of forgiving us, or having all that nation's enemies for ours, shall sink with it. I am ever, my dear friend, yours most affectionately,

B. FRANKLIN."

M. de Rayneval (who is Secretary to the Council of State,) calling again in the evening, I gave him copies of the preceding letters to peruse, and show to M. de Vergennes ; to convince them that we held no underhand dealings here. I own I had at the same time another view in it, which was that they should see I had been ordered to demand further aids, and had forborne to make the demand, with my reasons; hoping that if they possibly could help us to more money, they might be induced to do it.

I had never made any visit to Count d'Aranda, the Spanish ambassador, for reasons before mentioned. M. de Rayneval told Mr. Jay and me this morning, that it would be well for us to wait upon him, and he had authority to assure us we should be well received. We accordingly concluded to wait on his Excellency next morning.

Saturday, June 29. We went together to the Spanish ambassador's, who received us with the greatest civility and politeness. He spoke with Mr. Jay on the subject of the treaty they were to make together, and mentioned in general as a principle, that the two powers should consider each other's conveniency, and accommodate and compensate each other as well as they could. That an exact compensation might perhaps not be possible, but should be approached as nearly as the nature of things would admit. Thus, said he, if there is a certain thing which would be convenient to each of us, but more convenient to one than to the other, it should be given to the one to whom it would be most convenient; and compensation be made by giving another thing to the other for the same reason. I suppose he had

in view something relating to boundaries or territories, because he added, "we will sit down together with maps" in our hands, and by that means shall see our way more clearly.” I learned from him that the expedition against Providence had failed, that no advice was yet received of it. At our going out he took pains himself to open the folding doors for us, which is a high compliment here, and told us he would return our visit (rendre son devoir,) and then fix a day with us for dining with him. I dined with Mr. Jay and a company of Americans at his lodgings.

Sunday, July 1. Mr. Grenville called on me.

[This JOURNAL does not appear to have been further continued: but the NEGOCIATIONS will be found completed by the authentic Correspondence and Documents which follow.]

SIR,

To THE HON. HENRY LAURENS.

Passy, July 2, 1782.

I received the letter you did me the honor of writing to me from Lyons the 24th past.

I wonder a little at Mr. *** not acquainting you whether your name was in the commission or not. I begin to suspect from various circumstances that the British ministry, elated perhaps too much by the success of Admiral Rodney, are not in earnest to treat immediately, but rather wish delay. They seem to hope that farther successes may enable them to treat more advantageously; or, as some suppose, that certain propositions to be made to Congress by General Carleton, may render a treaty here with us unnecessary. A little bad news, which it is possible they may yet receive from the same quarter, will contribute to set them right;

and then we may enter seriously upon the treaty; otherwise I conjecture it may not take place till after another campaign. Mr. Jay is arrived here. Mr. Grenville and Mr. Oswald continue here. Mr. Oswald has yet received no commission; and that of Mr. Grenville does not very clearly comprehend us, according to British ideas; therefore requires explication. When I know more you shall have farther information.

Not having an immediate answer to what I wrote you concerning the absolution of Lord Cornwallis's parole, and Major Ross coming over hither from him to press it; I gave him the discharge you desired. Enclosed I send you a copy. I hear it has proved satisfactory to him; I hope it will be so to you. Believe me to be, with great esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

FROM GOVERNOR POWNALL TO DR. FRANKLIN.

DEAR SIR,

Richmond Hill, July 5, 1782.

I have, by my friend Mr. Hobart, sent a printed copy of the three memorials which I published on the subject of America, one addressed to the sovereigns of Europe, and two others addressed to the sovereign of Great Britain.

I hope you received my letter of May 13, 1782, forwarded by Mr. Bridgen.

As it is possible you may see Mr. Hobart, he can inform you from me, as well as of his own knowledge, of the steps we took upon the ground of your communications to him and me. That there were persons authorized to treat of peace, and that such persons were willing to give to reasonable measures taken to that end, every assistance in their

power." He can inform you also on the circumstances

which attended those steps; and of the effect which they missed in the direct line, as of the effect they actually have in an oblique one. As from the beginning of this matter of trying to bring on negociation for peace, I considered him as joined with me in our endeavours; so I have given to him a memorandum which I made on the course of this business. He will communicate to you every thing which is not improper for a man of honor to communicate to the minister of a people at war with us: nor will he abstain from communicating any thing which that minister, wishing peace to our country, ought to be apprized of, respecting the effects of his friendly offers. He will do every thing which a man of honor ought to do, and he will do nothing that a man of honor ought not to do.

I have desired him to give a paper of queries, respecting modes and terms of settling in America, which people of this old world, and of the old country may in future be admitted to receive. I am, not only for my friends, but personally interested to gain information on that head: and as I wish that which will not deceive them or myself, I apply

to you.

May God send peace on earth. I hope among the general blessings it will bring, it will restore me to the communication and enjoyment of my old and long valued friendship with you. May you live to see, and have health to enjoy, the blessings which I hope it may please God to make you the instrument of communicating to mankind. I am, dear Sir, your friend and very humble servant,

T. POWNALL.

P. M.

TO THE HON. Mr. HOBART.

When I published the memorials which I had prepared for the King, January 1, 1782, I prefixed a prefatory explanation of the publication, stating, as far as was safe so to do, the state' of the propositions of treaty, and the circumstances attending the reception and final refusal of them, of S..

羹

I could not think it proper to name the person with whom I had corresponded, who was authorized to treat of peace, and was willing to promote it, because I knew the insidious falsehood of those who both hate and fear him, would, when once his name was committed with the public, represent him in any light that might tend to diminish and destroy the trust and confidence which he so deservedly has, from his employers. The mémorials therefore speak of persons in the plural, and the preface in its communications to the public: keeps close to that expressedron

I could not venture to tell the public, nor conld I venture to write to this person, the fact that he specifically and personally was excepted to, in an opprobrious manner. Because the same persons who are his enemies, having proscribed me, would have been glad of making such my communications an occasion of charging me with crimes, which, notwithstanding they have been in constant watch, they have never yet been able to do. For although I know they have whispered such in the closet, they never have dared to assert any such matter as fact in public. What I did, I thought right in point of honor to all concerned or interested, and I went as far as I dared venture to go in the publications which I made.