money. I know too well how much you have been harassed for that article, and too well, how low our American finances in Europe are therefore, if I can possibly avoid it, I will not further trouble you, nor impoverish them, or not till the last extremity: hitherto I have supported myself without borrowing from any body, and I am determined to continue living upon my own stock while it lasts. The stock is indeed small my expenses have been and shall be in a suitably modest stile. I pray God to bless you: I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,

HENRY LAURENS.

P. S. I judged it proper not only to show the peace commission to Lord Shelburne, but to give his Lordship a copy of it, from an opinion that it would work no evil being shown elsewhere.

On the 4th of May Mr. Oswald returned and brought me the following letter from Lord Shelburne.

DEAR SIR,

Shelburne House, April 28, 1782. › I have received much satisfaction in being assured by you, that the qualifications of wisdom and integrity, which induced me to make choice of Mr. Oswald, as the fittest instrument for the renewal of our friendly intercourse, have also recommended him so effectually to your approbation and esteem. I most heartily wish that the influence of this first communication of our mutual sentiments may be extended to a happy conclusion of all our public differences.

The candor with which M. le Comte de Vergennes expresses his most Christian Majesty's sentiments and wishes on the subject of a speedy pacification, is a pleasing omen of

its accomplishment. His Majesty is not less decided in the same sentiments and wishes, and it confirms his Majesty's ministers in their intention, to act in like manner, as most consonant to the true dignity of a great nation.

In consequence of these reciprocal advances Mr. Oswald is sent back to Paris, for the purpose of arranging and settling with you the preliminaries of time and place: and, I have the pleasure to tell you, that Mr. Laurens is already discharged from those engagements, which he entered into, when he was admitted to bail.

1.

It is also determined that Mr. Fox, from whose department that communication is necessarily to proceed, shall -send a proper person, who may confer and settle immediately with M. de Vergennes the further measures and proceedings which may be judged proper to adopt towards advancing the prosecution of this important business. In the mean time Mr. Oswald is instructed to communicate to you my thoughts upon the principal objects to be settled.d:

Transports are actually preparing for the purpose of conveying your prisoners to America, to be there exchanged, and we trust, that you will learn, that due attention has not been wanting to their accommodation and good treatment.

I have the honor to be, with very sincere respect, dear Sir, your faithful and obedient servant,

SHELBURNE..

Having read the letter, I mentioned to Mr. Oswald the part which refers me to him for his Lordship's sentiments. He acquainted me that they were very sincerely disposed to peace; that the whole ministry concurred in the same dispositions; that a good deal of confidence was placed in my character for open honest dealing; that it was also generally believed I had still remaining some part of my ancient affec

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tion and regard for Old England, and it was hoped it might appear on this occasion. He then showed me an extract from the minutes of council, but did not leave the paper with me. As well as I remember it was to this

purpose. At a Cabinet Council held April 27, 1782, presentLord Rockingham, Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lord Camden, &c. &c. (to the number of fifteen or twenty, being all ministers and great officers of state.)

“ It was proposed to represent to his Majesty, that it would be well for Mr. Oswald to return to Dr. Franklin and acquaint him, that it is agreed to treat for a general peace, and at Paris; and that the principal points in contemplation are, the allowing of American independence, on condition that England be put into the same situation that she was left in by the peace of 1763."

Mr. Oswald also informed me, that he had conversed with Lord Shelburne on the subject of my paper of notes relating to reconciliation. That he had shown him the paper, and had been prevailed on to leave it with him a night, but it was on his Lordship's solemn promise of returning it, which had been complied with, and he now returned it to me. That it seemed to have made an impression, and he had reason to believe that matter' might be settled to our satisfaction towards the end of the treaty; but in his mind he wished it might not be mentioned at the beginning. That his Lordship indeed said, he had not imagined reparation would be expected; and he wondered I should not know whether it was intended to demand it. Finally Mr. Oswald acquainted me, that as the business, now likely to be brought forward, more particularly appertained to the department of the other secretary, Mr. Fox, he was directed to announce another agent coming from that department, who might be expected every day, viz. the Honorable Mr. Grenville, brother of Lord Temple, and son

of the famous Mr. George Grenville, formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer.

!

I immediately wrote the following note to M. le Comte de Vergennes.

SIR,

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Passy, May 4, 1782.

I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency that Mr. Oswald is just returned from London, and now with me.' He has delivered me a letter from Lord Shelburne, which I enclose for your perusal, together with a copy of my letter to which it is an answer. He tells me, that it has been agreed in council to treat at Paris, and to treat of a general peace; and that as it is more particularly in the department of Mr. Fox, to regulate the circumstantials, a gentleman, (Mr. Grenville,) to be sent by him for that purpose, may be daily expected here. Mr. Oswald will wait on your Excellency whenever you shall think fit to receive him. I am with respect, your Excellency's most obedient and most, &c. &c.

And the next day I received the following answer.

à Versailles, le 5 May, 1782.

J'ai reçu, Monsieur, la lettre que vous m'avez fait l'honneur de m'écrire le 4 de ce mois, ainsi que celles qui y étoient jointes. Je vous verrai avec plaisir avec votre ami demain matin à onze heures.

J'ai l'honneur d'être sincèrement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur,

DE VERGENNES..

Accordingly on Monday morning I went with Mr. Oswald

to Versailles, and we saw the minister.

Mr. Oswald acquainted him with the disposition of his court to treat for a general peace and at Paris; and he announced Mr. Grenville, who he said was to set out about the same time with him, but as he would probably come by way of Ostend, might be a few days longer on the road. Some general conversation passed, agreeable enough, but not of importance. In our return Mr. Oswald repeated to me his opinion, that the affair of Canada would be settled to our satisfaction, and his wish that it might not be mentioned till towards the end of the treaty. He intimated too, that it was apprehended the greatest obstructions in the treaty might come from the part of Spain; but said if she was unreasonable, there were means to bring her to reason; that Russia was a friend to England, had lately made great discoveries on the back of North America, could make establishments there, and might easily transport an army from Kamschatka to the Coast of Mexico, and conquer all those countries. This appeared to me a little visionary at present, but I did not dispute it. On the whole I was able to draw so little from Mr. O. of the sentiments of Lord S. who had mentioned him as entrusted with the communication of them, that I could not but wonder at his bemg sent again to me, especially as Mr. Grenville was so soon to follow.

On Tuesday I was at court as usual on that day, M. de Vergennes asked me if Mr. Oswald had not opened himself farther to me. I acquainted him with the sight I had had of the minute of-council, and of the loose expressions contained in it of what was in contemplation. He seemed to think it

. odd that lie had brought nothing more explicit. . I supposed Mr. Grenville might be better furnished.