TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Paris, 25th May, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14th and April 9th,[35] (a third copy of which we send herewith) Mr Lee tarried here some time after his return from Spain. No news arriving, (though we received letters from you,) of any commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the necessity of a good understanding with that Court, in order to obtain speedily a port in the northern seas, appearing more and more, every day, on various occasions, he concluded with our approbation to set out for Berlin, which he did about a week since, and we have reason to hope good effects from that journey.
The points principally in view are (besides the acknowledgment of American Independency) an open port for German commerce, and the permission of fitting out armed vessels, to annoy the enemy's northern trade, and of bringing in and selling our prizes. If these points can be obtained, we are assured we might soon have a formidable squadron there, and accumulate seamen to a great amount. The want of such a free port appears, in the late instance of Captain Cunningham's arrest at Dunkirk, with the prizes he brought in. For though the fitting out may be covered and concealed, by various pretences, so as at least to be winked at by government here, because those pretences afford a good excuse for not preventing it; yet the bringing in of prizes by a vessel so fitted out, is so notorious an act, and so contrary to treaties, that if suffered, must occasion an immediate war. Cunningham will, however, through favor, be discharged with his vessel, as we are given to understand, but we must put up with the loss of the prizes, which being reclaimed will be restored.[36] This is an occasion of triumph to our enemies, which we must suffer them to enjoy for the present, assured as we are by the most substantial proofs of the friendship of this Court and of Spain, which we are persuaded will soon manifest itself to the whole world. The latter has already remitted to us a large sum of money, as you will see by Mr Lee's letters,[37] and continues to send cargoes of supplies, of which you have, herewith, sundry accounts. Many of these transactions are by some means or other known in England, which dares not resent them at present, but the opinion of an approaching war gains ground every day.
We are preparing the accoutrements you ordered for the horse, but they will take time. Had there been such in the magazines here, we might have possibly borrowed on condition of replacing them. Pistols, (four hundred and fifty pair) are already sent; the whole number will be forwarded as fast as they can be got ready. Colonel Forrester, an experienced officer of horse, has given us a specimen of complete accoutrements, which have been found best; the saddle is of a singular contrivance, very cheap, and easily made or repaired; and the buff belts so broad, that crossing on the breasts, they are good armor against the point of a sword, or a pistol bullet. We propose to have as many sets made with these saddles, as will mount a squadron, but shall omit saddles for the rest, as they will take up too much room in the vessels, and can soon be made with you. Colonel Forrester is highly recommended to us, and we believe will go over. Clothing for ten thousand men is now in hand, making for us by contract, and other proposed contracts are under consideration for the rest of the eighty thousand men ordered. We hope to have them with you before next winter, or that if all cannot be got, the cloth we have sent and are sending, will make up the deficiency.
The large brass cannon are not to be had here; we have been treating with a Swedish merchant about them, but find too many difficulties in getting them from that country; so that finally, understanding you have some founders with you, and that we can have others to go from hence, we conclude to send two artists in that way, with the metal, to cast the number wanted, omitting only the field pieces, of which we suppose you have by this time a number sufficient. Some large iron cannon are offered to us cheap, from Holland, of which we think to send a quantity, for though too heavy for the army, they may be of use for the navy, gallies, gondolas, &c.
We cannot omit repeating, as we think it a matter of the greatest importance, towards supporting the credit of your paper money, that you may rely on a punctual payment here of Congress bills, drawn on us for the discharge of the interest of the sums borrowed, that is to say, in the proportion of six Spanish dollars, or the value in French money, for every hundred borrowed in your paper. But as the offer of six per cent was made before you could know of this advantage to the borrower, perhaps you may on the knowledge and experience of it, be able to reduce the interest in future loans, to four per cent, and find some means by taxes, to pay off the six per cents.
Our treaty of commerce is not yet proceeded on, the plan of this Court appearing to be, not to have any transaction with us, that implies an acknowledgment of American Independency, while their peace continues with England. To make us more easy with this, they tell us, we enjoy all the advantages already, which we propose to obtain by such a treaty, and that we may depend on continuing to receive every indulgence in our trade, that is allowed to the most favored nations. Feeling ourselves assisted in other respects, cordially and essentially, we are the more readily induced to let them take their own time, and to avoid making ourselves troublesome by an unreasonable importunity. The interest of France and Spain, however, in securing our friendship and commerce, seems daily more and more generally understood here, and we have no doubt of finally obtaining the establishment of that commerce with all the formalities necessary.
We submit it to your consideration, whether it might not be well to employ some of your frigates in bringing your produce hither, ordering them after refreshing and refitting, to make a cruise in the northern seas, upon the Baltic and Hamburg trade, send their prizes home, north about, then return to France, and take in a loading of stores for America.
The Marquis de la Fayette, a young nobleman of great family connexions here, and great wealth, is gone to America in a ship of his own, accompanied by some officers of distinction, in order to serve in our armies. He is exceedingly beloved, and every body's good wishes attend him; we cannot but hope he may meet with such a reception as will make the country and his expedition agreeable to him. Those who censure it as imprudent in him do nevertheless applaud his spirit, and we are satisfied, that the civilities and respect, that may be shown him, will be serviceable to our affairs here, as pleasing not only to his powerful relations, and to the Court, but to the whole French nation. He has left a beautiful young wife, and for her sake particularly, we hope that his bravery and ardent desire to distinguish himself, will be a little restrained by the General's prudence, so as not to permit his being hazarded much, but on some important occasion.
We are very respectfully, &c.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE.
P. S. We enclose a copy of Messrs Gardoqui's last letter.[38] We have received Mr Morris's of March 7th, 25th, and 28th, and are much obliged by the intelligence contained. We send a quantity of papers.
FOOTNOTES:
[35] Missing.
[36] Cunningham was the commander of an American privateer, with which he went into Dunkirk. He there took his arms out of his ship, and said he should load it with merchandise for one of the ports in Norway. As this declaration was suspected, security was demanded. Two persons, Hodge & Allen, became responsible for him. Cunningham actually left the port of Dunkirk, without arms, but he caused sailors, cannon, and munitions, to be sent out to him in the night, while he was in the ship's road, off Dunkirk; and he shortly after took the English packet boat, Prince of Orange. As soon as this manœuvre of Cunningham's came to the knowledge of the French government, they caused Hodge, one of the securities, to be arrested and conducted to the Bastile. The packet boat was restored to the British government, without the form of a process. After six weeks' confinement, Hodge was released.
[37] See Mr Arthur Lee's letter of May 13th, 1777.
[38] Missing.