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you put into my hauds this afternoon; and I return them directly without waiting till our interview to-morrow morne ing, because I would not give a moment's delay to the de livery of those directed to other persons. The situation of Captain Asgill and bis family afflicts me: but I do not see what can be done by any one here to relieve them. It cannot be supposed that General Washington has the least desire of taking the life of that gentleman. His aim is to obtain the punishment, committed on a prisoner in cold blood, by Captain Lippincott. If the English refuse to deliver up or punish this murderer, it is saying that they chuse to preserve him rather than Captain Asgill. It seems to me therefore that the application should be made to the English ministers, for positive orders directing General Carleton to deliver up Lippincott, which orders being obtained should be dispatched immediately by a swift sailing vessel. I do not think any other means can produce the effect desired. The cruel murders of this kind committed by the English on our people since the commencement of the war, are inpumerable. The congress and their generals, to satisfy the people, have often threatened retaliation; but have always hitherto forborne to execute it, and they have often been told insultingly by their enemies, that this forbearance did not proceed from humanity but fear. General Greene, though he solemnly and publicly promised it in a proclamation, never made any retaliation for the murder of Colonel Haynes, and many others in Carolina; and the people, who now think that if he had fulfilled his promise, this crime would not have been committed, clamour so loudly, that I doubt General Washington, cannot well refuse what appears to them so just and necesssary for their common security. I am persuaded nothing I could say to him on the occasion, would have the least effect in changing his determination. Excuse me then if I presume to advise the dispatching a courier

immediately to London, proposing to the consideration of ministers the sending such orders to General Carleton di rectly. They would have an excellent effect in other views The post goes to-morrow morning at ten o'clock; but as nine days have been spent in bringing the letters here by that conveyance, an express is preferable. With sinceres esteem I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN...

To M. LE COMTE DE VERGENNES.

SIR,

Passy, August 8, 1782,

Yesterday Mr. Oswald communicated to Mr. Jay and me, a paper he had just received from his court, being a copy of the King's order to the attorney or solicitor general to prepare a commission to pass the great seal, appointing him to treat with us, &c. and he showed us a letter from Mr. Secretary Townshend, which expresses his concern that the commission itself could not be sent by this courier, the officers who were to expedite it being in the country, which would occasion, a delay of eight or ten days; but that its being then sent might be depended on, and it was hoped the treaty might in the mean time be proceeded on. Mr. Oswald left with me a copy of the paper which I enclose for your Excellency's consideration, and am, with great respect, Sir, your Excellency's, &c.

"

Je reçois, Monsieur, la lettre de ce jour dont vous m'avez honoré, et la copie du pouvoir que M. Oswald vous a communiqué. La forme dans laquelle il est conçu

n'étant pas celle qui est usitée, je ne puis pas arrêter mon opinion à une première vue, je vais l'examiner avec la plus grande attention, et si vous voulez bien vous rendre ici Samedi matin, je pourrai en conférer avec vous, et avec M. Jay s'il lui étoit commode de vous accompagner. ::J'ai l'honneur d'être, très-parfaitement, Monsieur, votre très humble, &c.

DE VERGENNES. Versailles, le 8 Août, 1782.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO the Hon. Robert

R. LIVINGSTON.

a

Passy, August 12, 1782. “ The second changes in the ministry of England have occasioned or have afforded pretences for various delays in the negociation for peace. Mr. Grenville had two successive imperfect commissions. He was at length recalled, and Mr. Fitzherbert is now arrived to replace him, with a commission in due form to treat with France, Spain, and Holland. Mr. Oswald, who is here, is informed that a commission impowering him to treat with the commissioners of Congress will pass the seals, and be sent him in a few days. Till it arrives, this court will not proceed in its own negociation. I send the enabling act, as it is called. Mr. Jay will acquaint you with what passes between him and the Spanish ambassador respecting the proposed treaty with Spain. I will only mention that my conjecture of that court's design to coop us up within the Alleghany mountains is now manifested : I hope Congress will insist on the Missisipi as the boundary, and the free navigation of the river, from wbich they would entirely exclude us.”

B. FRANKLIN.!

FROM DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ. M. P. TO DR. Franklin.

Yours I received by Major Young together with the work of your véritable philosophe, which is full of humanity. I was not, before that, at a loss where I should have looked for my véritable philosophe in the present actual scene of public politics. Your honest, auxious, and unremitted endeavours towards the re-establishment of peace, múst endear you to your own country, and to all mankind. Whatever may have been transacting in America, (if it can be possible that the suspicions which you mention should become true,) viz. to tamper with America for a breach of faith, of which some suspicions seem to be thrown out by the provinces of Maryland and Philadelphia, I can give the strongest testimonies of the constant honor and good faith of your conduct and correspondencies; and my letters to you will bear me equal testimony, that I have never thrown out any dishonorable suggestions to you. When the proposed Congress of your véritable philosophe shall meet, neither of us need fear its censures, upon the strictest examination of of our correspondence. We will claim the poet's character of the sincere statesman,

"Who knew no thought but what the world might hear."

In times of suspicion it must be some satisfaction to both of us to know, that no line or word has ever passed between us, but what the governments of Great Britain, France, and America, might freely peruse as the words of good faith, peace and sweet reconciliation.

The resolutions of Maryland and Philadelphia together with the slow proceeding of our plenipotentiaries, and even the doubt suggested whether they may not be in waiting for

events in America, give me much concern. Not being informed to a certainty of the state of the negociation, I have declined any concern with ministry upon the subject of the refugees, &c. My assistance cannot be indispensable upon that topic, but I deem it indispensable to myself, not to be committed in unknown ground, which from the points abovementioned must appear dubious to me. These are the reasons which I gave to the minister for declining. I must at the same time give him the justice of the most absolute and unlimited professions of sincerity for peace. Whatever divisions there may have been, as you say, suspected in the cabinet, there are some of his colleagues still remaining, in whom I have the greatest confidence for sincerity and good intentions. The public prints of this country have stated what are called shades of difference as to the mode. Those opinions which are imputed to Mr. Fox are certainly most suitable to my opinions. I am free to confess to you that my wishes would have been to have taken the most decisive ground relating to independence, &e. immediately from the 27th of March last, viz. the accession of the change of ministry. But I agree with you in sentiment; viz. to concur with all the good that offers, when we cannot obtain all the good that we might wish. The situation of my sentiments at present is, an unbiassed neutrality of expectation, as events may justify.

I shall be obliged to you for the earliest communications of any public events in America which may come to Europe, with any public resolutions of congress or provinces, &c. and all memorials or negociations which may pass between the parties in America. I am very anxious to have the earliest informations to form my opinions upon, and to be prepared accordingly. My utmost: endeavours will always be exerted to the blessed work of peace. I am ever, your affectionate D. HARTLEY.