Henry Laurens to Other American Peace Commissioners, August 9, 1783
London 9th. August 1783.
Gentlemen.
Availing my self of your consent & recommendation I embarked at le Havre on board
the Washington & Sailed from thence the 1st. Inst. On the 2d. at 9 o’Clo. AM. we were within six Leagues of Poole in
Dorsetshire. The Wind being very favorable, I quitted the Ship, went on board a small
Hoy bound to Poole & urged Capt. Barney to proceed on his Voyage, leaving my
excellent Post Carriage to take its fate on the Ship’s Deck in preference to the risque
of delaying him a single hour. Had the Wind been Westerly I might have detained him a
few days for dispatching to Congress the result of my applications to the Ministers of
this Court. I judge from the state of the Winds since I parted with Capt. Barney, he was
clear of the Channel on Sunday Night the 3d. & that he is now 150 or 200 Leagues
advanced on his Voyage. 1
I arrived in London late in the Night of the 3d. on the 5th. had a conference with the
Rt Honble. C J Fox Esqr. which I commited to writing as soon as it had ended. I shall
give it in short dialogue as the best way, not pretending to accuracy in every word but
fully preserving the sense & substance.
Mr. Fox—I suppose Mr. L. you wish to forward the Ratification of the Provisional
Articles.
L. I could wish that was done Sir, but tis not the particular business which I have in
charge.
F. I understood from Mr. Hartley’s Letter which you sent me it was, but he does not
speak possitively. 2
L. No Sir, the only business I have in Charge is to enquire, whether a Minister from
the US of America would be properly received at this Court. 3
F. Most undoubtedly, I could wish there was one here at present, I think we have lost
much time from a want of a Minister from your side.
L. then Sir, will you be so good as to ask his Majesty the Question & inform
me.
F. I’ll take the King’s pleasure tomorrow & you shall hear from me, I suppose there
is already a conditional appointment of some person now in Europe.
L. Not that I know of, tho’ I don’t know the contrary, but I have an excellent
opportunity for writing to Congress & I have no doubt an appointment will be
immediately made.
F. that’s unlucky, there must be two crossings the Ocean then; If a Minister from
Congress had been here we might have done our business in half the time we have already
spent, but I shall certainly inform you to Morrow, this is the very time a Minister from
your people is most necessary.
L. tho’ I have nothing particularly in charge except the business already mentioned, I
regret the delay of both the Commercial & definitive Treaty. We had flattered our
selves with hopes in March & April that both would have been finished in a few
days.
F. Why as to a Definitive Treaty, I don’t see any necessity for one, or not
immediately. The Provisional Articles are to be inserted in & constitute a Treaty—a
Ratification of those I apprehend will answer all purposes of a Definitive Treaty they
may be made definitive.— The Case with respect to France & Spain differs widely, several articles in our Preliminaries with them refer to a
definitive Treaty.
L. I agree with you Sir, the Provisional Articles mutually ratified may by the consent
of the Parties be made definitive, but there may be additional articles suggested &
agreed to for mutual benefit.
F. that’s very true but I don’t see any at present. I very much regret the want of a
Minister from America.
L. Permit me Sir to ask you, Is it intended by the Proclamation of the 2d July to
exclude American Ships from the West India Trade between the United States & the
British Islands?
F. Yes certainly it was so intended, in order that we might have something to Treat
for, & this will [ be ] a subject for Commercial
Treaty—
On the 6th. I waited upon His Grace the Duke of Portland. His Grace
was equally clear & possitive as Mr. Fox had declared himself, that a Minister from
the United States of America would be well received at this Court. & also regreted
that an appointment had not earlier taken place.— I touched upon the Commercial &
definitive Treaty refered to conversations & assurances in March & April,
intimated my apprehensions of pernicios effects, which might arise from excluding
American Ships from a freedom of Trade between the United States & the British West
India Islands, adding what I had learned from Doctor Franklin of the Commerce intended
by the Court of France to be permited between our America & the French Islands. 4 I can only say, the Duke seemed to wish
that every thing had been settled to mutual satisfaction & to hope that every thing
would soon be settled. Yesterday by desire of Mr. Fox I called upon him again, he said
he had not seen the King, but that he had transmited an Account to His Majesty of my
application, that we might be perfectly satisfied however, a Minister from Congress
would be well received, that the appointment of one was much wished for here. 5 That he must take blame to himself in some degree for the long delay of a Commercial regulation, but that business would
now be soon finished. He had no objection himself to opening the West India Trade to the
Americans, but there were many parties to please “& you know added Mr. Fox, the
people of this Country very well.” Yes Sir, I know something of them, & I find not
only the West India Planters but some of the most judicios Merchants anxios for opening
the Trade, I have been told by some of them they should be ruined without it. “I believe
all this, said Mr. Fox but there are other people of a different opinion. As to the
Definitive Treaty, there may as you observed be new articles necessary for mutual
advantage & we may either add such to the Provisional Articles & make the whole
definitive or make a New Treaty, but I understand it is expected this should be done
under the Eye of, or in concert with the Court of France which for my own part I don’t
like and can’t consent to.”
I replied, “in my opinion a New Treaty definitive would be best as well for
incorporating additional Articles as for clearing away some of the Rubbish in the
Provisional, which contained if not nonsense, more than a little ambiguity. That tho’ I
did not see the necessity for it now, yet I had been told it was expected our definitive
Treaty should be finished in communication with the French Court. But as I had formerly
observed I had received no charge on this head & spoke only the sentiments of Mr.
Laurens to Mr. Fox not to a Minister of Great Britain.”
I have detailed facts as fully & fairly as memory has enabled me, I leave them with
you under this one remark that we are Cooler in the Dog Days than we were at the Vernal
Equinox. The Philosophy of Versailles & Passy may account for & guard against
the effects of extreme changes.
I have found my presence at this juncture of some use in explaining or attempting to
explain the late Mutiny at Philadelphia, the Enemies of this Kingdom & the United
States had exulted, the friends to both had too much abandoned
themselves to dread that the Soldiery had assumed the Reins of Government & that all
the States of America were rushing into Anarchy. Capt. Carbary & Lieutt. Sullivan
those rash Young Officers who led on the Mutineers to the State House, arrived a few
days ago; the former has been with me expressing deep concern for his misconduct,
desiros of returning with an assurance of personal safety & wanting Money for
supporting daily expences, alledging that the United States “are indebted to him at
least £1200. Currency exclusive of Land.” I have recommended to him to return
immediately, to demean himself to the Laws of his Country & submit to the
Magnanimity of Congress. He expresses a dread of undergoing a Trial. Could I afford it
& were to advance Money for his living in London, should I not incur censure at
home? I beg you will communicate such particulars of that disturbance & the event of
it as you may have learned, & your opinion for my conduct respecting these
Officers. 6
Mr. Barclay 7 will tell you of a display
of the American Standard under a triumphant British Pendant at a very Capital Inland
Fair. Trifling as the Insult may appear it discovers a little Leaven at Center. With
every good wish & with very great Respect & Esteem I have the honor to be
Gentlemen Your faithful & Obedient servant
Henry Laurens.
Their Excellencies The Ministers Plenepotentiary from the United
States of America at Paris.