The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume I Part 31

The Amphitrite's arrival, with a cargo of rice and indigo, near one thousand barrels of the one, and twenty of the other, is a seasonable supply to us for our support; we not having for some time past, (as you will see by our former letters) any expectations of further supplies from Mr Morris; and though we live here with as much frugality as possible, the unavoidable expenses, and the continual demands upon us for a.s.sistance to Americans, who escape from English prisons, &c. &c. endangered our being brought to great difficulties for subsistence. The freight of that ship too calls for an enormous sum, on account of her long demurrage.

We begin to be much troubled with complaints of our armed vessels taking the ships and merchandise of neutral nations. From Holland, they complain of the taking of the sloop Chester, Captain Bray, belonging to Rotterdam, by two privateers of Charleston, called the Fair American and the Experiment; from Cadiz, of the taking the French ship Fortune, Captain Kenguen, by the _Civil Usage_ privateer, having on board Spanish property; and here, of the taking the Emperor of Germany, from Cork, with beef, belonging to the marine of France, just off the mouth of Bordeaux river. We send herewith the papers we have received, and answers given, relating to those captures, and we earnestly request, that if upon fair trials it shall appear that the allegations are true, speedy justice may be done, and rest.i.tution made to the reclaimants, it being of the utmost consequence to our affairs in Europe, that we should wipe off the aspersions of our enemies, who proclaim us every where as pirates, and endeavor to excite all the world against us.

The Spanish affair has already had very ill effects at that Court, as we learn by the return of the courier mentioned in our last. We have, by letters to our correspondents at the several ports, done all in our power to prevent such mischiefs for the future, a copy of which we herewith send you. The European maritime powers embarra.s.s themselves, as well as us, by the double part their politics oblige them to act; being in their hearts our friends, and wishing us success, they would allow us every use of their ports consistent with their treaties, or that we can make of them without giving open cause of complaint to England; and it being so difficult to keep our privateers within those bounds, we submit it to consideration, whether it would not be better to forbear cruising on their coasts, and bringing prizes in here, till an open war takes place, which, though by no means certain, seems every now and then to be apprehended on both sides; witness among other circ.u.mstances, the recall of their fishing ships by France, and the king of England's late speech. In consequence of this embarra.s.sed conduct, our prizes cannot be sold publicly, of which the purchasers take advantage in beating down the price, and sometimes the Admiralty Courts are obliged to lay hold of them in consequence of orders from Court, obtained by the English Amba.s.sador. Our people, of course, complain of this as unfriendly treatment; and as we must not counteract the Court in the appearances they seem inclined to put on towards England, we cannot set our folks right by acquainting them with the essential services our cause is continually receiving from this nation, and we are apprehensive, that resentment of that supposed unkind usage may induce some of them to make reprisals, and thereby occasion a deal of mischief. You will see some reason for this apprehension, in the letter[45] from Captain Babson, which we send you herewith, relating to their two prizes confiscated here for false entries, and afterwards delivered up to the British, for which, however, we have hopes of obtaining full satisfaction, having already a promise of part.

The king of England's Speech bl.u.s.ters towards these kingdoms, as well as towards us. He pretends to great resolution, both of continuing this war, and of making two others, if they give him occasion. It is conceived he will, with difficulty, find men and money for another campaign of that already on his hands; and all the world sees it is not for want of will, that he puts up with the daily known advantages afforded us by his neighbors. They, however, we have reason to believe, will not begin the quarrel as long as they can avoid it, nor give us any open a.s.sistance of ships or troops. Indeed, we are scarce allowed to know that they give us any aids at all, but are left to imagine, if we please, that the cannon, arms, &c. which we have received and sent, are the effects of private benevolence and generosity. We have, nevertheless, the strongest reasons to confide, that the same generosity will continue; and it leaves America the glory of working out her deliverance by her own virtue and bravery, on which, with G.o.d's blessing, we advise you chiefly to depend.

