"I 
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 ME. RALPH IZAKD, 
 
 OF 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 FROM THE YEAR 1774 TO 1801; 
 
 WITH A 
 
 SHORT MEMOIR, 
 
 VOLUME I. 
 
 NEW- YORK: 
 CHARLES S. FRANCIS & CO. 
 
 252 BROADWAY. 
 
 1844. 
 
X-. /f 
 
 T" V i > 
 
 -L 6 
 
 Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year 1844, 
 
 By ANNE IZARD DEAS, 
 In the Clerk s Office of the Southern District of New York. 
 
TO THE 
 
 CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 AND ESPECIALLY THOSE 
 OF THE 
 
 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING 
 
 MEMOIR AND CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 IN laying the following letters before the world I believe I shall 
 be doing it an acceptable service at the same time that I shall be 
 discharging a duty to both my Parents as on receiving them from 
 my mother she expressed a strong desire that they might be pub 
 lished and the name of one who deserved so well of his country 
 be rescued from oblivion. 
 
 The task of arranging them has been a pleasant and (fortunate 
 ly) an easy one as there was little more to do than to place them 
 according to their dates and as much as possible avoid repeti 
 tions. 
 
 The Memoir would be quite inadequate did not the letters them 
 selves supply all its deficiencies, and give a more correct view of 
 my father s character than could be obtained by any other mode. 
 They will I trust prove that his motto was well chosen and ap 
 propriate. ANNE IZARD DEAS. 
 
 New York, August, 1844. 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 RALPH IZARD 
 
 Mr. IZARD S ancestors were English and came to America in 
 the reign of Queen Anne. They settled in South Carolina where 
 they acquired considerable possessions, in different parts of the State. 
 
 The family residence called " The Elms" was situated in St. 
 James Parish, Goose-Creek about seventeen miles from Charles 
 ton. 
 
 He was named Ralph after his Grandfather. His father Mr, 
 Henry Izard died young leaving only two children the subject 
 of this Memoir and Margaret afterwards married to Mr. Daniel 
 Blake she died without children. 
 
 Ralph was sent at a very early age to England and placed at 
 school at Hackney and his education was finished at Christ Col- 
 lege, Cambridge. 
 
 He then came to America and took possession of his Estate. 
 He passed a good deal of his time in New York, where he was 
 
VI MEMOIR. 
 
 much in the society of Mr. James DC Lancey then Lieutenant- 
 Governor of that Province. 
 
 He married his Niece Miss Alice De Lancey daughter of Mr. 
 Peter De Lancey, of West Chester. 
 
 Mr. Izard generally- while in America passed the winters in 
 Carolina, and the summers in New York. In 1771 some years 
 after his marriage (which took place in 1767,) he went to Eng 
 land, and settled in a delightful house in London ; where for a 
 few years Jie enjoyed every blessing this world can afford. 
 
 He was in the best and most intellectual society .and possessed 
 the friendship of some of the first men in that country which will 
 be apparent from their letters on his quitting it. 
 
 His ample fortune was spent in the liberal encouragement of 
 merit of every kind. He collected a fine Library and was an en 
 thusiastic admirer of painting and music. 
 
 His high and independent spirit was evinced, long before the 
 Revolutionary war took place as the following anecdote will 
 prove : -His friends in England were desirous that lie should be 
 presented at Court but he always declined the honor because 
 as a subject it would have been necessary for him to bow the knee 
 which he said he never would do to mortal man. 
 
 In 1774. tire measures pursued by Government gave great un 
 easiness to the friends of liberty and particularly to Americans 
 and his mind became so harrassed that in order to relieve it he 
 
 determined to cross the channel and travel on the continent. Ho 
 
 ftRTMft /*"*" 
 with his wife =and an intelligent friend visited everything worth 
 
 seeing in the Countries through which they passed. 
 
 His pleasure .-however- was greatly damped (as his letters will 
 show) by the clouds which continued to thicken over his own 
 country to which he was devotedly attached. 
 
 On his return the next year to England he in conjunction with 
 other American gentlemen did all that was possible, to avert the 
 and open the eyes of the King, and his Ministers and 
 
MEMOIR. Vll 
 
 when he found that their efforts were all in vain- and that Go 
 vernment continued to heap injuries on America he broke up his 
 establishment and quitted the country of his choice ; not of 
 course without great reluctance. 
 
 Intending to come to America, he wrote to inquire whether he 
 might be permitted to bring his furniture plate horses, &c., (the 
 non-importation law having passed.) Congress passed a resolution 
 allowing him to do so but some of his friends in that body 
 thinking he might be more serviceable to his country in Europe 
 and finding great and almost insuperalile difficulties to prevent 
 his coming he determined on taking his family to France which 
 he did in 1777. 
 
 Soon after his removal he was ppointed by the Congress Min 
 ister, (or Commissioner, as the title then was) to the Court of the 
 Grand Duke of Tuscany* 
 
 The anxiety of his mind at the then disastrous condition of his 
 country brought on a dreadful fit of the Gout which threatened 
 his life and confined him in a state of helplessness for several 
 months to his bed.. 
 
 The Independence of America, not having been acknowledged 
 he thought it inexpedient to proceed immediately to Italy and 
 some changes having taken place on the Continent which prevent 
 ed the Grand Duke from following his own inclination on that sub 
 ject he determined to return home. 
 
 Dr. Franklin and Mr. Deane had carefully concealed from Mr. 
 I/ard, the opportunities that occurred for writing to America and 
 owing to that circumstance his despatches did not reach the Con 
 gress, until long after Mr. Deane had been there -and had made 
 such representations or rather misrepresentations as induced 
 them to pass a Resolution to recall Mr. Izard before his request 
 to return had been received. 
 
 The Secretary of the Committee for foreign affairs, wrote him 
 the following letter : - 
 
Vlli MEMOIR. 
 
 Philadelphia, 17th July, 1779. 
 
 SIR Your letter of March the 4th was read in Congress, three 
 days ago being then only first received by the Committee of fo 
 reign affairs. 
 
 We should have been very happy, to have received it before the 
 8th of June as it would undoubtedly have founded a Resolve of 
 Congress more agreeable to us to communicate officially, than that 
 to which we must now refer you in their Journals printed au 
 thoritatively by David C. Claypoole and which are in the hands 
 of Dr. Franklin or Dr. Arthur Lee, at Passy. 
 
 We have till now omitted to forward that Resolve for your re 
 call from the Court of Tuscany as we daily expected a settlement 
 of a definite recompense for your services to these United States ; 
 but the modes of doing business in such an Assembly as Congress 
 will not warrant our detaining until such settlement some im 
 portant papers, committed to us, to be sent to the Court of France. 
 We are, with sincere regard, Sir, your most humble serv ts. 
 
 JAMES LOVELL, 
 For the Committee of Foreign Affairs. 
 
 Honorable RALPH IZARD. 
 
 He also received afterwards the following letter from the Pre 
 sident of Congress : 
 
 Philadelphia, August 19th, 1780. 
 
 SIR By the act of Congress of the 9th instant herewith en 
 closed you will be informed, that Congress are convinced of your 
 faithful endeavors, to fulfil the objects of your commission therein 
 mentioned and approve of the reasons which determined you not 
 to proceed to the Court of Tuscany. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of respect, 
 Your most humble servant, 
 
 SAM. HUNTINGTON, President. 
 The Honorable Mr. IZARD. 
 
 p. g. Please to excuse the delay of furnishing you with this act 
 which was occasioned by a mere accident. 
 
MEMOIR. IX 
 
 The motives that actuated Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Deane, were 
 not to be mistaken. Should the publication of these letters be con 
 tinued it will very clearly be seen, that the public good was con 
 stantly sacrificed to private interest and it was not agreeable to 
 those gentlemen to have so clear-sighted and strictly honest a wit 
 ness, to the abuses, then carrying on in France. 
 
 Congress passed a resolution to honor the draft Mr. Izard had 
 made on the Commissioners in France which Dr. Franklin had 
 refused to do and not only so but he wrote him such an offensive 
 letter that Mr. Lee, and Mr. Adams, (who had superseded Mr. 
 Deane,) refused to sign it.* 
 
 Mr. Izard had kept up a correspondence with the Abbe Niccoli 
 who was the Tuscan Minister at Paris and was enabled to give 
 useful information to the Congress who were desirous that he 
 should be consulted respecting the Treaties of Commerce and 
 Alliance to be made with France. 
 
 At this time and on this occasion it was that a difference arose 
 between Mr. Izard, and Dr. Franklin the particulars of which will 
 appear if ever the whole of the correspondence with many of the 
 leading men of the time is published both during the struggle for 
 Independence and after it was achieved, 
 
 Facts will be discovered which will no doubt surprise many 
 the Editor can only regret the facts they can neither be altered 
 nor withheld. 
 
 The two articles the llth and 12th in the commercial Treaty, 
 to which Mr. Izard objected, and wished to have left out without 
 effect were expunged by the Congress he having written to his 
 friends there ^to attend to them as they would have proved very 
 injurious to America in general and particularly soto the South 
 ern interest. 
 
 * In Duane s Life of Franklin, an attempt is made at explana 
 tion but it is by no means satisfactory. 
 
X MEMOIR. 
 
 Had not the Treaty of Alliance been pertinaciously concealed 
 from him during the time it was in progress (in direct violation 
 of the orders of Congress) and had his advice been acted upon 
 in all probability the Floridas would not have fallen into the hands 
 of the Spaniards at the peace of 1783. 
 
 He had a long correspondence with Mr. Adams on the subject 
 of the Fisheries and dwelt on the necessity there was for the 
 Americans to establish their rights before it was too late and it 
 is rather singular that he appears to have considered this a matter 
 of more importance than Mr. Adams did although the latter was 
 from New England. 
 
 When Commodore Gillon was sent from South Carolina to Eu 
 rope to purchase Frigates and for that purpose to obtain a loan 
 he could not effect the object on the security of the State Govern 
 ment alone. Mr. Izard came forward, and pledged his whole Es 
 tate and the business was then settled. 
 
 It appears from his letters of 1775 that he had a very correct 
 view of the intentions of France towards America. 
 
 His mind was continually occupied in devising means for the 
 relief of his country in general and especially for sending supplies 
 to his own State which will appear in the course of the corres 
 pondence. Many letters are missing but still a sufficient number 
 remain to form a connected and certainly a very authentic his 
 tory of the important and interesting events recorded in them 
 from the year 1774 to that of 1795 the period at which he finally 
 quitted public life.* Some merely of a mercantile nature have 
 been placed in this collection as they may have an interest for 
 that class of gentlemen although not much to general readers. 
 
 * The last volume is chiefly composed of letters from his son-in- 
 law Mr. William Smith who was a leading member of the House 
 of Representatives for eight years and who was sent Minister to 
 Portugal in 1797 by the first President Adams. Before he re 
 turned home he went to Paris, and was there during the eventful 
 period that Bonaparte was making such rapid strides to the emi 
 nence he soon after attained. 
 
MEMOIR. XI 
 
 He had the happiness of possessing some most sincere friends 
 one in particular who, having gone to India and been successful 
 there sent him Bills of exchange to a considerable amount fear 
 ing (as was the case) that American remittances would be stopped. 
 They were accepted with the same frankness that they were offer 
 ed and the money of course repaid with interest after the ter 
 mination of the war. 
 
 He arrived in America in 1780 and immediately repaired to 
 General Washington s Head Quarters where he happened to be 
 when Arnold s treachery was discovered. 
 
 It appears from the letters of that period that he influenced 
 the Commander-in-Chief to send General Greene to take command 
 of the Southern Army for which he received the thanks of the 
 Governor of South Carolina. From that time as is well known 
 a favorable change took place in American affairs which led to 
 the surrender of Cornwallis and the termination of the war. 
 
 It is likewise highly probable that the appointment by Congress 
 of Colonel Laurens, on a special Embassy to France was made 
 in consequence of the information given by Mr. Izard and the im 
 portant assistance which almost immediately followed from that 
 country corroborates the opinion he so often repeated that the 
 American Agent then resident in France was lukewarm and in 
 efficient. 
 
 Shortly after, he was chosen one of the Delegates from South 
 Carolina to Congress where he remained until the Peace. It was 
 proposed to him to allow his name to appear as candidate for Go 
 vernor of tha t State which he declined thinking that, as he had 
 been so long abroad he might not (as well as some others) under 
 stand the local interests of his countrymen. 
 
 His family whom he had left in France joined him in 1783, 
 at Philadelphia and soon after he returned with them to Carolina, 
 where they found everything in the most deplorable state of dilapi 
 dation particularly his old family residence so much so that 
 
Xll MEMOIR. 
 
 they feared it was uninhabitable. However, energy and good 
 management soon restored things to some order and though he 
 never felt entitled to live as he had formerly done (having sustain 
 ed great losses) his house was always the seat of liberal hospitality, 
 He now devoted himself to agriculture, and the care of his Es 
 tate which had been sequestered for some years. He also pointed 
 out new channels of Commerce for his Countrymen which his 
 European correspondents enabled him to do. 
 
 But he was not long allowed to remain in retirement ; as on 
 the formation of the Federal Government he was chosen Senator 
 for six years. 
 
 He once more embarked on the stormy sea of Politics where 
 his love of freedom his liberal mind strict integrity and un 
 flinching rectitude, were fully evinced and though he differed in 
 opinion with many of his contemporaries he never lost the respect 
 of any. 
 
 Holding the station he did he was frequently applied to for 
 his influence to obtain offices under Government and General 
 Washington remarked that he had never been disappointed in the 
 character of those who had been recommended to him by Mr. Izard. 
 On one occasion particularly he having procured the appointment 
 of Mr. Timothy Pickering, as Post-Master General he received 
 the thanks of General Washington for having pointed out to him 
 BO meritorious a man and one so well qualified to fill the office. 
 
 He was a firm and consistent advocate for liberty true ration* 
 ai liberty not the wild Democracy, that threatened about the year 
 1790 to degenerate into anarchy, and be subversive of all order 
 and good Government. Many of his letters of that period show 
 his real sentiments. 
 
 Mr. Izard served out the time for which he had been chosen in 
 Congress making occasional visits to Carolina. 
 
 During the absence of the Vice President on one occasion he 
 was chosen President of the Senate. 
 
MEMOIR. Xlll 
 
 In the year 1795, he took a final leave of public life and return- 
 ed home with the hope of passing the evening of his days in the 
 calm enjoyment of rural occupation and the society of his family 
 and friends. But Heaven decreed it otherwise. In less than two 
 years he was seized in an instant, with the dreadful malady, that 
 deprived him of the use of one side and reduced him from a state 
 of perfect health and unusual activity to one of deplorable help 
 lessness. Yet his intellect was mercifully spared and the strength 
 of his mind and his religious principle were never more appa 
 rent than during the seven years that he lived after the attack. 
 
 His malady resisted all the remedies that were then known 
 either at home or in Europe. Electricity galvanism (just then 
 brought into use in France) vital air steam baths all were tried 
 and persisted in while there was any hope of benefit but final 
 ly they were all abandoned as he found relief only from frequent 
 cupping at the back of the neck which operation used to be per 
 formed by one of his own servants who attended him throughout 
 his long illness and received his freedom as the reward of his 
 faithful services. 
 
 He always took a lively interest in all public occurrences had 
 the newspapers and all the new publications of merit read to him 
 and continued to collect his numerous family and intimate 
 friends around him whenever he was well enough to do so. 
 
 His apt quotations (from a well stored mind and most reten 
 tive memory) both from the ancient and modern languages often 
 amused and delighted his companions and proved that however 
 much the body was debilitated the mind was still in full vigor. 
 
 His personal appearance was prepossessing being tall (full six 
 feet) well proportioned and graceful. He excelled in Horse 
 manship and in all the manly exercises then in vogue such as 
 Cricket, Tennis, &c. 
 
 He expired on the 30th May, 1804, in the sixty-second year of 
 
XIV MEMOIR. 
 
 his age and was buried at the Parish Church of St. James, Goose- 
 Creek where a Marble Tablet was placed to his memory. 
 
 He was remarkable for his taste and built a house in Charles 
 ton which formed one of its chief ornaments as long as it stood. 
 It was burnt down in 1828. 
 
 The following extract of a letter written to him in 1781 will 
 account for the motto and the likeness:" I had pleasure in find 
 ing what I knew were your measures adopted. I hope you will 
 have the credit of them and yet I sometimes fear the contrary. 
 I am studying to bring myself to such a temper of mind as will 
 enable me to acquiesce in all events with cheerfulness. To re 
 sign your reputation would be the hardest of all trials and yet I 
 would rather do that than resign the heart-cheering consciousness 
 that you deserve the highest. 
 
 " If ever your Memoirs should be printed for posterity I should 
 wish your likeness to precede them with this short motto An 
 honest man s the noblest work of God. " 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Edward Rutledge, Esq. 
 
 DIJON, BURGUNDY, July 13, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am just favored with your letter 
 of the 20d May, and am much obliged to you for 
 the trouble you are taking in my affairs. In my 
 last, I informed you that I had joined Mr. Laurens 
 to you in the power of attorney. He will, I hope, 
 afford you great assistance in rendering me this 
 service. 
 
 What do you think of the Boston Port Law 
 the act for altering charters, juries, &c., together 
 with the Quebec law ? If the intentions of our 
 most gracious sovereign are not clearly seen in 
 these proceedings by every man in the British 
 
 2 
 
[2] 
 
 empire, the sight must be lost beyond the skill of 
 any political occulist. 
 
 Politics have given me, during the course of last 
 winter and spring, so much trouble and vexation, 
 and so little pleasure, that I am glad to get a little 
 relief from them, by flying to a country where they 
 are seldom, or never, the subject of conversation. 
 
 From Edward Rutkdge, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 CHARLESTON, July 21, 1774. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 Let us, then, take leave of this matter, and of 
 all money concerns, for a time, and listen to an 
 affair of more consequence I mean the liberty of 
 America. The people are at last roused. We 
 have had the most general meeting that has ever 
 been known almost every man of consequence 
 has attended. The parishes sent down deputies 
 
to meet the inhabitants of Charleston, in order to 
 concert some plan for the preservation of our lib 
 erties. Three days and three nights were spent in 
 concerting some plan. At last, the one which was 
 proposed and supported by my brother and my 
 self, was come into ; which was, not to enter into 
 resolutions at present, but send deputies to the 
 northward, to meet in Congress, and give those 
 deputies full and absolute power to agree to, or 
 propose, whatever they should think would redress 
 the grievances complained of. We contended 
 that every plan which was adopted, as most likely 
 to bring about the end proposed, should have 
 unanimity, for its basis that, if we entered into 
 any resolutions immediately, we could not say 
 whether they would be acceded to by the other 
 colonies that, if they were not, the cause would 
 be weakened ; and, even if they were, they would 
 not be as efficacious, if come into one after ano 
 ther, as if all at once ; that a general non-importa 
 tion agreement would not do much good, and a 
 partial one, a great deal of harm, as it would be 
 pointing out to Parliament what articles we could 
 not, in our own opinion, do without, which would 
 occasion their being taxed ; and that, should that 
 not be the case, yet much advantage could not be 
 expected from it, as the articles allowed to be im- 
 
[4] 
 
 ported were those on which the trade of Great 
 Britain most related to the colonies. But that we 
 were against a non-importation or any other agree 
 ment, on another ground, which was that when 
 the deputies arrived at the northward, they might 
 think it best to draw up a remonstrance in the 
 nature of a bill of rights, and sending some gentle 
 man home with it ; that if that should be the case, 
 we had beiter suspend any obstruction to the 
 British trade, otherwise, it would be going with a 
 request in one hand, and a sword in the other ; 
 that when such bill was drawn and sent 7wme, 
 those who went with it would certainly have in 
 structions to tell the minister, or those who ruled, 
 that, unless our grievances were all redressed, we 
 would come at once into a firm resolution, neither 
 to import from Great Britain a single article of 
 their manufacture, or send them a shillings worth 
 of our produce ; in short, we would cast off all 
 communication with them, and the best that they 
 could expect from us would be that we should 
 live in sullen silence. This, you may depend upon 
 it, will be the result of a refusal from the legisla 
 ture of Great Britain, and if their eyes cannot be 
 opened by any other means than by their own 
 ruin, let it be so. 
 Deputies being agreed to be sent, a full power 
 
[5] 
 
 having been resolved upon, the question was, who 
 should be sent ? When it was determined that 
 Mr. Henry Middleton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Gadsden, 
 my brother John, and myself, should be the five ; 
 several were put in nomination, but the contest 
 lay between Mr. G., Mr. L. and myself, on the 
 one side, and Mr. Lowndes, Mr. Brewton, and 
 Mr. Pinckney, on the other ; however, it was car 
 ried by a great majority say three hundred and 
 nmty-seven. 
 
 Mrs. Rutledge s health is so poorly that her 
 physicians have advised me to carry her to the 
 northward, which I intend to do some time in the 
 next week. We have already taken our passage, 
 and Mr. Middleton is to go with us. We shall be 
 gone, I suppose, until the middle or latter end of 
 October. 
 
 I have got Mr. Farr, who knows more of your 
 concerns than any one else, to take charge of them 
 in my absence. 
 
 I believe you will not only excuse, but thank me 
 too, if I now take my leave, which I shall, after 
 requesting you to present Harriet s and my re 
 spects to Mrs. Izard, and assuring you that 
 I am, my dear sir, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, 
 
 E. RUTLEDGE. 
 
[6] 
 
 P. S. I thank you for Lee s pamphlets. Mr. 
 Lynch and myself will do what is proper. I shall 
 write to you again before I leave the Province. 
 
 E. RUTLEDGE. 
 
 From Mr. Farr to Mr. hard. 
 CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, Aug. 8, 1774. 
 SIR: 
 
 Edward Rutledge, Esq. having had the 
 honor to be chosen by the inhabitants of this 
 colony, one of the commissioners to meet commis 
 sioners from the other colonies, at Philadelphia, to 
 consult what is proper to be done on the present 
 unhappy situation of American affairs, has, accord 
 ingly, gone on that embassy; but before he left 
 this country, he desired me to take charge of your 
 estate, and overlook the same until his return, 
 which I have agreed to do, and you may depend 
 that I will do whatever lies in my power for your 
 interest during the time I have it under my care. 
 
[7] 
 
 I have no doubt but that you have been inform 
 ed of the steps taken by the people of this province, 
 relative to the measures intended to be pursued by 
 America, in general, in opposition to the late cruel 
 acts of the British Parliament against Boston ; but 
 I cannot help mentioning to you, how much the 
 good people of this continent are obliged to you, 
 and the other American gentlemen, for stepping 
 forth, and endeavoring to oppose the passing of 
 those cruel acts, and it gives particular pleasure 
 to the people of this colony, to see the names of so 
 many of our countrymen to those petitions. The 
 unjustifiable and arbitrary proceedings of the Brit 
 ish Parliament, against the Americans, have so 
 roused the people on this continent, that I dare 
 say they will never be forgotten ; and I think I 
 can venture to say, that although we cannot, at 
 present, use violence in opposing them, yet the 
 unhappy consequences which must ensue from such 
 proceedings, will ultimately fall on the people of 
 Great Britain. 
 
