CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS AT THE COURT OF FRANCE.
From the Committee of Secret Correspondence to Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, Commissioners at Paris. Baltimore, 21st December, 1776,
Campaign of 1776.—New levies to be raised.—Necessity of speedy aid from France.—Recall of Mediterranean passes.—Loan of two millions sterling.
Robert Morris to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, 1st December, 1776,
Retreat through the Jerseys.—Depreciation of Continental currency.—Gloomy situation of the country.
The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Commissioners. Baltimore, 30th December, 1776,
Success at Trenton.—Tenders to France and Spain.
Committee of Secret Correspondence to Captain Larkin Hammond. Baltimore, 2d January, 1777,
To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, 17th January, 1777,
Audience of Vergennes.—Privateers.—German troops in the British service.—Disposition of the French.
The Committee of Secret Correspondence to William Bingham at Martinique. Baltimore, 1st February, 1777,
The Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Commissioners. Baltimore, 2d February, 1777,
Want of ships of war.—Reverses of the British in the Jerseys.—New levies.
To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, 6th February, 1777,
Tobacco.—German troops.—Offers of supplies and service.—Mr Lee goes to Spain.—No danger from Russia.
To the President of Congress. Paris, 6th February, 1777,
Introducing M. du Coudray.
Agreement between the Commissioners and certain French officers,
Committee of Secret Correspondence to the Commissioners. Baltimore, 19th February, 1777,
Military events.—Preparations in Great Britain.—Urgent necessity of aid.—Disposition of Spain.
To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, 4th March, 1777,
Complain of want of intelligence.
To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, 12th March, 1777,
Want of intelligence from America.—Particular accounts of their proceedings, and favorable but cautious policy of the French Court.—Disposition of Holland.—Of Spain.—Secret supplies from the latter.—Loan of two millions sterling.—Applications for service from foreign officers.—Contract for 5000 hogsheads tobacco with the Farmers-General.—All Europe favorable to the American cause.—English and French fleet.—Sir J. Yorke's memorial to Holland.—Contract for monthly packets.
Agreement between Messrs Franklin and Deane and the Farmers-General of France, for the sale of a quantity of tobacco,
Agreement for packets between M. Ray de Chaumont, on the one part, and Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, on the other,
To Jonathan Williams. Paris, 1st May, 1777,
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, 2d May, 1777,
Urge them to engage French merchants in American trade.—British Generals discouraged.—Return of Congress to Philadelphia.—State of the army.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, 9th May, 1777,
Introducing J. Paul Jones.—His captain's commission.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, 25th May, 1777,
Mr Lee goes to Berlin.—Necessity of a free port in Germany.—Cunningham.—Lafayette goes to America.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, 26th May, 1777,
Warfare on the British successful and important.—Importance of a naval force in the German ocean; and of carrying the war into Great Britain.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, May 30th, 1777,
Loan.—Importance of America to Britain in the French war.—Facilities for an attack on the West Indies.
To John Jay. Dunkirk, 2d June, 1777,
Importance of a naval force on the British coast, at St Helena to intercept the East India fleet.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, June 13th, 1777,
Position of the armies; in the Jerseys; in the north.—Favorable aspect of affairs.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, June 18th, 1777,
Military operations.—Answer of the States-General to Sir J. Yorke.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, June 26th, 1777,
Military operations.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, July 2d, 1777,
Military operations.—Commission and Instructions for William Lee to Vienna and Berlin; for Ralph Izard to Tuscany.
Count de Vergennes to the Commissioners. Versailles, 16th July, 1777,
Complains of American privateers for violating neutrality.
To Count de Vergennes. Paris, 17th July, 1777,
Apology for the American privateers.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, August 7th, 1777,
Military operations.—Loss of Ticonderoga.
To Count de Vergennes. Versailles, August 12th, 1777,
Arrest of Mr Hodge.
