Grenada, and other West India islands, the greater part of the northern fisheries, with all your conquests in Africa and the East Indies.' Something being mentioned of its not being reasonable that a nation, after making an unprovoked and unsuccessful war upon its neighbours, should expect to sit down whole, and have every thing restored which she lost in such a war. I think Mr. Grenville remarked, that the war had been provoked by the encouragement given by France to the Americans to revolt. On which M. de Vergennes grew a little warm, and declared firmly, that the breach was made, and our independence declared, long before we received the least encouragment from France; and he defied the world to give the smallest proof to the contrary. There sits' says he, Mr. Franklin, who knows the fact, and can contradict me if I do not speak the truth.' He repeated to Mr. Grenville what he had before said to Mr. Oswald, respecting the king's intentions of treating fairly, and keeping faithfully the conventions he should enter into, of which disposition, he should give at the treaty convincing proofs, by the fidelity and exactitude with which he should observe his engagements with his present allies and added, that the points which the king had chiefly in view, were justice and dignity. These he could not depart from. He acquainted Mr. Grenville, that he should immediately write to Spain and Holland, to communicate to those courts what had passed, and request their answers, that in the meantime, he hoped Mr. Grenville would find means to amuse himself agreeably, to which he should be glad to contribute; that he would communicate what had passed to the king; and he invited him to come again the next day. On our return Mr. G. expressed himself, as not quite satisfied with some part of M. de Vergennes discourse, and was thoughtful. He told me that he had brought two state messengers with him, and perhaps after he had had another interview with the minister, he might dispatch one of them to London. I then requested leave to answer by that opportunity, the letters I had received from lord Shelburne and Mr. Fox, and he kindly promised to acquaint me in time, of the messenger's departure. He did not ask me to go with him the next day to Versailles, and I did not offer it. The coming and going of these gentlemen was observed, and made much talk at Paris; and the marquis de la Fayette having learnt something of their business from the ministers discourse with me about it; agreeable to the resolutions of congress, directing me to confer with him, and take his assistance in our affairs, I communicated to him what had passed. He told me, that during the treaty at Paris, for the last peace, the duke de Nivernois had been sent to reside in London, that this court might, through him, state what was from time to time transacted in the light they thought best, to prevent misrepresentations and misunderstandings; that such an employ would be extremely agreeable to him on many accounts; that as he was now an American citizen, and spoke both languages, and was well acquainted with our interests, he believed he might be useful in it; and that as peace was likely from appearances to take place, his return to America was not perhaps so immediately necessary. I liked the idea, and encouraged his proposing it to the ministry. He then wished I would make him acquainted with Messrs. Oswald and Grenville, and for that end, proposed meeting them for breakfast with me, which I undertook to contrive if I could, and endeavor to engage them for Saturday. Friday morning, the 10th of May, I went to Paris and visited Mr. Oswald: I found him in the same friendly disposition, and very desirous of doing good, and seeing an end put to this ruinous war. But I got no further light as to the sentiments of lord S. respecting the terms. I told him the marquis de la Fayette would breakfast with me tomorrow, and as he, Mr. Oswald, might have some curiosity to see a person who had in this war rendered himself remarkable, I proposed his doing me the same honor. He agreed to it cheerfully. I came home intending to write to Mr. Grenville, whom I supposed might stay and dine at Versailles, and therefore did not call on him. But he was returned, and I found the following note from him: "Paris, May 10. "Mr. Grenville presents his compliments to Mr. Franklin; he proposes sending a courier to England at ten o'clock to-night, and will give him in charge, any letters Mr. Franklin may wish to send by him." I sat down immediately, and wrote the two short letters following, to the secretaries of state, viz. SIR, To Mr. Fox. "Passy, May 10, 1782. I RECEIVED the letter you did me the honor of writ ing to me by Mr. Grenville, whom I find to be a very sensible, judicious, and amiable gentleman; the name I assure you, does not with me lessen the regard that his excellent qualities inspire. I introduced him as soon as possible to M. de Vergennes, he will himself give you an account of his reception. I hope his coming may forward the blessed work of pacification, in which for the sake of humanity, no time should be lost, no reasonable cause as you observe existing at present for the continuance of this abominable war. Be assured of my endeavors to put an end to it. I am much flattered by the good opinion of a person whom I have long highly esteemed, and I hope it will not be lessened by my conduct in the affair that has given rise to our correspondence. With great respect, I have the honor to be, &c. To Lord Shelburne. "Passy, May 10, 1782. MY LORD, I HAVE received the honor of your lordship's letter, dated the 28th past, by Mr. Oswald, informing me that he is sent back to settle with me the preliminaries of time and place. Paris, as the place, seemed to me yesterday to be agreed between Mr. Grenville and M. de Vergennes, and it is perfectly agreeable to me. The time cannot well be settled till this court has received answers from Madrid and the Hague, and until my colleagues are arrived; I expect daily Messrs. Jay and Laurens. Mr. Adams doubts whether he can be here, but that will not hinder our proceeding. It gave me great pleasure, to hear that Mr. Laurens is discharged entirely from the obligation he had entered into. I am much obliged, by the readiness with which your lordship has confered that favor. Please to accept my thankful acknowlegements. I am happy too in understanding from your letter, that transports are actually preparing to convey our prisoners to America, and that attention will be paid to their accommodation and good treatment. Those people on their return, will be dispersed through every part of America, and the accounts they will have to give of any marks of kindness received by them under the present ministry, will lessen much the resentment of their friends against the nation, for the hardships they suffered under the past. Mr. Oswald rests here a while by my advice, as I think his presence likely to be useful. With great, and sincere respect, And I sent them to Mr. Grenville, with the following note: "Mr. Franklin presents his compliments to Mr. Grenville, with thanks for the information of his courier's departure, and his kind offer of forwarding Mr. F's letters, who accepts the favor and encloses two. "The marquis de la Fayette and Mr. Oswald, will do Mr. Franklin the honor of breakfasting with him to-morrow, between nine and ten o'clock. Mr. F. will be happy to have the company also of Mr. Grenville, if agreeable to him. He should have waited on Mr. G. to-day at Paris, but he imagined Mr. Grenville was at Versailles. Passy, Friday evening, May 10.” To which, Mr. G. sent me this answer: "Mr. Grenville presents his compliments to Mr. Franklin, and will, with great pleasure, do himself the honor of breakfasting with Mr. Franklin, to-morrow between nine and ten o'clock. "Mr. Grenville was at Versailles to-day, and should have been sorry that Mr. Franklin should have given himself the trouble of calling at Paris this morning. The courier shall certainly take particular care of Mr. Franklin's letters. Paris, Friday May 10." The gentlemen all met accordingly; had a good deal of conversation at, and after breakfast; staid till after one o'clock, and parted much pleased with each other. The Monday following I called to visit Mr. G. I found with him Mr. Oswald, who told me he was just about returning to London. I was a little surprised at the suddenness of the resolution he had taken, it being, as he said, to set out the next morning early. I conceived the gentlemen were engaged in business; so I withdrew, and went to write a few letters, among which was the following to lord Shelburne ; being really concerned at the thought of losing so good a man as Mr. Oswald. MY LORD, Passy, May 13, 1782. I DID myself the honor of writing to your lordship a a few days since, by Mr. Grenville's courier, acknowleging the receipt of yours of the 28th past, by Mr. Oswald. I then hoped that gentleman would have remained here some time; but his affairs, it seems, recall him sooner than he imagined. I hope he will return again, as I esteem him more, the more I am acquainted with him; and believe his moderation, prudent counsels, and sound judgment, |