Here we are too near the sun, and the business is dangerous; with you it may be done more easily, and indeed has already been attended with happy effects, as you will see by the enclosed copy of a letter from the Chamber of Commerce at Liverpool to that of Bristol. The natural antipathy of the nation is such that their passions being once fully excited, they will proceed to such acts of reprisal and mutual violence as will occasion clamors and altercations, which no soft words can palliate. As I pretend to know something of the counsels of both nations, I know there are strong advocates for war in both. The more reasons they have to produce in favor of their system, the sooner it will be adopted. In England, when General Howe's successes in the Jerseys and the prospect of getting possession of Philadelphia made the Ministry hope for a speedy termination of their dispute with us, I know war with France was nearly determined on. The insolence of apparent success dictated that memorial which Sir Joseph Yorke presented to their High Mightinesses, and which you have undoubtedly seen. One of a still more insolent nature was prepared and even sent to Lord Stormont here, and a refusal and even delay of compliance with the requisitions therein made was to have been the harbinger of war and the immediate destruction of the French commerce and islands. Happily for our enemies, the news of our success at Trenton prevented its delivery. In France the nation and some of the Ministers wish to act vigorously, but are retarded in all their operations by the imbecility of age or the more powerful operation of English gold. As the English Ministry seem convinced of the pacific, or rather undecided, state of the rulers here, they hasten, by the most vigorous exertions against us, to end the war, and are less reserved in the treatment of the French prisoners abroad. Could they be provoked to unequivocal proofs of violence, it would be a good point gained. This your situation may bring about by encouraging the arming of vessels manned by Frenchmen, and by prompting the captains to provoke unjustifiable reprisals on the part of the inhabitants of the English. islands. To you, filled with liberal ideas and a high sense of the interest of the French nation to give us powerful support, these hints may appear extraordinary; but from experience I can assure you that public councils, at least in Europe, are directed more by caprice, or the interest of individuals, than by a generous concern for the whole. At a distance, we think more of the wisdom of statesmen than they merit. The nearer we approach them the less is our reverence. If our enemies are not successful, they mean to close with us on the best terms they can, sensible that if this great effort does not succeed, they have little to hope in future. This is an animating reason for us to persevere in the glorious contest. In the mean time, it is our business to keep up the spirits of our common people to the utmost; for which reason what I write you is in confidence, or for the inspection of the Committee only, if it may be thought to merit their notice. The English have completed their loan among themselves. No foreigners have assisted them, although the terms to the lender are better than any yet offered by that nation except once. Foreigners know that they have yet several millions to fund for which they must offer still better terms. The Spaniards have refused the mediation of France and England in their dispute with Portugal, being determined to prosecute the war until Portugal demands peace and makes reparation. They have taken the important Island of St. Catharine's, on the coast of Brazil, without loss, and mean vigorously to prosecute their operations on Brazil. This I have from undoubted authority, one of the family Ministers. A report prevails that the Indians of the east have fallen on their oppressors, and have taken Madras. India stock has, consequently, fallen. Both France and Spain continue their armaments as if preparing for some great event. This obliges England to do the same. All their naval and army contracts are for five years, and they employ as many workmen in their dock-yards as they did in the height of the last war. You will serve us essentially by pushing the cruisers who visit you into the European seas, particularly those of the north, in the months of August, September, and October, directing them to send their prizes into France or Spain. It would render our negociation with Prussia more successful if a tobacco ship could by any means be pushed into Emden, which ship might make her returns in manufactures necessary for us, and fifteen or twenty per cent. cheaper than we can have them here. Urge it to the honorable Committee. I am, &c., WILLIAM CARMICHAEL. P. S. Two vessels with stores are just despatched from different ports. Forward them, my dear sir, immediately to our dear country. Captains Wickes, Johnson, and Nicholson have just destroyed sixteen vessels on the English and Irish coast. I am despatching Conyngham from hence on the same business in a privateer. I begin to think war unavoidable. Dunkirk, July 6th. W. C. TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Sir, Yorktown, June 17th, 1778. Since my arrival here, I have been informed of the honor conferred upon me by Congress, in being appointed Secretary to the Commissioners at the Court of France, an honor which greatly overpays the feeble efforts of my zeal, and is more than I could expect, considering the well-founded pretensions of others to their notice. I beg leave, through you, sir, to express my grateful sensibility of this proof of their confidence, as well as the ardent desire I have of meriting it in future.