Messrs Franklin and Deane's Contract with M. Holker,
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, 8th September, 1777,
Mr Lee's return from Berlin.—Disposition of Prussia.—England and France equally averse to begin hostilities.—English funds losing credit on the Continent.—English trade in French bottoms.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Yorktown, 6th October, 1777,
Military operations.—Burgoyne; Fort Schuyler; Bennington.—Middle Department; Brandywine; Howe enters Philadelphia; Germantown.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Yorktown, 6th October, 1777,
Difficulty of raising money by appropriation of vacant land.—Loan of twenty millions.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, 7th October, 1777,
Secret supplies from France.—Complain of failure of remittances.—Propositions for forming a commercial company at Emden.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. Yorktown, 18th October, 1777,
Military operations.—British property in French bottoms.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, 31st October, 1777,
Surrender of Burgoyne.—Attack on Red Bank.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, 8th November, 1777,
Announcing the election of H. Laurens as President of Congress.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, 30th November, 1777,
Remit supplies.—Capture of neutral vessels by American privateers.—King of England's Speech.—Opposition in Parliament.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, 1st December, 1777,
Difficulties in regard to French officers; their return to France.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, 2d December, 1777,
Military operations.—Confederation passed by Congress, submitted to the States.—Expenditures.—Emission of paper money.—Unfavorable position of American commerce.—An expedition to the East India seas proposed.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Paris, 18th December, 1777,
News of Burgoyne's surrender in France.—French Court determine to acknowledge independence, to make a treaty of amity and commerce.—Additional aid of three millions of livres from France, and from Spain.—French Ambassador at London insulted.—English stocks fall.—Treatment of American prisoners in England.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, 12th January, 1778,
Loss of the despatches by Folger.
To John Paul Jones. Paris, 16th January, 1778,
Instructions for a cruise in the Ranger.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, 21st January, 1778,
Military operations.
To the President of Congress. Passy, February 8th, 1778,
Treaties with France signed.—Secret clause in respect to Spain.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, February 16th, 1778,
Remit treaties with France.—Intimations from Holland.—English agents at Paris endeavor to get propositions from the Commissioners as the basis of a treaty.—Alarm in England.—Mansfield proposes a coalition to Camden.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, February 28th, 1778,
Lord North's plan of conciliation.—Its insidious character.—Advise the occupation of the Bermudas; and reduction of English fishing ports in and near Newfoundland.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Bingham. York, March 2d, 1778,
Commercial.
M. Gerard to the Commissioners. Versailles, March 17th, 1778,
Announces that the king will receive them.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, March 24th, 1778,
Effect of depreciation of currency.
To M. Dumas. Paris, April 10th, 1778,
Enclosing a draught of a letter to the Grand Pensionary.
Draught of a proposed letter from the Commissioners to the Grand Pensionary,
Announcing the treaty with France.
To M. Dumas. Passy, April 10th, 1778,
Arrival of Mr Adams to succeed Mr Deane.—Request his opinion on the propriety of sending a Minister to Holland.
To Mr John Ross. Passy, April 13th, 1778,
Commercial.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Bingham at Martinique. York, April 16th, 1778,
Commercial Board.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, April 16th, 1778,
M. de Sartine to Count de Vergennes. Versailles, April 26th, 1778,
Protection of Commerce in the French seas.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Bingham. York, April 26th, 1778,
Governor Tryon.—Forged resolve of Congress.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, April 30th, 1778,
To M. Dumas. Yorktown, May 14th, 1778,
Holland grants convoys against the British.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Bingham. York, May 14th, 1778,
Commercial.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, May 14th, 1778,
Favorable situation of affairs.—Lord North's conciliatory bill circulated in the country.—Referred to a committee in Congress.—Their report.—Objections to the 11th and 12th articles of the treaty with France.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, May 14th, 1778,
English prisoners brought into France.—General principle as to a prisoner in a neutral country.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, May 15th, 1778,
Advising trade to America in French bottoms.—Objections to the 12th article of the treaty.—Contract signed by the Commercial Committee with the agent of Beaumarchais.
To the Count de Vergennes. Passy, May 16th, 1778,
The Boston frigate.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, May 16th, 1778,
Requesting the grant of a frigate to Besmarine, Rainbeau & Co.
To Mr Jonathan Williams at Nantes. Passy, May 25th, 1778,
Revoking powers formerly granted him.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, June 3d, 1778,
Requesting regulations in respect of duties to be paid on supplies to ships of war.—Prizes of the Ranger.
John Paul Jones to the Commissioners. Passy, June 16th, 1778,
Lieutenant Simpson's parole.
To David Hartley. Passy, June 16th, 1778,
Exchange of English and American prisoners.