You will see by the papers, and a letter of intelligence from London, that the continuance of the war is warmly condemned in Parliament, by their wisest and best men in the debates on the Speech; but the old corrupt majority continues to vote, as usual, with the Ministers. In order to lessen their credit for the new loans, we have caused the paper, which we formerly mentioned, to be translated and printed in French and Dutch, by our agent in Holland. When it began to have a run there, the Government forbad the further publication, but the prohibition occasions it to be more sought after, read, and talked of.

The monument for General Montgomery is finished, and gone to Havre, in nine cases, to lie for a conveyance. It is plain, but elegant, being done by one of the best artists here, who complains that the three hundred guineas allowed him is too little; and we are obliged to pay the additional charges of package, &c. We see, in the papers, that you have voted other monuments, but we have received no orders relating to them.

The Raleigh and Alfred will be well fitted and furnished with every thing they wanted, the Congress' part of the produce of their prizes being nearly equal to their demands. Be pleased to present our dutiful respects to the Congress, and a.s.sure them of our most faithful services.

We have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, ARTHUR LEE.

FOOTNOTES:

[45] Missing.

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

York, 1st December, 1777.

Gentlemen,

As we wish the subject of this letter to be well attended to and understood, we shall confine ourselves entirely to the business of such French gentlemen as have returned without getting employment in North America, and particularly those of Mons. Du Coudray's corps.

Whatever may be the clamor excited by discontent, we think that a candid consideration of our circ.u.mstances, and what Congress have really done, will fully justify them in the eyes of reasonable men. We will observe, in the first place, that of all those who have returned, not one came here at the request of Congress; that they have cost the States a very large sum of money, and that the circ.u.mstances of affairs would not permit any benefit to be drawn from them here.

It was necessary, previous to the opening of the campaign, that the affairs of the army should be arranged, officers appointed, and every thing systematically made ready for the serious business that was approaching. At this time, it was not known by Congress or the Commander in Chief, that such a character as Mons. Coudray (under such agreements as he brought over with him) was to visit us. The best that could be done was therefore undertaken, and General Knox, the father of the American artillery, was appointed to that command, and all the other divisions of the army were filled with Major Generals. In this state of things arrived General Du Coudray, with an agreement by which he was to command the artillery, and the greatest part of the Major Generals of the army, by being of older commission. A plentiful crop of resignations began presently to sprout up, and the whole army must have been deranged and thrown into confusion, just in the opening of a campaign, or this agreement not accorded to in the whole.

But Mons. Du Coudray would have every thing or nothing. An inflexible ambition, that paid no regard to the situation and circ.u.mstances of the army, would be gratified. This produced a scene of contention, which was not ended when the unfortunate General was drowned in the Schuylkill, going to join the army. Immediately on his death, the rest of his corps would return to France, and in this disposition Congress endeavored to render things as agreeable to them as possible, having some regard to the interest of the public which they serve. It is very true, that a concurrence of causes, such as the removal from Philadelphia, the time that elapsed before business was gone regularly into again, and the multiplicity of public affairs, did occasion some delay in settling with these gentlemen; but this was a loss to the community more than to them, because their pay was continued to the last. And you will see by the papers enclosed, that ample allowances have been made for their expenses to the shipping port, for pa.s.sage to France, and travel to Paris.

It has been already observed, that Mons. Du Coudray's desire could not be complied with, without producing very injurious consequences. All the other officers were offered admittance into the army, according to the ranks stipulated for with Mr S. Deane; but to avoid certain murmurs and discontent, by difference of pay in the army, they were offered the pay and rations of continental officers of similar rank.

This they rejected; and when the mischief of a difference of pay was removed by their determination to return to France, they were paid their livres complete, with all their gratifications as agreed for, their expenses and pa.s.sages being also fully satisfied. Upon the whole, we beg leave to refer you to the enclosed papers for more minute information in this business, where we think you will find doc.u.ments sufficient to convince unprejudiced and reasonable men, that Congress have done all they could, or ought in duty to the public to have done, for the entire satisfaction of these gentlemen. And we hope you will be enabled thereby to obviate any ill impressions, which may be attempted to be made by some of these officers; we say by some, because we believe the more reasonable among them are satisfied.

We have the honor to be, &c.