* I have the honor to be, &c., WILLIAM CARMICHAEL. TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Sir, Off Reedy Island, November 25th, 1779. I received at Chester the copies of the resolves you did me the honor to enclose me, and shall punctually comply with your request, by forwarding them, as soon as I arrive, to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Johnson. I am sorry that the business with respect to the latter is left in its present state, because there are very few men who neglect * It does not appear that Mr. Carmichael ever accepted this appointment. He was chosen a Delegate to Congress from Maryland, and joined that body on the 19th of November, 1778. a certain and profitable occupation to engage in another, where they are sure of offending, without an equal certainty of an adequate reward for their trouble and impartiality. I am much obliged to you for your good wishes, although I must candidly own they would be still more agreeable accompanied by a ship-of-the-line, for we are informed that the Romulus and Roebuck are waiting for us to intercept us, and were they animated, would, like the Death and Sin of Milton, bless their lucky stars "destined to that good hour." I beg you to make the proper compliments for me to the gentlemen of your family. I have the honor to be, sir, &c., WILLIAM CARMICHAEL. Sir, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Martinique, December 27th, 1779. I take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency a paper containing a relation of a late affair between part of a small squadron, commanded by M. la Motte Piquet, and the English fleet, under the orders of Sir Peter Parker. It was given me by direction of the French Admiral, that a true account of this action, which has done him much honor here, might be published in America. On the 23d of this month, Admiral Arbuthnot arrived at Barbadoes with six or seven sail-of-the-line and sixteen regiments. An attack on the Grenadas or Dominica is daily expected. The latter is well fortified and garrisoned by twelve hundred men. The Marquis de Bouillè seems to have no apprehensions for any of their islands, except those lately taken from the enemy. Mr. Jay informs Congress by this opportunity of the misfortune which befel us, and the reasons which induced the officers to bring the ship to this Island.* I can only express my regret for the delay which this accident will occasion in the execution of the business with which Congress has done us the honor to entrust us. With the highest sentiments of respect, I have the honor to be, &c., WILLIAM CARMICHAEL. *See Mr. Jay's Correspondence, Vol. IV, p. 126. TO JOHN JAY. Dear Sir, Madrid, February 18th, 1780. I did myself the honor of writing to you by a courier whom the French Ambassador despatched to Cadiz yesterday morning; since which I have been introduced to their Excellencies, delivered your letter to the latter, and explained to the former the reasons which induce you to address the other, with which he was perfectly satisfied. Don Joseph de Galves told me that he should give your letter to the Count de Florida Blanca, whose business it was to lay it before the King, and receive his orders on the subject, and that the Count or himself would be directed to answer it. I repeated the substance of your instructions to me as far as they respect him, and was answered that he would take an opportunity of conversing with me on our affaris, and would inform me through the French Ambassador when it would be convenient for him to receive me. Some compliments passed with respect to the characters he had received of us, which it is unnecessary to repeat. The Count de Florida Blanca told me that he would lay your letter before the King the same night for his consideration. I took this opportunity of mentioning the pleasure it would give Congress to hear of your reception at Madrid, from the earnest desire they had to cultivate the King's friendship, that their expectations were sanguine, having been led to believe the dispositions of the Court were favorable, by the suggestions of persons supposed to be well acquainted with its intentions, that the hopes of the people were also great, and I hinted that there were several vessels about to sail from Bilboa and the ports of France by which you would be happy to communicate this news to Congress, and to gratify the expectations of the people. He then told me he had informed the King of your arrival at Cadiz, although they had understood your original destination was to France; that the King had ordered him to receive your overtures, and that I was at liberty to give you this information, and, after a pause, added that on Monday he hoped to have it in his power to return an answer. You will please to observe that it had not been read by either when this conversation passed. He also told me that he would take an opportunity to converse with me, and would inform VOL. V.-2 |