To John Paul Jones. Passy, June 16th, 1778,
Instructing him to set sail for America.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners. York, June 21st, 1778,
Propositions of the British Commissioners.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, July 14th, 1778,
Supplies for St Pierre and Miquelon.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, July 16th, 1778,
British prisoners in France.
To the Council of the Massachusetts Bay. Passy, July 16th, 1778,
Enclosing a copy of M. de Sartine's letter relative to St Pierre and Miquelon.
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, July 17th, 1778,
Communicating a resolve of Congress relative to treaties.
To the President of Congress. Passy, July 20th, 1778,
Exchange ratifications of treaties.—Appearances of war in Germany.—M. Dumas.—American Consuls.
To the President of Congress. Passy, July 23d, 1778,
Intention of the British Cabinet to acknowledge our independence on condition of a separate treaty.—Declaration of de Vergennes, that war's actually existing between France and England.
To the President of Congress. Passy, July 29th, 1778,
Recommending Mr Livingston.
To the Committee of Foreign Affairs. Passy, July 29th, 1778,
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, July 29th, 1778,
Obstructions to the sale of prizes in France cease.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, August 13th, 1778,
On regulations for prizes and prisoners.—Objections to some articles.
John Paul Jones to the Commissioners. Brest, August 15th, 1778,
Complains of injurious reports.—Demands redress by court martial.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, August 16th, 1778,
Regulations for prizes and prisoners.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, August 18th, 1778,
Commissioners express themselves satisfied with the regulations.
John Paul Jones to Abraham Whipple. Brest, August 18th, 1778,
Requesting a trial of Lieutenant Simpson by court martial.
Abraham Whipple to John Paul Jones. Brest, August 19th, 1778,
Declines summoning a court martial.
To John Paul Jones. Passy, August 22d, 1778,
On the court martial.
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, August 28th, 1778,
Request further pecuniary aid.—Request permission to raise a loan in France.—Desire his interposition with the Barbary powers.—Request that Americans may pass through France with their effects, without duties.
Declaration of Count de Vergennes, annulling the Eleventh and Twelfth Articles of the Commercial Treaty with France,
Declaration of the American Commissioners, annulling the Eleventh and Twelfth Articles of the same Treaty,
To M. de Beaumarchais. Passy, September 10th, 1778,
Property of the Therese.—Accounts of Hortalez & Co.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, September 10th, 1778,
Recapture of a French vessel.
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, September 10th, 1778,
Received powers to settle with Hortalez & Co.—Request information as to that house.—M. Francy.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, September 16th, 1778,
Rights of recaptors.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, September 17th, 1778,
Principles of the law of recapture.—Case of the Isabella.
To the President of Congress. Passy, September 17th, 1778,
All European powers arming.—Administer the oath of allegiance.—Necessity of measures for identifying American property abroad.—American prisoners escaped from England.
M. Necker to the Count de Vergennes. Paris, September 18th, 1778,
Transit duty on effects of Americans, returning home through France.
To the American Prisoners in Plymouth, or elsewhere in Great Britain. Passy, September 20th, 1778,
Promising an exchange.—Discouraging attempts to escape.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, September 21st, 1778,
Laws of recapture in the States.—Importance of uniformity.—Case of the Isabella.
M. de Sartine to Count de Vergennes. Versailles, September 21st, 1778,
Mediation of France with the Barbary powers in favor of America.
To the President of Congress. Passy, September 22d, 1778,
Introducing Mr Jonathan Loring Austin.
E. T. Van Berckel to M. Dumas. Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778,
Enclosing the declaration of the Burgomasters of Amsterdam.
Declaration of E. T. Van Berckel. Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778,
Count de Vergennes to the Commissioners. Versailles, September 24th, 1778,
Americans returning through France.
To William Lee. Passy, September 26th, 1778,
Project of a treaty with Holland.
To Ralph Izard. Passy, September 26th, 1778,
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, September 26th, 1778,
Acknowledge the receipt of a letter of the 24th, relative to the effects of Americans returning home through France.—Also of the 25th, relative to Mr Izard's goods.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, September 26th, 1778,
Mr Izard's baggage taken in an English vessel.
