it takes away the occasions of fresh quarrels and mischief, will it not be worth considering, especially if it can be done not only without expense, but be a means of saving?

Britain possesses Canada. Her chief advantage from that possession consists in the trade for peltry. Her expenses in governing and defending that settlement must be considerable. It might be humiliating to her to give it up on the demand of America. Perhaps America will not demand it. Some of her political rulers may consider the fear of such a neighbour as a means of keeping the thirteen States more united among themselves, and more attentive to military discipline. But in the mind of the people in general, would it not have an excellent effect if Britain should voluntarily offer to give up that province; though on these conditions, that she should in all time coming have and enjoy the right of free trade thither unincumbered with any duties whatsoever; that so much of the waste lands there shall be sold as will raise a sum sufficient to pay for the houses burnt by the British troops and their Indians, and also to indemnify the Royalists for the confiscation of their estates?

This is mere conversation matter between Mr. O. and Mr. F. as the former is not empowered to make propositions, and the latter cannot make any without the concurrence of his colleagues."

He then told me that nothing in his judgment could be clearer, more satisfactory, and convincing than the reasonings in that paper; that he would do his utmost to impress Lord Shelburne with them; that as his memory might not do them justice, and

it would be impossible for him to express them so well, or state them so clearly as I had written them, he begged I would let him take the paper with him, assuring me that he would return it safely into my hands. I at length complied with this request also. We parted exceeding good friends, and he set out for London.

By the first opportunity afterwards, I wrote the following letter to Mr. Adams, and sent the papers therein mentioned, that he might be fully apprised of the proceedings. I omitted only the paper of notes for conversation with Mr. Oswald, but gave the substance as appears in the letter. The reason of my omitting it was, that, on reflection, I was not pleased with my having hinted a reparation to the Tories for their forfeited estates; and I was a little ashamed of my weakness in permitting the paper to go out of my hands.

SIR,

Passy, April 20, 1782.

I hope your Excellency received the copy of our instructions which I sent by the courier from Versailles some weeks since. I wrote to you on the 13th to go by Captain Smedley, and sent a packet of correspondence with Mr. Hartley. Smedley did not leave Paris so soon as I expected: but you should have it by this time. With this I send a fresh correspondence which I have been drawn into, viz. 1. A letter I sent to Lord Shelburne before he was minister. 2. His answer by Mr. Oswald since he was minister. 3. A letter from Mr. Laurens. 4. My letter to M. de Vergennes. 5. My answer to Lord Shelburne. 6. My answer to Mr. Laurens. 7. Copy of Digges's report. These papers will inform you

pretty well of what passed between me and Mr. Oswald, except that in a conversation at parting I mentioned to him, that I observed they spoke much in England of obtaining a reconciliation with the colonies: that this was more than a mere peace; that the latter might possibly be obtained without the former; that the cruel injuries wantonly done us by burning our towns, &c. had made deep impressions of resentment that would long remain; that much of the advantage to the commerce of England from a peace, would depend on a reconciliation; that the peace without a reconciliation would probably not be durable; that after a quarrel between friends, nothing tended so much to conciliate, as offers made by the aggressor of reparation for injuries done by him in his passion. And I hinted if England should make us a voluntary offer of Canada expressly for that purpose, it might have a good effect. Mr. Oswald liked much the idea, said they were too much straitened for money to make us pecuniary reparation, but he should endeavour to persuade their doing it in this way. He is furnished with a passport to go and return by Calais, and I expect him back in ten or twelve days. I wish you and Mr. Laurens could be here when he arrives: for I shall much want your advice, and cannot act without your concurrence. If the present crisis of your affairs prevents your coming, I hope at least Mr. Laurens will be here, and we must communicate with you by expresses, for your letters to me per post are generally opened. I shall write per next post requesting Mr. Jay to be here also as soon as possible.

I received your letter advising of a draft on me for a quarter's salary, which will be duly honored. With

VOL. II.

I

great esteem, I have the honor to be your Excellency's, &c. &c. B. FRANKLIN.

Supposing Mr. Laurens to be in Holland with Mr. Adams, I at the same time wrote the following letter:

SIR,

TO HENRY LAURENS, ESQ. &c.

Passy, April 20, 1782. I received by Mr. Oswald the letter you did me the honor of writing to me the 7th instant; he brought me also a letter from Lord Shelburne, which gave him the same good character that you do, adding, "he is fully apprised of my mind, and you may give full credit to every thing he assures you of." Mr. Oswald, however, could give me no other particulars of his Lordship's mind, but that he was sincerely disposed to peace. As the message seemed therefore rather intended to procure or receive propositions than to make any, I told Mr. Oswald that I could make none but in concurrence with my colleagues in the commission, and that if we were together we should not treat but in conjunction with France, and I proposed introducing him to M. de Vergennes, which he accepted. He made to that minister the same declaration of the disposition of England to peace, who replied that France had already the same good dispositions; that a treaty might be immediately begun, but it must be for a general, not particular peace. That as to the place, he thought Paris might be most convenient, as Spain had here already an ambassador, and the American commissioners could easily be assembled here: this upon a supposition of the parties treating directly with each

other without the intervention of mediators. But if the mediation was to be used, it might be at Vienna. The King his master however was so truly disposed to peace, that he would agree to any place the King of England should choose; and would at the treaty give proof of the confidence that might be placed in any engagements he should enter into, by the fidelity and exactitude with which he should observe those he already had with his present allies. Mr. Oswald is returned with these general answers, by the way of Calais, and expects to be here again in a few days. I wish it might be convenient for you and Mr. Adams to be here at the same time: but if the present critical situation of affairs there make his being in Holland necessary just now, I hope you may nevertheless be here, bringing with you his opinion and advice. I have proposed to Lord Shelburne to discharge you from the obligations you entered into at the time of your enlargement, that you may act more freely in the treaty he desires. I had done myself the honor of writing to you a few days before the arrival of Mr. Oswald. My letter went by Mr. Young, your secretary, and enclosed a copy of our commission, with an offer of money if you had occasion for any. Hoping that you will not return to England before you have been at Paris, I forbear enlarging on the state of our affairs here and in Spain. M. de Vergennes told me he should be very glad to see you here. I found Mr. Oswald to answer perfectly the character you gave me of him, and was much pleased with him. I have the honor to be, with great esteem and respect, sir, &c. &c. B. FRANKLIN.