nothing but what we think best, both for you as well as ourselves. But if you will have them mentioned, let it be in an article which may provide that they shall exhibit accounts of their losses, to commissioners hereafter to be appointed, who shall examine the same, together with the accounts now preparing in America of the damages done by them; and state the account. And that if a balance appears in their favour it shall be paid by us to you, and by you divided among them as you shall think proper; and if the balance is found due to us, it shall be paid by you.

Give me leave however to advise you to prevent the necessity of so dreadful a discussion, by dropping the article, that we may write to America, and stop the enquiry. I have the honour to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN,

B. VAUGHAN, ESQ. TO DR. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAREST SIR,

Paris, Nov. 27, 1782.

I am so agitated with the present crisis, that I cannot help writing you, to beseech you again and again to meditate upon some mild expedient about the refugees, or to give a favourable ear, and helping hand to such as may turn up.

Both sides agree that the matter of expence is nothing ; and the matter of honour in my opinion is least to that side, which has most sense and most justice on its side. It seems to me that the matter of present peace, and future happiness, are the only points of true concern to either, ....'

If I can judge of favourable moments, the present is of all others most favourable to our views of reconciliation. We have liberal American Commissioners at Paris, a liberal English Commissioner, and a liberal first minister for England. All these circumstances may vanish to morrow, if this treaty blows over. (1 899 4 8 →If you wanted to break off your treaty, I am perfectly sensible that you could not do it on grounds in which America would more join with you, than this of the refugees. On the other hand, if England wanted to break, she could not wish for better ground on her side. You do not break; and therefore I conclude you both sincere. But in this way, I see the treaty is likely of itself to break. I pray then, my dearest, dearest Sir, that you would a little take this matter to heart.

If the refugees are not silenced, you must be sensible what constant prompters to evil measures you leave us, what perpetual sources of bad information. If the minister is able, on the other hand, to hold up his head on this one point, you must see how much easier it will be for you both to carry on the great work of reunion, as far as relates to prince and people. We are not well informed about the deeds of the refugees in England; and we can only now be well informed by publications that would do irreparable mischief.

Besides, you are the most magnanimous nation; and can excuse things to your people, which we can less excuse to ours. Not to mention, that when Congress sent you her last resolutions, she was not aware that you would be so near a settlement, as you are at present. To judge which is the hardest task, yours, or England's,

IISAS

put yourself in Lord Shelburne's place. The only marks of confidence shown him at Paris, are such as he dares not name; and the only marks promised him, are future national ones... England has given much ground of confidence to America. In my opinion England will do HER business in the way of RECONCILIATION, very much in proportion, as you do your business generously at the present peace. England is to be won, as well as America is to be won; and I beg you would think with yourself and your colleagues about the means. Excuse this freedom, my dearest Sir; it is the result of a very warm heart, that thinks a little property nothing, to much happiness. I do not however ask you to do a dishonourable thing, but simply to save England; and to give our English ministry the means of saying on the 5th December, we have done more than the last ministry have done. I hope you will not think this zeal persecution; for I shall not mention this subject to you again, of my own

accord.

I know you have justice on your side; I know you may talk of precedents; but there is such a thing as forgiveness, as generosity, and as a manly policy, that can share a small loss rather than miss a greater good. Yours, my dearest Sir, most devotedly, most gratefully, most affectionately, BENJAMIN VAUGHAN..

To M. LE COMTE DE VERGENNES.

SIR, 12

t

Passy, Nov. 29, 1782.

at I have the honour to acquaint your Excellency, that the Commissioners of the United States have agreed with Mr. Oswald on the preliminary articles of the peace

15819 eleanvolené 10. I u tim80 between those States and Great Britain. To-morrow I hope we shall be able to communicate to your Excellency a copy of them. With great respect, I have the honour to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most toa! humble servant,112 B. FRANKLIN.d

ARTICLES agreed upon by and between Richard alse Oswald, Esquire, the Commissioner of his Britannic Majesty, for treating of peace with the Commissioners of the United States of America, in behalf of his said Majesty on the one part, and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, four of the Commissioners of the States, for treating of peace with the Commissioner of his said Majesty on their behalf on the other part, to be inserted in and constitute the treaty of peace proposed to be concluded between the Crown of Great Britain and the said United States, but which treaty is not to be concluded until terms of a peace shall be agreed upon between Great Britain and France, and his Britannic Majesty shall be ready to conclude such treaty accordingly.

1

4000

WHEREAS reciprocal advantages and mutual convenience are found by experience to form the only permanent foundation of peace and friendship between States, it is agreed to form the articles of the proposed treaty, on such principles of liberal equity and reciprocity, as that partial advantages (those seeds of discord) being excluded, such a beneficial and satisfactory intercourse between the two countries may be established as to promise and secure to both perpetual peace, and harmony,

Article 1. His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz. New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay,

Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virgi nia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, sovereign, and independent States; that he treats with them as such, and for himself, his heirs, and successors, relinquishes all claims to the government, proprietary, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof; and that all disputes which might arise in future on the subject of the boundaries of the said. United States may be prevented, it is hereby agreed and declared that the following are, and shall be their boundaries, viz.

Article 2. From the north-west angle of Nova Scotia, viz. That angle which is formed by a line drawn due nurth from the source of St. Croix River, to the Highlands, along the said Highlands which divide those Rivers that empty themselves into the River St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic Ocean, to the north westermost head of Connecticut River; thence down along the middle of that River to the forty-fifth degree of North latitude, from thence by a line due West on said latitude until it strikes the River Iroquois or Cataraguy, thence along the middle of said River into Lake Ontario, through the middle of said Lake, until it strikes the communication by water between that Lake and Lake Erie, thence along the middle of said communication into Lake Erie, through the middle of said Lake until it arrives at the water communication between that Lake and Lake Huron, thence along the middle of said water communication into the Lake Huron, thence through the middle of the water communication between that Lake and Lake Superior, thence through Lake Superior, Northward of the Isles Royal and Phelipeaux, to the Long Lake, thence through the middle of said Long Lake, and the water communication between it and the Lake of the Woods, to the said Lake of the Woods, thence through the said Lake to the most North-western point thereof, and from