SIR GUY CARLETON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
New York, March 26th, 1783.
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 24th instant, enclosing a resolution of Congress of the same date, taken in consequence of the arrival of the cutter, Triomphe, commanded by Lieutenant du Quesne, with, orders of the 10th of February last, given at Cadiz by Vice Admiral d'Estaing, for him to put to sea and cruize on such stations as he shall judge most likely to meet with ships of his nation, and inform them of the happy reconciliation of the belligerent powers, and to order all their ships of war to cease hostilities against those of Great Britain; the Preliminary Articles of a general peace being signed the 20th of January. You thereupon are pleased to express your expectation that I would think this information thus conveyed, "sufficiently authentic to justify my taking immediate measures to stop the further effusion of blood."
For my own part, I have hitherto abstained from all hostilities, and this conduct I meant to continue so far as our own security would permit; but how great soever my desire is to put an entire stop to the calamities of war, and whatever respect this information may deserve, yet I do not find myself thereby justified in recommending measures that might give facility to the fleets and armies menacing any part of the King's possessions, to carry their hostilities into execution.
To adopt a measure of this importance, it is necessary I should receive orders from home, which I may reasonably expect every hour, as a cruiser sent out on other purposes is already arrived at Philadelphia; and I assure you, Sir, I only wait the official certainty of this great event, to assume the language, and the spirit too, of the most perfect conciliation and peace.
I perceive, Sir, by the resolution enclosed in your letter, that Congress have thought fit to consider this information as authentic, and, thereupon, have taken one considerable step towards carrying the terms of peace into immediate execution.
Another, not less important, I presume, has been taken, or is taking. With the cessation of hostilities, I perceive, is connected in the seventh Article of the provisional treaty an engagement, that "all prisoners on both sides shall be set at liberty;" of this event, therefore, I hope likewise speedily to receive the very necessary and welcome notice, as I shall find the highest satisfaction in seeing released on all sides, men upon whom the evils and calamities of war have more peculiarly fallen.
I am, Sir, &c.
GUY CARLETON.