 The inhabitants of this province are firmly re 
 solved to go on in the opposition with spirit ; and 
 even the most mild and moderate of the people, 
 have shown themselves on the occasion, (except a 
 few Scotchmen.) The meeting of our general 
 Assembly was to be by the Lieutenant Governor s 
 
[8] 
 
 prorogation, at the close of the last session, on the 3d 
 of this month. The members all attended early that 
 morning, and sent to acquaint the Lieutenant Gov 
 ernor, as usual, that the house was met, and also 
 went through the other parliamentary forms be 
 fore they proceeded to business. The Lieutenant 
 Governor, intending to prevent the assembly from 
 doing any business by proroguing them, was much 
 surprised to find the house had met so soon ; he, 
 therefore, immediately hurried away to the council 
 chamber, to meet the Council and Assembly, to 
 prorogue their meeting to a future day ; but the 
 members of his Majesty s Council, being mostly 
 out of town, before the messengers could get one 
 Councillor to attend, the House of Assembly had 
 time to proceed to the consideration of those mea 
 sures taken with Boston ; and also the result of the 
 deliberations of the people of this province at their 
 great and general meeting, and did recognize the 
 several resolutions which the people had entered 
 into, and confirm that of sending the Commissioners 
 to the Congress, and at the same time, resolved to 
 provide 1,500 sterling, to pay their expenses on 
 that service. The Lieutenant Governor, after 
 waiting for his Councillors, or at least for three of 
 them, to make a board, found he could get but one 
 of them ; he thereupon sent for the House of Assem- 
 
[9] 
 
 bly, and upon their attending his Honor in the 
 Council chamber, he addressed himself to that 
 one Councillor, and to the House, telling them he 
 thought it for his Majesty s service that the general 
 Assembly should be prorogued to a future day, and 
 accordingly prorogued it. The Lieutenant Gov 
 ernor immediately got a copy of the proceedings 
 of the House of Assembly on that day, and sent it 
 to the ministry. I suppose Lord North, will be 
 displeased with the Lieutenant Governor for suf 
 fering the Assembly to meet, and not proroguing 
 it before the day of meeting ; but I think he may 
 as well be displeased with the members of his 
 Majesty s Council for not being in the way when 
 the King s service required their attendance. 
 
 I have taken the liberty of giving you an ac 
 count of the foregoing proceedings, believing it 
 will be agreeable to you to hear of every measure 
 which is taken for the benefit of America. 
 
t 10] 
 
 From Mr. hard to Geo. Dempster, Esq. London. 
 
 GENEVA, August 8, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I did myself the pleasure of writing 
 to you from Paris, and a few days after received 
 your favor, which informed me of your having let 
 my house for three years. I am perfectly satisfied 
 with what you have done, and beg you will accept 
 my thanks for the trouble you have taken. I am so 
 sensible of your friendship, that I am certain you 
 did every thing for my interest that could be done. 
 You mention nothing about my two pictures. The 
 conversation piece, over the chimney, in the par 
 lor, and Mrs. Izard s portrait, in the middle draw 
 ing-room. Will you be so good as to have them 
 sent to Mr. West s, in Newman-street, and beg 
 the favor of him to take care of them for me. 
 Mr. Howard cannot, I think, have any objection. 
 If he objects to parting with the former, take the 
 latter only. 
 
 The colonies seem determined not to act hastily 
 or rashly. As they have weighed the subject with 
 
[ 11 ] 
 
 great care and attention, their conduct will, I hope, 
 show their wisdom and firmness. My letters 
 promise every thing that can be wished, when 
 they had only heard of the Boston Port Bill. The 
 subsequent measures of administration will not 
 tend to relax them. I expect soon to hear of a 
 Congress, and an American bill of Rights, sent from 
 the other side of the Atlantic. Would to God 
 some means, honorable and satisfactory to both 
 parties, could be devised, to put an end to this 
 cruel and unnatural contest. Your exertions, I 
 am sure, will never be wanting, when proper 
 occasions offer. I have made a pretty extensive 
 tour through the south of France. The climate 
 resembles so much, that of Carolina and Virginia, 
 that the productions of one, might, without doubt, 
 be drawn from the other. At Marseilles and other 
 parts, I saw large quantities of rice from Carolina, 
 and wheat from New- York, and the preference 
 given to them, when compared to other wheat and 
 Levant rice. 
 
 The husbandry through all parts of France, that 
 I have passed, seems inferior to that of America. 
 I am much pleased with this little republic, and am 
 astonished at its having preserved itself amidst 
 the almost general wreck of the liberties of Europe. 
 I have had some political conversations with two 
 
I 12] 
 
 of the principal inhabitants, who look upon the dis 
 pute between England and America as a great 
 misfortune to all the free and independent states 
 of Europe ; as the loss of the affections of America 
 may tend to weaken England, and destroy that 
 balance of power, which secures their indepen 
 dence. England does not see things in the same 
 light ; perhaps she does not deign to examine the 
 proposition. We propose making a tour of ten 
 days, or a fortnight, into Switzerland, and then 
 cross the Alps to Turin. In about two months I 
 expect to be at Florence. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Henry Laurens, Esq. London. 
 GENEVA, August 22, 1774. 
 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 On my arrival here, I inquired after 
 your two sons, and was disappointed in not seeing 
 them. I am just returned from a tour of ten days 
 into Switzerland, which has given me much plea- 
 
[ 13] 
 
 sure. The country is either a much finer one 
 than France, or the peasants, knowing that the 
 fruits of their labor cannot be taken from them by 
 the rude hand of power, have bestowed such cul 
 tivation on it, as makes it appear so. 
 
 I am delighted at seeing so many seats of free 
 dom, surrounded by so many powerful tyrants. It 
 would be fortunate for them if another Luther and 
 Calvin could make them all protestants ; for the 
 difference of religious opinions, makes the Cantons 
 jealous of each other, and refuse to incorporate 
 their allies with themselves, lest one party or other 
 should get an advantage by it. This may prove 
 fatal to them some time or other. Our country 
 has no such cause for jealousy and disunion, and, 
 therefore, I hope in God, she may guard against 
 the fatal effects of them. 
 
 General Gage s conduct displeases me much. 
 His proclamation against the Congress, and his 
 answer to the address of the Council, seem to me 
 full of insolence and haughtiness. These qualities 
 are not natural to him ; he must have imbibed 
 them during his last visit to England. If the op 
 pressions of America continue, and her efforts to 
 get rid of them prove ineffectual, I shall not hesi 
 tate about settling in this part of the world. There 
 are no nobility, no standing army, no taxes, no 
 3 
 
[ 14 ] 
 
 custom-house officers, and, above all, no King the 
 support of whose pride, pomp and intolerable vani 
 ty, by courtiers, called necessary expenses, inevita 
 bly produces these, and a thousand other griev 
 ances. Our party continues all well, and desire 
 their compliments to you. 
 
 Mr. Lee and I, this morning, attempted a visit 
 to Voltaire. We were admitted no farther than 
 his courtyard, and, upon sending in our names, the 
 servant brought this answer: "Par Dieu Je suis 
 malade" We were taught to expect this, before 
 we went. His age and infirmities make him 
 peevish, and the intrusion of many stupid, young 
 travelling Englishmen, who have visited him, as 
 strangers do the lions, in the tower, has given him 
 such a disinclination to company, that it is very 
 difficult to get admittance to him. 
 
 I heartily wish you a safe and pleasant passage, 
 and enjoyment of your health in that country, 
 where, I think it the greatest misfortune, my want 
 of health, will not suffer me to live. 
 
To the same. 
 
 FLORENCE, October 18, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I received your letter about ten days 
 ago, since which, I have made a tour through 
 Lucca Pisa and Leghorn. At the last place, I 
 found a vessel ready to sail for New- York. By 
 her, I did myself the pleasure of writing to you. 
 As my letter, by that conveyance, may not get to 
 your hands, I shall repeat part of it. 
 
 You mention your power of attorney not allow 
 ing you to sell land. Mr. Rutledge s power not 
 only extends to the sale of the land, and town lots, 
 but also to my country property. You will con 
 sult him about the sale, as his letter of attorney em 
 powers him to make titles. If I am mistaken, you 
 will be so good as to let me know it, and I will 
 send you any power you may think proper. It 
 will be very necessary for us to think of the means 
 of clothing our negroes, if our disputes with Eng 
 land continue, which, I am inclined to think, they 
 will. Pray, at all events, let there be a consider- 
 
[ 16 ] 
 
 able quantity of cotton planted for me ; and I beg 
 that, before the non-importation takes place, you 
 will be so good as to provide such a stock of 
 negro cloth and blankets, that these poor people 
 may not suffer. 
 
 I should be obliged to you, if you would endea 
 vor to get me some white mulberry-trees planted 
 at Goose Creek, and you will be so good as to 
 have a part of the garden there well prepared and 
 manured, and sow a good quantity of white mul 
 berry-seed in a nursery. From the appearance of 
 the soil and climate of the Milanese and Piedmont, 
 where the best silk is produced, I think ours may 
 produce as good. There can, at least, be no harm 
 in trying. I imagine you can get both plants and 
 seed at Purysburg. The proper time to transplant 
 the mulberry-trees, is at three years old ; the holes 
 in which they are put, should be five feet each 
 way, and five feet deep. Manure must be put into 
 the holes when the trees are planted. They 
 should be planted in lines, at the distance of twen 
 ty feet one way, and fifty feet the other, and shoulii 
 have straw wrapped round the trunks, to guard 
 them from the cold in winter. If you can get any 
 young trees for me, I should be glad to have them 
 planted in the field, behind the stables. I should have 
 sent some Turkey cotton-seed, from Leghorn, but 
 
L n J 
 
 was informed there, that our own West India cot 
 ton was much better, and bore a higher price than 
 that from the Levant. I shall send you some 
 white mulberry-seed, as I am told it is remarkably 
 good here. 
 
 I have heard nothing from Mr. Lynch, or Mr. 
 Rutledge, about the answer to the considerations, 
 or the American petitions. I shall certainly be in 
 London by the first of June, very likely before 
 that time, and hope to find such supplies there, as 
 will enable me to leave England whenever I please, 
 without embarrassment. As to the time, I shall 
 act according to circumstances. I hope the poli 
 tics and resolutions of Georgia, may keep pace 
 with those of Carolina. There is a certain digni 
 fied scoundrel, who will not fail to prevent it if he 
 can. I have not seen any notice taken of those 
 gentlemen, who were so officious in offering them 
 selves as securities for the tea. I am of opinion, 
 that whether a general non-importation agreement 
 takes place or not, every friend to America, ought 
 solemnly to engage to have no more dealings with 
 them. There is no doubt, but our present unhap 
 py situation, is in a great measure owing to them. 
 One of them, I know, owes his existence to the 
 gentlemen of Carolina ; and when a man repays 
 favors, with such infamous ingratitude, it is not 
 
[ 18 ] 
 
 only weak, but criminal to support him. There is a 
 ridiculous notion propagated, that he sells indigo, 
 better than other people. This I cannot believe ; 
 but even were it true, it is a very insufficient rea 
 son why he should be placed in a state of princely 
 magnificence, and by that means, be the better en 
 abled to exercise with credit and authority, his 
 enmity against us. 
 
 Mr. Rodger Smith and some others, should take 
 this seriously into consideration. It may be too 
 delicate a matter for you to mention, personally, to 
 them, but the newspapers are the proper vehicles 
 for such information and admonition to the public. 
 I know your zeal in the cause, and I hope you will 
 take the trouble of being the monitor. 
 
 From Thomas Lynchj Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, October 26, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 On my arrival here, I wrote you the 
 occasion of it. I now have the pleasure of enclos- 
 
[ 19] 
 
 ing to you a pamphlet, which contains the result. 
 There remains only an address to the Canadians 
 and the petition to the King, to complete all our 
 works, and these will be soon printed in England ; 
 should they reach you abroad, please consider 
 whether their being translated into French and 
 Dutch, may not have a good effect, as we shall 
 want supplies of woollens and other goods from 
 them, in case our mother country, (as it is called,) 
 continues her oppression. 
 
 The New England men, continue a behavior 
 truly heroic. Without rashness, or any tumultu 
 ous proceedings that belong to mobs, they oppose 
 a steady, manly, cool and regular conduct, neither 
 declining nor precipitating war. 
 
 I saw a gentleman a few days ago, who was at 
 Cambridge, when the men who had met to oblige 
 the councillors and judges to resign their offices, 
 received intelligence that Gage was marching his 
 little army to attack them. He declares that this 
 news occasioned not the least appearance of hur 
 ry or confusion. The men who were armed, pre 
 pared to receive their enemy ; the unarmed, hast 
 ed home, and brought their arms. Their numbers 
 being but little superior, shows they will not decline 
 an equal combat. If so, where is England to find 
 an army to encounter two hundred thousand of 
 
L 20] 
 
 these same New Englanders, besides at least five 
 hundred thousand others, in the rest of America, 
 who have solemnly engaged in the same cause. 
 
 I think I mentioned a little speech, made by an 
 Assemblyman, (it is said of Virginia.) " I will raise 
 and support, one thousand men at my expense, as 
 long as you shall want them, and march at their 
 head, wherever you direct." There are many such 
 men in America. 
 
 I remember to have heard, that Amherst had 
 told the King, that he would undertake to march 
 five thousand men, from one end of the continent 
 to the other, notwithstanding the opposition of all 
 the inhabitants. If the story is true, his successor 
 seems quite of a contrary opinion. Indeed, if the 
 former took up that idea from the provincials, he 
 will consider an army, formed out of the dregs of 
 the people, as a very different thing from the yeo 
 men of the country, acting voluntarily in the im 
 mediate defence of their liberty and property. 
 
 I enclose a newspaper, to show the temper of 
 the people of Maryland, as a specimen of that 
 which prevails in all the colonies. In short, I think 
 you may venture to pronounce that America, 
 though most sincerely attached to England and 
 desirous of a perpetual union, will, by force only, 
 be brought to admit of domination ; and they may 
 
[21 ] 
 
 learn from the case of Corsica what force to apply 
 to America, how it is to be sent here, and how sup 
 ported when it is. Indeed, the notion is ridiculous 
 and absurd. 
 
 These middle colonies were suspected of great 
 lukewarmness, but since we have been here, a 
 great alteration is visible in that matter. 
 
 I return this day to Carolina with Mrs. Lynch. 
 With best regards to Mrs. Izard, 
 
 I am, dear sir, &c. 
 
 From Edward Rutkdge, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 CHESTER, October 29, 1774. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 A moment s leisure gives me 
 an opportunity of communicating to you the busi 
 ness we have transacted, which is briefly this. 
 We have formed a bill of Rights, by which we in 
 sist, that no power on earth has a right to inter 
 meddle with our internal polity ; but that the Par- 
 
[22] 
 
 liament of Great Britain, has, of necessity, a right 
 to regulate trade. 
 
 We have framed a list of grievances, and have 
 formed an association, not to import any goods, 
 &c., either from Great Britain or Ireland, until such 
 grievances, as have arisen since the year 63, and 
 are enumerated in such association, shall be re 
 dressed. We have further resolved, that, " if a 
 repeal of those laws, by which we are oppressed, 
 does not take place, anterior to the 10th of Septem 
 ber next, we will not export any commodity to 
 Great Britain, Ireland or the West Indies, except 
 rice to Europe. 
 
 It will take more wisdom than I am master of, 
 to reconcile this plan to reason ; for, upon the most 
 mature deliberation, I disapprove of it. I have re 
 peatedly held forth my testimony against it, as 
 inexpedient and weak. I do not mean the bill of 
 Rights ; that I think well of, and offered it every 
 support in my power : for I hold it as a clear truth, 
 that they have no right to interfere in the regula 
 tion of our internal polity, where we have a pow 
 er within ourselves that is equal to the exigencies 
 of our affairs ; it being as ridiculous to suppose 
 that there could be two complete legislatures, as 
 that there should be two superior beings. 
 
 But no good reason can be urged why we shoukl 
 
[23] 
 
 be satisfied with a restoration of such rights only, 
 as have been violated since the year 63, when we 
 have as many others, as clear and indisputable, 
 that will even then be infringed. Nor can any 
 sufficient reason be assigned, why a non-exporta 
 tion should not be put on foot immediately, or a 
 non-importation delayed, until we are ripe for a 
 non-exportation, as, I suppose, that the more inter 
 ested the people of Great Britain are in the colonies, 
 the more property they have with us, the more desir 
 ous and industrious will they be to obtain a repeal of 
 the oppressive acts. But I was very desirous that 
 both of them should take place at an early day, 
 and think a few months would have put everything 
 to rights again. But to make the matter more 
 absurd, we have come into a resolution not to ex 
 port indigo. This, I was totally against. I pro 
 posed to stop all exportation nothing short of 
 that would satisfy me. I saw no reason why the 
 inhabitants of this, and the neighboring colonies, 
 should have full liberty to export their wheat and 
 flour to every part of Europe, and that we should 
 be restricted so much in our trade ; for under the 
 statute of Charles II., we could not carry rice to 
 any part of the world, except to England and 
 Scotland. It is true that, by some subsequent acts, 
 we had liberty to carry it to other parts, but these 
 
[ 24] 
 
 were only temporary statutes ; and the one which 
 permits it to be carried to the south of CapeFinis- 
 terre, will expire with the present session of Par 
 liament. Their commodities, not being enumera 
 ted, may be carried to any part of the globe. 
 
 It was said, if they were in an advantageous 
 situation, why not allowed the use of it ? The 
 answer is ready : because equality is the basis of 
 public virtue. People who are affected but in 
 speculation, and submit to all the hardships attend 
 ing it, will not shut up their ports, while their 
 neighbors, who are the objects of ministerial ven 
 geance, enjoy, in a great degree, the benefits of 
 commerce. Nor is the fact true, that Great Bri 
 tain will not be distressed by withholding our trade 
 to other parts of the world, for the wealth which 
 is acquired by such trade, must go to our enemies. 
 But to stop the exportation of indigo, is still more 
 foolish; it is unequal, too, between the different 
 parts of the province. St. Helena, is not well af 
 fected ; the Georgians are disaffected. How easy 
 will it be for the people, in that part of the pro 
 vince, to carry their commodity to that market. 
 Again : if they give up the planting of indigo, what 
 can they do ? They can plant nothing else but 
 provisions, which they can never dispose of, as the 
 West India trade will be at an end. 
 
[25 ] 
 
 But why stop ; does it pay duty ? No. It re 
 ceives a bounty ; it is useful, they say, in dying. 
 Cannot these things be procured from the French ? 
 Yes. But if they could not, why shall we distress 
 our own people, for no other purpose, than to 
 oblige the people of England to weave white 
 cloth, instead of blue ? 
 
 I had much more to say, but have not time. 
 However, this I must add, that, if the acts are not 
 repealed before May, at which time we are to 
 have a new Congress, we shall certainly go much 
 farther : for, submission never can, nor ever shall 
 take place. 
 
 Remember me to Mrs. Izard. I am just this 
 moment setting out for Carolina. God bless you ! 
 
 From James Allen, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, October, 29, 1774. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 I received your letter dated Paris, 
 July 8, and plainly discover that you are sick of 
 4 
 
[26] 
 
 the iniquity of the present times. I heartily agree 
 with you, that profligacy of manners has swallow 
 ed up all ideas of liberty amongst the people of 
 England. The case is widely different in Amer 
 ica, where, except amongst a few high-flyers, the 
 love of it is universal. 
 
 The situation of this country is critical ; and a 
 few months will determine, whether we are to en 
 joy the rights of Englishmen, or be involved in all 
 the horrors of a civil war. For no proposition can 
 be clearer, than that nothing but a military force, 
 and a powerful one, can produce an acquiescence 
 to the oppressive measures now carrying on against 
 us. 
 
 I cannot pretend to give you a detail of what is 
 transacting in America. You will see by the pa 
 pers, that General Gage is fortifying the causeway 
 that leads into the town of Boston the only ave 
 nue to it, the rest being surrounded by the bay. 
 This fortification will put the town at his mercy, 
 surrounded as it is by the shipping. But I forget 
 that you have been in Boston, and, of course, are 
 better acquainted with its situation than I am. 
 
 Frequent applications are daily made to the 
 general, to dismantle the fortification ; but he ex 
 cuses himself, as intending it only as a defensive 
 measure, and declares that he has no views of any- 
 
[27] 
 
 thing offensive. The truth is, and the military ac 
 knowledge it, that his present force, though con 
 sisting of about eight regiments, is too weak to re 
 sist the inhabitants ; and he is sensible, that the 
 first blood spilt by the soldiery, will endanger their, 
 and his own safety. 
 
 You may well think that this is a time of great 
 anxiety and expectation with us, when I tell you, 
 that yesterday the grand continental congress, com 
 posed of delegates from every colony, broke up, 
 after a session of two months in this city. On the 
 deliberations and resolutions of that body, rests the 
 safety of all America. They have been kept a 
 profound secret, and were published to the world 
 yesterday ; and I have the inexpressible pleasure 
 to inform you, that they have conducted them 
 selves with unanimity, wisdom and firmness. 
 
 I send, by this opportunity, the printed account 
 of their proceedings, to your friend, Mr. William 
 Lee, of Tower-street, with my request to forward 
 it to you. If the people of England are not dead 
 to every feeling of humanity and virtue, it must 
 rouse them. It is not only their own cause, 
 but the cause of human nature ; and, to attribute 
 the opposition of America to a desire of indepen 
 dency, or to any other motive, than a wish to en- 
 
[ 28 1 
 
 joy English constitutional liberty, is diabolically 
 wicked and false. 
 
 It is wonderful to see so thorough an union of 
 all America ! Not one single colony, but has em 
 barked itself in this great common cause, with the 
 utmost alacrity. That union will make us irresisti 
 ble, and Lord North will ever be deemed a shal 
 low politician, in forming this indissoluble connec 
 tion. " Divide et Impera" is the true English pol 
 icy. Had he even stopped short of the Quebec 
 bill, there might have been some distant prospect 
 of a less general confederacy ; but that open, and 
 avowed design of subjugating America, has alarm 
 ed the most inattentive, and given us but one mind. 
 I beg to offer my compliments to Mr. Izard, and 
 Mrs. Allen adds hers, and 
 
 I am very sincerely, &c., 
 
 JAMES ALLEN. 
 
[29] 
 
 From Mr, hard, to Edward Rutkdge, Esq. 
 ROME, November 15, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I was, a few days ago, favored with 
 a letter from you, full of private and public busi 
 ness. 
 
 I congratulate you on being appointed one of the 
 commissioners, as it is an honorable testimony of 
 the good opinion your countrymen have of you. 
 The Congress, I dare say, will have done every 
 thing that could be done ; but my knowledge of 
 the King s determined inflexibility, cuts off all hope 
 of that success and full satisfaction, which ought 
 to crown their endeavors. There are not above 
 ten men in England, who are not tired of this in 
 famous and unnatural contest. 
 
 He has, by a species of cunning peculiar to him 
 self, abolished all appearance of prerogative, and 
 substituted the much more dangerous weapon of 
 intrigue. This was very little understood in the 
 last century, but is thoroughly so now. I look 
 4* 
 
[30] 
 
 upon the object of all princes to be the same : the 
 acquisition of unlimited power. The unhappy 
 race of Stuart, languish here, in poverty and con 
 tempt. Their ancestors were so ill-advised, as to 
 fight with the slender and insufficient armor of 
 prerogative. In England, we are now better in 
 structed. Our arms are made of more impenetra 
 ble stuff, and even the heel of our Achilles is per 
 fectly covered. 
 
 You mention nothing of the petitions, which I 
 sent you and Mr. Lynch. I expected that they 
 would have been taken notice of, and approved of, 
 in the great meeting in Charlestown. I think they 
 ought to have been, and that omission was very 
 ill-judged. The consciousness of having acted 
 well, is not always a sufficient reward. A great 
 deal of trouble was taken, and a great deal of ill- 
 will got, in England. The public approbation of 
 their countrymen, would have been ample compen 
 sation. This, they had a right to expect, but, with 
 which, they have not been gratified. This neglect, 
 will, I fear, operate against any future application 
 to parliament on any similar occasion, and will be 
 looked upon as a disapprobation of the measure. 
 
 I shall say very little to you, about my private 
 affairs. In truth, I have very little to say about 
 them. Mr. Laurens being joined with you, in the 
 
[31 ] 
 
 management of them, will, I hope, relieve you of 
 a great deal of trouble. 
 
 In the ensuing troubles, I foresee infinite difficul 
 ties will arise, in the clothing and blanketing of our 
 negroes. You will, I trust, take every possible 
 precaution on this subject. If the trade is to be 
 stopped, cotton should be planted in all parts. 
 This will produce clothes, but I do not know how 
 blankets can be provided. Difficulties will sharpen 
 the invention, and I do not doubt, but that some 
 expedients will be found out. Whatever is re 
 solved by the provinces, will, I hope to God, be 
 faithfully adhered to and executed. 
 
