Committee of Secret Correspondence to Commissioners at Paris

The events of war have not since our last furnished any thing decisive. The enemy’s army still remains encampt upon the Hills near Brunswick & our troops still continue to beat back their Convoys insomuch that we understand their horses die in numbers and we have reason to believe that the difficulity of removing their Stores, Cannon &c will be insuperably great until the opening of the Rariton furnishes a passage by water for their return to N. York. The American Army, is not numerous at present, but the new levies are collecting fast as possible, and we hope to have a sufficient force early in the field. We hear by a Speech of the King of Great Britain to his Parliament, that much money will be called for, no doubt to prosecute the war with unrelenting vigor. That we shall oppose with all our power will be certain, but the event must be doubtful until France takes a decisive part in the war. When that happens our liberties will be secured, and the glory and Greatness of France be placed on the most solid ground. What may be the consequences of her delay must be a painful consideration of every friend of liberty and Mankind. Thus viewing our situation we are sure it will occasion your Strongest exertions to procure an event of such momentous concern to your country. It is in vain for us to have on hand a great abundance of Tobacco, Rice, Indigo, flour, and other valuable articles of Merchandize if prevented from exporting them by having the whole naval force of G.B. to contend against. It is not only for the interest of these States, but clearly for the benefit of Europe in general, that we should not be hindered from freely transporting our products that abound here and are much wanted there. Why should the avarice & ambition of G.B. be gratified to the great injury of other Nations?

Mr. Deane recommends sending Frigates to France to convoy our merchandize, but it should be considered that we have an extensive coast to defend, that we are young in the business of fitting ships of war, that founderies for cannon were to be erected, the difficulty of getting seamen quickly, when Privateers abound, as they do in the States, where Sailors are chiefly to be met with, lastly our frigates are much restrained by the heavy ships of the enemy, which are placed at the entrance of our Bays, in short, the attention of Great Britain must be drawn in part from hence, before France can benefit largely by our Commerce. We sensibly feel the disagreeable situation Mr. Deane must have been in from the receipt of the Committee’s letter in June and the late date of his own letter in October, but this was occasioned by accident, not neglect, since letters were sent to him in all the intervening months, which have either fallen into the enemies hands, or have been destroyed.¹ From the time of Dr. Franklin’s sailing, until we arrived at this place, the Ships of war at the mouth of Delaware, and the interruption given the post, added to the barreness of events prevented us from writing when we had no particular commands from Congress for you.

Mr. Bingham informs us from Martinique, that he learned from a Spanish General there on his way to South America, that the King of Spain was well disposed to do the United States Offices of friendship, and that a loan of money might be obtained from that Court. As the power sent you for borrowing is not confined to place, we mention this intelligence, that you may avail yourselves of his Catholic Majesty friendly Designs. Perhaps a loan may be obtained there on better terms than elsewhere. We expect it will not be long before Congress will appoint Commissioners to the Courts formerly mentioned and in the mean time you will serve the cause of your Country in the best manner with the Ministers from those Courts to that of Versailles. Earnestly wishing for great news, and quickly from you,

we remain with friendship, and esteem, Honble Gentlemen &c,

B. Harrison

R. H. Lee