I shall only remark, that in late conversations with Count de Vergennes, Mr Grenville has considered the acknowledgment of independence as a matter not to be made a question of, but to be at once and previously declared. But upon Count de Vergennes's writing down Mr Grenville's words to have them signed by him, the gentleman, instead of this expression, "the King of England has resolved at once to acknowledge," &c., insisted to have the words is disposed made use of in what he intended to be considered as his official communication. He has also evinced a backwardness in giving Dr Franklin a copy of his powers; and their Ministry are so backward also in bringing before Parliament a bill respecting American independence, that it does not show a great disposition towards a peace, the preliminaries of which must be an acknowledgment of America as a separate and independent nation.
It is probable that within these two days, Dr Franklin had some communication with Mr Grenville, which may throw some light upon the late points I have just now mentioned.
Mr Jay is arrived from Madrid. Mr Laurens, it seems, intends to return home. Mr Adams's presence in Holland is for the moment necessary. A few days will make us better acquainted with the views of Great Britain; and since the Ministers from Congress have thought that I ought for the service of America to remain here some time longer, I shall, under their direction devote myself to promote the interests of the United States. The footing I am upon at this Court enables me sometimes to go greater lengths than could be done by a foreigner. But unless an immediate earnest negotiation, which I am far from hoping, renders my services very useful, I will beg leave to return to my labors, and be employed in a shorter way to ensure the end of this business, than can be found in political dissertation.
I have communicated the opinion of Mr Adams, such as I found it in his letter. Dr Franklin's ideas will be presented by himself, and also those of Mr Jay, both of which must be preferable to mine, though I do not believe they much differ. But from what I have collected by communications with your Ministers, with those of the French, and by private intelligence, I conclude;
1st. That the British Ministry are at variance between themselves, embarrassed upon the conduct they ought to hold, and not firm in their principles and their places.
2dly. That negotiations will go on shortly, establish principles, and facilitate a treaty; but that the King of England and some of the Ministers, have not lost the idea of breaking the union between France and the United States.
3dly. That the situation of England, want of men and money, and the efforts France is about to make, will reduce the former to a necessity for making peace before the end of next spring.
America will no doubt exert herself, and send back every emissary to her Plenipotentiaries here; for the Ministry in England are now deceiving the people with the hope that —— is going to operate a reconciliation, and with many his —— of the same nature.
In the course of this affair, we have been perfectly satisfied with the French Ministry. They have proved candid and moderate. Mr Jay will write about Spain. Very little is to be said of her, and by her very little is to be done. It appears Holland is going on well, and I believe Mr Adams is satisfied, except upon the affair of money, which is the difficult point, and goes on very slowly.
By all I can see, I judge that if America insists on a share in the fisheries, she will obtain it by the general treaty; this point is too near my heart to permit me not to mention it.