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the late Commissioners, and they only, might have access to them, I would very readily contribute the few I have. But on no other terms can I part with them, and must therefore desire you to command me in some other service.

Still, however, I am in the judgment of Congress, and if upon our mutual representations, should you think it worth troubling them with it, they should be of a different opinion, I shall abide by their decision and obey their orders.

I hope your gout is better, and have the honor to be, etc., ARTHUR LEE.

DCCLV

TO DAVID HARTLEY

PASSY, 22 February, 1779

DEAR SIR: I received your proposition for removing the stumbling-block. Your constant desire of peace ought to endear you to both sides; but this proposition seems to be naturally impracticable. We can never think of quitting a solid alliance, made and ratified, in order to be in a state for receiving unknown proposals of peace, which may vanish in the discussion. The truth is, we have no kind of faith in your government, which appears to us as insidious and deceitful as it is unjust and cruel; its character is that of the spider in Thomson,

"Cunning and fierce

Mixture abhorred!"

Besides, we cannot see the necessity of our relinquishing our alliance with France in order to a treaty, any more than of your relinquishing yours with Holland. I am, very affectionately, yours,

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DEAR SIR: I received your favor of Jan. 23d, containing the answer you had received from the board of sick and hurt, in which they say they are taking measures for the immediate sending to France the number of Americans first proposed to be changed, etc. I have heard nothing since of the measures taken. The prisoners grow more and more uneasy with us. They are told that we neglect them. We sent the passport required in September last. We were soon after assured that a transport was actually taken up and victualled for one hundred men, to be sent to France with so many prisoners. That vessel has never appeared. We rely'd on the agreement to exchange, and the promise of doing it speedily. And we advised our people thereupon not to attempt escapes. We seem to have been deceived or trifled with; but perhaps it is rather owing to the multiplicity of business the board has on its hands, and your important occupations not permitting you

I North America. The letter was written by Dr. Franklin, but signed with these initials.

to follow it with such frequent solicitation as are necessary to keep up its attention to this particular affair. I have therefore thought of sending over a person for that purpose, impowering him to stipulate readily, without the delay attending letters. By this means I would save you some of that trouble which your goodness and humanity might otherwise continue to lead you into. I would only desire you at present to procure a safe conduct; his name is Edward Bancroft. He is a gentleman of character and honor, who will punctually observe such restrictions respecting his conduct when in England as it may be thought reasonable to lay him under. If this is or is not obtainable, I beg you will signify it by a line directed for him at M. Leveaux's, merchant in Calais; and that as soon as possible, that he may not be fruitlessly detained long there in expectation of it.

DCCLVII

TO COUNT DE VERGENNES

PASSY, 25 February, 1779.

As the enemy seem determined upon another campaign, I beg leave to communicate and submit to your Excellency's consideration some sentiments of Congress on certain operations in North America, which they conceive to be practicable and highly advantageous to the interests both of France and the United States.

While the English continue to possess the ports of

Halifax, Rhode Island, and New York, they can1. Refit the ships of war they employ in those seas. 2. Defend more easily their fishery, a great nursery of seamen and source of wealth.

3. Interrupt more effectually by their cruisers the commerce between France and America, which would otherwise be so advantageous to both, and also the supplies of provisions of various kinds, which the French islands might draw from the continent.

Without a naval force, and in the present situation of their finances, the reduction of some of those posts must be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

If troops should be intended for the defence of your sugar islands, and the reduction of those of the enemy in the ensuing winter, it is supposed that a part of them, four or five thousand, convoyed by four ships of the line and a few frigates, might be advantageously employed this summer-first, by reducing (in conjunction with the troops of the Northern States) Rhode Island. This, it is conceived, will require no long time, and being done, those States, eased by that means, will find themselves at liberty to afford some aid of men, transports, provisions, etc., in reducing Halifax, and there is no reason to doubt their hearty good-will to concur in such an enterprise, the success of which would free their coasts from the grievous restraints under which both their commerce and their fisheries at present labor. The inhabitants of Nova Scotia, too, except those in the town of Halifax, are known to be generally well affected to the American cause, being mostly settlers who formerly emigrated from New England.

Halifax being reduced, the small forts on Newfoundland would easily follow, and by this means the enemy's fishery, not only for this year would be broken up, but rendered so precarious from the interruptions by our armed vessels, or so expensive by the force necessary to defend their fishermen, that it must soon be discouraged, diminished, and at length abandoned; their naval strength, of course, much lessened, and that of France in proportion augmented.

It is supposed that the troops, being after these northern operations refreshed in New England, and well supplied with fresh provisions, might proceed at the approach of winter for the West Indies, in good health, and fit for such service as may be required there.

The Congress had thoughts of attacking Canada this summer, and requesting some aid of ships and men for that purpose; but as their paper-money is not current in that country where hard money alone can procure provisions, which must for want of such money be brought at a vast expense from the United States, and being salted is not so good for the men, it is uncertain whether that expedition will be attempted. There is, however, to encourage it, a good disposition in the inhabitants, and if it succeeded, the fur trade and a great vent for her manufactures would be opened to France; her fisheries would be more easily protected; and the frontiers of the States being secured, their agriculture might again be pursued in those parts, and the general strength employed where the interest of the alliance might require it.

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