pour la liberté des mers, et qui en a fait une conditio sine quâ non dans ses préliminaires de paix."

Il est fort à souhaiter que l'un de ces deux arrangemens soit faisable à défaut de l'autre, parceque cela applaniroit tout d'un coup le chemin au traité définitif. Il ne resteroit du moins d'autre difficulté que celle de Négapatnam et de la navigation par les Moluques, sur lesquelles je viens de lire le rapport des 17 directeurs de la compagnie, qui opposent les raisons les plus fortes à la cession de l'un et de l'autre.

Mon opinion est, sauf toujours votre meilleur avis, que votre acquiescement à la demande de ces messieurs peut se fonder sur ces trois choses. 1o. Sur la résolution des États Unis du 5 Octobre, 1780, communiquée par vous-même à L. H. P. par lettre du 8 Mars, 1781; et sur ce que vous m'avez marqué, que vos pouvoirs à cet égard n'ont point été révoqués. 20. Sur ce que L. H. P. sont une des parties de la neutralité armée, à laquelle Mr. Dana attend qu'il plaise à une autre des parties d'admettre les États Unis. 30. Sur ce qu'il ne s'agit, ce me semble, que de se garantir réciproquement ce que vous avez déjà signé dans le traité d'amitié et de commerce conclu avec L. H. P.

Paris, 23 February, 1783.

SIR, In answer to the questions in yours of the 18th, I beg leave to inform you, that, in my opinion, Mr. Dana is the only proper person in Europe to treat with anybody in Europe, about the armed neutrality and the liberty of navigation. It is true our former power is not expressly revoked, but I consider Mr. Dana's commissions in form to be an implicit and tacit revocation of ours; so that I dare not take upon me, and, from friendship and delicacy to Mr. Dana, I ought not, to enter into any conferences upon this subject alone. In company leagues in the commission for peace, I would not refuse to enter into conferences, waiting Mr. Dana. But whether my colleagues would enter into this negotiation without France and Spain, at least France, I doubt; and have not time now to consult them,

who are at a distance from me.

with my

col

I think the proper method for our friends to take, is to open a negotiation with Mr. Dana and with all the neutral powers, and with France and Spain at the same time. We, who are now in and about Paris, might negotiate with the ministers of France, Spain, and Holland, or at least confer, if they will admit us, waiting Mr. Dana. Mr. D. can enter into negotiation with Holland and all the other powers who have signed the armed neutrality. Believe me, your friend,

JOHN ADAMS.

TO THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.

Paris, 25 February, 1783.

GENTLEMEN, Your favor of 24th September recommending your worthy president, Dr. Wheelock, and his designs, gave me much pleasure and does me great honor.

It is to American seminaries of learning that America is indebted for her glory and prosperity, and, therefore, no man can be more usefully employed than in affording them every countenance and assistance in his power.

Dr. Wheelock, after remaining a few days in Paris, set off with his brother for the Hague and Amsterdam. I gave him letters to several persons of consideration in those cities, such as will be most likely to forward his designs, but what success he will have, I am not able to say.

With the greatest respect,

B. VAUGHAN TO JOHN ADAMS.

(Extract.)

JOHN ADAMS.

London, 25 February, 1783.

DEAR SIR, Mr. Laurens, whom you inquire after, I presume is just arrived in London; and Mr. Oswald was about to return to Paris; but what this distracted state of parties will produce, I cannot yet inform you. The event of the peace, and the reception it meets in parliament, will tell you who were America's best friends. They were those who made least profession and had most understanding. It is unnecessary to hint more to you. All ranks are satisfied with peace, but the great are not

satisfied with a minister who had so few of them in his train. They therefore say we might have had a better peace. You are one of those that know, and I ask your opinion about the fact of a better peace being easy, without more war, or even with it. I mean to put you up some pamphlets of the worst sort; for our better are only preparing. Hereafter, the peace will probably be well understood, and then you shall have other pamphlets in another style. I have the honor to be, &c.

BENJAMIN VAUGHAN.

P. J. VAN BERCKEL TO JOHN ADAMS.

La Haie, 5 Mars, 1783. MONSIEUR, Puisque j'ai la satisfaction d'être élu par leurs hautes puissances pour aller résider auprès du congrès des États Unis de l'Amérique en qualité de ministre plenipotentiaire de notre république, je n'ai pu me dispenser de vous en informer. Mais encore je me fais cette occasion de vous écrire à profit, et je la saisis pour vous témoigner que l'honneur de cette commission me flatte extrêmement, parceque j'ai toujours senti le désir le plus vif d'en être chargé, afin de trouver les moyens de mettre au jour les sentimens d'estime et d'amour que mon cœur nourrit pour cette nouvelle république; ce que je ferai d'autant plus facilement parce que le service de ma patrie exige que je porte tous mes soins à serrer le plus étroitement ces noeuds, qui doivent lier ces deux soeurs de façon qu'elles ne se séparent jamais.

