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the number of 330, were all embarked on board the transports; that each had received twenty shillings worth of necessaries at the expence of government, and went on board in good humour. That contrary winds had prevented the transports arriving in time at Plymouth, but that the whole number now there of our people, amounting to 700 with those arrived from Ireland, would be soon on their way home.

In the evening the Marquis de la Fayette came to see me, and said he had seen M. de Vergennes who was satisfied with Mr. Grenville's powers. He aked me what I thought of them, and I told him what I had said to Mr. Grenville of their imperfection with respect to us. He agreed in opinion with me. I let him know that I proposed writing to M. de Vergennes to-morrow. He said he had signed the paper relating to Major Ross's parole, and hoped Congress would not take it amiss; and added, that in conversation with the Major, he had asked him, why England was so backward to make propositions? We are afraid, said the Major, of offering you more than you expect or desire.

I find myself in some perplexity, with regard to these two negociators. Mr. Oswald appears to have been the choice of Lord Shelburne: Mr. Grenville that of Mr. Secretary Fox. Lord Shelburne is said to have lately acquired much of the King's confidence: Mr. Fox calls himself the minister of the people, and it is certain his popularity is lately much increased. Lord S. seems to wish to have the management of the treaty; Mr. Fox seems to think it in his department. I hear that the understanding between those ministers is not quite perfect. Mr. Grenville is clever, and seems to feel reason as readily as Mr. Oswald, though not so ready to own it. Mr. Oswald appears quite plain and sincere. I sometimes a little doubt Mr. Grenville. Mr. Oswald, as an old man, seems to have now no desire but that of being useful in doing good. Mr. Grenville, a young man, naturally desirous of acquiring reputation, seems to aim at that of being an able negociator. Oswald does not solicit to have any share in the business, but submitting the matter to Lord S. and me expresses only his willingness to serve, if we think he may be useful, and is equally willing to be excused if we judge there is no occasion for him. Grenville seems to think the whole negociation committed to him, and to have no idea of Oswald's being concerned in it; and is therefore willing to extend the expressions in his commission, so as to make them comprehend America, and this beyond what I think they will bear. I imagine we might however go on very well with either of them, though I should prefer Oswald; but I apprehend difficulties if they are both employed, especially if there is any misunderstanding between their principals. I must however write to Lord S. proposing something in consequence of his offer of vesting Mr. Oswald with any commission that gentleman and I should think proper.

Tuesday 18th. I found myself much indisposed with a sudden and violent cold, attended with a feverishness and head-ache. I imagined it to be an effect of the influenza, a disorder now reigning in various parts of Europe. This prevented my going to Versailles.

Thursday 20th. Weather excessively hot, and my disorder continues, but is lessened, the head-ache having left me. I am however not yet able to go to Versailles.

Friday 21st. I received the following note from the Marquis de la Fayette.

Versailles, Thursday Morning, June 20, 1782.

MY DEAR SIR,

Agreeable to your desire I have waited upon Count de Vergennes, and said to him what I had in command from your Excellency. He intends taking the King's orders this morning, and expects he will be able to propose Mr. Grenville a meeting for to-morrow, where he will have time to explain himself respecting France and her allies, that he may make an official communication both to the King and the allied ministers. What Count de Vergennes can make out of this conversation will be communicated by him to your Excellency in case you are not able to come, -in the other case I shall wait upon you to-morrow evening with every information I can collect. I have the honor to be very respectfully, my dear Sir, your obedient servant, and affectionate friend,

LA FAYETTE.

In the evening the Marquis called upon me, and acquainted me that Mr. Grenville had been with Count de Vergennes, but could not inform me what had passed.

Saturday 22d. Mr. Oswald and Mr. Whiteford his secretary came and breakfasted with me. Mr. O. had received no letter or instructions. I told him I would write to Lord Shelburne respecting him, and call on him on Monday morning to breakfast, and show him what I proposed to write, that it might receive such alterations as he should judge

proper.

Sunday 23d. In the afternoon Mr. Jay arrived, to my great satisfaction. I proposed going with him the next morning to Versailles, and presenting him to M. de Vergennes. He informed me, that the Spanish ministers had been much struck with the news from England respecting the resolutions of parliament to discontinue the war in America, &c., and that they had since been extremely civil to him, and he understood intended to send instructions to the ambassador at this court, to make the long talked of treaty with him here.

Monday 24th. Wrote a note of excuse to Mr. Oswald

promising to see him on Wednesday, and went with Mr. Jay to Versailles. M. de Vergennes acquainted us, that he had given to Mr. Grenville the answer to his propositions, who had immediately dispatched it to his court. He read it to us, and I shall endeavour to obtain a copy of it. M. de Vergennes informing us that a frigate was about to be dispatched for America, by which we might write, and that the courier who was to carry down the dispatches would set off on Wednesday morning, we concluded to omit going to court on Tuesday, in order to prepare our letters. M. de Vergennes appeared to have some doubts about the sincerity of the British court, and the bonne foi of Mr. Grenville; but said the return of Mr. G.'s courier might give light.

I received the following letter from Mr. Adams, dated the Hague, June 13, 1782.

:

:

FROM HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN ADAMS, ESO. TO DR.

FRANKLIN,

SIR,

The Hague, June 13, 1782.

1

I had yesterday at Amsterdam, the honor of

receiving your Excellency's letter of June 2nd.

1

The discovery that Mr. Grenville's power was only to treat with France does not surprize me at all. The British ministry are too divided among themselves, and have too formidable an opposition against them, in the King and the old ministers, and are possessed of too little of the confidence of the nation, to have courage to make concessions of any sort, especially since the news of their successes in the East and West Indies. What their vanity will end in God only knows: for my own part, I cannot see a probability that they will ever make peace, until their finances are ruined, and such distresses brought upon them, as will work up their parties into a civil war.

I wish their enemies could by any means be persuaded to carry on the war against them in places, where they might be sure of triumphs, instead of insisting upon pursuing it, where they are sure of defeat. But we must take patience, and wait for time to do, what wisdom might easily and soon do.

I have not as yet taken any engagements with the Dutch not to make peace without them; but I will take such engagements in a moment, if the Dutch will take them, and I believe they would very cheerfully. I shall not propose it however till I have the concurrence of the Duke de la Vauguyon, who will do nothing without the instructions of his court. I would not delay it a moment from any expectation that the English will acknowledge our independence and make peace with us, because I have no such expectations. The permanent friendship of the Dutch may be easily obtained by the United States. That of England never: it is gone with the days before the flood. If we ever enjoy the smallest degree of sincere friendship again from England, I am totally incapable of seeing the character of a nation or the connections of kings; which however may be the case for what I know. They have brought themselves into such a situation! Spain, Holland, America, the armed neutrality have all such pretensions and demands upon them, that where is the English minister, or member of parliament that dares to vote for the concession to them? The pretensions of France I believe would be so moderate, that possibly they might be acceded to. But it is much to be feared that Spain, who deserves the least, will demand the most: in short, the work of peace appears so impracticable and chimerical, that I am happy in being restrained to this country, by my duty, and by this means excused from troubling my head much about it. I have a letter from America that informed me, that Mr. Jay had refused to

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