 The breaking of the last non-importation agree 
 ment, has given wonderful confidence to our ene 
 mies. Our conduct will not, I hope, justify their 
 opinion of us. 
 
 I hope that the northern tour has restored Mrs. 
 Rutledge s health. Pray, offer her our compli 
 ments. The curiosities of this country have af 
 forded us a great deal of pleasure. We think of 
 being in London next May. My stay in England, 
 after that time, will be regulated by circumstances. 
 
[ 32] 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 DANNEKUR, near FORFAR, N. B., December 3, 1774. 
 MY DEAR IZARD : 
 
 I would have answered your 
 last kind letter, from Switzerland, had I not been 
 prevented by very particular business. I came 
 down to Scotland, with the intention of settling, 
 and had scarcely arrived, when the dissolution of 
 Parliament followed hard at my heels ; and my 
 constituents have done me the honor, unanimously 
 to re-elect me, without one shilling of expense. 
 By this means, I continue still a member of our 
 upright legislature, on so honorable a footing, as 
 to more than over-pay any sacrifices I have made, 
 of my own interests, in order to discharge with 
 fidelity the important trust reposed in me. 
 
 I shall be in town, single, about the middle of 
 January ; and I hope, before I leave it for the sum 
 mer, your excursion will be terminated, by your 
 safe arrival there also. The pleasure of meeting 
 you, and Mrs. Izard and your travelling com 
 panion, Mr. Lee, will be a very great one to me. 
 
[33] 
 
 I will not enter on American affairs ; the pros 
 pect from that quarter is truly melancholy, nor do 
 I yet see how it can brighten. The ministry are 
 committed, and so is all America. Our commerce 
 and their liberties, are both in danger, if things are 
 pushed to extremity. Yet, which will recede? 
 Where is the common and unprejudiced mediator ? 
 As to the new Parliament, I have no doubt of its 
 succeeding to all the prejudices and frailties of its 
 predecessor, the old Parliament. But more of 
 these things when we meet. 
 
 In the meantime, let me express my wishes that 
 you, Mrs. Izard and Mr. Lee, have reaped all the 
 satisfaction possible from your charming tour, and 
 have enjoyed a competent share of good health 
 and spirits to relish the various entertainments that 
 have fallen in your way. 
 
 I am settled in quiet, in my little farm-house, 
 where I shall probably spend much of the remain 
 der of my life. Farewell, my dear sir, 
 Your faithful and affectionate 
 Friend, and humble servant, 
 
 GEORGE DFMPSTER. 
 
[34] 
 
 From Thomas Dea, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, December 19, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I had the pleasure of receiving a let 
 ter from you, dated Paris, which I immediately 
 answered, and directed to you at Geneva, as you 
 desired, but I cannot find, by yours, that my letter 
 ever reached you. I hope I shall be more fortu 
 nate on the present occasion. 
 
 If the favor I might find at St. James s, was to 
 depend on my approval of the present measures, 
 I fancy I should stand but a poor chance. I do, 
 however, confess, that, although I detest the thought 
 of oppressing our brethren of America, I do equally 
 wish to avoid being dupes to them. 
 
 I shall be glad to testify my esteem and regard 
 for you, by any service in my power, to render you 
 here ; and, with Mrs. Dea s and my respects, to 
 Mrs. Izard, I remain, dear sir, 
 
 Your very affectionate 
 
 Friend, and humble servant, 
 
 THOMAS DEA. 
 
[ 35] 
 
 From Arthur Lee, Esq. to Mr. hard at Rome. 
 LONDON, December, 27, 1774. 
 MY DEAR FRIEND : 
 
 Since my first, I wrote you 
 
 an account of the resolves of Congress. Their ad 
 dresses have had a wonderful effect here. The 
 popular voice is strong for us. The merchants 
 are moving, and the ministry conceding. 
 
 The Congress have sent a petition to the King, 
 and nominates seven persons to present it. Mr. 
 Burke, Mr. Wentworth and Mr. Life, excused 
 themselves from undertaking it, and Mr. Gouth 
 was out of town. There remained Mr. Bollan, 
 Dr. Franklin and myself, only, to act. 
 
 Two councils were held, whether it should be 
 received. The first was divided in the second, 
 a majority determined it should be received ; and 
 we had the following answer : " That his Majesty 
 had received the petition very graciously, and, for 
 its importance, would lay it before his two Houses 
 of Parliament as soon as they met." They are 
 adjourned for the holidays. " We present this pe- 
 
[36] 
 
 tition," say they, " only to obtain redress of griev 
 ances, and relief from fears and jealousies occa 
 sioned by the statutes and regulations, adopted 
 since the close of the late war, for raising a rev 
 enue in America extending the powers of courts 
 of admiralty and vice admiralty trying persons 
 in Great Britain, for offences alleged to be com 
 mitted in America, affecting the province of Mas 
 sachusetts bay and altering the government, and 
 extending the limits of Quebec ; by the abolition 
 of which system, the harmony between Great Bri 
 tain and her colonies, so necessary to the happi 
 ness of both, and so ardently desired by the latter, 
 with the usual intercourse, will be immediately 
 restored. 
 
 " In the magnanimity and justice of your Majes 
 ty and Parliament, we confide, for redress of our 
 other grievances." 
 
 It is very long, manly and respectful. I went 
 with it to Lord Chatham, who is in raptures with 
 this, and the whole of the proceedings of the Con 
 gress. He will come forth, with all his might, for 
 a full and solemn redress^ 
 
 The Rockinghams, will, I think, come in ; and 
 we shall form an opposition, which, supported by 
 the popular voice and petitions of the merchants, 
 &c., will be irresistible. 
 
[37] 
 
 We are working to bring the West India mer 
 chants and planters forward ; through Mr. Ellis, I 
 believe it will be done. 
 
 The ministry are disposed to give some relief, 
 but it is our duty to insist upon a total compliance 
 with those demands, which, being made with great 
 moderation, cannot be diminished. I always 
 thought, that the unanimity and firmness of Amer 
 ica, in so just a cause, would effect anything. I 
 am now convinced of it. 
 
 I go down to Lord Shelburne s, in a few days, 
 and from thence to Bristol, to see how things are 
 circumstanced there. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Thomas Dea, Esq. 
 
 NAPLES, January 17, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am just favored with your letter 
 of the 19th December. Your other letter came 
 safe to my hands, in Geneva, and I beg pardon for 
 
 5 
 
[38] 
 
 not having acknowledged the receipt of it in my 
 last. 
 
 I thank you for the trouble you have taken 
 about my organ. There can be no objection to 
 advertising it. 
 
 The music, in this country, has not answered 
 my expectation. The performers in the opera, at 
 London, are superior to those at Florence and Na 
 ples. There was no opera at Turin, when I was 
 there, and the inhabitants of Rome are too devout 
 to suffer any in the holy city. With regard to in 
 strumental music, I am persuaded that, all Italy 
 united, could not produce such a concert as Bach s 
 and Abies. And now for a little politics. 
 
 I am utterly at a loss to know what you mean, 
 by the English being dupes to the Americans. I 
 have considered and revolved the word, in my 
 mind, fifty times ; and not being able to make any 
 thing of it, I had recourse to a dictionary, without 
 having any light thrown on my researches. My 
 lexicographical friend informs me, that, to dupe, is 
 to trick, to deceive, to cheat. I am incapable of 
 comprehending how, by distortion, or the most 
 forced construction, anything that the Americans 
 have done, can have such an application made 
 to it. 
 
 The last address of the Congress, to the people 
 
[ 39 ] 
 
 of England, savors so little of deceit, that I never 
 read plainer language in my life ; and the actions 
 of the inhabitants of all America, have entirely 
 corresponded with this language. I can most so 
 lemnly vouch for the truth of one part of it, which 
 is, that they look upon their descent from English 
 men, and their connection with England, as their 
 greatest glory and honor. Whether they are deter 
 mined, or no, not to be hewers of wood and draw 
 ers of water, for anybody, you can judge, as well 
 as I, by their putting their militia in order, and re 
 solving to submit to all the inconveniences of a 
 non-importation, a non-exportation an,d a non-con* 
 sumption agreement. 
 
 Another friend tells me, that he, as well as you, 
 disapproves of the measures carrying on against 
 America ; but the offensive acts must not be re 
 pealed, because England must not be bullied. 
 
 You both think that England has done wrong, 
 but yet she must not be bullied nor duped into do 
 ing what is right. If there has been any bullying, 
 I insist, that England, who was wrong in the first 
 instance, in attempting to take our money from us 
 without our consent, and in persisting to do it after 
 we had shown how humiliating and distressed a 
 situation we should be reduced to, if it was exe 
 cuted, ought to be looked upon as the bully. If 
 
[40] 
 
 there has been any duping, the Americans were 
 intended to be the dupes. 
 
 Parliament reduced the duty from a shilling a 
 pound on tea, paid in England, to threepence a 
 pound, to be paid in America ; imagining, that we 
 should be such dupes, or children, as not to be sen 
 sible of the trick. 
 
 I have seen that the French are slaves, and I 
 now see that there is no freedom in any state in 
 Italy ; and I know that the reason of this, is, be- 
 because the people have no check over the prince, 
 by withholding the supplies when they do not think 
 proper to grant them. You know that, in Portu 
 gal, the same cause has produced the same effect, 
 and of these things, the Americans are all sensi 
 ble. If there has been anything wrong done in 
 America, I am sorry for it. Redress their griev 
 ances, and they themselves will assist you in pun 
 ishing the guilty, and procuring indemnification for 
 any injury that may have been sustained. But it 
 is in vain to hope that, while they feel the cLotress 
 naturally arising from the intolerable injuries that 
 have been offered them, they should fall prostrate 
 before those men who have been the authors of 
 them. 
 
 They have no reason to expect honor, justice, 
 or humanity from them. The question lies within 
 
[41 ] 
 
 a very narrow compass. If Parliament can take 
 what money she pleases from us, without our con 
 sent, the most ignorant cannot believe that we shall 
 be anything but slaves ; that is, we shall have a 
 bare sufficiency for our existence left us, and the 
 rest will be deemed superfluity, and much better 
 employed on this side of the water than the other. 
 
 I have the greatest opinion of your humanity, 
 and of the goodness of your heart. You cannot 
 wish to see us so miserable and despicable a set of 
 people, as our enemies would make us. 
 
 I have extended this little politics, to an uncon 
 scionable length ; as it is the thing nearest my 
 heart, you will, I hope, excuse me. 
 
 Pray give our compliments to Mrs. Dea, and 
 thank her for her frequent visits to our little folks, 
 at Bromton and Hampstead. We shall return to 
 Rome, in two or three weeks, and intend staying 
 there till the middle of March, when we shall set 
 out for Venice, and so to England, through Ger 
 many. 
 
 I am, dear sir, affectionately, 
 Your friend and 
 Humble servant, 
 
 RA. IZARD, 
 5* 
 
[42 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Dempster, Esq. 
 
 NAPLES, January 21, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am at last favored with a letter 
 from you. The St. James s Chronicle is entitled to 
 my thanks for being more explicit than you are ; 
 and you will find that I did not wait for your in 
 formation, but availed myself of the newspaper 
 intelligence, to offer you my congratulations on 
 your marriage. 
 
 The dissolution of Parliament, drew my fellow- 
 traveller, Mr. Lee, from me, and I took that oppor 
 tunity of writing to you. I congratulate you, also, 
 upon your re-election, and on the unanimous and 
 honorable testimony you have received of the ap 
 probation of your constituents. 
 
 We have received great pleasure from our tour, 
 and we have been perfectly well ever since we 
 left England. The curious things and places, we 
 have seen, are well worth all the trouble of the 
 journey. I have met with nothing that seems so 
 extraordinary to me as the neighborhood of this 
 
[43] 
 
 place. It is almost incredible, that two such towns 
 as Pompeii and Herculaneum, should have lain 
 buried under ground, undiscovered, for near one 
 thousand seven hundred years. Had such an 
 event happened in a country of barbarians, it 
 would seem less extraordinary ; but the eruptions 
 of Mount Vesuvius, which occasioned the destruc 
 tion of these two cities, happened in the most 
 flourishing period of the Roman empire. 
 
 The beautiful pieces of antiquity in bronze, that 
 have been found in them, surpasses all imagination. 
 If such an accident were to happen to two cities, 
 in any part of the British dominions, attempts would 
 surely be made to uncover them in less than sev 
 enteen days. 
 
 The melancholy prospects of American politics, 
 has thrown a continual cloud on all my amuse 
 ments, and has lessened them exceedingly. The 
 resolutions of the Congress, will occasion my leav 
 ing Italy sooner than I wish. I shall endeavor to 
 get to England as early as possible in the spring, 
 and prepare for my departure to my native coun 
 try, unless an accommodation takes place, which I 
 cannot flatter myself so much as to expect. 
 
 I shall pass through part of Germany in about 
 six weeks from this time, which will certainly not 
 prove agreeable at that season. I think, however, 
 
[44] 
 
 it will be less disagreeable than crossing the Alps, 
 at Mount Cenis, or going by water to Marseilles. 
 
 I shall be obliged to you, if you will take the 
 trouble of writing me your opinion on the state of 
 American affairs, within a week after you receive 
 this letter, and direct to me at Strasbourgh. 
 
 Mrs. Izard desires her compliments to you. We 
 are both sorry to find that you intend being a 
 bachelor this year in London. 
 
 I am, my dear sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 To Thomas Lynch, Esq. from Mr. Izard. 
 
 ROME, February 14, 1774. 
 DEAR SIR: 
 
 If you have been so good as to write 
 to me from Philadelphia, I have not been so for 
 tunate as to receive your letter. The proceedings 
 of the Congress have, however, been sent to me, 
 
[45] 
 
 and I think that the thanks of every man in the 
 British empire are due to the members of it ; you 
 will, therefore, I desire, as one of that respectable 
 body, accept of mine. 
 
 That their endeavors may meet with success, I 
 have stronger reasons to wish than expect. Noth 
 ing less than a total redress will give entire satis 
 faction ; and I very much fear, that the pride and 
 insolence of both Houses of Parliament, together 
 with the fixed and noted hatred of the King to 
 America, will prove insurmountable obstacles. 
 Nothing will be done upon a broad and substantial 
 ground. 
 
 If the shedding of blood be not determined on, 
 some absurd palliations will be adopted, although 
 their inefficacy has been so fully proved. 
 
 The inhabitants of Boston are under infinite ob 
 ligations to the administration, for the union which 
 they have occasioned in their favor. If the object 
 was to punish Boston, folly itself could not have 
 suggested a more ineffectual way of doing it. 
 
 I hope that nothing has been resolved on in the 
 Congress, but what can be carried into execution. 
 The non-exportation of indigo from Carolina, will, 
 I fear, occasion great distress. I do not know if 
 rice is to be sent to England and all other parts of 
 Europe, or only to those parts which are to the 
 
[40] 
 
 southward of Cape Finisterre. If the latter, the 
 produce will so far exceed the consumption, that 
 it will put the virtue of my countrymen to the trial. 
 The object to be obtained by the temporary self- 
 denial is so great, that I hope we shall not be 
 wanting in our exertions. The good consequen- 
 QCS, however, are so obvious, that if it can possibly 
 be submitted to, it ought to be. 
 
 The inconveniences arising from the non-impor 
 tation of blankets and negro cloth into Carolina, 
 have, I hope, been fully attended to, and obviated. 
 Some relief ought, I think, to have been proposed 
 for the merchants and traders in America. 
 
 At present, the great burthen seems to be laid 
 on them, and the distress they must necessarily 
 suffer, if the contest should continue long, may be 
 the means of the resolutions of Congress not being 
 adhered to. If America should trifle with those 
 of the present, as she did with those of the last 
 Congress, she will be the contempt of all Europe. 
 
 I have, during my tour, had frequent opportuni 
 ties of knowing the sentiments of people not inter 
 ested in the disputes, and, therefore, probably un 
 prejudiced ; and I can assure you, that I have met 
 with many well wishers to our cause. Those who 
 understood the nature of the contest best, were 
 always most decided in our favor. 
 
[47] 
 
 The Swedish Ambassador, of Paris, told me he 
 was glad to find that there was still a part of the 
 world where tyranny was not triumphant, and 
 where the people dared, virtuously, to oppose its 
 progress. This was a great deal from the repre 
 sentative of a tyrant, who, within a few years, has 
 violated the laws and overturned the constitution 
 of his country which he had sworn to maintain. 
 
 I find that the merchants trading to North 
 America and the West Indies, are petitioning Par 
 liament. Their applications are ill-timed and will 
 prove ineffectual. Had they joined us in our peti 
 tion, we had assurances that the corporation of 
 London would immediately have followed the ex 
 ample. This would have put all the manufactur 
 ing towns in motion, and some good might have 
 been done. The truth is, they are, in general, 
 puffed up with pride and unmindful of the interest 
 of their employers. 
 
 The tea, which has occasioned so much trouble, 
 would never have been sent to America, had not 
 many of these gentlemen offered themselves as se 
 curity for it. The India company, by requiring 
 security, showed that they knew how obnoxious a 
 measure it was ; but the merchants, who ought to 
 be the natural guardians of the interests of Ameri- 
 
[48] 
 
 ca, submitted to the infamy of becoming parties in 
 the attempt against us. 
 
 If the gentlemen of America do not show a sense 
 of this injury, those who have offered it, will be 
 encouraged to a repetition of it. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 From Arthur Lee, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, February 19, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I received yours from Naples a few 
 days ago, and am glad you are returning. 
 
 The flattering prospect arising from the gracious 
 reception of the petition from the general Congress, 
 is entirely vanished. It was, indeed, laid before 
 the two Houses, but in the most contemptuous man 
 ner undistinguished among a multitude of official 
 papers. We petitioned to be heard in support of 
 
[49 ] 
 
 it in vain. Both Houses have, by a great majority, 
 addressed his Majesty to carry the laws into exe 
 cution, promising to support him with their lives 
 and fortunes, and declaring the Massachusetts bay 
 in rebellion, and other Colonies abetting it. The 
 merchants petitioned to be heard before this fatal 
 measure was adopted, but they were refused. A 
 bill is now before the House to stop the fishery and 
 commerce of the New England provinces, till they 
 submit. Men for the land and sea service are 
 voted. The army under Gage, is to be reinforced 
 to the number of ten thousand infantry, one thou 
 sand marines, and one regiment of light dragoons. 
 The Generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne, are 
 appointed for the service. The latter is talked of 
 as Governor of New- York. This army will not 
 be ready to take the field until June. On one side, 
 every part is firm and actually in arms, but New- 
 York. Of its desertion, the ministry talk with en 
 tire confidence. They ground their measures upon 
 it. By being in possession of that, they think to 
 stop all communication between the north and 
 south, so as to contend with half at a time. They 
 are throwing out lures to that colony of particular 
 favor, and exemption from taxation, which they 
 are assured from them will effect their purpose. 
 The New England governments are raising and 
 6 
 
[ 50] 
 
 training men; they have seized all the artillery 
 and powder they could find, amounting to a large 
 train of the first. Maryland has voted both men 
 and money. Virginia has raised a standing army 
 of six thousand. South Carolina has voted fifty 
 thousand pounds, being too distant to contribute 
 men. 
 
 The resolves of the Congress are everywhere 
 obeyed, New- York not excepted ; and, from what 
 I can learn, we have reason to hope the ministerial 
 party there will be disappointed. We seem to be 
 upon the rough edge of battle. Here, they^ are 
 violent and wavering; there, they are deliberate 
 and determined. If New- York is firm, I have not 
 a single fear of success. 
 
 The merchants, manufacturers, and the public 
 here, are greatly alarmed, and, I am persuaded, 
 that this country cannot hold it out one year. 
 When the sufferings of the people make them act, 
 without consulting the contemptible Rockingham 
 party, they will have irresistible weight. At pres 
 ent, that party, as usual, suppresses every effort, 
 because they eternally flatter themselves they are 
 on the eve of being called into place. A popular 
 opposition would have arrested these measures ; 
 but the die is now cast. Lord Chatham offered a 
 bill to the House for reconciling the two countries 
 
[ 51 ] 
 
 by repealing all the acts complained of, and prom 
 ising not to interfere again, when the provincial 
 legislatures were competent, upon our acknowledg 
 ing the supremacy of the Parliament ; but it was 
 thrown out at the first reading. 
 My best respects to Mrs. Izard. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 A. LEE. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Edward Rutkdge, Esq. 
 ROME, March 2, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have seen the proceedings of the 
 Congress, and think, with all deference to Lord 
 North, that the members of it, are entitled to the 
 thanks of the public. If the measures, which are so 
 wisely recommended, are adopted and executed, we 
 may still be a happy people. Unanimity, and a great 
 degree of public virtue, are absolutely necessary. 
 America has so many enemies within her own bo- 
 
[ 52 ] 
 
 som, and there are so many people driven to dis 
 tress by the discontinuance of trade, that I cannot 
 help having strong doubts and fears. 
 
 I wish that some plan could be suggested to 
 prevent so great a share of the burthen from falling 
 on the persons concerned in trade. This was the 
 rock that proved fatal to the endeavors of the last 
 Congress, and, I very much fear a repetition of 
 the same effects. The tour that I have made, since 
 I left England, has given me a great deal of pleas 
 ure. The miserable situation of the lower order 
 of people in most parts of Europe, is undoubtedly 
 owing to their having no check over the persons 
 who dispose of their property. Many members 
 of both Houses of Parliament, have made the tour 
 of Europe. They cannot be ignorant of this truth, 
 and they ought to have humanity enough not to 
 wish to plunge us into the same unhappy state. 
 The happiest people I ever saw in my life, are the 
 Swiss. They live in a delightful country, and pay 
 no taxes. If they should ever be so imprudent as 
 to change their form of government into a monar 
 chy, they would wo fully feel the difference. 
 
 Mr. Laurens will, I hope, have relieved you of a 
 great deal of trouble, that you have had, on my ac 
 count. I have not yet heard of his arrival, but ex 
 pect to do bo on my way to England. I shall 
 
[53 ] 
 
 leave Rome in a few days ; shall pass through 
 Venice and Germany, and expect to be in London 
 in about two months. Probably, before the expira 
 tion of a twelvemonth, I may have the pleasure of 
 meeting you in America. 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins me in compliments to Mrs. Rut- 
 ledge. As I hear the Congress are to meet in 
 Philadelphia, the beginning of May, I shall address 
 this letter to you there, as I did one to Mr. Lynch, 
 which I wrote about a fortnight ago. Pray give my 
 compliments to him, and the rest of your colleagues. 
 If you go to New- York, and will give my love to 
 Mrs. De Lancey s family, they, and my son, will be 
 very glad to see you. 
 
 From William Lee, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 
 LONDON, March 4, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I received your favor from Naples 
 and forwarded your letter to Philadelphia. 
 6* 
 
[54] 
 
 You are quite mistaken in supposing anything 
 conciliatory towards America, is intended. The 
 ministers, with their leader, are violently blowing 
 the coals, into a flame, that will lay waste the whole 
 British empire. From the destruction of so vast a 
 body, new empires and new systems of govern 
 ment must arise. In short, a civil war is inevitable. 
 
 Large numbers of troops and ships of war, are 
 now preparing to go to Boston and New- York. A 
 bill will finally pass the House of Commons on 
 Monday, to stop all the New England fisheries, to 
 prevent those four governments from having a 
 commercial intercourse with the other provinces 
 and colonies, or any part of the world, but Great 
 Britain, Ireland and the British West Indies. 
 
 In a few days, another bill is to be brought into 
 the House of Commons, extending the same re 
 strictions to all the other colonies. 
 
 America seems firm in preparing for the last 
 event. The Assembly of Jamaica has petitioned 
 the King, in stronger and j--!ainer terms, than the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 Best compliments to yourself and Mrs. Izard. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 WILLIAM LEE. 
 