Permettez moi en même temps de solliciter votre amitié et votre bienveillance. Elles me sont chères, et me peuvent être de très grande utilité. J'en conçois tout le prix, et je ne manquerai pas de faire tout le possible pour vous engager à les accorder à celui qui se nomme avec la plus parfaite estime, monsieur, &c. P. J. VAN BERCKEL.

M. DUMAS TO JOHN ADAMS.

(Extract.)

La Haie, 6 Mars, 1783.

MONSIEUR,

Vous devez avoir reçu actuellement, messieurs, ainsi que les ministres de France et d'Espagne, par ceux de la république à Paris, l'ouverture d'entamer la négociation pour un

traité de garantie réciproque de la liberté des mers. Ces messieurs comptent à cet égard, et principalement, sur les promesses réitérées que vous m'avez autorisé de leur faire, sûrs que vous ne vous laisserez point influer ni diriger par Shelburne & Co.; qui s'entendent, disent ils, comme larrons en foire. Vous n'aurez pas de peine à comprendre l'allusion. Si cette convention pouvoit se faire avant la signature du traité définitif, ce seroit le triomphe ici de nos républicains. Quelqu'un m'ayant objecté que l'Angleterre pourroit en prendre ombrage si ce traité se faisoit avant l'autre; et depuis quand, ai-je répliqué, la France a-t-elle recommencée à avoir peur de donner ombrage à l'Angleterre ? Je suis, &c. DUMAS.

TO P. J. VAN BERCKEL.

Paris, 11 March, 1783.

SIR, I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write me on the 5th of this month, and am happy to receive this confirmation of the news of your appointment as minister plenipotentiary to the United States of America. Your name, connections, and character are sufficient pledges of your attachment to your own country as well as ours, and cannot fail to be as pleasing in America as they seem to be in Europe. A friendship between our countries is so natural, that I think have little difficulty in succeeding to your wishes.

you will M. Dumas desires me to inform you what furniture it will be proper to carry with you. In my opinion, you will be able to purchase at Philadelphia whatever you may have occasion for, as cheap and as good as you can have them in Europe. Linens and other light articles you may carry with you, but it is unnecessary to incumber yourself with heavy ones.

It will by no means be necessary to make a public entry. There has as yet been no example of it, and as such splendid ceremonies are much out of fashion in Europe, it will never be necessary to introduce them into America. You will have no occasion therefore for any carriage but one of a common kind, which may be made in Philadelphia or Boston with as much elegance and convenience as in Paris, Amsterdam, or London. My advice would be to land at Boston, and take the journey

to Philadelphia, while you send your frigate round by sea to that city. This will give you an opportunity of seeing a great part of the United States, and of becoming acquainted with many principal characters. I will be answerable for your cordial reception everywhere.

His Excellency, the Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. Hancock, and his Honor, the President of the Senate, Mr. Samuel Adams, will receive you at Boston. Governor Trumbull, at Connecticut; General Washington and Governor Clinton, at New York; Governor Livingston, at New Jersey. I would, by all means, advise you to pass through New York and New Jersey, where you will find multitudes charmed at the sight of a Dutch minister more than any other in the world.

I wish you a pleasant voyage and journey. If you take your departure at any time before the middle of June, your voyage can scarcely fail to be agreeable. After that, it may be long and tedious. I have the honor to be, &c.

JOHN ADAMS.

B. VAUGHAN TO JOHN ADAMS.

London, 11 March, 1783.

DEAR SIR, I do not learn that we have yet fixed our ministry, which does not at all concern me, provided we could fix our principles. I am happy, however, to find, notwithstanding the factions in parliament, that the people of England are not at all averse to a proper footing with America, provided they could be assured of America's disposition to be reciprocal in the matter of advance. So far they are right, that no public overtures from thence have yet arrived at their knowledge; in which I think you gentlemen at Paris might nevertheless assist us. Perhaps I may truly affirm that the boldness of my friend has done more towards advancing manly opinions than any thing I have yet experienced in this country. Happy I am to find, notwithstanding this clamor, that he retains all his old American sentiments, and repents of nothing. Some of his friends only lament that he did not corrupt the votes of some who never vote but by corruption; and in truth it would have secured the business. I have the honor to be, &c.

BENJAMIN VAUGHAN.