In Congress Mar. 13th. 1783
Dear Sir,
In a Letter I recievd yesterday, dated Paris, Decr. 14 from a Gentleman exceedingly well acquainted with the Politics of St. James's,
1
is this passage - "The acknowlegment of American Independency gives a right to Neutral Powers to trade directly to America. This will be a great advantage shoud the War continue, of which I think there is little probability. Europe seems to be in a disposition for Peace; & it is absolutely necessary for England."
This necessity of England, seems pretty clear from the King's Speech; & Mr. Jay writes that on the return of Count de Vergennes Secretary from London, whither Mr. Jay supposes he was sent to prevent the british Court from treating with us as an independent Nation, the Count told him he believd Ld. Shelburne was sincere in his desire of Peace.
2
If he is so, I am sure it must be from the necessity mentiond by my Correspondent, as I am persuaded that is not his inclination.
So far the prospect is fair for Peace; but Count de Vergennes writes that tho' he has hopes, he has fears
3
- the preliminary Articles with France were not signed the 6th of Jany. Count d'Estaing & M. de la Fayette had saild for Cadiz apparently upon an expedition which woud hardly have taken place, if the Cabinet of France had not been determind upon a continuance of the war.
Our Dispatches mention that the british Commissioner made a proposition to ours, that we shoud agree not to molest their troops in their evacuation of N. York; which implies their wish of doing so; & the stipulation that if any place shoud have been taken by us between the signing the Conditional Articles & their arrival in America, it shoud be restord - seems to suppose that on such arrival hostilities shoud cease.
There are many complaints of the most atrocious depredations of the Refugees on the shores of Potomac. These at least I presume the british Commander in Chief will now restrain, as being not only contrary to the pacific professions of his Master; but to the Laws of war among civilizd Nations.
Congress have thought proper to enjoin secrecy with regard to communications of some of our Ministers, touching the conduct of the French Court during the negociation. What I have mentiond, relative to the mission of the Count's Secretary to London, is strictly speaking within that injunction. But I apprehend, the Secret will be at least as safe with your Excellency as with us; & it seems to me as necessary that you shoud be circumstantially informd.
I beg you will make my best respects acceptable to Mrs. Washington.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect & esteem, Yr. Excellency's most Obedt. Servt.
A. Lee
Receiver's copy, Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1 Not identified.
2 This information was conveyed in John Jay's lengthy dispatch of November 17, 1782, for which see PCC, item 100, 2:142 - 262 (especially 195 - 98, 248); and Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 6:11 - 49 (especially 29 - 30, 45 - 46).
3 A copy of the comte de Vergennes' December 25 letter to Benjamin Franklin had been enclosed in Franklin's dispatch of December 24 - 25, 1782. See PCC, item 82, 2:317 - 18, 335 - 37; and Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 6:163, 168.