Count de Vergennes to the Commissioners. Versailles, September 27th, 1778,
Interposition of France with the Barbary powers.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, September 27th, 1778,
The vessel recaptured by Captain McNeil.
To M. Dumas. Passy, September 27th, 1778,
Relative to a treaty with Holland.
From the Committee of Foreign Affairs to William Bingham. Philadelphia, September 28th, 1778,
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, October 1st, 1778,
Intercourse with the Barbary powers.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, October 2d, 1778,
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, October 7th, 1778,
Mr Izard's effects.
The Ambassador of Naples to the Commissioners. Paris, October 8th, 1778,
Ports of Naples remain open for American vessels.
To the Ambassador of Naples. Passy, October 9th, 1778,
Acknowledging the receipt of his letter of the 8th.—Flag of the United States.—Flags of different States.—Commissions of ships of war; of privateers.—Mode of clearance differs in different States.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, October 12th, 1778,
Mr Izard's effects.—American seamen in the British service.
From James Lovell to the Commissioners. Philadelphia, October 12th, 1778,
To Ralph Izard. Passy, October 13th, 1778,
To M. de Sartine. Passy, October 13th, 1778,
To the Americans taken on board the English frigates. Passy, October 15th, 1778,
Requesting of American sailors in prison a list of those willing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States.
To M. Dumas. Passy, October 16th, 1778,
On Van Berckel's declaration.—Treaty with Holland.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Marly, October 19th, 1778,
Mr Izard's effects.
To Ralph Izard. Passy, October 22d, 1778,
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Marly, October 26th, 1778,
Surrender of American seamen captured in British ships.—Of American prisoners in general.
M. Dumas to the Commissioners. Hague, October 27th, 1778,
Memorial of the merchants of Amsterdam.—Reply of Lord Suffolk to representations of the States of Holland.—Opinion of the city of Amsterdam.
To E. T. Van Berckel, Burgomaster of Amsterdam. Passy, October 29th, 1778,
Proposing an interview at Aix-la-Chapelle.
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, October 29th, 1778,
On the Eleventh and Twelfth articles of the Treaty.
Count de Vergennes to the Commissioners. Versailles, October 30th, 1778,
On Arrangement with the Barbary Powers.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, October 30th, 1778,
Thanking him for the liberation of four American prisoners.—English whale fishery on the coast of Brazil.—Vessels manned by American seamen.—Exposed state of the ships.—Mr Lee refuses to sign the letter.
Count de Vergennes to the Commissioners. Versailles, October 31st, 1778,
Fixing the day for interchange of declarations annulling the Eleventh and Twelfth articles of the Treaty.
M. Dumas to the Commissioners. Hague, November 4th, 1778,
Disposition of Amsterdam.—New memorial of Sir J. Yorke.—Project of a treaty under consideration.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, November 15th, 1778,
Succors to American prisoners.
To the President of Congress. Passy, November 7th, 1778,
Enclosing declaration concerning the Eleventh and Twelfth articles of the treaty, also correspondence with M. de Sartine on recaptures; on the negotiation with Barbary States.—Interest on loan office certificates.—Disposition of England, of Prussia, Russia, Holland.—Preparations in Spain.
M. Dumas to the Commissioners. Hague, November 10th, 1778,
Proceedings in Holland.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, November 12th, 1778,
M. de Fleury, in the American service, prisoner at St Augustine.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, November 12th, 1778,
Requesting convoy for ships from Nantes.—Propriety of strengthening the French naval force in America.
M. Dumas to the Commissioners. Hague, November 13th, 1778,
Project to grant a convoy for naval stores.—King of France declares his expectations.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, November 14th, 1778,
American prisoners in France.
M. Dumas to the Commissioners. Hague, November 20th, 1778,
Triumph of the English party in the Assembly of the Province.—Amsterdam protests.
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, January 1st, 1779,
Threats of the British Commissioners to change the conduct of the war in America.—Former severities.—Object of this change.—Congress declare that they will retaliate.—Propriety of interference by France.—Advantage of a strong French fleet in the American seas.—Coalition of parties in England against the Americans.
To M. de Sartine. Passy, January 2d, 1779,
American prisoners in France.
M. de Sartine to the Commissioners. Versailles, January 13th, 1779,
American prisoners in France.—English prisoners.
