obliging. As long as the Congress think I can be useful to our affairs, it is my duty to obey their orders; but I should be happy to see them better executed by another, and myself at liberty, enjoying, before I quit the stage of life, some small degree of leisure and tranquillity. With great esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Address of the House of Commons to the King against continuing the War in America.

SIR,

Passy, 9 March, 1782.

I have just received the honor of yours dated January the 7th. Your communications of the sentiments of Congress, with regard to many points that may come under consideration in a treaty of peace, give me great pleasure, and the more, as they agree so perfectly with my own opinions, and furnish me with additional arguments in their support. I shall be more

particular on this subject in my next; for, having notice from Captain Barry last night, that he will not go to Brest, as I expected, to take in some of our goods, but will sail immediately on the return of the post, which sets out to-day, I am obliged to be short.

You will see in the enclosed newspapers the full debate in the House of Commons, on the subject of declining the war with North America. By private advices I learn, that the whole opposition, now become the majority, went up in a body with the address to the King, who answered, that he would pay a due regard to the advice of his faithful Commons, and employ his forces with more vigor against the ancient enemies of the nation, or to that purpose; and that orders were immediately given for taking up a great number of large transports, among which are many old India ships, whence it is conjectured, that they intend some great effort in the West Indies, and perhaps mean to carry off their troops and stores from New York and Charleston. I hope, however, that we shall not, in expectation of this, relax in our preparations for the approaching campaign. I will procure the books you write for, and send them as soon as possible. Present my duty to the Congress, and believe me to be, with sincere esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 11 March, 1782.

Mr. Digges, who will deliver this to you, informs me, that, having been applied to for the purpose of communicating with Mr. Adams, on the subject of his commission for treating of peace, he is now setting out for

Amsterdam, and that he intends afterwards to go to Paris to wait upon you. I understand the occasion to have arisen, by some mention having been made in Parliament, by General Conway, of persons not far off having authority to treat of peace, which was supposed to allude to Mr. Adams, and some friends of his in London. The ministry were therefore induced to make some inquiries themselves. This is what I am informed of the matter.

I

When the proposal was made to Mr. Digges, he consulted me, I believe from motives of caution, that he might know what ground he had to stand upon; but not in the least apprized, that I had been, in any degree, in course of corresponding with you on the subject of negotiation. As I had informed the ministry from you, that other persons besides yourself were invested with powers of treating, I have nothing to say against their consulting the several respective parties. That is their own concern. I shall at all times content myself with observing the duties of my own conduct, attending to all circumstances with circumspection, and then leaving the conduct of others to their own reasons. I presume the ministry have only done what others would have done in their situation, to procure the most ample information, that the case will admit. I rest contented to act in my own sphere; and, if my exertions can be applied to any public good, I shall always be ready to take my part with sincerity and zeal. I am, my dear friend, your ever affectionate D. HARTLEY.

T

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

British Ministry.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 12 March, 1782.

Enclosed with this I transmit to you the public Parliamentary proceedings respecting the American war.* If you will compare these proceedings with some others in several of the counties of this kingdom about two years ago, you will at once see the reason why many persons, who from principles of general and enlarged philanthropy do most certainly wish universal peace to mankind, yet seem restrained in their mode of endeavouring to obtain that object. We must ac commodate our endeavours to practicabilities, in the strong hope, that, if the work of peace was once be gun, it would soon become general. Parliament having declared their sentiments by their public proceedings, a general bill will soon pass to enable administration to treat with America, and to conclude.

As to the sincerity of the ministry, that will be judged of by their conduct in any treaty. The first object is to procure a meeting of qualified and authorized persons. You have told me, that four persons are empowered by a special commission to treat of peace. Are we to understand, that each separately has power to conclude, or in what manner? The four persons whom you have mentioned are in four different parts of the world, viz. three of them in hostile States, and the fourth under circumstances very peculiar for a negotiator. When I told Mr. Laurens, that his name was

* See the proceedings of Parliament on General Conway's "Motion for putting an end to offensive war with America"; February 27th, 1782.- DEBRETT's Parliamentary Register, Vol. VI. pp. 310-341.

in the commission, I found him entirely ignorant of every circumstance relating to it. I understand, that the ministry will be ready to proceed towards opening a negotiation as soon as the bill shall pass, and therefore it is necessary to consult time, and place, and manner, and persons, on each side. The negotiation itself will speak the rest.

I have been informed, that some gentlemen in this country (not in administration) have lately entered into a correspondence with Mr. Adams relating to his commission of treating for peace, and that, their previous inquiries having been spoken of in public, the ministry have been induced to make some inquiry themselves from Mr. Adams on that subject. In whatever way a fair treaty may be opened, by whomsoever or with whomsoever, I shall heartily wish good success to it for the common good and peace of mankind. I know these to be your sentiments, and I am confident that they will ever remain so, and hope that you will believe the same of me. I am ever your most affectionate

D. HARTLEY.

TO JOHN JAY.

Passy, 16 March, 1782.

DEAR SIR,

I have received your several favors of January 30th, February 11th, and March 1st, and propose to write fully to you by the next post. In the mean time this line may serve to acquaint you, that I paid duly all your former bills drawn in favor of M. Cabarrus, and that, having obtained a promise of six millions for this year, to be paid me quarterly, I now see, that I shall be able to pay your drafts for discharging the sums you may be obliged to borrow for paying those upon