The day after the signature of the treaty, Mr. Hartley wrote ús a congratulatory letter, No. 7. (p. 425.) to which we returned the answer, No. 8. (p. 426.)

He is gone to England, and expects soon to return : which for our parts we think uncertain. We have taken care to speak to bim in strong terms on the subject of the evacuation of New York, and the other important subjects proper to be mentioned to hiin. We think we may rely on his doing every thing in his power to influence his court to do what they ought to do, but it does not appear that they have as yet formed any solid system for their conduct relative to the United States. We cannot but think that the late and present aspect of affairs in America, bas had and continues to have an unfavorable influence, not only in Britain, but throughout Europe.

In whatever light the article respecting the Tories may be viewed in America, it is considered in Europe as very humiliating to Britain, and therefore as being one which we ought in honor to perform and fulfil with the most scrupulous regard to good faith, and in a manner least offensive to the feeling of the king and court of Great Britain, who upon that point

, are extremely tender.

The unseasonable and unnecessary resolves of various towns on this subject, the actual expulsion of Tories from some places, and the avowed implacability of almost all who have published their sentiments about the matter, are circumstances which are construed not only to the prejudice of our national magnanimity and good faith, but also to the prejudice of our governments.

Popular committees are considered here as with us, in the light of substitutes to constitutional government, and as being only necessary in the interval between the removal of the former, and the establishment of the present. VOL. II.

20

The constitutions of the different states have been translated and published, and pains have been taken to lead Europe to believe that the American States not only made their own laws, but obeyed them. But the continuance of popular assemblies convened expressly to deliberate on matters proper only for the cognizance of the different legislatures and officers of government, and their proceeding not only to ordain, but to enforce their resolutions, has exceedingly lessened the dignity of the states in the eyes of these nations.

To this we may also add the situation of the army, the reluctance of the people to pay taxes, and the circumstances under which congress removed from Philadelphia, have diminished the admiration in which the people of America were held among the nations of Europe, and somewhat abated their ardor for forming connexions with us, before -our affairs acquire a greater degree of order and consistence.

Permit us to observe, that, in our opinion, the recommendation of congress promised in the 5th article, should immediately be made in the terms of it and published, and that the states should be requested to take it into consideration as soon as the evacuation by the enemy shall be completed. It is also much to be wished that the legislatures may not involve all the Tories in banishment and ruin, but that such discriminations may be made as to entitle their decisions to the approbation of disinterested men, and dispassionate posterity.

On the 7th inst. we received your excellency's letter of the 16th June last, covering a resolution of congress of the 1st May, directing a commission to us for making a treaty of cominerce, &c. with Great Britain. This intelligence arrived very opportunely to prevent the anti-American party in Englaud, from ascribing any delays on our part to motives of

resentment to that country. Great Britain will send a minister to congress, as soon as congress shall send a minister to Britain; and we think much good might result from that measure. d

Much we think will depend on the success of our nego ciations with England. If she could be prevailed upon to agree to a liberal system of commerce, France, and perhaps some other nations, will follow her example; but if she should prefer an exclusive monopolizing plan, it is probable that her neighbors will continue to adhere to their favorite restrictions.

Were it certain that the United States could be brought to act as a nation, and would jointly and fairly conduct their commerce on principles of exact reciprocity with all nations, we think it probable that Britain would make extensive concessions. But on the contrary, while the prospect of disunion in our councils, or want of power and energy in our exécutive departments exist, they will not be apprehensive of retaliation, and consequently lose their principal motive to liberality. Unless with regard to all foreign nations and transactions, we uniformly act as an entire united nation, faithfully executing and obeying the constitutional acts of congress on those subjects, we shall soon find ourselves in the situation in which all Europe wishes to see us, viz. as unimportant consumers of her manufactures and productions, and as useful laborers to furnish her with raw materials.

We beg leave to assure congress that we shall apply our best endeavors to execute this new commission to their satisfaction, and shall punctually obey such instructions as they may be pleased to give us relative to it. Unless congress should have nominated a secretary to the commission, we shall consider ourselves at liberty to appoint one; and as we are well satisfied with the conduct of Mr. Temple Franklin,

the secretary to our late cominission, we purpose to appoint him; leaving to congress to make such compensation for his services as they may judge proper.

With great respect, we have the honor to be, sir, your excellency's most obedient and humble servants,

JOHN ADAMS,

B. FRANKLIN,

JOHN JAY.

DAVID HARTLEY, Esq. M. P. TO DR. FRANKLIN,

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Bath, Sept. 24, 1783.

I am at present at Bath with my dearest sister, whom I have found as well as I could have expected, and I hope with reasonable prospect of recovery in time. I have seen my friends in the ministry, and hope things will go well; with them I am sure all is right and firm. The chief part of the cabinet ministers are out of town; but there will be a full cabinet held in a few days, in which a specific proposition in the nature of a temporary convention will be given in instructions to me. I imagine, nearly upon the ground of my memorial of May 21, 1783, which I delivered to the American ministers; viz. "American ships not to bring foreign manufactures into Great Britain, nor to trade directly between the British West Indies and Great Britain," all the rest to be as before the war. I expect that something to this effect will be their determination, in the offer; and if it should be so, I shall hope not to meet with difficulty on your parts. I want to see some specific beginning. As to any further proposition respecting the trade between Great Bri

See pages 346 and 349.

tain and the British West Indies, I doubt whether any such can be discussed before the meeting of parliament. I wish to look forward not only to the continuation of peace between our two countries, but to the improvement of reconciliation into alliance; and therefore I wish the two parties. to be disposed to accommodate each other, without the strict account by weights and scales as between aliens and strangers, actuated towards each other by no other principle. than cold and equalising indifference. Friendly dispositions presumed have their fairest chance of being realised; but if we should set out presuming against them, the good which might have happened may be prevented. Pray remember me to your three colleagues, and to all friends. Yours ever most affectionately, D. HARTLEY. P. S. I have put in a word for our Quaker article,' and I hope with some impression.

DAVID HARTLEY, Esq. M. P. TO DR. FRANKLIN.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Bath, Oct. 4, 1783.

I only write one line to you to let you know that I am not forgetful of you, or of our common concerns. I have not heard any thing from the ministry yet: I believe it is a kind of vacation with them before the meeting of parliament. I have told you of a proposition which I have had some thoughts to make as a kind of co-partnership in commerce. I send you a purposed temporary convention, which I have drawn up. You are to consider it only as one I recommend. The words underlined are grafted upon the proposition of my memorial, dated May 21, 1783. You'

To prohibit privateering, see page 306.