To William Lee, at Frankfort. Passy, January 13th, 1779,
To John Lloyd, and others. Passy, January 26th, 1779,
Free ports in France.—Barbary powers.—Duties to be paid in France.
To Count de Vergennes. Passy, February 9th, 1779,
Recaptures of French ships by Americans.
To M. Schweighauser. Passy, February 10th, 1779,
Plate returned by Captain Jones to the Countess of Selkirk.
To John Paul Jones. Passy, February 10th, 1779,
Note.—The French money, so often mentioned in this and the succeeding volumes, is reckoned in livres, sols, and deniers. Thus, 85,706l. 16s. 3d. or, 85,706. 16. 3. indicates 85,706 livres, 16 sols, 3 deniers. In reducing this money to American currency, five livres and eight sols were allowed to the dollar.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
SILAS DEANE,
COMMISSIONER FROM THE UNITED STATES
TO THE COURT OF FRANCE.
Silas Deane was born in the town of Groton, Connecticut, and graduated at Yale College in 1758. He was a member from his native colony of the first Congress that met in Philadelphia. Early in the year 1776 the Committee of Secret Correspondence commissioned him to go to France, as a political and commercial agent. He was instructed to ascertain the disposition of the French Court, in regard to the contest between Great Britain and the Colonies, and to procure if possible supplies of arms and military stores. Having arrived at Paris in June, he immediately applied himself to execute his instructions, and was successful in obtaining the main objects for which he was sent.
In September three Commissioners were appointed by Congress to negotiate treaties with foreign powers, and particularly with the Court of France. The persons chosen were Dr Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee. They all met at Paris in December, and continued to procure supplies of money and arms for the United States; till at length they signed the treaties of alliance and commerce with France, February 6th, 1778. Meantime Deane had been recalled on the 21st of November preceding. Of this he received the intelligence in March following, and left Paris April 1st to join Count d'Estaing's fleet at Toulon, in which he came to America.
The account which he gave to Congress of his transactions abroad, was not satisfactory, and he was detained many months in Philadelphia soliciting opportunities to vindicate himself before Congress from what he deemed the unjust charges of his enemies; but the papers relating to his mercantile proceedings having been left in France, he was not able wholly to remove the unfavorable impression that existed against him. Congress, however, neither passed a vote of censure nor approbation of his conduct.
In the spring of 1780 he returned to France, where he remained more than a year in reduced circumstances, attempting to settle his accounts. He exhibited large claims against Congress, which do not appear to have been allowed. In March, 1782, he was living in Ghent. After the peace he went to England, where he died in August 1789.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
SILAS DEANE.
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO SILAS DEANE.[1]
Philadelphia, March 3d, 1776.
On your arrival in France, you will for some time be engaged in the business of providing goods for the Indian trade. This will give good countenance to your appearing in the character of a merchant, which we wish you continually to retain among the French, in general, it being probable that the court of France may not like it should be known publicly, that any agent from the Colonies is in that country. When you come to Paris, by delivering Dr Franklin's letters to Monsieur Le Roy at the Louvre, and M. Dubourg, you will be introduced to a set of acquaintance, all friends to the Americans. By conversing with them, you will have a good opportunity of acquiring Parisian French, and you will find in M. Dubourg, a man prudent, faithful, secret, intelligent in affairs, and capable of giving you very sage advice.