C 55] 
 
 * 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 DUNNECHEN, near FORFAR, N. B., March 5, 1775. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 Mr. Counsellor Lee did not 
 send me the letter, you was so kind as to write me 
 on my marriage, and for which, accept my thanks, 
 although, as yet, I have never seen it. Indeed, it 
 is no wonder he would naturally expect me in 
 town, where, I believe, I shall not be this winter. 
 
 I have the more readily determined on remain 
 ing, as I had discharged my duty on the only 
 cause of consequence, I mean that of America, last 
 year, very conscientiously and very fruitlessly. 
 
 I cannot enter at large into that subject in a let 
 ter, while you are abroad. Every letter is opened 
 at the post-office. The subject is now rendered 
 particularly delicate, by some late proceedings in 
 the House of Commons. 
 
 Let me know when you come to England, for I 
 shall then be happy to communicate my real and 
 genuine sentiments to you, because I believe they 
 are singular, and because I believe you will do me 
 
[56] 
 
 the justice to believe they come from the heart of 
 a sincere man. 
 
 I heartly regret those unhappy differences, for 
 many public reasons. My affection and regard 
 for you, makes me regret them on your individual 
 account. 
 
 I thank you for your congratulations, upon the 
 honorable manner in which I have been re-elected. 
 No circumstance of my life ever affected me more. 
 I do assure you, I came down, resolved, in case 
 of the slightest opposition, to engage in no contest, 
 but to spend the remainder of my life in contented 
 really contented retirement, and being fully satis 
 fied that neither riches nor grandeur add to our 
 happiness. And now that I am sent back again 
 to Parliament, I only return, the more attached to 
 the privileges of the people, and to independency 
 of thinking and voting. 
 
 Farewell, my dear friend ; remember me very 
 affectionately to Mrs. Izard, and believe me to re 
 main, 
 
 Very affectionately yours, while 
 
 GEORGE DEMPSTER. 
 
 RALPH IZARD, Esq. 
 
L 57 J 
 
 From Henry Cruger, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 WESTMINSTER, March 21, 1775. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 About a month ago, I had the pleasure of ad 
 dressing you, and thanking you for^your acceptable 
 letter of the 9th November, and kind congratula 
 tions on the success of my election. All I then pro 
 phesied, respecting poor America, is come to pass. 
 
 The ministry are determined to exert every 
 nerve to make America buckle to. They will 
 never stop till they humble Boston, Connecticut, 
 Rhode Island, Virginia, South Carolina, and those 
 other devoted places. They have vowed to half 
 ruin this country, rather than submit to the resolves 
 of the Congress ; they consider them as highly 
 affrontive to the dignity of the Legislature of this 
 country, which " they will maintain with their lives 
 and fortunes, to be supreme over all his Majesty s 
 dominions." I believe they extremely regret, being 
 so deeply involved, in a dispute with all America, 
 especially, as the people of this country, I mean 
 the merchants, take so warm a part against the 
 
L58] 
 
 administration. I am fully persuaded if they were 
 once out of this scrape, they never would attempt 
 to tax America again ; but since they are in it, and 
 have been at so much expense and trouble, you 
 may rely on it, dear sir, they will not relax in their 
 measures against those provinces which they 
 deem the most violent, until they have brought 
 them to " reason," as they call it, or in other words, 
 to a due sense of the power of Great Britain. 
 
 Administration have settled a plan of govern 
 ment for the four New England colonies to take 
 away their charters, &c. It is pleasing to the 
 King, which gives stability, and permanency to the 
 present ministry. 
 
 It is the fixed plan of government, to prove a 
 sore scourge to many of the provinces ; unless they 
 recede and make concessions, they will restrict 
 their trades in a most severe manner. In Virginia, 
 they will emancipate all their negroes, and protect 
 them after they have done it. 
 
 Governor Tryon is going out again ; he talks of 
 sailing in June. 
 
 I cannot help imagining but that the violent and 
 severe measures presented by the administration, 
 will so overwhelm the Americans w r ith distress 
 and calamity of all sorts, that for the present, 
 they will be obliged to submit. 
 
[ 59] 
 
 Lord North has at length condescended to give 
 up the idea of taxing them ; he and the clever fel 
 lows about him, proved the resolution entered into 
 by the House of Commons, for that purpose, is quite 
 pacific and conciliatory ; the opposition proved it to 
 be diametrically contrary, and that it is the most 
 tyrannical proposition the House ever adopted. 
 
 Both sides were so sophistical, the event only, 
 can now satisfy me. Such various constructions 
 and explanations, are so constantly put upon every 
 thing that is offered, that I confess, I can no longer 
 judge which is right or which is wrong. I am 
 more and more convinced, that human reason may 
 be made to answer every purpose, and that if we 
 regard the subtlety of argument alone, we shall 
 possibly end in scepticism. Let me only add, that, 
 in my opinion, the political gloom deepens fast in 
 that devoted country, and that we are verging to 
 a dreadful crisis. The flattering prospect of soon 
 conciliating the unnatural breach, is vanished, and 
 it is much to be feared that some events are not 
 far distant, which will render this one of the most 
 important eras in the history of our native country. 
 These, my friend, may seem, perhaps, chimerical 
 apprehensions, and to have their foundation more 
 in timidity and interest than in reason ; it is, how 
 ever, my present opinion. 
 
[60] 
 
 The leaders, on both sides, are too vindictive, 
 and seem rather to console themselves at the dis 
 tresses which will be occasioned, than the benefits 
 which will be derived. 
 
 The desire for liberty and the fascinating charms 
 of freedom, have, on the one hand, kindled a zeal 
 a little too warm the pride of government, and 
 and a too refined sense of the dignity of Parliament, 
 have, on the other, given birth to measures neither 
 consistent with justice nor policy ; hence the 
 source of this ruinous controversy. The breach 
 daily grows wider, and God only knows, what 
 events are to terminate the unhappy contest. 
 
 I forbear to enlarge for two reasons ; first, your 
 discernment and knowledge of the subject, renders 
 it unnecessary ; secondly, it may be prudent to be 
 reserved, lest, at so great a distance, my letters 
 may never reach you. 
 
 When I heard from America, all friends were 
 in statu quo. I shall be happy to see you safe in 
 old England. 
 
 My best respects and good wishes will ever at 
 tend you and Mrs. Izard, and all that belongs to 
 you, for I am most truly, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, and 
 
 Humble servant, 
 
 RA. IZARD, Esq. HENRY CRUGER. 
 
[61 ] 
 
 From Colonel Mercer to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, March 24, 1775. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 On my return from Hampstead, 
 last night, I received your letter of the 3d. I have 
 written a penny- post letter to William Lee, with 
 the paragraph in which he was mentioned. 
 
 Politics are running on in the same dangerous 
 course they have been for a long time. 
 
 Mr. Burke moved for some resolutions, on Wed 
 nesday, to bring about a reconciliation with the 
 colonies, which, according to custom, were reject 
 ed. The numbers for rejecting, were two hundred 
 and seventy-eight ; for receiving them, seventy- 
 eight. Everything on this side the water, seems 
 as violent and hostile as possible, and letters from 
 the other side, say it is impossible there can be 
 greater unanimity and firmness, than still prevails 
 there against all the steps Parliament have or 
 mean to take, to enforce their edicts. 
 
 The bill for restraining the trade, &c. of the 
 colonies, I mentioned to you in my last, viz. : New 
 7 
 
[62] 
 
 Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connec 
 ticut, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vir 
 ginia and South Carolina, received the royal assent 
 this day. My letter, I recollect, is gone to Paris, 
 therefore, I must repeat the intention and letter of 
 the bill, which is, to restrain all their colonies 
 from trading to any part of the world, (or with 
 each other,) except to Great Britain, and to pre 
 vent their fishing on the banks of Newfoundland, 
 or a league from the shore. Most just and equi 
 table ! 
 
 I am, dear Izard, 
 
 Your sincere friend, &c. 
 
 GEO. MERCER. 
 
 From George Mercer, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 CURZON-STREET, LONDON, March 28, 1775. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 I wrote you on Friday last, and 
 should not trouble you again so soon, was it not 
 
[ 63 ] 
 
 to repeat to you the agreeable news my last con 
 veyed, of the perfect health, good spirits, &c. of 
 our little friends at Hampstead, whom I have seen 
 to-day. 
 
 Politics are much in the same state as when I 
 last wrote, except some later assurances of the 
 unanimity and firmness of the Americans, to oppose 
 force to force. The Provincial Congress of the 
 Massachusetts on the 15th February, resolved, 
 unanimously, " That the great law of self-preserva 
 tion, calls upon the inhabitants of this province, 
 immediately to prepare against every attempt that 
 may be made to attack them by surprise, and it is 
 upon serious deliberation, that they spare neither 
 time, pains or expense, at so critical a juncture, in 
 perfecting themselves forthwith in military disci 
 pline, and that all encouragement be given to such 
 persons as are skilled in the manufactory of fire 
 arms and bayonets, diligently to apply themselves 
 thereto, for supplying such of the inhabitants as 
 are deficient." 
 
 Notwithstanding the resolutions of the New- 
 York Assembly against those of the Continental 
 Congress, a ship loaded with dry goods, &c. was 
 not permitted to land a single article, nor would a 
 Mr. Buchanan, to whom she was consigned, un 
 dertake any part of the agency, even in giving 
 
L 64 ] 
 
 orders, or the least assistance for her future desti 
 nation. She went from Glasgow and entered New- 
 York harbor under convoy of a man-of-war, but 
 she was forced to depart in three days, and the 
 man-of-war supplied her with necessaries for her 
 return, as the inhabitants of New- York would not 
 sell a single article to her. 
 
 Doctor Franklin is returned to Philadelphia, 
 where, I presume, he will not speak very favorably 
 
 of Messrs. Wed e and associates. 
 
 My best wishes attend Mrs. Izard and yourself. 
 I am, dear Izard, 
 
 Your sincere friend, and 
 
 Humble servant, 
 
 GEO. MERCER. 
 
 P. S. Sayre forwarded your letters to Philadel 
 phia with some of his own. 
 
[ 65] 
 
 From Mr. hard to Arthur Lee, Esq. 
 
 STRASBOURG, April 23, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have just seen, in a foreign paper, 
 the King s answer to the city remonstrance. 
 
 He is satisfied and full of confidence in the wis 
 dom of his Parliament. That Parliament which 
 he so much esteems, is now plunging him into dif 
 ficulties, which, I fear, may some years hence, 
 prove fatal to his family. Fatal they must prove to 
 the greatest part of his subjects in Europe and 
 America, very soon. 
 
 The miseries of a civil war, I fear, are inevitable. 
 Lord North s conciliatory plan, seems totally to 
 have vanished. 
 
 It did not appear to me to be substantial ; but, 
 if it had been effected with an honest intention, it 
 might have led to something which might have 
 been so. Whether the plan was produced by fear, 
 or deceit, I know not, but really believe, that every 
 good consequence that might have been produced, 
 7* 
 
[66] 
 
 has been destroyed by the Assembly (I will not 
 say the people) of New- York. 
 
 I am overwhelmed with astonishment that there 
 should be found in America, eleven men so totally 
 lost to every sense of their duty. They have done 
 that which it is impossible for them to retrieve, 
 though they should be awakened by the sense of 
 honor, or the fear of infamy. 
 
 If I am not mistaken, the Assembly is dissolved, 
 of course, this year. The people will, I hope, 
 make those gentlemen sensible of the shameful and 
 wicked part they have acted. I received your let 
 ter at Augsburgh, and immediately wrote to you. 
 The contents concerning the Rockinghams, gave 
 me a great deal of uneasiness. You must be sen 
 sible of the danger of a div ision. For God s sake, 
 exert yourself to prevent it. If the rays of opposi 
 tion could be gathered into a focus, the enemies of 
 our country might feel them ; dispersed, they can 
 not possibly avail anything. I shall leave this, to 
 morrow, for Nancy, in Lorraine, and expect to be 
 at Paris the first of May. 
 
 I shall expect to be favored with a letter from 
 you there. 
 
[ 67] 
 
 From Arthur Lee, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, April 23, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 By your letter of the llth of this 
 month, you seem to be as well informed of the 
 political movements, both here and in America, as 
 if you were with us. The last restraining bill 
 which unites all the colonies, New- York and North 
 Carolina excepted, in one common calamity, it is 
 generally understood, has put a period to the Par 
 liamentary campaign against us for this session. 
 Carolina, was excepted, because they had no intel 
 ligence from the Governor of that province. The 
 reason of the exception with regard to New- York, 
 you know too well. We are informed that the 
 Assembly there, has, by a majority of five out of 
 twenty-five, refused their concurrence with the 
 Continental Congress that the leading men are 
 using every means to induce the body of the peo 
 ple to countenance their defection. The inhabi 
 tants, however, of the city, have obliged vessels 
 to return, according to the general resolution, and 
 
[68] 
 
 have elected deputies for a Provincial Congress, in 
 order to send deputies to Philadelphia. We are 
 assured that the great majority of the people are 
 adverse to the party in the Assembly, and that all 
 their endeavors to disunite will be ineffectual. 
 
 It is generally understood here that actual mo 
 ney, as well as large promises, have been applied, 
 to procure the majority in the Assembly. We 
 are assured the place of the King s chaplain, is to 
 be given to Dr. C., with lucrative appointments. 
 He certainly deserves it, if industry in the worst of 
 causes can be deserving, for he has written a num 
 ber of pamphlets, and filled Rivington s paper with 
 continual forgeries, to deceive the people into the 
 purposes of the administration. 
 
 That the probable and promised defection of 
 New- York, encouraged the ministry to proceed to 
 the extremities, which must, I think, inevitably end 
 in blood, is indubitable. Infinite are the calamities 
 they have to answer for, who have been agents in 
 this business. But the die is thrown, and we must 
 stand the hazard of the cast. There are some 
 hostile appearances both in Spain and France, 
 which gives no little uneasiness to the cabinet. 
 The troops are not yet sailed from Ireland for 
 America, and if these appearances continue, they 
 probably will be countermanded. At all events, 
 
[69 ] 
 
 the general Congress will have met, will know of 
 the determination of reinforcing, and have taken 
 their resolution of attacking General Gage, if it be 
 advisable, before he can be reinforced. If the 
 army now there should be defeated, the ministry 
 must submit. Yet I am of opinion they will not 
 attack him, because they mean to act on the defen 
 sive, and think that, entrenched as he is, his present 
 army is stronger than it will be when augmented, 
 and he attempts to march into the country. There 
 is a silence in the New-England provinces, which 
 argues an approaching storm. New Jersey, Penn 
 sylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Carolina and Geor 
 gia, are united and firm. 
 
 Maryland and Virginia are making the most 
 serious military preparations. The frontier militia 
 men, in Virginia, have unanimously published their 
 determination to fight if it be necessary. I have 
 great reliance upon their superiority in wood 
 fighting. 
 
 The ministry, however, rely more on gold than 
 iron. They have, therefore, dispatched their emis 
 saries of corruption to New-York and Philadelphia. 
 Everything depends on the wisdom, firmness and 
 unanimity of the May Congress, at which Dr. 
 Franklin will assist, he having sailed a month since 
 
[70] 
 
 for Philadelphia, with every profession and every 
 incentive to do right. 
 
 We have carried up to the throne a strong peti 
 tion and remonstrance from the common hall. It 
 gave great offence to somebody, and was answer 
 ed ungraciously. With regard to opposition, noth 
 ing but a storm will unite them, and then their 
 union will be unnecessary. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Mercer, Esq. 
 
 STRASBOURG, April 23, 1775. 
 DEAR MERCER : 
 
 I have to thank you for four 
 letters that I received on my arrival here yesterday. 
 The continual accounts you have been so good 
 as to give me of the welfare and comfortable situa 
 tion of the little folks, have tended greatly to alle 
 viate my afflictions. 
 At the same time that I lament the wicked and 
 
[71] 
 
 cruel measures that are adopted, I cannot help be 
 ing astonished at the folly of them. The perni 
 cious plans of government, for these ten years past, 
 have been, by the wise conduct of America, ren 
 dered abortive. This has excited indignation and 
 revenge, which is the only foundation of their 
 measures, and the only stimulus for the execution 
 of them. 
 
 As soon as I heard of the dissolution of Parlia 
 ment, I had no doubts about the King s intention. 
 The blood shed in America, may, perhaps, not 
 effect him ; but I will venture to prophesy that his 
 son or his grandson, will have cause to curse the 
 memory of his counsellors. 
 
 I am glad to hear that Mr. Howard s family 
 have escaped so well. When a man goes into an 
 old house, he may, with some reason, expect to 
 have it tumble over his head ; but to have been 
 killed by the fall of one not more than six years 
 old, would have been hard indeed. What does 
 Gowing think of the disaster ? Perhaps he con 
 soles himself with thinking that he has only follow 
 ed the example of his superiors in taking care of 
 his own income, without thinking of those whom it 
 was his duty to preserve from injury. He may 
 justly say that his fabric has lasted six years, 
 whereas, if the one intended for the Americans is 
 
[72] 
 
 suffered to be built, it will crush them in half the 
 time. 
 
 When you see Colonel Skinner, pray give Mrs. 
 Izard s and my compliments to him, and thank 
 him for his note at the end of your letter. 
 
 I received, at Rome, a letter from Oliver, who 
 was then at the Cape of Good Hope. He had 
 been there above a twelmonth, first lieutenant on 
 board the Admiral s ship. If he is not fortunate 
 enough to get a ship before his arrival in England, 
 I fear he will be long without one. 
 
 Mrs. Izard s compliments. If Sayre, or Lee, have 
 any letters for me, they will be so good as to send 
 them to Paris chez Mr. Bousie. 
 
 Pray send me the names of the ten honest As 
 semblymen of New- York. 
 I am, dear Mercer, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, and 
 
 Humble servant, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
[73] 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 DUNNECHEN, April 30, 1775. 
 MY DEAR SIB : 
 
 Your favor, enclosing the bill 
 from Naples, came safe to hand, as has yours of 
 the 30th ult. from Venice. Sir Thomas, since that, 
 has consented to renew the transaction till March 
 76, making out the two years originally proposed. 
 
 Make yourself easy, therefore, on that head. 
 We shall meet often, and long before then. I 
 have no apprehensions now, as we have plenty of 
 time to take measures for satisfying our testy 
 creditor. 
 
 I often thank God, I have no money to lend, lest 
 it should make me cross and brutal to the rest of 
 mankind. 
 
 I most sincerely lament the threatening appear 
 ance of things beyond the Atlantic. Like you, I 
 once hoped the storm would blow over, and like 
 you, I now fear it thickens again. I know not if 
 I am so fortunate as to agree with you in another 
 opinion. I think the Americans and their friends 
 8 
 
[74] 
 
 to blame, for not making use of the opening Lord 
 North gave them this winter. 
 
 A ministerial declaration that it is not expe 
 dient to tax America, was a great concession from 
 men who had talked so different a language. Had 
 I been in town, I am afraid I should have differed 
 from all my friends, closed in with the idea, and 
 seconded an address to the King to instruct his 
 Governors to apply for a subsidy by way of requi 
 sition. 
 
 This would have substituted negotiation in the 
 room of war ; it would have slackened the arma 
 ments," and at last ended in leaving America just 
 where we found her before the unlucky Stamp Act, 
 and there she would have remained forever. 
 
 It is needless to enquire to what motive this 
 change of sentiment in Lord North is to be imput 
 ed, whether to principle or fear of losing his place. 
 The effects of it might have been most salutary. 
 
 I find a rural and retired life, much the best suit 
 ed to my disposition. I have led a life so full of 
 tranquillity and contentment, that I think with hor 
 ror of quitting my plough to resume my political 
 labors next winter, which, however, I shall certain 
 ly do, in return for the very honorable manner in 
 which my constituents imposed that burthen upon 
 me. 
 
[75] 
 
 Mrs. Dempster returns her thanks and compli 
 ments to you and Mrs. Izard, and I remain, 
 Very sincerely, my dear sir, 
 
 Your faithful and affection friend, 
 
 GEORGE DEMPSTER. 
 
 From Mr. Izard to Edward Rutkdge, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, May 25, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I wrote to you and Mr. Lynch, 
 from Rome, and directed the letters to Philadel 
 phia. 
 
 The post, from Italy to England, is very uncer 
 tain, and if letters pass safely, the gentlemen at the 
 post office very often choose to keep possession of 
 them, if the contents do not please them. Every 
 letter, I am assured, undergoes a strict examina 
 tion. 
 
 The measures which have been adopted by Par 
 liament, are so infamous, that I am astonished at 
 
[ 76 ] 
 
 finding the nation so little alarmed at the conse 
 uences which may be produced by them. 
 
 Stocks rise, and the people here seem perfectly 
 satisfied, and apprehensive of nothing. 
 
 If there proves to be as much virtue in the peo 
 ple of America, as there was wisdom in the Con 
 gress, the gentlemen, in this country, may be 
 brought to their senses. At present, they seem be 
 numbed, and absolutely in a state of stupefaction. 
 
 If there is any spirit in the inhabitants of Massa 
 chusetts bay, Lord Sandwich s speech must bring 
 it forth. I shall be very glad if they can avoid 
 fighting, but if that is impossible, I hope to God 
 they may not give the King cause to add contempt 
 to the hatred which he has for them. 
 
 People seem to think that this unhappy dispute 
 will soon be amicably settled. I have never heard 
 any good reason offered in support of that opinion. 
 Lord North s proposal of desisting in future from 
 axing those provinces, who will tax themselves to 
 the approbation of Parliament, is too absurd to 
 give satisfaction to anybody. 
 
 If you are to go on in taxing yourselves till you 
 
 please Parliament, it would occasion less delay, 
 
 and in every respect be better for them to name 
 
 le sum, and leave you the empty and ignoble 
 
 rivilege of raising it in your own way. 
 
[ 77 ] 
 
 The King is determined never to treat with the 
 Congress, which convinces me, that nothing hon 
 est is intended. They are the true representatives 
 of the people, and in every respect have shown 
 themselves worthy of confidence. 
 
 Mr. Laurens, has, I hope, been of service to 
 you in the management of my affairs. I shall be 
 very glad to hear of their turning out tolerably 
 well, as I have for many years been used to noth 
 ing but disappointments. 
 
 When I sent over the answer to Sir E. Leigh s 
 libel, I informed you and Mr. Lynch, what I 
 thought ought to be done. You wrote me that 
 Mr. Lynch and you, would take care and do what 
 was proper. Mr. Laurens tells me, that neither 
 of you have said a word to him on the subject. 
 He has advanced some money in this affair, and it 
 will not be very proper if he is suffered to lose it, 
 I Vemain sincerely, 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 RA, IZARD. 
 
 8* 
 
t 8 1 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Dempster, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, May 31, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have been several days in Lon 
 don, and have received your favor ,of the 30th 
 April, which you directed to the care of my friend 
 Mercer. 
 
 Your letter, which I received at Strasbourg, in 
 forms me that you have some singular opinions to 
 nmunicate to me. I shall be very glad to re 
 ceive them, and shall certainly consider them with 
 le greatest attention. As we are very apt to 
 
 icur with those we love, it may not be very dif- 
 
 ult to make a proselyte of me. 
 
 If, indeed, you were to insinuate that you 
 
 >ught the measures of government the wisest 
 and best, and that they were adopted upon princi 
 ples of honor and justice, I should prove a little in- 
 
 i;dulous. Those would be opinions, so singular, 
 
 it you would not have one man in the whole 
 
 kish empire to agree with you. 
 
 You think that if you had been in London, you 
 
[79 ] 
 
 would have closed in with Lord North s proposi 
 tion. The arguments which you would have heard, 
 would soon have con viced you of the inefficiency of 
 it. The nation, for some time past, seems to have 
 been benumbed. The merchants, notwithstanding 
 the situation of affairs in America, dreadfully alarm 
 ing as they are, sit perfectly satisfied and content 
 ed ; and the stocks, which have always been look 
 ed upon as the political barometer, have risen as 
 if no storm was to be apprehended. 
 
