To this the King answered, 1st. That the powers of Mr Grenville were insufficient, as they did not mention the allies of his Majesty. 2dly. That his Majesty could not himself negotiate for the interests of America, having no powers to this purpose; and that it became the dignity of the King of England and of the United States to open a direct negotiation on this subject. 3dly. That in order to conclude a solid and lasting peace, it ought not to be founded upon the treaty of Paris, but upon justice and the dignity of all the contracting powers.
The British Ministry adopting these observations, sent new powers to Mr Grenville, authorising him to treat with all the belligerent powers. Mr Grenville presented to the Count de Vergennes a copy of these powers, and declared, that the King of England, being disposed to acknowledge and declare directly the independence of America, it would no longer be a conditional article of peace. And as to France, the English Plenipotentiary proposed to take the treaty of Paris for the basis, not of the peace itself, but of the negotiations which were to be entered into.
The Count de Vergennes, on the 21st of June, communicated to Mr Grenville the answer of the King. In this communication his Majesty declared his wishes for the restoration of peace, and his satisfaction, that the King of Great Britain was disposed to treat with all the belligerent powers, and that he intended to make a direct acknowledgment and declaration of the independence of the United States of America, and that this point would no longer be a conditional Article of a general pacification. That the King consents to adopt, according to the proposition of the King of England, the treaty of Paris for a basis of the negotiation, not as a confirmation of all its stipulations, but with exceptions and alterations respecting the East Indies, Africa, the fisheries of Newfoundland, and commercial regulations in Europe to mutual advantage. Restitution and compensation to be treated of, when the negotiation shall be established, with respect to which the King will be governed by the principles of justice and moderation, which are the basis of his policy. If these overtures are agreeable to the King of England, his Majesty will explain himself precisely on the different points. His Majesty expects, that his Britannic Majesty will make to all the belligerent powers and states, without delay, such overtures as he may think conducive to promote the negotiation as far as it respects their interests. That no doubt may be left with respect to his Majesty's sentiments, he declares anew, that he will neither treat nor terminate any negotiation, unless the interests of his allies and friends shall be conjointly discussed and determined, or separately, according to the wishes of his Britannic Majesty and the allied and friendly powers of his Most Christian Majesty.
Such was the state of affairs on the 28th of June, at which time there appeared some obstructions to the negotiation, owing, as it was believed, to the misunderstanding which prevailed among the British Ministers. Tergiversations were discovered on the part of the British negotiator. The bill authorising the King of England to treat with the Colonies of America had not then passed. These uncertainties made it essential to guard against British emissaries on the continent of America; and to prevent with all care their admission; and to recommend the same measure to the several Legislatures.
The Minister finished the conference by informing the committee of the fortitude of the King on receiving the news of the action of the 12th of April. He immediately gave orders for constructing twelve ships of the line, the greater part of the first rate. The city of Paris and several other cities and corporations had offered some others, and it was expected, that the King would, in the course of the next campaign, have twenty new ships to oppose the enemy. His Majesty was resolved not to make the least alterations in his plans for the future negotiation; and he exhorted his allies to the same resolution and the same exertions.
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, September 27th, 1782.
Sir,