It is scarce necessary to pretend any other business at Paris, than the gratifying of that curiosity, which draws numbers thither yearly, merely to see so famous a city. With the assistance of Monsieur Dubourg, who understands English, you will be able to make immediate application to Monsieur de Vergennes, Ministre des Affaires Etrangères, either personally or by letter, if M. Dubourg adopts that method, acquainting him that you are in France upon business of the American Congress, in the character of a merchant, having something to communicate to him, that may be mutually beneficial to France and the North American Colonies; that you request an audience of him, and that he would be pleased to appoint the time and place. At this audience if agreed to, it may be well to show him first your letter of credence, and then acquaint him that the Congress, finding that in the common course of commerce, it was not practicable to furnish the continent of America with the quantity of arms and ammunition necessary for its defence, (the Ministry of Great Britain having been extremely industrious to prevent it,) you had been despatched by their authority to apply to some European power for a supply. That France had been pitched on for the first application, from an opinion, that if we should, as there is a great appearance we shall, come to a total separation from Great Britain, France would be looked upon as the power, whose friendship it would be fittest for us to obtain and cultivate. That the commercial advantages Britain had enjoyed with the Colonies, had contributed greatly to her late wealth, and importance. That it is likely great part of our commerce will naturally fall to the share of France; especially if she favors us in this application, as that will be a means of gaining and securing the friendship of the Colonies; and that as our trade was rapidly increasing with our increase of people, and in a greater proportion, her part of it will be extremely valuable. That the supply we at present want, is clothing and arms for twenty five thousand men with a suitable quantity of ammunition, and one hundred field pieces. That we mean to pay for the same by remittances to France or through Spain, Portugal, or the French Islands, as soon as our navigation can be protected by ourselves or friends; and that we besides want great quantities of linens and woollens, with other articles for the Indian trade, which you are now actually purchasing, and for which you ask no credit, and that the whole, if France should grant the other supplies, would make a cargo which it might be well to secure by a convoy of two or three ships of war.
If you should find M. de Vergennes reserved, and not inclined to enter into free conversation with you, it may be well to shorten your visit, request him to consider what you have proposed, acquaint him with your place of lodging, that you may yet stay sometime at Paris, and that knowing how precious his time is, you do not presume to ask another audience, but that if he should have any commands for you, you will upon the least notice immediately wait upon him. If, at a future conference he should be more free, and you find a disposition to favor the Colonies, it may be proper to acquaint him, that they must necessarily be anxious to know the disposition of France, on certain points, which, with his permission, you would mention, such as whether if the Colonies should be forced to form themselves into an independent state, France would probably acknowledge them as such, receive their ambassadors, enter into any treaty or alliance with them, for commerce or defence, or both? If so, on what principal conditions? Intimating that you shall speedily have an opportunity of sending to America, if you do not immediately return, and that he may be assured of your fidelity and secrecy in transmitting carefully any thing he would wish conveyed to the Congress on that subject. In subsequent conversations, you may, as you find it convenient, enlarge on these topics, that have been the subjects of our conferences, with you, to which you may occasionally add the well known substantial answers, we usually give to the several calumnies thrown out against us. If these supplies on the credit of the Congress should be refused, you are then to endeavor the obtaining a permission of purchasing those articles, or as much of them as you can find credit for. You will keep a daily journal of all your material transactions, and particularly of what passes in your conversation with great personages; and you will by every safe opportunity, furnish us with such information as may be important. When your business in France admits of it, it may be well to go into Holland, and visit our agent there, M. Dumas, conferring with him on subjects that may promote our interest, and on the means of communication.
You will endeavor to procure a meeting with Mr Bancroft by writing a letter to him, under cover to Mr Griffiths at Turnham Green, near London, and desiring him to come over to you, in France or Holland, on the score of old acquaintance. From him you may obtain a good deal of information of what is now going forward in England, and settle a mode of continuing a correspondence. It may be well to remit him a small bill to defray his expenses in coming to you, and avoid all political matters in your letter to him. You will also endeavor to correspond with Mr Arthur Lee, agent of the Colonies in London. You will endeavor to obtain acquaintance with M. Garnier, late Chargé des Affaires de France en Angleterre, if now in France, or if returned to England, a correspondence with him, as a person extremely intelligent and friendly to our cause. From him, you may learn many particulars occasionally, that will be useful to us.
B. FRANKLIN,
BENJ. HARRISON,
JOHN DICKINSON,
ROBERT MORRIS,
JOHN JAY.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] On the 29th November, 1775 a committee was appointed by Congress, which was called the Committee of Secret Correspondence, and consisted of five persons. The first members chosen were Harrison, Franklin, Johnson, Dickinson and Jay. The purpose of the committee was to correspond with the friends of the Colonies in Great Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world, and communicate their correspondence to Congress when required. Provision was made for defraying expenses, and paying such agents as the committee might send on this service. There was another standing Secret Committee of Congress, first instituted September 18th, 1775, and empowered to purchase arms, ammunition and military stores, and also to export various articles to meet the charges of such purchases abroad. But this committee had no connexion with that of secret correspondence. It was dissolved, July 5th, 1777, when the Committee of Commerce was appointed in its stead.