 Whenever I have expressed my fears of blood 
 shed, I have been answered with a significant 
 shrug, that all matters would be soon amicably 
 settled, and that my fears were groundless. 
 
 It seems that Lord Sandwich, and Colonel Grant, 
 have had eloquence enough to prevail upon all 
 ranks of people to believe that the inhabitants of 
 North America, from one end of it to the other, 
 are a set of base, abject and wretched cowards, 
 and that accommodation would be gladly accept 
 ed without redress. 
 
 I know that this is false, and I fear that this 
 country will know it when the knowledge will 
 have been acquired too late to be of any service. 
 
 I suppose you have a newspaper sent you into 
 Scotland. For fear you should not, I send you by 
 this night s post, the London Chronicle, by which 
 
[80 ] 
 
 you will find that the campaign is opened in Amer 
 ica. I suppose the account in the paper may not 
 be strictly true. 
 
 The captain, by whom the news comes, differs 
 from it in some instances, but you may depend 
 upon it, there has been an engagement. 
 
 Government has received no accounts yet, but 
 the ministry are exceedingly embarrassed. 
 
 In the first emotions, they talk of sending over 
 the guards and more troops. If this is done, they 
 will only plunge deeper in the mischief. 
 
 The Parliament should immediately be called, 
 and the oppressive acts be repealed. This would 
 do them more good than all ihe soldiers this coun 
 try can send. Every man of humanity must 
 lament this fatal event, which I have long thought 
 inevitable. I rejoice, moreover, at finding that my 
 countrymen have not only sense enough to make 
 their rights known, but merit enough to defend 
 them. 
 
 My youngest daughter is indisposed, and Dr. 
 
 Huck advises me to bathe her in the sea ; and we 
 
 shall take her to Weymouth in about three weeks. 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins in compliments to Mrs. Dempster. 
 
 I am, my dear sir, 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
[81 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to Thomas Lynch, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, June 7, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I arrived in London about a fort 
 night ago, and found your letter from Philadelphia 
 of a very old date, at Mr. Stead s. 
 
 From Rome, I wrote to you my thanks, as a 
 member of the Congress whose proceedings, in 
 almost every respect, I highly approved of. What 
 ever trifling objections the Assembly of New- 
 York might have had to some of them, it was 
 most infamous to withhold their approbation of 
 them. Their conduct gave spirit to our enemies, 
 who were fully persuaded, that by breaking one 
 link of the chain, the exertions of America would 
 be rendered ineffectual. They will, I hope, find 
 themselves mistaken. 
 
 You desire me to consider whether the proceed 
 ings of the Congress ought not to be translated into 
 French and Dutch. I should have taken care of 
 that long ago, had it been necessary ; but the Prin 
 ters on the Continent have spared me the trouble. 
 
[82] 
 
 The French, Dutch, German and Italian newspa 
 pers, have, to my knowledge, been filled with 
 them, and I have been assured, that the Danish, 
 Sweedish and Russian papers, have been employ 
 ed in the same way. 
 
 You say you will want some coarse woollens. 
 The Burmuda vessels, I should suppose, could 
 very easily supply you. If they could not, you 
 can furnish yourself plentifully, with cotton blankets 
 and cloths for the negroes. 
 
 The best blankets that I ever saw, are made of 
 cotton. The sooner you set up your manufactories, 
 the better. You will, I believe, stand in need of 
 them. 
 
 We have lately received here, a confused ac 
 count of a skirmish at Boston, which proved disad 
 vantageous to the regulars. Government has no 
 dispatches yet, and they affect to disbelieve the 
 report. 
 
 The villainy and infamy of the miscreants here, 
 who call themselves the King s friends, is unbound 
 ed. They imagine that there is no more virtue in 
 America than they are possessed of themselves, and 
 confidently assert, that the Americans would never 
 trouble the world with their grievances, if the pub 
 lications here, and the speeches of the factious 
 members of Parliament, did not put such nonsense 
 
[83] 
 
 into their heads. One would imagine that the 
 perusal of the proceedings of the Congress would 
 silence these people. 
 
 I am sorry to find that gentlemen have not been 
 permitted to land such things as are necessary for 
 them on their arrival in America. This, appears 
 to me, calculated to distress your friends without 
 a possibility of affecting the trade. There can 
 be no good reason why I should be obliged, 
 when I leave this country, to sell my coach, 
 plate, and household furniture, at a very great 
 loss. I beg that you will give me your opinion 
 on this subject. 
 
 The skirmish in Massachusetts bay, will pro 
 duce disagreeable consequences. The King is in 
 flexible, and a great deal of blood will be shed. 
 Four people in five, in this kingdom, are against 
 America. They imagine that in proportion as we 
 are obliged to pay, they will be exonerated. If 
 the King were to succeed, I am sure they would 
 find themselves mistaken. Tyranny is as little 
 apt to be satisfied as avarice. 
 
 I am not determined how long I shall stay in 
 England, nor whether I shall go to Carolina or 
 New- York. If the climates were equally good, I 
 should soon decide. 
 
[84] 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins in offering compliments to all 
 your family. 
 
 I am, dear sir, 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 DUNNECHEN, near FORFAR, June 7, 1775. 
 My DEAR SIR: 
 
 I have your favor of the 31st 
 May, and I congratulate you and Mrs. Izard on 
 your safe return to England, and on finding your 
 dear little ones well. 
 
 I most heartily wish that the state of the empire 
 had left you more leisure to enjoy yourselves 
 abroad, and your friends and family at home. 
 
 We are all suffering by its distraction, but I feel 
 most for the natives of America, whose country is 
 on the point of becoming the theatre of a civil war 
 with all its horrors and desolation. 
 
[85] 
 
 The scene, I see, is opened. It matters little 
 whether the printed accounts can be depended upon 
 or no. Blood has been spilled. The first blow is 
 given. What but war can ensue, considering the 
 tempers on each side of the Atlantic. 
 
 I despair of making you a convert to the opinion 
 I entertain, mentioned in my last, and do most sin 
 cerely regret, that the friends of America did not 
 close in with Lord North s proposition. If they 
 had, it would have been followed, in my poor 
 opinion, with a surcease of warlike preparations. 
 The obnoxious acts would gradually have been re 
 pealed, or remained waste paper in the statute 
 books, and the dignity of the mother country pre 
 served, as well as the supreme authority of Parlia 
 ment, which never would have been called in ques 
 tion but for the late indiscreet use that has b been 
 made of it. Had I been in town, I should hardly 
 have joined with Lord North singly, but the eve 
 ning before the motion, I would have run over the 
 whole town to persuade opposition, and Ameri 
 cans, and yourself among the number, to hear the 
 resolution in silence and without comment, and 
 to adjourn the House, and to take one full week 
 to deliberate whether it was to be received or 
 rejected. 
 
 My opinion remains the same now as at first, 
 9 
 
[86] 
 
 that there would have been much political wisdom 
 in embracing Lord North s proposition. It coin 
 cides, in some measure, with Lord Chatham and 
 Lord Camden s. 
 
 I say political wisdom, for a political contest 
 always implies two parties, of views and senti 
 ments diametrically opposite, in which case, it is 
 generally impossible to go straight forward. The 
 motion of a state, like those of a ship, in contrary 
 currents and winds, must be compounded of both, 
 and an able pilot will never keep the ship directly 
 in the rush or eye of either. But this is a wide 
 field, fitter for discourse than a letter. If the Par 
 liament should sit soon, I shall soon have an oppor 
 tunity of chatting it over with you, which I should 
 be the happier to do, that I observe none of the 
 friends to America, nor none of those I esteem, in 
 Parliament, as men of more wisdom and as much 
 firmness as myself, are of this opinion. 
 
 I am so apt to be dogmatical in my opinions, 
 and to fly off at a tangent in consequence of them, 
 that, to say truth, I am sick of politics, as men 
 generally are of a business for which they are not 
 over well qualified. I came down to Scotland, 
 almost in hopes my constituents would have dis 
 missed me from their service, meaning to pass the 
 rest of my life in easy, rural occupations, having 
 
[87 ] 
 
 enjoyed more true happiness and content, since the 
 26th of September last, (my wedding day,) than 
 ever I knew before. In my retreat, it would have 
 been an eternal source of satisfaction, that I have, 
 all along, endeavored to discharge my duty to my 
 country, disinterestedly, and that I have early and 
 invariably dissuaded Parliament from pursuing 
 those measures, relative to America, which are 
 like to end either in the loss, or what is still more 
 to be regretted, the destruction of that country. 
 May Heaven avert, if it is not too late, either 
 calamity. 
 
 You observe the insensibility of the merchants 
 and all ranks of people. This does not surprise 
 me. Be assured, the measures pursued by gov 
 ernment towards America, are not generally un 
 popular. 
 
 In Scotland, (myself, and a very few more ex- 
 cepted,) the whole body of the gentry, and of the 
 independent and enlightened class of people, are, to 
 a man, on the side of the administration. When 
 you see never more than eighty in Parliament op 
 posing the ministry, you may depend upon it, the 
 measure is not thought a bad one ; for corruption 
 does not reach so deep. Many members support 
 the minister who are not supported by him. 
 
 In his party, you will find most of the country 
 
[88] 
 
 members. This is the true barometer of the higher 
 orders in England. There is a principle against 
 America, as well as for her, insomuch, that it would 
 not be easy for a ministry, more favorable to her, 
 to bring the bulk of the House over to their 
 opinion. 
 
 It is the clear conviction of this truth, that would 
 have made me the more eager to have concurred 
 in Lord North s proposition. But I find myself 
 again exceeding the bounds of a letter. If you 
 have leisure, at Weymouth, I shall be happy, now 
 and then, to hear from you. An honest man, with 
 whom I chance to differ in opinion, is a favorite 
 companion and correspondent with me, for that 
 reason, 
 
 I remain, dear sir, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, 
 
 GEORGE DEMPSTER. 
 RA. IZARP, Esq. 
 
[89] 
 
 From Mr. hard, to Isaac Low, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, June 12, 1775. 
 SIR: 
 
 As I am informed you are chairman of 
 the committee at New- York, I take the liberty of 
 addressing this letter to you. 
 
 I approve highly of the proceedings in general, 
 of the Continental Congress, and am firmly of 
 opinion, that if the virtue and fortitude of America, 
 be equal to the wisdom of her delegates, the con 
 test will soon be determined in our favor. 
 
 The salvation of the colonies, depends upon the 
 strict adherence to the measures recommended by 
 the Congress. 
 
 The reason of my troubling you with this, is to 
 request the favor of you, to inform me of the sen 
 timents of the committee respecting the non-impor 
 tation resolution. This resolution seems to have 
 been adopted, for the purpose of operating upon 
 the commerce of Great Britain, and not to have 
 been intended to distress those who might be in 
 clined to settle in America. 
 9* 
 
[90] 
 
 I shall, probably, in the course of a twelvemonth, 
 leave this country, and I am desirous to know 
 whether my carrying to New- York my coach, 
 furniture, plate, books and other things intended 
 for my own use, will meet with the approbation 
 of the committee. 
 
 If they should be of opinion, that these things 
 ought not to be carried to America, I shall order 
 them to be sold, and shall cheerfully submit to any 
 loss or inconvenience I may sustain by it. 
 
 Permit me to offer my congratulations, on the 
 honorable testimony you have received from your 
 countrymen of their esteem, by being appointed a 
 member of that body, which alone can, and which, 
 I am confidently of opinion, will occasion the re 
 dress of our grievances. 
 
 I am sir, with great regard, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 P. S. You will be pleased to direct to me, to 
 the care of Messrs. Sayre, Coote, Pendon & Co., 
 in Oxford-street, London. 
 
191 J 
 
 From Mr. hard to John Strange, Esq. 
 His Britannic Majesty s Resident, at Venice. 
 
 LONDON, June 13, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 The commands which you were so 
 good as to lay on me, on leaving Venice, I cheer 
 fully obey, and inform you of our safe arrival in 
 England. 
 
 We are extremely sensible of Mrs. Strangers 
 and your politeness and attention to us, and beg 
 you will accept of our thanks. 
 
 Your friend, at Verona, visited us immediately 
 after the delivery of your letter, and passed the 
 evening with us ; he would have been very service 
 able to us, had we made any stay at that town. 
 
 The mountains between Bremen and Inspruck, 
 are covered with snow, which made the journey a 
 little disagreeable. We were too soon by at least 
 a month, to see the Tyrol to advantage. 
 
 Our tour into Germany, was extended as far as 
 Manheim and Frankfort, which afforded us a great 
 deal of pleasure. 
 
[92] 
 
 There are, in the palace of Manheim, some very 
 good pictures from the Italian schools, and by far 
 the best collection of Flemish pictures that I ever 
 saw. I prefer them to the collection at Dussel- 
 dorp, and, indeed, to any other single collection. 
 
 The elector takes care to have them in excel 
 lent order, which is a very great addition to the 
 beauty of their appearance. A little German 
 cleanliness would not be disserviceable either to 
 the pictures or palaces of Italy. 
 
 You will have seen, by the newspapers, that my 
 conjectures with regard to America, were not ill- 
 founded. Many people here are of opinion, that 
 an accommodation would take place without blood 
 shed. I cannot conceive what should induce them 
 to think so. When I heard of the dissolution of 
 Parliament, I forsaw everything that has happened 
 
 The measures that have been pursued for these 
 two years, could not possibly have been productive 
 of different consequences. I should have been 
 happy, if the dispute between these countries, with 
 both of which I am so intimately connected, could 
 have been otherwise settled. 
 
 Petitions and remonstrances have been offered, 
 and contemptuously rejected. Parliament has de 
 clared, that nothing less than a total and unlimited 
 acknowledgment of their authority, would satisfy. 
 
[93] 
 
 To this, America never could submit, as no securi 
 ty has been offered against the abuse of it. 
 
 The administration instead of arguments, have 
 thought proper to substitute bayonets and cannon* 
 the " ultima ratio regum" 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins me in offering compliments to 
 Mrs. Strange. If either of us can be of any ser 
 vice to you here, you will make us happy by laying 
 your commands on us. 
 
 From Mr. Izard to George Dempster, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, June ^25, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 The storm thickens very fast to the 
 westward, and it will certainly not blow over soon. 
 The people of New- York have taken the Govern 
 ment out of Mr. Colden s hands. 
 
 They have been informed that a considerable 
 part of the reinforcement, which left Ireland in the 
 
194] 
 
 spring, was intended for them. They have come 
 to the resolution to oppose their landing. 
 
 The exemption from the restraints which the 
 other colonies were laid under, appear to them as 
 it ought to do. They do not see it as Lord North 
 wished they should, but they look upon it to be a 
 most impudent attempt to bribe them, and they 
 have contemptuously rejected it. 
 
 Connecticut and Jersey, have offered New- York 
 every assistance, and if the troops attempt to land 
 there, you may expect to hear of bloody work. 
 
 In South Carolina, the people have seized above 
 a thousand stand of arms which were in the state 
 house. I expect to hear soon, that the persons 
 who have made this seizure, have marched to 
 Georgia and taken possession of Savannah, which 
 is the only trading port of any consequence in 
 America, except Quebec, which is open. 
 
 A motion for that purpose was made in Charles- 
 town at a full meeting, and rejected by a majority 
 of four voices. They had not then heard of the 
 battle of Lexington, and the proceedings of New- 
 York. 
 
 I have seen a gentleman from Philadelphia, who 
 assures me, that the people are all determined 
 there. 
 
 He says there was to his knowledge, smuggled 
 
[95] 
 
 there in one vessel, five thousand muskets and 
 twenty-five tons of gunpowder, from St. Eustatia. 
 At Germantown, in Pennsylvania, they make pow 
 der sufficient, he thinks, to supply all America. 
 He has tried it, and finds it full as good as any he 
 has ever used. 
 
 In North Carolina, Governor Martin has made 
 a most violent speech of the 4th of April, against 
 committees and congresses. The Assembly, in 
 their answer, have done themselves honor ; a bet 
 ter address never was penned. Would to God, 
 that the House of Commons of this kingdom, would 
 follow their example and speak the language of 
 truth, instead of servilely echoing the King s 
 speech. I intend to send the speech and answer 
 to one of the London papers. 
 
 You shall have them sent to you, as I am sure 
 they will give you pleasure. 
 
 Mr. Martin has thought proper to dissolve the 
 Assembly. Government here, is utterly at a loss 
 what to do. Their wickedness and folly, may, 
 perhaps, plunge the empire into greater misfor 
 tunes. 
 
 I remain, dear sir, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, and 
 
 Humble servant, 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
[96] 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 DUNNECHEN, July 6, 1775. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am favored with yours of 
 the 1st of July, and I thank you for the communi 
 cation of your American intelligence, which it will 
 be obliging to favor me with, now and then. 
 
 Pray, did you receive a long letter from me 
 about the middle of last month, on the subject of 
 America ? You see by that letter what a hetero 
 dox American I am. 
 
 It will give me pleasure to hear of the proceed 
 ings of the Continental Congress. Our unfortunate 
 misunderstanding with that country, has produced 
 one curious spectacle for a philosopher. We shall 
 see the rise, in our own time, of the greatest and 
 finest state that ever was formed. 
 
 At least, I have a strong presentiment, that this 
 Congress will assume the government of America, 
 in the greater and more general points, leaving the 
 interior government to the committees in the re 
 spective counties or provinces. This is a constitu- 
 
[97] 
 
 tion of so much freedom, and so likely to preserve 
 the power of the state, in the wisest, best and 
 ablest hands, that it promises to exceed Rome in 
 grandeur, and Great Britain in liberty. 
 
 As to us, here at home, we enjoy many blessings 
 under our constitution, compared with any other 
 people of Europe ; perhaps we enjoy as much, or 
 more, than could be imagined, in a community 
 composed of so many corrupted individuals ; but 
 we are subject, in common with all monarchies, to 
 have the scoundrels, like the scum, always at the 
 top for the courtiers have, commonly, cool heads, 
 base -hearts, and selfish views concealed by too 
 much art, for even a good Prince to discover the 
 real character at the bottom. 
 
 Were the Carolina Assembly within the atmos 
 phere of St. James s, they would either be the 
 echoes of the minister, or disinterested enough to 
 forego immense personal advantages, which, with 
 the majority of anything short of ancient Roman, 
 or stoic philosophers, I think to be impossible. In 
 America, you are public-spirited ; I mean your 
 Assemblies are so, because the Governor s power 
 of gratifying them is very limited. 
 
 When you become Deputy Governors, and 
 Chief Justices, Attorney Generals, &c. &c., I think 
 you have not much more virtue to boast of than 
 10 
 
[98] 
 
 chez nous. Should this project of a republic take 
 place, that vice will be cured for a time. Nay, you 
 will never be mean again for a corrupted Roman, 
 and a corrupted Englishman, are very different 
 beings. The Roman, at least, preserves his ambi 
 tion ; the other, sells that, and every other manly 
 sentiment, for a mess of pottage. 
 
 This, I hope, will find you and your family 
 quite recovered and well, at your summer quarters 
 of Weymouth, which I have always thought the 
 finest bathing place, in point of situation, in Eng 
 land. 
 
 I am deeply immersed in farming, and particu 
 larly in prosecuting the discovery of a marie pit, 
 which I have found out on my estate, which pro 
 mises to produce me a great deal of money. 
 
 Mrs. Dempster joins me in offering compliments 
 to you and Mrs. Izard, and I remain 
 
 Very affectionately, my dear sir, 
 
 Your faithful friend, 
 GEORGE DEMPSTER. 
 
 RALPH IZARD, Esq. 
 
[99 ] 
 
 From Thomas Lynch, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, July 7, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I this day received your favor dated 
 at Rome, in which you say that you had received 
 no letter from me. Be assured that I wrote two 
 or three, and enclosed you the proceedings of our 
 Congress, and sent them to Mr. Stead, with direc 
 tions to forward them to you wherever you are. 
 
 It gives me much pleasure to hear that those 
 proceedings are approved by the world. We have, 
 indeed, the same accounts from several quarters. 
 America, we hear, is looked up to as the last re 
 source of liberty and the common rights of man 
 kind. Brave and generous, we fight for mankind, 
 and they say, " to it, brave boys," but afford us not 
 one necessary of war not a musket or bayonet, 
 not a grain of powder. England has cut off our 
 usual supply. Holland and France, follow the 
 noble example. They say the Americans are 
 cowards, poltroons, dare not fight ; yet these dough 
 ty heroes take care to deprive us of the means of 
 
defence. If we are so fearful, why disarm us ? 
 But they know the contrary. In the first of Gen 
 eral Gage s attempts against the people, his regu 
 lars were put to flight by half their number of 
 militia, without officers or commanders, 
 ***** This account comes 
 through men of character on the spot, and may be 
 depended on ; it is confirmed by most undoubted 
 letters, and you may say so. 
 
 There are now marching to the camp, a thou 
 sand riflemen. They are, at listing, rejected, 
 unless they can hit a playing-card, without a rest, 
 at one hundred and twenty yards distance. Al 
 most every fencible man, in all the colonies, is 
 trained, and ready to supply any loss. The regu 
 lars have, in any case, never appeared equal to 
 our troops, man for man. What, then, have we 
 to fear ? loss of money, alone ; and may the 
 wretch perish, who puts that in competition. 
 Will Lord Effingham come to us ? he would be 
 almost adored. 
 
 Dear sir, can the friends of old England find no 
 way to stop this fatal war going on to the cer 
 tain destruction of that once great state? All 
 America pants for reconciliation ; they dread, 
 what may be easily prevented by government, a 
 total separation. Should war go on another year, 
 
I 101 ] 
 
 a government must be formed here it is unavoid 
 able ; and when once that is done, it will be, I fear, 
 impossible to restore the connection. When Amer 
 ica acts unitedly, she will feel herself too strong 
 to submit to such restrictions as she now does. 
 In short, the time will be past. 
 
 The people of New- York, are now fixed on the 
 side of liberty. Georgia is near coming in. 
 
 Mrs. Lynch unites with me, in compliments to 
 Mrs Izard. We hope to see you, before we leave 
 this part of America. 
 
 Your affectionate friend, 
 
 THOMAS LYNCH. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Henry Laurens, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, 8th July, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Government, here, is at a loss what 
 measure to pursue. They are heartily sick of the 
 American business, and would be very glad, if pos- 
 10* 
 
[ 102 ] 
 
 sible, to get rid of it. There is but one way to 
 bring things right again, and their pride and folly 
 will lead them to attempt everything but that. 
 
 Lord North s tone is a little humbled since the 
 defeat at Lexington, and the conduct of New 
 York has been known here. 
 
 The assurances given to the Peers, by Lord 
 Sandwich, and to the House of Commons, by Colo 
 nel Grant, that the Americans were a set of the 
 most infamous poltroons, made him expect that all 
 would fall prostrate. 
 
 Nothing would, he said, satisfy him, but uncon 
 ditional submission. America might then expect 
 favor, but upon no other terms. 
 
 The language of court is not different. Their 
 hatred still continues, but their fears are excited. 
 All sense of honor has long since been banished 
 from them, and nothing but fear can have any ef 
 fectual operation. 
 
 The Congress was despised, reviled and brand 
 ed, with every opprobrious epithet. They now 
 look up to this body, and pretend to expect some 
 thing conciliatory from them. 
 
 For my part, I expect to hear they have voted 
 an army, and ordered paper money to be stamped 
 for the payment of it. 
 
 You may depend upon it, that America has no- 
 
[ 103 ] 
 
 thing to expect from this country ; her own vir 
 tuous exertions must preserve her, or she must 
 sink into destruction. 
 
 I cannot sufficiently admire the proceedings of 
 the last Congress ; and I dare say, that the present 
 one, now sitting in Philadelphia, will show itself to 
 be the genuine offspring of the same parents. 
 
 The King seems to be struck with horror at the 
 idea of treating with the Congress. He expects 
 to make a better bargain, if he treats with the 
 provinces separately. 
 
