mies, as if it were the ordinance of God and nature? I fear it is too deeply engraved in the passions of man; and for that reason I would elude and evade the contest with such passions. I would strew the road to peace with flowers, and not with thorns. Haughty, and dictating, and commands, are no words of mine; I abhor them, and I fear them. I would elude their force by gentle means, and step by step. In article eighth, there are the following words; "By the treaty or treaties, that shall terminate the war." Let us have one treaty begun, and I think the rest would follow. I fear, when contending passions are raised, lest we should lose all by grasping at too much.

January 25th. I have just seen Mr. Alexander, and have talked the matter over with him. I send you a copy of his sentiments upon it, which, for the sake of avoiding further mistakes, he committed to paper, and which, I think, justify me in saying, that I understood from him, that France was disposed to give their consent, as he explained it to me, and as I explained it to the minister.* He did not say, nor did

6

* The following is Mr. Alexander's explanatory note to Mr. Hartley. "As I had not the opportunity of seeing your correspondence at this time, I was unable to prevent the misunderstanding that seems to have arisen. There is no proposition of which I am more convinced, than that, nothing can be done without the concurrence of allies.' But, as the chief obstruction towards an accommodation seemed to me to lie in the personal character of some, who have great weight in this matter, and as the object of the war (the independence of America) seems, in the opinion of all men, to be secured, my own opinion was, and still is, that there was so much wisdom and moderation where prejudice prevents us from seeing it, that, provided the ends of the war are accomplished to the satisfaction of all parties, they will be very ready to let us out of it in the most gentle manner, by consenting equally that the business shall go on in one, two, or three separate deeds, as shall be most palatable here; and to doubt that our friends are desirous of finishing the contest, with the approbation of their al lies, is to doubt their understanding."

I understand him to say, that he was authorized by the French ministry, or by any one else, to declare, that France had bound herself to consent, or that any such requisition had been made to her; but that it was his opinion, that France would consent, and that I might proceed upon that presumption, so far as to recommend overtures of negotiation. Accordingly, the phrase of my letter to you is, that he explained to me, that their allies were disposed to consent. You see what his opinion is on this day; and, as you have not told me that France will not consent, the reasonable probability which still remains with me, for the hopes of opening an amicable treaty, remains as it did.

I could not delay saying thus, by the very first mail, upon a point equally delicate to me as well as to yourself. My dear friend, I beg of you not to think, either that you can be considered as capable of entertaining, or that I should be capable of suggesting, any unworthy or dishonorable propositions. If there has been any misunderstanding, it is now cleared up; and the ground for negotiation remains open as before. I therefore still entertain my hopes. I am ever your affectionate D. HARTLEY.

TO JOHN BARRY.*

Passy, 24 January, 1782.

SIR,

I received your letter of the 17th with pleasure, as it informed me of your safe arrival at Fort Louis. I shall see the Marquis de Lafayette to-day, and we

* Captain in the American navy, having command of the Alliance frigate at L'Orient. He had lately arrived from America; and in his vessel the Marquis de Lafayette, Viscount de Noailles, General Duportail, and several other French officers, came as passengers.

will try what can be done towards getting you some French sailors; but I doubt they are too much wanted to be spared to us. You will find, however, a number of Americans at L'Orient, who have lately escaped, or been exchanged, from the prisons of England. Your desire of redeeming more of them is noble, and I heartily wish you success in it. Mr. Barclay, the consul, to whom you should apply in case of wanting any thing for your ship, is now in Holland; but I expect him in a few days. Let me know if, when you return to America, you can take any of the Congress goods, which he will have to send. With great esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

SIR,

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Passy, 28 January, 1782.

I received, at the same time, your several letters of October 20th, 24th, and November 26th, which I purpose to answer fully by the return of the Alliance. Having just had a very short notice of the departure of this ship, I can only at present mention the great pleasure your appointment gives me, and my intention of corresponding with you regularly and frequently, as you desire. The information contained in your letters is full and clear; I shall endeavour that mine, of the state of affairs here, may be as satisfactory. With great esteem, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. Having just learned, that the courier is not gone, I have time to enclose two letters from Holland, by which you will see something of the state of affairs in that country. Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to Congress, and assure them of my faithful

services.

FROM DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

London, 1 February, 1782.

I write to you one line by this mail, only to tell you, that I have seen the minister since I last wrote to you, and that he never did entertain the idea one moment of any propositions being thrown out on your part, in the least degree inconsistent with the strictest honor and faith to the allies. I had no occasion to guard against, or to explain, any such thought, having at all times conveyed the contrary to him in the most explicit terms. I transmit this to you for your full satisfaction. We have had much conversation on the subject of peace, which you may be sure I have most zealously endeavoured to enforce. I should not do him justice, if I did not add, that I believe his wishes are for peace, and that he gives the most serious attention to every argument, and to the suggestion of every practicable means on that subject. I have stated many things for his consideration, and for consultation with others, after which I shall see him again. I heartily wish the result may be favorable to the prospect of peace. I am ever your affectionate

D. HARTLEY

TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM.

Passy, 6 February, 1782.

SIR,

I am to acknowledge the receipt of two letters from you since you came to Nantes. In the first you desired a copy of your original commission. I have caused search to be made for it, but can find no trace of it; as, at the time it was given to you, the commis

sioners kept no minutes of their proceedings, and it is but a few days since I learned from Dr. Bancroft, that it was taken from you at Dunkirk, and sent up with other papers to the Count de Vergennes. The first time I go to Versailles, I will inquire for it. If it is lost, I will send you a certificate that it did exist, though at present not to be found.

In your second letter you desire to know what money Mr. D― has charged or advanced to you. I never was able to obtain from him a regular amount of the moneys put into his hands for the relief of prisoners in England, but I think he mentions in one of his letters he paid fifty pounds for you. Probably this may not be true; for he is the greatest villain I ever met with, having the last winter drawn on me for four hundred and ninety-five pounds for the support of American prisoners, and applied but thirty pounds to their use. However, he can have no right to demand repayment from you, having received the money from me. With very great esteem and best wishes for your prosperity, I have the honor to be, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

FROM M. DE BLOME, DANISH AMBASSADOR IN France, TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Complaints of an Outrage of American armed Vessels on the Coast of Norway.

Translation.

Paris, 6 February, 1782.

Three American vessels, one of which was threemasted, and called the Norfolk, Captain Lines, and two brigs, the Ariel, Captain Maller, and the Virginia, Cap