R. H. LEE, J. LOVELL.

FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

York, 2d December, 1777.

Gentlemen,

Since ours, of October the 31st, the enemy have by repeated efforts at last overcome our defences on the Delaware below Philadelphia, and we hear they have got up some vessels to the city. But we incline to think they will yet be interrupted much in their operations on the river, by the chevaux de frize and the cold weather. We are just informed by General Gates, that the garrisons of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence have destroyed the works and the buildings, and precipitately retreated across Lake Champlain to Isle aux Noix and St Johns, taking with them only the bra.s.s artillery, powder, and provisions. The heavy stores they threw into the lake.

If the campaign should close at this period, (and if it does, it will be for want of clothes and blankets, for both of which we are in great distress, having received very few) the enemy will have little to boast of. They began it with two armies, one of which has been repeatedly beaten, and at length compelled to lay down its arms and surrender on terms. The other, after various chances, in which fortune more than any thing else has been its protection, has at length possessed itself of Philadelphia. We say fortune has protected the army of General Howe, and we have good reason for saying so, when the fact is, that at the battle of Germantown the enemy were actually defeated,[46] and accident alone prevented a total and irreparable overthrow. It would have been otherwise had our young troops possessed that calmness of discipline and self recollection, which is habitual to veteran armies. The acquisition of Philadelphia, which Mr Howe holds at present by a very precarious tenure, cannot have cost him in the whole fewer than four thousand men, since they landed at the head of Elk; and we know they have lost two ships of war before Fort Mifflin, one a sixtyfour gun ship, the other a frigate.

General Washington's army, about eighteen thousand strong, is now about fourteen miles from Philadelphia, and the enemy have fortified themselves in the best manner they can, in and near the city, by double lines from Delaware to Schuylkill, across the common. The manoeuvres about New York exhibit proofs of apprehension for the safety of that place, because the enemy have evacuated and destroyed their post at Fort Independence above King's Bridge, and have drawn in all their outposts to concentrate their strength, and secure, if they can, their hold of the city of New York. We hope before the opening of the next campaign, to put Hudson's River into a state inaccessible to the enemy's ships of war, and thereby to render their enterprises on that quarter extremely difficult and dangerous to them.

We have now given you an exact account of our military situation. With respect to our civil state, we would acquaint you that Congress have pa.s.sed the confederation, and sent it to the different States, with strong recommendations to give it speedy consideration and return.

Extensive taxation is also recommended, and seems to be universally adopting. You will readily imagine, gentlemen, that our extensive operations have produced great expense, as our inexperience in war has not furnished us with that systematic economy, which is so necessary and so well understood by European nations. We shall have emitted twenty eight millions of dollars by the close of this year, exclusive of Provincial currency. The quant.i.ty is too great, and of course the quality is injured. The slow operations of taxes will not afford adequate remedy, and the offer of sterling interest does not fill the loan offices so quickly, as the necessary expenses call for supply. If a loan of two millions sterling could be obtained, the high exchange would enable Congress, by drawing on that fund, to call so large a quant.i.ty of paper presently out of circulation, as to appreciate the rest, and give time for taxation to work a radical cure. Without this remedy of the evil, very pernicious consequences may follow ere long.

Our situation is rendered still worse by the impossibility of supplying such products as America has largely in store, and which are now greatly wanted in Europe, viz. tobacco, naval stores, rice, indigo, &c. The great superiority of the enemy's naval fleet makes it impossible to send those products in any quant.i.ty to sea, with a tolerable prospect of safety. Thus we are prevented from sending you the five thousand hogsheads of tobacco, which you have contracted for, and which Congress has directed to be sent; although several thousands have, for some time past, been purchased for payment of our debts in France. The good intentions of our friends in that country are almost entirely frustrated, by the exertions of the whole power of our enemies by sea, to prevent our sending to, or receiving from Europe, any thing whatever. A war in Europe would greatly and immediately change the scene. The maritime force of France and Spain, with the American cruisers, would quickly lessen the power of Great Britain in the Western ocean, and make room for the reciprocal benefits of commerce between us and our friends.