 The Scotch, in this country, are unanimously 
 against us. They openly express their wishes, 
 that the inhabitants of the four New England pro 
 vinces may be extirpated. I trust in God they 
 will be disappointed. 
 
 In the course of this month, I expect to hear of 
 some bloody scene having been acted in the Mas 
 sachusetts bay. Nothing now can settle the dis 
 pute but the sword. All argument seems long to 
 have been lost, and the point is transferred from 
 the casuist to the soldier. 
 
 I am happy to find that there is the greatest 
 unanimity throughout America. The Dutch mot 
 to, " Concordia parva res crescunt" is a wise ob 
 servation. The provinces of America must, if 
 firmly united, prove irresistible. 
 
t 104 ] 
 
 The conduct of this country, towards us, has 
 been both weak and wicked. If they had con 
 ducted their schemes with ability, and conciliated 
 the affections of one province, while they were 
 sapping the liberties of another, they might have 
 proved very destructive ; but to make so open and 
 undisguised an attack upon the whole, at the same 
 time, was nothing less than the most extravagant 
 fool-hardiness. 
 
 I wrote you several letters, while I was abroad, 
 and hope they came safe to your hands. In one 
 of them, I requested you to plant some mulberry- 
 trees, at my place at Goose creek, and some 
 cotton. 
 
 I do not think this unnatural contest will last a 
 year longer. It is, however, prudent to guard 
 against the distress that may be occasioned from 
 the want of negro-cloth and blankets. 
 
 I write you nothing about my affairs, but trust 
 that you will do everything that can be done. I 
 should think that indigo, from Carolina, would find 
 a good market at Curacoa or St. Eustatia. These 
 places do not come within the prohibitions of the 
 Congress. 
 
[ 105] 
 
 From Mr. hard to John De Lancey, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, July 9, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am very glad to find your name 
 on the list of the committee of New- York, and 
 beg leave to congratulate you on it. 
 
 The conduct of the Assembly has given me 
 much uneasiness, and I am very happy to find 
 their opinions were totally different from those of 
 the province in general. Many people, here, think 
 that some unfair means have been used. As I 
 cannot believe that any member of Assembly has 
 been base enough to suffer himself to be bribed, I 
 am utterly incapable of conceiving what could in 
 duce them to attempt to break that union of the 
 colonies, from which, alone, a redress of the griev 
 ances of America could be expected. 
 
 The different Assemblies have often applied to 
 Parliament, without effect ; so that they had not 
 even the excuse of having tried something new. 
 
 I approve highly of the proceedings of the Con 
 tinental Congress, in general ; and I am firmly of 
 
[ 106 ] 
 
 opinion, that, if the virtue and fortitude of Amer 
 ica be equal to the wisdom of her delegates, the 
 contest will soon be determined in our favor. 
 
 The salvation of the colonies depends upon the 
 strict adherence to the measures recommended by 
 them. There is not a man in this kingdom, but is 
 prejudiced on one side or the other, of this dispute. 
 The opinions, therefore, of people here about the 
 Congress, are regulated according to their political 
 sentiments. 
 
 Foreigners, who do not see this affair through 
 the medium of prejudice, are universally of our 
 side, and speak in raptures of the wisdom of their 
 proceedings. 
 
 I remain, dear sir, 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
[ 107] 
 
 From Arthur Lee, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, July 28, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I should have written to you be 
 fore, but that I had nothing to tell you, more than 
 might be found in every newspaper. 
 
 There is no authentic account of the last en 
 gagement, from the other side. ***** 
 
 Colonel Washington left the Congress, for the 
 army, as Generalissimo, on the 12th June, escorted 
 by a thousand horse, from Pennsylvania. * * * 
 
 The Assembly of Virginia have rejected Lord 
 North s proposition, as an insult on their under 
 standings. They are making a treaty with the 
 Indians. 
 
 South Carolina, I am told, has issued a proclama 
 tion, calling home all their natives, from sixteen to 
 sixty ; and, it is said, they have imprisoned Sir 
 James, in Georgia. 
 
 A man was taken in New- York, enlisting men 
 for Gage, and is condemned to the mines for life. 
 
 The ministry are determined to carry on the 
 
[ 108 ] 
 
 war with vigor. The sending Hanoverians, is un 
 der consideration. The difficulties they find in 
 raising seamen and soldiers, are insuperable, and 
 will probably determine them to send Germans. 
 
 I called in Newman-street, expecting to see my 
 friend Charles, but was informed, he also was on 
 his travels. My best respects to Mrs. Izard. I 
 hope the waters have benefited Charlotte, and that 
 you are all in good health, though, in these unhap 
 py times, it is impossible to feel in good spirits. I 
 set out on the circuit, the 31st, for three weeks. 
 
 Adieu, 
 
 ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Dempster, Esq. 
 
 WEYMOUTH, August 1, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 General Gage s proclamation is, I 
 think, the most absurd and contemptible publica 
 tion I ever read. I cannot help thinking that his 
 
[ 109 ] 
 
 own bombast " of a preposterous parade of Mili 
 tary arrangement," may be very aptly applied to 
 himself. He is certainly in a very unfortunate 
 situation ; and I am firmly persuaded, that, if he 
 attempts to march into the country, he and his 
 Army will be totally cut off, in the course of the 
 summer. 
 
 His Artillery may, in several engagements, be 
 very destructive to the Provincials ; and he may, 
 by that means, keep possession of the field of bat 
 tle ; but he will, I believe, find his men dimmish so 
 much, that he may be of Pyrrhus s opinion, when 
 in Italy, " that many such Victories would prove 
 the destruction of him." 
 
 Before I had finished my last letter, the news of 
 the battle, in which Abercrombie was killed, ar 
 rived at Weymouth. Poor Abercrombie ! I was 
 acquainted with him. He was a brave and good- 
 natured man ; if he had died in any other cause, 
 I shonld have lamented his loss. His duty did not 
 require him to go to Boston, as his Regiment was 
 not there. He was a Volunteer, and therefore, he 
 has, I think, met with the fate he deserved. 
 
 Your friends, General Eraser and Sir William 
 
 Erskine, have certainly offered their services to 
 
 go to America. Sir t : -lliam has gained much 
 
 honor in the field, and nis character stands high in 
 
 11 
 
[ no] 
 
 the world. I hope he will not tarnish it by such 
 an expedition. " Felix, quern faciunt aliena peri- 
 cula cautum." 
 
 The Gazette will have informed you, that, up 
 wards of one thousand and fifty British Troops 
 have been killed and wounded. Will this open 
 the eyes of the King ; or will he still require more 
 damning proofs of his having been fatally deceiv 
 ed ? More than two thousand, of the chosen part 
 of General Gage s army, sent upon an expedition 
 within sight of Boston, under the command of 
 General Howe, the best officer he had, and to 
 have above half killed and disabled by a few men 
 of one Province, (a few, compared with what that 
 Province could and would bring into the field, if 
 there were an occasion for them,) should make 
 the King doubt of the possibility of succeeding in 
 the present plan. 
 
 To my mind, it is equal to a demonstration, that 
 he cannot. 
 
 You wished to be informed of the proceedings of 
 the Continental Congress. They are kept so 
 secret, that nothing has transpired but a few arti 
 cles, which they have allowed to be published 
 such as their directions to the City and County of 
 New- York how to conduct themselves, if any of 
 the King s troops should arrive in their Province 
 
[ 111 ] 
 
 Their orders, that no more provisions should be 
 sent to the Island of Nantucket than is necessary 
 for the inhabitants, lest the Newfoundland fisheries 
 should, from thence, be supplied, and their Resolu 
 tion, that no money be furnished the British Army 
 for their bills of exchange. 
 
 These things you have seen in the newspapers ; 
 pray let me know, which newspaper you take. 
 
 The Congress, by these few specimens, seem to 
 be proceeding with great wisdom. 
 
 I make no doubt, but, if America should be 
 driven to the necessity of disuniting herself from 
 Great Britain, that the world would see the finest 
 and freest Constitution formed, that any people were 
 ever blessed with. The Congress, now sitting at 
 Philadelphia, are as capable of forming such a 
 Constitution, as any body of men on earth. 
 
 I still hope, that this country will awaken out of 
 her lethargy, and make it unnecessary for them to 
 show their abilities, on such an occasion. What 
 ever form of Government may be adopted in 
 America now, or hereafter, I hope that no such 
 order of men will be admitted as a Nobility. Such 
 a body of men, who conceive themselves possessed 
 of interests, separate from the public, can never be 
 sufficiently concerned for the welfare and happiness 
 of the people. 
 
I really believe, that the pride and insolence of 
 the Patricians, were the causes of the destruction 
 of the Roman Republic, by producing continual dis 
 sensions between the Plebeians and themselves. 
 
 You observe, very justly, that when Americans 
 become Governors, Chief Justices, Attorney Gen 
 erals, &c. they have no more virtue to boast of 
 than other people. Self-love is the strong ruling 
 passion of mankind. It is not to be wondered at, 
 that these gentlemen, after having tasted the sweets, 
 arising from the emoluments of their Offices, should 
 wish to increase them, or v r-f aid of losing them. 
 
 The attachment of a creature to his creator, is 
 natural, and when the latter is vicious, the former 
 will rarely be found virtuous enough to oppose his 
 inclinations. This certain attachment of all Offi 
 cers, Civil and Military, to the Crown, is a proof to 
 me of the necessity of a Place Bill. 
 
 A limited one I would have ; for the great Offi 
 cers of the state, ought to be in Parliament for 
 many obvious reasons. 
 
 In these matters, it is my misfortune to differ 
 totally from my friends, the Rockinghams. 
 
 The arguments of disputants, seldom convince 
 each other Voltaire tells us, that Candide and 
 his friend, disputed from the coasts of America to 
 those of Europe, and each was more firmly fixed 
 
[ 113 ] 
 
 in his own opinion. This is natural ; but, as I 
 think you and I are different from the generality 
 of mankind, when we dispute, it may be to better 
 effect. I am not surprised at a great majority in 
 Parliament being against America. 
 
 Bodies of men are as subject to Ambition and 
 Haughtiness, as individuals. As long as the power 
 of Parliament, to bind America, in all cases what 
 ever, is maintained, each member feels himself the 
 segment of a Sovereign, and will, with reluctance, 
 be prevailed on to part with this dignity. 
 
 I was surprised at the Nation, for being so be 
 numbed and stupified, as to rest perfectly satisfied, 
 while those destructive measures were carry 
 ing on. 
 
 I formed my judgment of the public opinion, by 
 the price of stocks being kept up. It has been 
 said, that the Administration have kept them up, at 
 a great expense to the nation. This would seem 
 too dangerous and iniquitous a step, for any set of 
 men to take. But, after what we have seen, what 
 will not Lord Sandwich advise and Lord North 
 execute 1 
 
 There are two measures yet, left unattempted, 
 
 and if they should be tried, I am fully convinced 
 
 they would prove ineffectual. These are, to send 
 
 German Troops to America, and if they should 
 
 11* 
 
[ 114] 
 
 fail, to block up all American Ports, and Bombard 
 their Maritime Towns, 
 
 With regard to the Germans, as soon as they 
 are safely landed in a country where there are so 
 many of their countrymen, who have purchased 
 the power of settling and acquiring property, by 
 three or four years servitude without being them 
 selves subject to so discouraging a drawback upon 
 their industry they would, I believe, think them 
 selves the happiest creatures in the world in 
 deserting and trying their fortunes among them. 
 If this should not be the case, and they should 
 choose to fight I am confident, they would be 
 beaten. 
 
 There are but three towns, of any consequence, 
 that could be hurt by the English fleet Boston 
 New-York and Charlestown, in South Carolina. 
 
 The situation of Philadelphia, with the industry 
 of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, may bid them 
 defiance. The loss of these towns would be to 
 America a trifle, when compared to the subject 
 she is contending for ; and the block - sg up of all the 
 harbors, would be putting it out of tkj power of 
 individuals to break the general non-importation 
 and non-exportation association. 
 
 If the Parliament arc determined not to give up 
 their unjust pretentions, I wish, at least, they would 
 
[115] 
 
 stop the further effusion of blood and try by this 
 last method, which Country, England or America, 
 could hold out longest without the other. 
 
 From George Mercer, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 MANCHESTER, August 18, 1775. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 I was hurried from home sud 
 denly, the 25th ultimo, on account of some busi 
 ness. * * * * * 
 I have an amazing budget from America, part 
 
 of it from General Washi n, but as they have 
 
 been so long in London, the papers furnished me 
 with all the news the letters contained, before they 
 reached. Good God, sir, what must be the fate of 
 this Country and America ? They are so connect 
 ed, it is impossible one should fall, without pulling 
 down the other. There never was an example of 
 such union and friendship, as prevails all through 
 America. They are, to a man, determined to die, 
 
[ U6] 
 
 rather than submit and every one here says, they 
 must submit. Heaven only knows how fatal the 
 struggle must prove to both parties, and I venture 
 (without going further into futurity than humanity 
 has a right to do) to foretell, no Military force that 
 /can be supplied from this quarter, will ever subdue 
 them. 
 
 The Provincial Congress of Virginia, have en 
 tered into the same resolution with South Carolina, 
 " to summon all absentees, above twenty and under 
 sixty, to return to their respective Provinces." I 
 have not been regularly served with one, nor do I 
 suppose you have. Nevertheless, I am informed, 
 the strict letter of it is meant to be complied with 
 and that a Confiscation general will follow a refu 
 sal. We shall both know more soon, if that is to 
 be the case. 
 
 I am very glad to hear, bathing has so good an 
 effect on you. The times are hard indeed, but the 
 Butcher will always feed you cheaper than the 
 Apothecary. * * * * * 
 
 There is an amazing trade carried on in this 
 place. The most intelligent Manufacturers here, 
 say they feel no great loss yet in their business, 
 from the American associations. It is, indeed, 
 probable, that they do not yet feel much, but the 
 time must come and even themselves acknow- 
 
L 117] 
 
 ledge, that had the American demand been as 
 good as usual, they should have been obliged to 
 hire more hands ; but the European demands have 
 increased so much with the decrease of the Amer 
 ican that they have not discharged any of their 
 workmen, and, in fact, at present, their trade has 
 only shifted to another channel. 
 I am, dear Izard, 
 
 With much regard and truth,- 
 
 Your faithful and obliged friend, 
 GEO. MERCER. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Arthur Lee, Esq. 
 
 WEYMOUTH, August 21, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Your three weeks Circuit must be 
 finished about this time, and I hope you are re 
 turned in good health, and loaded with fees re 
 wards for the defence of innocence, and prosecu 
 tion of guilt. Your gold does not, like Vespa 
 sian s, smell equally sweet ; ex re qualibet. 
 
L 
 
 The Scotch, I find, have been indefatigable in 
 their exertions against General Gage. They have, 
 as usual, carried their point, and he is, it seems, to 
 be superseded by Sir Jeffrey. The same art has 
 been employed against him, that Mr. Yorke so fa 
 tally experienced, and the same Serpent was the 
 agent. 
 
 The consequences will not be the same. Mr. 
 Yorke was a man of sensibility. ***** 
 
 I am very much pleased with General Lee s let 
 ter to General Burgoyne. Lee has acquired con 
 siderable property ; and I have been assured, by 
 people who know well, that he would never risk 
 the losing of it by entering into the service of 
 America. The part he has acted, after having 
 taken such a considerable time to think of it, is a 
 proof that he does not think there is much danger 
 of that. 
 
 I wish to know whether he is appointed second 
 or third, in Command, or whether the Congress 
 have taken any measures to prevent his ever be 
 coming, by the death of superior officers, Com- 
 mander-in-Chief. Have these Officers taken an 
 oath to obey the orders of the Congress ? This, I 
 take for granted, as it seems absolutely necessary. 
 
 Mr. Richard Penn, I hear, is arrived, and has 
 brought another Petition to the King, from the 
 
[ 119 J 
 
 Congress. This will be as contemptuously treat 
 ed as the last was, and it is probable that no more 
 will ever be offered. 
 
 When you hear any news that has not got into 
 the papers I wish you would, from time to time, 
 communicate it to me. 
 
 Mrs. Izard desires her compliments. I believe 
 we shall stay here, three or four weeks longer, 
 and then go to Bath. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Thomas Lynch, Esq. 
 
 WEYMOUTH, September 8, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 J am this day, favored with your 
 letter, by Mr. Penn, which was sent me from Lon 
 don. I have been here several weeks for the pur 
 pose of bathing one of my children, who stands in 
 need of it. 
 
 During my tour on the continent, I made it my 
 business to sound the dispositions of all sorts of 
 
[ 120 ] 
 
 people, and almost constantly found them well- 
 wishers to the American cause. I do not suppose 
 their good wishes to us, proceed from any virtu 
 ous principles. England is the object of their ter 
 ror and envy, and anything that will tend to mor 
 tify and humble her will be pleasing to them. 
 The French and Dutch would be very glad to af 
 ford any assistance, which would not endanger 
 their going to war with Great Britain. 
 
 The late ill-success that Spain has met with, in 
 her expedition against Algiers, will be an addi 
 tional security to England. This event, together 
 with the profound tranquillity which reigns in 
 every other part of Europe gives confidence to 
 the infamous set of men who govern this King 
 dom, and will, I believe, make them reject every 
 plan of accommodation, with America, which can 
 be offered. 
 
 You are surprised that France and Holland 
 have not sent you Muskets and Gunpowder, as you 
 are fighting for the rights of mankind. I am sur 
 prised, for another reason they might have sold 
 their Muskets and Ammunition, and got money by 
 it. Depend upon it, you will never be assisted by 
 any people from motives of generosity ; and, if 
 anything ever looks like it, still interest will be at 
 the bottom of it. 
 
[121 ] 
 
 France, most sincerely, wishes America to be 
 disunited from Great Britain. She thinks that, if 
 she were to interfere now, Great Britain would be 
 forced into an immediate accommodation, and the 
 union between us, would be stronger than ever. 
 Should the civil war continue, and America form 
 an independent Constitution for herself, and pub 
 lish an invitation to all powers to trade with her 
 interest would begin to operate, and I believe 
 that France, would then stand forth. The 
 strength of England, must be considerably re 
 duced by the contest ; and this will certainly be 
 no small inducement to France, to declare her 
 self, for she still severely feels, the consequences 
 of the last war. 
 
 I am happy to find that America can make gun 
 powder and arms, and that she is strong enough 
 to disappoint her enemies. I am firmly of that 
 opinion, myself, and I trust in God, we shall not be 
 mistaken. I have the greatest confidence in the 
 wisdom and virtue of the Congress, and do, from 
 my soul, believe them to be the best the most in 
 corrupt and disinterested representative body, that 
 ever the world saw ; at the same time, I think, 
 that they should not have extended their prohibi 
 tions, to those articles, which you cannot do with 
 out, and which you cannot, without great diffi- 
 12 
 
[122] 
 
 culty, supply yourselves with I mean, Salt and 
 Negro-cloth. 
 
 Even if your friends could have sent you Arms 
 and Ammunition, from this country, they would 
 have been returned, and the names of the persons 
 made public. Absentees, and strangers, who might 
 be inclined to settle in America, should, I think, 
 likewise have been excepted. Their numbers are 
 not very considerable, and what they might carry 
 for their own use, could not possibly be felt by the 
 manufacturers of this country. The Congresses, 
 in the respective Provinces, and the committees of 
 observation, could have prevented any abuses in 
 this matter. Your Petition to the King, is just 
 published, and I admire it much. It was extreme 
 ly well-judged, to have it drawn in such moderate 
 terms. Do not, however, imagine, that argument 
 will affect him, or that justice will operate on his 
 mind. The people of America must, by this time, 
 be pretty well acquainted with his character. 
 
 I wrote to you, in June, very soon after my ar 
 rival in London, and directed to you in Charles- 
 town. At that time, the people of England, were 
 much more against America, than they are at pre 
 sent ; that is, they were much more ready to adopt 
 the Ministers measures, because they took Lord 
 Sandwich s word, and Colonel Grant s, that the 
 
[ 123] 
 
 Americans were all cowards and would not fight ; 
 consequently they expected an easy triumph, 
 without much expense. 
 
 The opinion of people now begins to change ; 
 they affect to feel for the effusion of blood, and the 
 distresses of their countrymen. Humanity is a 
 pretence ; fear, and interest, act more powerfully 
 on their minds. A total defeat of the Parliamen 
 tary Army, will bring things right again, and I 
 really believe that nothing else will. If this can 
 not be effected during the winter, a formidable 
 force, will be sent against you in the spring. If 
 the Army, which is at present there, could be cut 
 off, it would have such an effect on the people 
 here, that Administration would never venture to 
 send another. 
 
 Before you receive this, you will find that Gen 
 eral Gage, is recalled, and General Howe, put in 
 his place. Gage was not sanguinary enough for 
 the Scotch junto. A gentleman of the North, was 
 heard some time ago to say, at Drummond s, the 
 Bankers, ah ! if they had sent my countryman, 
 James Murray, he would not have left man, wo 
 man or child, alive among them by this time. Dr. 
 Hunter, a Scotchman, who is continually about the 
 King s family, says publicly, that the four New 
 England Provinces, ought to be totally extirpated ; 
 
[ 124] 
 
 and if they are ever suffered to be repeopled, they 
 should be bound by such laws, as will keep them 
 from ever having it in their power to offend again. 
 These are pretty sentiments ! 
 
 I shall stay in England, this winter, and go to 
 America in the spring, unless there should be any 
 probability of my being of service by staying 
 here longer. All letters from you, and the other 
 members of Congress, should be sent by private 
 and confidential hands, for reasons which require 
 no explanation. I beg leave to introduce to your 
 acquaintance, my brother-in-law, Mr. Oliver De 
 Lancey, who is the bearer of this. He is a very 
 worthy young man, and unalterably attached to 
 the cause of his country. When you write to me, 
 do not sign your name, as I know your hand, nor 
 direct the letter, but put it into the hands of a per 
 son you can depend upon. 
 
 Mr. Wedderburne, would find no difficulty in 
 torturing our correspondence into high treason. 
 
 I hear nothing of the Germans. The Prince of 
 Hesse, is now in London. I am of opinion that 
 German troops, will be sent to America in the 
 spring. Proper rewards offered to them, would, 
 probably, draw them to you. Give my compli 
 ments to Dr. Franklin, and consult him on this 
 subject. The leading people, among the Ger- 
 
I 125] 
 
 mans of Pennsylvania, should likewise be consult 
 ed. The Ministry are so obstinate, and the King 
 so bent upon subjugating you, that I should not be 
 surprised, if you had ten or fifteen thousand Prus 
 sians likewise. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Lieutenant-Governor Colden. 
 
 WEYMOUTH, September 10, 1775, 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 It is long since I troubled you with 
 a letter. I can never avoid politics, and while you 
 were in the Administration, it might have been in 
 convenient to have had my letters to you scrutin- 
 ized at the post office. The gentlemen there 
 have an insatiable curiosity. 
 
 You have had a great deal of trouble, and have 
 conducted yourself to the satisfaction of all par 
 ties. This is a very difficult matter, and requires 
 more than ordinary abilities to accomplish. 
 
 When the tea was destroyed, at Boston, I wrote 
 12* 
 
[ 126] 
 
 you what I thought the intention of Government 
 here, and I have not been mistaken. Nothing 
 could have prevented the most violent measures, 
 but the fear of personal danger, if the success of 
 them should fail. 
 
 Their fears were dispelled, and all personal diffi 
 culties obviated, by a man, whose family was 
 brought into this Kingdom, for the purpose of abol 
 ishing tyranny, and securing the liberties of the 
 people. He has, as far as he could, defeated the 
 intention. America has acted wisely in not trust 
 ing her cause to his justice and honor. If she had 
 * she would have found herself in the situation of 
 ^Esop s sheep, when they committed themselves to 
 the custody of a wolf. 
 
