CHAP. XXVI. 1782. Great intereft was made by many British officers, and by fir Guy Carleton himself, for the life and release of captain Afgill, but without effect. He remained a prisoner under the fentence of death, although execution was delayed, until every compaffionate heart was relieved by the interference of maternal tenderness. The address of lady Afgill his mother, whose heart was wrung with agonizing fears for the fate of an only fon, procured his release. After the firft pangs of grief and agitation, on the news of his critical and hazardous fituation, had fubfided, fhe wrote in the most pathetic terms to the count de Vergennes; urging that his influence with general Wafhington and the American congress might be exerted, to fave an innocent and virtuous youth from an ignominious death, and restore the deftined victim to the bofom of his mother. This letter, fraught with fentiments that dif covered a delicate mind,. an improved understanding, and a fenfibility of heart, under the diction of polished ftyle, and replete with strong epithets of affection, the French minifter fhewed to the king and queen of France, as a piece of elegant composition. Though on a defpotic throne, where the fovereign difposes of the subject by his fiat, and cuts off life at pleasure, without regret or hefi 1782. tation, the king of France and his royal partner CHAP. XXVI. were touched by the diftrefs of this unhappy mother, and lent their intereft for the liberation of her fon. The count de Vergennes was directed to fend the letter to general Washington; which he did, accompanied with the observations of the king and queen, and combined with his own requeft in favor of young Afgill. The commander in chief was happy to trans mit to congrefs, the feveral requests and obfervations, which he had reason to expect would relieve him from an affair that had embarrassed his mind, both as a man of humanity and the commander of an army. Congrefs immediately directed that captain Afgill fhould be liberated from imprisonment, and left at his own option to choose his future refidence: on which, he took leave of the army and of America, and repaired to his friends in England. The reply of general Washington, and the refolutions of congrefs, relative to granting a paffport to Mr. Morgan, fecretary to general Carleton, to go to Philadelphia, was not equally condefcending. On his arrival at New York, fir Guy Carleton had requested, that he might be permitted to fend on fome letters of compli CHAP. XXVI. 1782. ment to congrefs. General Washington forwarded the request, which drew out a refolve of congrefs," That the commander in chief "be hereby directed to refufe a compliance "with the request of general Carleton, to grant "a pafs to Mr. Morgan to bring dispatches to "Philadelphia." It was alfo refolved, that no intercourfe fhould be opened, or that any of the fubjects of Great Britain should be permitted to pass or repafs from the British to the American pofts, while the provisional articles of peace were held in suspense. This was not only a judicious, but a neceffary precaution in the congrefs of the United States. At this period, a small circumftance of intelligence or information might have given a pretext to defeat a pending negociation for peace. The fleets and armies of Britain still kept their station in America; while the clashing interests of foreign nations, with regard to American claims, were not yet adjusted; and while the loyalifts were clamorous and vindictive, watching the opportunity of impeding the prefent measures, which, if ratified, must leave them in a hopeless state of defpondency: at the fame time, it fet their countrymen on a point of elevation, contrary to their predictions, their wishes, and their interefts, which had prompted them to oppofition, and for which they had hazarded their eafe, their lives, and the friend. 1782. ship and esteem of their former affociates and CHAP. XXVI. friends. These people certainly had high claims of gratitude from the British government, for their unfhaken loyalty, through the fharp conflict that fevered the colonies from the dominion of Britain, and themselves from their native country forever. CHAP. XXVII. 1782. CHAPTER XXVII. Difcontents with the Provifional Articles.-Mr. Hartley fent to Paris.-The Definitive Treaty agreed to, and figned by all the Parties.-A General Pacification among the Nations at War.-Mr. Pitt, Prime Minister in England -His Attention to Eaft India Affairs.-Some fubfequent Obfervations. AFTER provifional articles for peace had been agreed on at Paris, between the British and American commiffioners, the impatient curiofity of the British nation for a full communication of their contents, was inexpreffible. The ultimate determinations with regard to the unconditional independence of America, were among the most interesting of their inquiries. But the neceffity of concealing affairs of fuch national moment for a time, within a veil of fecrecy, was urged by the miniftry, as it would bring on difcuffions and objections, which might embarrass the work of peace. All ambiguity was opposed in the house of commons by feveral members, with no fmall degree of warmth; they infifted that no disguise ought to be used, but that the whole business should be laid open, before irretrievable ftipulations should bind the nation to disadvantageous or dishonorary terms. |