We have not been favored with a line from you since the 25th of May, which we lament exceedingly, but of which we cannot complain, since we doubt not but you have written, although we have not been so fortunate as to receive your letters. We had reason from your promise to expect a monthly packet, and this expectation prevented us from looking out so early as we should have done for a vessel or two from ----. We have heard, with pleasure, by means of Mr Carmichael, through Mr Bingham, that Mr Lee had successfully accomplished his business at the Court of Prussia.[47]

We remember that you informed us, the object which carried him to Berlin was, besides procuring that Prince's acknowledgment of our independence, obtaining open ports for our commerce, and the liberty of selling our prizes therein. We hope the interference of that powerful Prince will effectually prevent Russian or German auxiliaries, from being sent hither by Great Britain.

As the Marine Committee have already sent some, and will order more, of the continental ships of war to France under your directions, permit us to suggest an expedition, which appears likely to benefit us and distress the enemy. We are informed, that two or three well manned frigates, despatched early in February, so as to arrive at the Island of Mauritius in June, being provided with letters of credence, and for such refreshments, or aid of stores, &c. as may be necessary from the minister to the French Governor of that Island, may go thence to cruise on the coast of Coromandel, twenty days sail from the Island of Mauritius, where they will be in the way to intercept the China ships, besides distressing the internal trade of India. The prizes may be sold at Mauritius, and bills of exchange be remitted to you in Paris.

We would observe, that in pa.s.sing to Mauritius our vessels had better call at Goree, than at the Cape, to avoid the vigilance and the apprehensions of the British cruisers. Another beneficial attempt may be conducted along the coast of Africa. The French and Dutch settlements, and perhaps the Portuguese, will purchase the prizes and give bills on Europe.

We think your plan of getting one of the new constructed ships of war, equal to one of sixty four guns, built for the use of these States in Europe, is a very good one, and it may be employed to very beneficial purposes. The heavy iron cannon, which you propose to send, will be welcome for fortifications and for vessels; and here they cost abundantly more than you can furnish them for from Europe, besides the delay in getting them, which frequently distresses us greatly.

And surely your determination to supply us with materials wanted here for shipbuilding, is very wise, since it is by marine force, that the most destructive wound may be given to our enemies.

We are directed to point out proper ports into which the stores mentioned in the resolve of Congress, of November tenth, may be imported.[48] We are obliged to own, that the port of Charleston South Carolina, and those to the eastward of Rhode Island, are the only safe ones. We wish the number of manufacturers in lead and sulphur, had been limited in that same resolve; but we place full confidence in your discretion. We shall be glad to receive from you by the first opportunity, a plan of the militia of Switzerland.

We close with a desire, that you will be pleased to attend to the several matters contained in our former letters, copies of which do not happen to be at hand.

We are, with much esteem, &c.

R. H. LEE, J. LOVELL.

FOOTNOTES:

[46] This language is too strong. As the British kept possession of the ground, they could hardly be said to have been defeated. They were attacked with spirit, and for a time gave way to General Washington's army.

[47] This was a mistake.

[48] The following resolve was pa.s.sed in Congress, November 10th, 1777.

"_Resolved_, That the Committee of Foreign Affairs be directed to write to the commissioners of the United States, in France and Spain, to purchase and ship on continental account, in armed vessels, in addition to what has heretofore been ordered by Congress, 500 tons of lead, 400 tons of powder, one million of gun flints, tents for 50,000 men, and 10,000 yards of flannel for cartridges, to be sent to such ports and places as the said committee shall direct; and that the former orders of Congress, and of the commercial committee for clothing, fire-arms, equipage, bra.s.s field-pieces, salt, and other articles, and for 130,000 blankets, be completed as soon as may be;

"That the committee be also directed to write to the commissioners, and instruct them to contract with, and send over, by different conveyances, two or three persons, well acquainted with the making of gun-flints, in order to instruct persons in that business, and introduce into these States so useful a manufacture; likewise, three or more proper persons, skilful in working lead mines and refining lead ore, and three or more persons skilful in the discovery of sulphur mines, and manufacturing and refining sulphur."

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Paris, 18th December, 1777.