 A civil war is, doubtless, one of the most dread 
 ful calamities in the world ; and nothing but the 
 cruel alternative of having such a person, and 
 such a set of Ministers to depend upon, could jus 
 tify the entering into it. 
 
 The cause of America is approved of by all 
 Europe; and if this country has not wisdom 
 enough left to effect a speedy accommodation, 
 America will, I am fully convinced, be severed 
 from her for ever. ********* 
 
 I approve highly of the proceedings of the Con 
 tinental Congress, and most religiously believe 
 
[ 127 ] 
 
 that the liberties of America have been preserved 
 by them. I think them the most honorable and 
 fairly _chosen body of Representatives that ever 
 were in the world ; and I can assure you that, in 
 the opinion of foreigners, they have done the 
 greatest honor to their country. 
 
 The conduct of the Assembly of New- York 
 astonished and afflicted me. If they had succeed 
 ed in their attempts to persuade their Constituents 
 to disregard the directions of the Congress, and 
 by that means, separate themselves from the other 
 Colonies, nothing good could have been obtained 
 everything mischievous was to be expected. A 
 disunion is all that our enemies wish ; and could 
 they be gratified our destruction would be the 
 certain consequence. 
 
 There has been some very unfair management 
 at New- York ; and if the scheme of disuniting 
 that Province from the rest of America had been 
 accomplished, I can assure you, that your office of 
 Lieutenant Governor, would have been transferred 
 to a certain gentleman, and you would have been 
 left, after your long troublesome and faithful 
 services, with another proof of the wickedness 
 and ingratitude of the Ministry of this country. 
 
 The troubles of America, will, I am convinced, 
 end greatly to her honor and advantage ; and I 
 
[ 128] 
 
 look forward with pleasure to the time when I 
 shall be settled in New- York. If the people there 
 had agreed in opinion with the Assembly, that 
 event could never have taken place with any satis 
 faction or happiness to myself. 
 
 My brother Oliver is the bearer of this. He 
 is a very worthy young man, and is firmly attach 
 ed to the cause of his country. * * * * * 
 
 I beg that you will not take the trouble of writ 
 ing to me. *Mrs. De Lancey, is so good as to men 
 tion you frequently in her letters, and her accounts 
 of your health make us very happy. 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins me, in offering most affectionate 
 regards to you and all your family. 
 
 I am, dear sir, 
 &c., &c., 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 P. S. The Congress have been stigmatized, by 
 a certain set of people here, as a factious sedi 
 tious and illegal meeting. The Barons, who met 
 at Runnemede, and the Convention, at the Revo 
 lution, had the same fate. The liberties of Amer 
 ica, will be erected on the same basis as those of 
 England ; but I trust that the edifice will be con- 
 
 * His daughter. 
 
I 129] 
 
 structed of more substantial materials. I write, 
 in full expectation that there will be no accommo 
 dation. The obstinacy of the man whom God in 
 his wrath, has sent to desolate and destroy the 
 grandeur of the British empire, puts all such pleas 
 ing hopes to flight. Could such a happy event be 
 brought about, and we again be put into the situa 
 tion we were, in the year 1763, 1 should, for many 
 years, prefer it, to any Constitution that could be 
 found. 
 
 The Petition, which is just presented to the King, 
 from the Congress, leaves it still in his power to 
 prevent the dismemberment of the British domin 
 ions. It is firm and manly, and, at the same time, 
 moderate and respectful. It agrees perfectly with 
 the old and excellent maxim, " Suaviter in modo, 
 fortiter in re" But his Majesty, it seems, is deter 
 mined to send more Troops perhaps Germans, and 
 is now brooding over, what he calls vigorous mea 
 sures to subjugate the Colonies. If the present op 
 portunity of a reconciliation be lost I very much 
 fear that he will never have another offered him. 
 
[ 130 ] 
 
 From John De Lancey, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 October 5, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Yours, by the Rosomond, I did not 
 receive until this day. The enclosed resolution of 
 the Congress will show that I have not neglected 
 your desire relative to the subject matter thereof.* 
 I thank you for your congratulations on my being 
 one of the Committee, whilst there I take it for 
 granted, that my conduct was approved by a ma 
 jority of my fellow-citizens, as they elected me one 
 of their Representatives in Provincial Congress. 
 In this situation, I wish more than ever for abilities 
 to serve my country. No motive shall induce me 
 to swerve from what I think my duty, and whilst 
 I make this the rule for my conduct, should I forfeit 
 the opinion of any, I shall still enjoy what they 
 cannot deprive me of. 
 
 You may be assured, that Government have 
 been, and are deceived, with regard to the moder- 
 
 * With regard to sending over his furniture, &c. 
 
[ 131 ] 
 
 ate people of this Province, if they construe an 
 opposition to some violent proceedings with us, 
 into an approbation of the measures of the Ministry. 
 It is from these moderate people in particular, that 
 I expect a virtuous stand, for our Constitutional 
 Rights. They, anxious for a reconciliation, wished 
 to have every measure tried, which would possibly 
 preserve Peace and for this purpose, flattered 
 themselves that Government, with pleasure, would 
 have embraced the opportunity the Assembly of 
 New- York offered them. 
 
 Your affectionate brother, 
 
 JOHN DE LANCEY. 
 
 P. S. For the sentiments of the Province, rela 
 tive to the proceedings of the Assembly, I beg 
 leave to refer you to the gentlemen of New- York, 
 who were at the time here now in England. 
 
[ 132] 
 
 From Mr. hard to William Obrien, Esq. 
 
 BATH, October 16, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 We arrived here safe, and are all 
 very well. This place abounds in politicians, and 
 their opinions, about public affairs, seem pretty 
 equally divided. 
 
 The papers will have informed you of Captain 
 Vandeput s having fired on the city of New- York. 
 Several houses in the neighborhood of Mrs. De 
 Lancey s were damaged, and three of Mrs. Izard s 
 Sisters, happened, unluckily, to be in town for that 
 night only. They were not hurt, but returned to 
 Westchester, next morning, terribly frightened. 
 Captain Vandeput bears an exceedingly good 
 character, and therefore, it is probable he thought 
 he was doing his duty. I cannot, however, con 
 ceive what good purpose it could answer. The 
 destruction of a Town, will injure the proprie 
 tors of houses in it, but can have no effect upon 
 the question. Very few, compared with the body 
 of the people, who have engaged in the contest, 
 
[ 133 ] 
 
 have any property in the Towns, therefore, private 
 interest will not be so materially affected by it, as 
 to make it in the least possible, that they will sac 
 rifice on that account, what they conceive to be 
 their dearest rights. 
 
 It has been often said that the possession of the 
 Maritime Towns, would be a bridle on the Colonies. 
 I was always of a different opinion, and the conduct 
 of the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, shows that 
 the preservation of the Capital, is thought of little 
 consequence, when brought in competition with 
 objects of infinitely greater importance. I do not 
 find that the taking of Rhode Island, is confirmed. 
 It is very likely that such an event may take place, 
 but will require, I believe, more than six hundred 
 men to accomplish it successfully. 
 
 I am sorry to find that the papers mention Mr. 
 Henry Fox, as being dangerously wounded. Gen 
 erals Howe, Burgoyne, Clinton, and Lord Percy, 
 have been so often wounded and killed in the 
 newspapers, that I hope that Lady Susan, does not 
 suffer herself to be alarmed. I shall, on her ac 
 count, be glad to find the report groundless. Some 
 Ministerial people here, amuse themselves with 
 thinking that Lord North has taken Charles Fox 
 in, and incapacitated him, from ever sitting in Par 
 liament. It seems that by a statute made in the 
 13 
 
[134] 
 
 reign of George L, those persons who are possess 
 ed of a Pension for a certain number of years, are 
 declared incapable of sitting in the House of Com 
 mons. If your friend is included in this act his 
 1800 a year, for thirty-one years, will be but an 
 indifferent bargain. His sagacity has, I hope, pro 
 tected him from the wiles of the Treasury Bench, 
 assisted by Mr. Wedderburne. The Bristol Peti 
 tion, is a very good one. The whole force of both 
 parties seems to have been exerted. The Address 
 had about three hundred names to it, and the Peti 
 tion, something more. It is, I believe, a settled 
 point, that the land tax, this year, is to be at four 
 shillings. If the sinking fund, is sufficient to support 
 the extraordinary expenses which have been in 
 curred, the landed gentlemen, will vote for sangui 
 nary measures without reluctance. 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins with me in compliments to you, 
 and Lady Susan, and 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
[ 135] 
 
 From Mr. hard, to a friend in Bath. 
 
 LONDON, October 27, 1775. 
 
 I was yesterday in the House of Commons, and 
 heard a very good debate. A great part of the 
 old American ground was trod over again, and I 
 think the friends of the Administration do not seem 
 in Spirits. Indeed, it would be very extraordinary 
 if they were, under the oppression of so much guilt 
 and folly. 
 
 Governor Littleton, was particularly rancorous 
 against America, and plumed himself much on the 
 expedient of encouraging the Negroes in the South 
 ern Colonies, to drench themselves in the blood of 
 their masters. The Duke of Grafton, voted with 
 the Minority, and Mr. Fitzroy with the Adminis 
 tration. The Regiment of Dragoons, and the Vice 
 Chamberlainship are too valuable to be given up. 
 
 Government are determined to send a Commis 
 sioner to America to treat of pacification. Wheth 
 er the Commissioners are to be the Governors, the 
 Generals, or persons sent expressly for the purpose 
 of treating from England, is not known ; neither is 
 it known, with whom they are to treat. If they 
 
L 136] 
 
 attempt to treat with any body but the Congress, 
 they will strangle their negotiation in its Infancy, 
 and the Commissioners, ought certainly to be sent 
 expressly from this Country. The Governors, and 
 Generals already there, are known to be unfriend 
 ly to them. Confidence in the good intentions of 
 the parties, is absolutely necessary, before any 
 thing good can be expected from a Negotiation. 
 It is fully believed, that both Canada and Halifax, 
 are in the hands of the Provincials. The Ministry 
 last night, challenged Lord North to say, that] they 
 were not, and he was silent. 
 
 Prom the same to the same. 
 
 LONDON, October 30, 1775. 
 
 There are accounts in town of a skirmish in 
 Canada, between some Canadians and Regulars on 
 one side, and some Provincials on the other, in 
 which the latter received the greatest damage. This 
 has gained so mueh credit in Town, that I believe 
 
C 137] 
 
 it to be true, but do not think there were sufficient 
 numbers engaged to make the action at all decisive. 
 
 The Duke of Grafton s apostacy, inclines people 
 to suspect a change of the Administration. I can 
 not flatter myself with the hope, that so desirable 
 an event will take place. It is, however, certainly 
 in contemplation, to send Commissioners to treat 
 in America about a pacification. I am sure, that 
 if these Commissioners expect to treat with any 
 body of men in America but the Continental Con 
 gress, they may save themselves the trouble of 
 going over. 
 
 I thought it might do good to communicate this 
 to the Ministry, and, therefore, I wrote a note this 
 morning to Sir Gilbert Elliot, and desired him to 
 appoint a time when I might have half an hour s 
 conversation with him. He desired to see me im 
 mediately, and I gave him fully my opinion on the 
 subject, which he said, he thought well of, and 
 promised to communicate to Lord North, God 
 knows, whether I may have done any good. Min 
 isters, generally, think themselves too wise to be 
 instructed. I have, however, done my duty, 
 
 More Troops, are certainly to be sent out, with 
 
 the intention of giving efficacy to the negotiation. 
 
 I wish it may not operate in a different manner and 
 
 be construed by the Congress into an intention of 
 
 13* 
 
[ 138 ] 
 
 intimidating. This opinion, I communicated to 
 him. He said that he hoped not, as Government 
 had no such design. 
 
 Give my compliments to our friends in the Cres 
 cent, and do not mention Sir G. E s name. 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 LONDON, November 3, 1775. 
 
 When I wrote to you last, I had the most pleas 
 ing prospect of an accommodation. I told you of 
 an interview I had had with Sir Gilbert Elliot. 
 From that, and from Lord North s declarations, in 
 the House of Commons, I had no doubt, but that 
 the Government, intend ed^ bringing this unhappy 
 contest, to a conclusion. 
 
 Some diabolical, invisible agent, has been at 
 work and obliged Lord North, to contradict every 
 thing he said a few nights ago. He said last night, 
 that he had no thoughts of an accommodation, and 
 whatever construction gentlemen might have put 
 upon his words, he thought that the whole force 
 
C 139 ] 
 
 of this Country, ought to be exerted against Amer 
 ica. Notwithstanding this declaration, I am fully 
 of opinion, that Commissioners will be appointed to 
 treat with America, and that they will treat with 
 a Continental Congress. 
 
 Perhaps a new one will be appointed by the 
 Assemblies for the purpose of treating with the 
 Commissioners. If this should be the case, the 
 same members will undoubtedly be re-chosen. 
 The contemptible idea of carrying the Olive 
 Branch and the Sword together, is not yet aban 
 doned. If a large body of Troops, are to accompa 
 ny the Commissioners, I am persuaded, that instead 
 of giving energy to the Negotiation, as the Ministry 
 expect, they will produce no other effect but that 
 of irritation. If foreign assistance, has been offer 
 ed, (which is very much doubted,) it is probably 
 from Spain. Even the present Ministry, will not, 
 I think, venture to accept of Spaniards. The folly 
 and wickedness of the ruling powers of this Coun 
 try, forbid me to indulge in any very sanguine 
 hopes ; at the same time, I cannot help thinking 
 that their inability to prosecute the war in such a 
 manner as to effect their purposes, will compel 
 them, contrary to their wishes, to Negotiate. 
 
 How totally destitute of sense, is their present 
 conduct. They are now destroying that confi- 
 
[ 140 ] 
 
 dence which it is their interest to establish, and 
 which they will experience the want of when they 
 begin to negotiate. 
 
 I am so anxious about the transactions of Parlia 
 ment, that I cannot tell when I shall return. It is 
 now past one, and I am engaged to go at two, with 
 Dempster, to the House of Commons. 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 LONDON, November 4, 1775. 
 
 I still continue of opinion, that Commissioners 
 will be sent from hence to America, to treat of an 
 accommodation. What the instructions are to be, 
 is kept a profound secret. Those people/who are 
 fond of talking Politics and utter nothing but non 
 sense, say that the Commissioners, will have power 
 to do nothing but grant pardons, to those who lay 
 down their Arms. This is too great an absurdity 
 to suppose. 
 
 This was one of the articles I entered upon with 
 Sir Gilbert Elliot, and he seemed perfectly sensible 
 
[ 141 ] 
 
 that it would be trifling to send a solemn Commis 
 sion to pardon people before they are conquered. 
 This language may be very well to send to the 
 Courts of Berlin, Vienna and Versailles, after the 
 blustering speech from the Throne last year ; but 
 I am persuaded, that an attempt towards an ac 
 commodation is intended. The Ministry, have 
 blundered so egregiously in executing everything 
 hitherto, that their success in the present scheme, is 
 very doubtful. 
 
 November 7th, 1775. 
 
 The Negotiation with America is an object of 
 such importance, that it has dwelt exceedingly on 
 my mind. 
 
 I have been very uneasy lest one absurd step 
 should destroy the effect of the whole scheme ; and 
 I think, that the sending of an additional number of 
 Troops, is as absurd a step as can be taken. I 
 have for some time heard that the Regiments which 
 were to be sent to America, were destined to the 
 Southward. Within a day or two, I have been in- 
 
[142] 
 
 formed that Dr. North is appointed to an office in 
 the American Military Hospital, and that he un 
 derstood that he was to go to South Carolina. 
 
 Mr. Dempster, Mr. Ellis, and some of my other 
 friends, advised me to see Lord North, and as I 
 was convinced that if this plan was executed, it 
 would produce a scene of blood that would exas 
 perate the Northern Colonies so much, that they 
 might instruct their delegates not to treat about an 
 accommodation, I determined to wait on him. 
 
 Dempster fixed the time with him for this morn 
 ing, and I am just returned from my Audience. 
 He expressed great desire for peace, and wished 
 it to be made upon honorable terms to both par 
 ties. After touching upon several articles, that 
 probably would, or would not be accepted by 
 America, I stated to him my fears on the subject 
 of sending Troops to the Southward, and lamented 
 the prospect of its producing a total disunion of the 
 two Countries. He assured me that he knew noth 
 ing of sending Troops to that part of America. 
 
 It is impossible to mention to you the whole of 
 the conversation with him, but I am happy to in 
 form you, from his authority, that Commissioners 
 are to be sent to America to treat about a pacifica 
 tion, and not to offer pardon, as is absurdly men 
 tioned in the King s Speech, to those who are not 
 
[143] 
 
 yet conquered. Upon my mentioning the absolute 
 necessity there was of treating with the Congress 
 he did not express any such horror of the idea, as 
 he did last year in the House of Commons. Upon 
 the whole, I think the American prospect, seems 
 more agreeable than it has been, for these two 
 years. 
 
 God knows how long it may last, for it is cer 
 tain, that Lord North, is not uniform in his lan 
 guage on the subject of America. Our great secu 
 rity is, that it is impossible for their utmost efforts 
 to subjugate us. 
 
 Next Friday, Mr. Burke is to make a speech, 
 and offer some propositions on the subject of 
 America. Every American in Town will, I sup 
 pose, be that day in the House of Commons. 
 
 November 9, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Penn is to be examined to-morrow, in the 
 the House of Lords, on the state of America. 
 
 The Duke of Richmond, and Lord Effingham, 
 have been endeavoring to prevail on me to under- 
 
go the same ceremony. I excused myself on ac 
 count of the hesitation m my speech, which they 
 did not think a sufficient reason. 
 
 If I do submit to it, it will be extremely disa 
 greeable to me, and if I can get excused I shall be 
 extremely glad to be so. 
 
 From Mr. hard to the Duke of Richmond. 
 NEWMAN-STREET, LONDON, November 9, 1775. 
 MY LORD: j 
 
 I have been considering the pro 
 posal which your Grace made me, when I had the 
 honor of seeing you last, of my being examined at 
 the bar of the House of Lords, on the subject of 
 America. 
 
 Every man in the British Empire who has spirit 
 and understanding enough, to put a proper value 
 on the blessings of liberty, must be sensible, of their 
 obligations, to your Grace, and the other Noble 
 Lords, in Opposition, for their exertions in favor of 
 
L H5 J 
 
 a people virtuously struggling in support of their 
 constitutional rights. The only objections that I 
 could possibly have had to your proposal, I men 
 tioned, when you did me the honor of making it 
 to me. 
 
 If you continue of opinion that my examination 
 can be of service to the cause, I shall think it my 
 duty to acquiesce, and endeavor to get the better 
 of my own feelings on the occasion. 
 
 Your Grace will be so good, as to let me know 
 what questions you think will probably be asked, 
 that I may be prepared. 
 
 From Mr. hard to his friend in Bath. 
 
 LONDON, November 7, 1775. 
 
 I went yesterday to the House of Commons, in 
 expectation of hearing Mr. Burke s Speech 
 and conciliatory plan. There was the greatest 
 number of people collected there for the same pur 
 pose, that I ever saw. We were all disappointed. 
 Charles Fox was a necessary man to support Burke. 
 14 
 
[146] 
 
 He was obliged last week to vacate his seat on 
 account of his bad bargain with Lord North, and 
 the return of the writ with his re-election, was ex 
 pected in time for the debate, but was not. 
 
 This is the reason why Burke s business is put 
 off till next Tuesday. 
 
 From the Commons, I went to the House of 
 Lords to hear Penn s examination, which afforded 
 me no great satisfaction. The Printer has done 
 more than justice, to the answers of the witness. 
 
 There have been some new arrangements in the 
 Administration, but nothing done that can afford 
 us any pleasure. Lord George Germaine is cer 
 tainly our Secretary of State, instead of Lord 
 Dartmouth, who has the Privy Seal. 
 
 I am very desirous of having an interview with 
 Lord George, and shall endeavor to bring it about 
 as soon as possible. He is so much taken up, 
 that it is impossible to effect it immediately. I 
 shall have done everything in my power to pre 
 vent the mischief that Scotland wishes to bring on 
 our country and, though nothing good should be 
 the consequence of my endeavors, I shall have the 
 satisfaction, at least, of having acted properly. 
 
 Lord Littleton, at the opening of the session, 
 seemed inclined to join the minority in favor of 
 
[ 147] 
 
 America. His abilities are considerable, and the 
 Ministry have availed themselves of them. 
 
 They made him, yesterday, Chief Justice in 
 Eyre, and last night he made the most violent and 
 wicked speech, against America, that could possi 
 bly be pronounced. All this seems to tend to de 
 stroy what the Administration appear to^ wish to 
 bring about a negotiation. 
 
 November 13, 1775. 
 
 The appointment of Lord George Germaine, has 
 given me a good deal of uneasiness. 
 
 I do not think that the King could have chosen 
 so improper, and so offensive a man. 
 
 He is one of the proudest and most insolent 
 men in the world, and though an Englishmanis 
 entirely devoted to the Scotch. Their servility 
 made them fit instruments to flatter his pride and 
 vanity when he commanded the English Troops in 
 Germany and his partiality to them has always 
 been notorious. 
 
 This does not promise well for America. When- 
 
[ 148 ] 
 
 ever a Government becomes vacant, we shall cer 
 tainly have it filled with a gentleman from the 
 north. 
 
 I dined yesterday at Mr. Ellis s ; Lord Effing- 
 ham was there, and you may imagine we had a 
 great deal of Politics. I am thoroughly convinced 
 that he has acted upon principle. If a few more 
 of his order, would do so likewise we should be a 
 happy and united people. 
 
 Nobody knows anything about the Troops under 
 General Howe. Some think he will stay in Bos 
 ton this winter, others imagine not. 
 
 November 15, 1775. 
 
 I promised myself the pleasure of being of your 
 party, at Mrs. Macaulay s, next Saturday but 
 Lord George Germaine has put it out of my power. 
 Dempster has engaged these three days to fix a 
 time with him for my visit but has not been able 
 to get an opportunity. It is possible, that I may 
 be of service and as I have taken the trouble of 
 discussing the point with Lord North and Sir Gil- 
 
bert Elliot I should not choose to leave town with 
 out having a little conversation with the new Sec 
 retary of State. 
 
 To-morrow, Burke is to offer his plan, and 
 Powel is to put the previous question upon it. 
 
 I shall be very desirous of hearing his speech, 
 but am much afraid that it is resolved not to allow 
 any strangers to be admitted. 
 
 Whenever the Ministry expect to have the worst 
 of the argument they exclude people under pre^ 
 tence of the House being too hot. If I am not ad 
 mitted, it will be a great disappointment to me. 
 
 November 17, 1775. 
 
 I went yesterday, to the House of Commons, 
 and am sorry to inform you that the infamous Min* 
 isterial measure of admitting no strangers, was 
 rigorously executed. The Dutchess of Devonshire, 
 and two of her female friends, were kept in a very 
 unpleasant situation, in the Lobby, three quarters 
 of an hour. Repeated applications were made in 
 her favor to the Speaker without success. It was 
 14* 
 
L 150 ] 
 
 thought that she would have been obliged to have 
 returned, but beauty proved too powerful an advo 
 cate. I believe no other strangers were admitted. 
 It is very probable they were heartily tired in half 
 an hour. 
 
 Nothing is settled yet about my visit to Lord 
 George Germaine. Dempster wrote me the en 
 closed note to-day. I send it as I think you will 
 be glad to see it. 
 
 " A very good debate last night division, two 
 hundred and ten to one hundred and five. Lord 
 North, told us, he would move for the Repeal of 
 all the Boston and Fishery Authorative Laws. 
 Lord G. G. talked both big and small. I still 
 hope for peace." 
 
 I do not know what he means by Authorative 
 Laws. It is, however, not unpleasant to hear them 
 talk of repealing any of the offensive Laws, imme 
 diately after the arrival of General Gage. This 
 looks as if he did not give Administration, any 
 very agreeable intelligence. 
 
 It is still said, that Troops are to be senUo South 
 Carolina. I have exerted myself to prevent it, and 
 shall endeavor to convince Lord George Germaine, 
 of the probability of the negotiations being de 
 stroyed by such a measure. 
 
November 18, 1775. 
 
 General Washington s address to the Canadians 
 which you will see in the Ledger of to-day, 
 pleases me much. 
 
 Dempster tells me the Duchess of Devonshire, 
 and her friends, staid in the Gallery of the House 
 of Commons during the whole debate which lasted 
 till half past four in the morning. 
 
 From Thomas Lynch, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 November 19, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Having much to say to you, I begin, 
 before I certainly know how this is to reach you. 
 
 I had your favor by a young gentleman whom 
 I shall take every opportunity to endeavor at least 
 to serve. I think it is abundantly his due. 
 
[ 152 ] 
 
 You have had accounts of the battle at Bunker s 
 Hill ; the loss on the part of the Regulars, is near 
 
 the truth ; on the other, greatly exaggerated. * * 
 
 **** * * **-# 
 
 You wonder, with many others, that an Army 
 so superior as ours, have not recovered Boston 
 and demolished the little Army of Rebels therein. 
 You know, Boston recollect my friend that it is 
 surrounded by the sea, except a very narrow cause 
 way ; that the enemy is master of the sea that 
 this only entrance by land is fortified to the ut 
 most extent of art work within work defended by 
 Cannon, and rendered impassable by deep diches 
 that the whole city is commanded by two steep, 
 and high hills each of which is fortified on the 
 ascent, and a little Citadel at the top, with guns 
 that reach everywhere. Recollect that thirty-two 
 Battalions of choice British Troops, (or half her 
 Army) occupy those works that this Army has 
 every advantage that Arms Artillery and plenty 
 of ammunition can give add their being under 
 the best Officers Britain can boast and add, that 
 our men are young Soldiers, and want that steadi 
 ness necessary to the attack of Trenches with bare 
 Musketry which long discipline alone can give. 
 Consider that the business of the Enemy is to sub 
 due America, and while they are imprisoned in 
 
[ 153 ] 
 
 Boston, their errand stands still, that they are 
 every day perishing by disease want and deser 
 tion all which must increase as winter cuts off 
 their resources by sea and I mistake if you will 
 not own, that our Generals act wisely in not risk 
 ing a repulse or loosing a number of brave men 
 in obtaining that which a little time must give 
 them, without loss and make total and conclusive 
 when it happens. 
 
 Should Howe, be driven to his ships in summer 
 he will easily land in some other part, and begin 
 new trouble. Ice prevents all this. 
 
 Be assured, that our strength at Boston, by 
 means of Fortifications, is such as leaves no doubt 
 of our security. I wish the strength of Howe s 
 Army joined to all that we are threatened with 
 next year were to try an attack there and that 
 the fate of the War depended on the event. I 
 should think fifty thousand men would inevitably 
 be defeated in such an attempt. I have been late 
 ly at Cambridge, and speak from what I have 
 seen. I have also, very lately, been at our Camp 
 on the Lakes. 
 
 Have we not, my dear sir, great reason to bless 
 God, for all his abundant mercies, on this occasion. 
 Consider America, lulled in a long state of peace, 
 and security where were we to look for Armies 
 
[ 154 J 
 
 more especially for Generals attacked suddenly, 
 and under cover of friendship, and protection by 
 the most powerful nation in the world, who, not 
 content with her superiority of strength calls in 
 all other nations to her assistance, uses art as well 
 as force to provoke attacks from our neighbours, 
 calls in Savages to ravage our frontiers to massa 
 cre our defenceless women and children offers 
 every incitement to our Slaves to rebel and mur 
 der their masters ravage and burn our unfortified 
 sea-coast. Behold, on the sudden, this distressed, 
 unprepared people roused behold Armies raised 
 and still more strange under the command of 
 veteran Officers not only securing our Enemy 
 from ravaging our country but carrying War into 
 every place where an Enemy can be found. 
 
 The people so earnestly pressed to attack us re 
 fusing every act every force ; our Indians keeping 
 up peace, against all acts used to detach them from 
 us, by lies calumnies and interest. Our Slaves re 
 maining faithful against the promise even of liber- 
 ty,dearest best of all rewards. Behold two entire 
 British Battalions, for the first time in her history 
 prisoners of war besides those in Boston nay, 
 what is still stranger the coast of New England 
 scoured by Privateers unmolested, and supplies to 
 the army cut off. Could our most sanguine hopes, 
 
[ 155 ] 
 
 have gone so far last spring ? Yet blessed be God 
 all this is the case. 
 
 t -. Abused belied discarded destroyed with a 
 rage, and malice altogether unknown, to civilized, or 
 even barbarous nationslof this day can it be credit 
 ed that America still languishes for reconciliation ? 
 Thus impregnable thus prosperous, in every at 
 tempt that she rises not a single jot in her terms 
 of accommodation that she even in sight of her 
 unoffending towns, now in ashes demands not res 
 titution nor reimbursement? Surely our worst 
 enemies, must confess that of all people we are 
 the most placable mild and forgiving. That this 
 is the case, you may be sure no new demand 
 would be made on our part. Peace and reconcilia 
 tion, upon the one condition, we have ever asked 
 it, viz. : Restitution of Rights would be received 
 as the greatest blessing. 
 
 I objected when our last petition was before 
 Congress that using such lowly, and humiliating 
 expressions, would produce, in narrow minds, an 
 opinion of our weakness. I was not mistaken. I 
 find that thought in papers and letters from the 
 other side as if boasting were a proof of anything 
 but the bully. ****** 
 
 From all this you will find such a departure 
 from every rule of war among even barbarous 
 
[ 156] 
 
 states, as very little entitle them to such terms, as 
 you will observe them receive from our gallant 
 General, in the enclosed Capitulation everyarticle 
 of which is religiously observed on our side. 
 
 Let them boast of their greatnessof the arts of 
 Kingcraft of Policy be it ours, to be faithful hu 
 mane and affectionate to our prostrate Foes let 
 us treat them like the Individuals, of a Nation, with 
 whom we do not consider ourselves at war but 
 rather as Defenders from Tyranny andOppresion. 
 Should the Slaves of those Monsters, add Injury to 
 oppression, I hope we shall always act, like brave 
 humane and Polite Victors. 
 
 It gives me gseat pleasure to be able to enclose 
 you an account of the reduction of Montreal and 
 the greater part of Canada. * 
 
 Pray remark that no rejoicings have been per 
 mitted though the advantages we have gained are 
 so important even the consideration of their hav 
 ing been obtained with so little Blood has not been 
 sufficient, to make us forget that we were con 
 quering our Brethren let them blush who have 
 forgotten this. 
 
 I wish Britain would adopt the measure of call 
 ing a Convention of Delegates, from the Assemblies 
 of each Colony by act of Parliament. I shall 
 
L 157] 
 
 readily adopt the measure, we quarrel not about 
 words. 
 
 While you are at home, can t you send us ship 
 loads of Powder ; Our Saltpetre does not come in 
 fast enough ; twill fetch a great price, and be a 
 very beneficial Trade, to France, Holland, or any 
 other Nation, who will get valuable returns, in 
 Provisions for their West Indies. 
 
 If you meet with inaccuracies you ll pardon them 
 in so long a letter, from one who really has not an 
 hour in the day at his own disposal. * * * * 
 
 I fear I shall stay here all winter. I will not 
 desert the Assembly here, while it lasts, be the 
 season ever so disagreeable, or my stay inconve 
 nient. 
 
 I shall be always happy in your Friendship and 
 correspondence, and shall certainly answer every 
 letter I receive, which was not the case of that, 
 sent before the last. 
 
 My family s most respectful compliments, attend 
 you, and yours. You know the hand of 
 
 Dear sir, yours sincerely and 
 
 Affectionately. 
 
 P. S. I was in hopes, we should have availed 
 ourselves of your abilities, and Integrity. Don t 
 suspect I asked it. Could you sound, and find out, 
 15 
 
1158] 
 
 the sentiments of those who have the power to 
 help us, particularly of those, who could send us 
 necessaries, for war, and coarse goods, in exchange 
 for our Productions. No Custom House dare 
 touch them, and Men-of-War, are easily avoided, 
 the Trade would be amazingly profitable. 
 
 Ten of the Troops from Ireland are arrived ; 
 there has been a dreadful storm, which is said to 
 have destoyed many of the Transports, with almost 
 the whole Fish, and Fishery of Newfoundland. 
 
 Howe s Army must be very weak, for they suf 
 fered Lee to take possession of Cobble Hill, a few 
 days ago which being within half cannon shot, of 
 their lines, and commanding Lechmere s Point, 
 where they last landed gave them as good an op 
 portunity as they could wish of forcing our Army 
 to a Battle, on equal terms this Point being full as 
 near, and as much exposed to their Artillery, as 
 ours ; strong necessity urging them also, want of 
 Provisions, having brought on scurvy, and other 
 dreadful diseases, and their lines thinning every 
 day, by death, and desertion, all could not bring 
 them out ; Deserters say, there is much discon 
 tent among the men, and that the Officers, are 
 obliged to lie in order to quiet them, by assuring 
 them, of an immediate Reinforcement of three 
 
[ 159 ] 
 
 thousand Men when they know, none such is 
 coming. 
 
 I had the pleasure of entertaining the Command 
 ing Officer of St. John s yesterday, and of ordering 
 the disposition of two Regiments of British Troops. 
 While we are called, and treated as Barbarians, 
 their prisoners have every indulgence possible. In 
 this, may we always be their superiors. 
 
 The ways are at this season, so impracticable, 
 that we have no late accounts from Quebec. 
 
 Gun-lock makers, in any number skilful Salt 
 petre makers and Powder makers, would be very 
 acceptable they are to be got in Germany. 
 
 From Mr. hard to his friend in Bath. 
 
 LONDON, November 21, 1775. 
 
 The appointment is at last fixed with Lord 
 George Germaine. I desired Mr. Townsend, who 
 is his intimate friend, and who undertook to settle 
 the matter, to let it be as soon as possible, as I 
 was anxious to leave London ; Lord George con- 
 
[ 160 ] 
 
 siders nobody s convenience but his own and I am 
 to see him next Thursday. 
 
 The Debates in the House of Commons last 
 night, have settled the matter very fully in my 
 mind, that Peace, is not intended. The King is 
 determined upon another Campaign. I am so 
 clearly convinced of this that if the interview with 
 Lord George, had not been agreed upon, at my 
 desire I would not trouble either him, or myself 
 with the visit. 
 
 I thought they wished for an accommodation, 
 and I think I could have pointed out the only 
 means of effecting it ; but I now really believe, 
 that they are absurd enough to expect that all the 
 Nation will join the Ministry, against America as 
 soon as she has refused to accept, of the terms 
 they intend to offer and which Lord Bute, and 
 Sir Gilbert Elliot, know will most certainly be re 
 jected. 
 
 I shall leave town as soon as I can after my bu 
 siness with the Secretary of State is finished. 
 
 Report says, that Lord William Campbell, has 
 been endeavoring to raise the back settlers of 
 Carolina, and promised them that a body of Troops 
 would join them. God knows whether this is true 
 but it is certain, that he has been obliged to take 
 up his residence, on board the Man-of-War, in the 
 
L 161 ] 
 
 Harbour and the Inhabitants of Charleston have 
 taken possession of Fort Johnson are fortifying it, 
 and two other places at the entrance of the Har 
 bour and seem determined to oppose the entrance 
 of the Troops. 
 
 It is generally believed here, that some Regi 
 ments are to be sent soon to Charleston. 
 
 Governor Tryon, did not think himself safe, in 
 New- York and is certainly on board the Asia 
 Man-of-War. I am exceedingly sorry for this as 
 I do not find that he has in any instance, acted an 
 unfriendly part towards America. 
 
 November 23, 1775. 
 
 I have had my interview to-day of Lord George 
 Germaine and met with a very polite reception. 
 
 I told him that I had been desirous of having 
 some conversation with him, on the subject of 
 America, ever since his appointment, to the Office 
 of Secretary of State ; but that had I known the 
 intentions of Government, as well as I have done, 
 15* 
 
[ 162 ] 
 
 since Lore North, made his last speech I should 
 not have troubled him with a visit. 
 
 He seemed to think there was no more occasion 
 for me to be alarmed now, than before and made 
 many declarations of his desire for peace. I be 
 lieve he wishes it but at the same time, I am sure 
 that such steps are pursuing, as will retard a paci 
 fication, if not render it impracticable. I mean the 
 sending of Troops to the Southward. 
 
 I have exerted myself accordingly, to prevent 
 their being sent to Carolina, and shall be happy to 
 hear of their destination being altered. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Arthur Lee, Esq. 
 
 BATH, December 7, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 The newspapers abound in arti 
 cles of a very serious, and interesting nature. 
 Adams treacherythe lines at Bunker Hill forced 
 
[ 163] 
 
 Frigates burnt Battles in CanadaCarleton 
 wounded, &c. 
 
 You promised to inform me if anything of con 
 sequence happened. As you have been silent, I 
 conclude these events have been anticipated those 
 I mean, that are favorable to America. 
 
 That they will happen during the course of the 
 winter, I am fully persuaded. 
 
 The King s speech, will most certainly put the 
 whole Continent into a flame. 
 
 The report respecting Adams, I look upon as a 
 piece of calumny. I do not doubt they will attempt 
 to bribe him but I should think without effect. If 
 they were to succeed, I do not see what great 
 good he could do them. He has now great influ 
 ence it is true but that would cease, the moment 
 he began to speak or act contrary to his usual 
 professions. 
 
 The Message to the House of Commons of Ire 
 land, about the four thousand men, is extraordinary. 
 
 The Royal word pledged that they shall be 
 taken into English pay and likewise that the Hes 
 siansand Bounswickers, shall be so, without con 
 sulting the British Parliament shows that the Gov 
 erning powers of this country, have great confi 
 dence in their men. 
 
 They confide not only in their Loyalty, and at- 
 
t 164] 
 
 tachment but also in their insensibility to injuries, 
 and insults. With regard to the Irish Parliament, 
 corrupted as they are yet they will not approve 
 of the introduction of German Troops into their 
 Country. 
 
 From Edward Rutledge, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 PHILADELPHIA, December 8, 1775. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 I should have wrote you fre 
 quently, and fully, had I had the least reason, to 
 imagine that you would have been in England at 
 this day. But your own letters, and general re 
 port induced me to believe, that immediately 
 upon your return to London, you would have pre 
 pared for a voyage to your Native Country to 
 act and suffer in the Common Cause. 
 
 Let this then be my apology for silence un 
 merited entirely on your part, and far from inten 
 tional offence on mine. Permit me to add further, 
 
[ 165 ] 
 
 that your residing abroad, at least for a time will, 
 in my opinion, be of more service than returning 
 to America. 
 
 You will receive by this conveyance a procla 
 mation issued by Lord Dunmore tending in my 
 judgment, more effectually to work an eternal 
 separation between Great Britain and the Colonies, 
 than any other expedient, which could possibly 
 have been thought of. 
 
 Indeed my Friend, however chimerical such an 
 Event may appear, to the feeble understanding of 
 a deluded people, it seems to me not very far dis 
 tant if the Administration, continue their wicked 
 projects, nor in itself is it at all impracticable. 
 
 I cannot, however, without much anxiety look 
 forward. If all connection with your Island, shall 
 but once be put an end to we must bid adieu, at 
 least for a numher of years, to Ease, and Happi 
 ness. We launch as it were into an unknown 
 Ocean and engage in a Business to which we are 
 entire strangers. 
 
 If, on the other hand, we fondly continue our 
 Connection at a time when every Engine of Op 
 pression is raised against us our Executive will be 
 so weak foreign Powers, will be so unwilling to 
 assist usthe Demon of Anarchy, will lay such 
 fast hold upon us that we may at last fall a prey 
 
[ 166] 
 
 to those sons of Darkness on your side of the 
 Atlantic. 
 
 Tell me then, I beseech you, (before it is too 
 late) what are the sentiments of the English Na 
 tion are the people of that Country determined 
 to force us, into Independence ? Or do they really 
 imagine, that we are so void of the Feelings of 
 Humanity, and so insensible to the calls of Reason 
 as willingly to submit to every Insult to every 
 Injury ? Do they expect that after our Towns 
 have been destroyed our Liberties repeatedly in 
 vaded our women and children, driven from their 
 Habitations our nearest Relatives sacrificed at the 
 Altar of Tyranny, our Slaves emancipated for the 
 express purpose of massacreing their Masters can 
 they, I say, after all their injuries expect that we 
 shall return to our former connection with a for 
 giving, and cordial Disposition. 
 
 Surely if the Administration had consulted their 
 friends, the Bishops they could have informed 
 them, that Christian charity however strongly en 
 joined in Holy Writ has seldom, if ever, extended 
 so far in practice. Speaking for myself I freely 
 confess, that I feel such high Resentment for the 
 unmerited and indiscriminate cruelties committed 
 against the Inhabitants of this Country that I do 
 not believe I shall ever forget or ever forgive 
 
[ 167 ] 
 
 them ; and so determined am I on being free that 
 I will even quit my Native Country without a sigh 
 if the Genius of Liberty shall loose her Influence. 
 That, however, I trust will never be the case. 
 
 America, indeed, appears to be the natural clime, 
 for Freedom and she seems to spread her powers 
 still wider and wider. ***** 
 
 How truly vain must be the expectations of 
 those, who wish to subjugate us when we consid 
 er, that wanting every sinew of War we have 
 been able to resist and baffle their wicked at 
 tacks. 
 
 Let them reflect that America engaged in this 
 contest, without Arms Ammunition Officers or 
 money. We shall, however, soon have a suffi 
 cient quantity of the two first articles to do Mr. 
 Howe s business for him in the course of the win- 
 ^ er> #*#**.* 
 
 This session may determine the Fate, of a great 
 Kingdom unless the Parliament improve the op 
 portunity now offered them they may loose for 
 ever their American Colonies. May God grant 
 them Wisdom to discover and Virtue to pursue 
 such measures as may best tend to the Establish 
 ment of Peace, and Happiness. * 
 
 You mnst take this as I write it, for we are so 
 closely engaged in Business that we have hardly 
 
L 168 ] 
 
 time to eat and drink, what with attention in the 
 House, and Committees. 
 I shall write to A. L. in a few days. 
 With much sincerity and affection, 
 
 I am, my dear sir, 
 
 Your friend. 
 
 From John Strange, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 VENICE, December 9, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I should be quite ashamed to acknow 
 ledge so late the favor of your obliging letter of 10th 
 June last from London had I not delayed my an 
 swer from a warrantable notice. You may re 
 member I promised to make enquiries for you 
 about the Vol. of Swiss Bridges, published by the 
 Bishop of Deny. 
 I wrote, therefore, to his Lordship about it, but 
 
C 169] 
 
 having never received any answer, I conclude he 
 is not at Derry, and will no longer defer answer 
 ing your letter, though I am sorry at the same 
 time, that I can give you no farther information 
 about the book. I suppose it published by his 
 Lordship, and only distributed among his friends, 
 but very likely it may be vendible, and to be had 
 of the London Booksellers. 
 
 It is a large but thin Folio, printed at Dublin, and 
 entitled Plans and Elevations of Bridges, in Swit 
 zerland, fyc. fyc. I hope you will be able to meet 
 with it easily. 
 
 Your observations about the state of American 
 Affairs, seem to me very just. I heartily wish, for 
 the sake of both Countries, that there was a pros 
 pect of a speedy and substantial accommodation. 
 
 We were happy to hear you and Mrs. Izard 
 were well, and had so good a journey. 
 
 You surprised me with your account of the 
 Elector Palatine s Collection of Pictures, at Man- 
 heim, which I never saw. The famous one of 
 Dasseldorp, I saw formerly, and admired chiefly 
 for the Rubens, and Wanderwerfs, and thought 
 the Elector s principal treasures, in that way, were 
 centered there. Should I ever pass near Man- 
 heim, I will certainly visit that Collection also, upon 
 your recommendation. 
 
 16 
 
[ 170 ] 
 
 Mrs. Strange and I are very sensible of your 
 and Mrs. Izard s obliging attentions. Thank God, 
 we both enjoy much better health than lately. 
 We beg our best compliments and wishes, and 
 that you will believe me to be, with all truth and 
 regard, 
 
 Dear sir, 
 
 Your very obedient, 
 
 Humble servant, 
 JOHN STRANGE. 
 
 From Mr. hard to John Watts, Esq. 
 
 BATH, December 12, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 This place contains many Politicians some for, 
 and some against us. The adverse party report 
 that the Provincial Army, is deserting, and that 
 they are starved with cold and hunger. 
 
 One man said the other day that he was inform- 
 
ed from good authority, that Washington s Troops 
 had no Cattle, but what they received from the 
 French West India Islands. 
 
 Though we are here something further to the 
 Westward, we are not all better informed than 
 they are at St. James*. As soon as the King s 
 Speech gets to America, I am of opinion, it will 
 warm them as completely, as w the best suit of 
 Clothes, and a Great Coat into the bargain. 
 
 It is fortunate for America, that the Governing 
 powers of this Country, have had as much folly as 
 wickedness in their conduct 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins me in offering affectionate re 
 gards to you. 
 
 From Mr hard to Henry Laurens, Esq. 
 
 BATH, December 20, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 All ideas of accommodation seem 
 to have vanished, which I am most sincerely sorry 
 for. The people, whose opinion the King is de- 
 
[m] 
 
 termined to follow, still persuade him, that the op 
 position of America, is nothing but a faction. 
 
 His eyes will not be opened, until it is too late. 
 
 I shall avoid entering fully into Politics, because 
 it is very probable my letters may be opened at 
 the Post-Office. 
 
 I fear, exceedingly, that America will be driven 
 by the folly of this Country, to declare herself In 
 dependent. The Bill which is now depending in 
 the House of Lords, to destroy the American 
 Shipping, will call forth unusual exertions. 
 
 Some Lords, have entered an excellent Protest 
 against it drawn up by the Duke of Richmond 
 which I send you by this opportunity. 
 
 You will find, by reading the whole newspaper, 
 which contains it, how ill-informed the Ministry 
 are, with regard to the transactions in America. 
 
 The Gazette, which you know is the Oracle of 
 the Court, informs the public, that on the 26th 
 October, the Provincials before St. Johns, were in 
 a very distressed situation, from sickness deser 
 tion, &c., and that they were not able to make any 
 impression on it. Their two Heroes, Carleton, 
 and Macleane, were to drive these invaders out of 
 the Country. The news in the latter part of the 
 paper, which arrived the next day, shows how 
 excellently they are supplied with intelligence. 
 
[ 173] 
 
 The accounts from* Virginia, are I suppose of 
 equal authenticity. Lord Dunmore s two hundred 
 Shirtmen will, I dare say, turn out to be some 
 what like Falstaff s Men in Buckram. 
 
 It is astonishing that he should be suffered to 
 parade so long, with a single ship, within the 
 Capes of Virginia. 
 
 I am sorry to find that you have been engaged 
 in a disagreeable quarrel. Fighting, is at all times 
 an unpleasant thing ; but certainly, under the pre 
 sent circumstances of America the blood of her 
 Sons, ought not to be shed, by any hands but 
 those of the common enemy. 
 
 The danger to which we are exposed, should 
 unite all our Countrymen, even those of the most 
 discordant opinions. 
 
 I have just received your letter of the 23d Oc 
 tober, by the Packet, which arrived above three 
 weeks ago. If they have examined the contents 
 of it at the Post Office it has been done with 
 great art for I have carefully examined the seal, 
 and the impression remains very perfect. Possi 
 bly the detention of it so long, has been owing to 
 the direction. I have not lived in Berner s-street, 
 since my return from Italy ; my circumstances 
 would not admit of it. I have kept myself within 
 as narrow bounds as possible. I wrote you of my 
 16* 
 
[174] 
 
 having left Berner s-street and desired you to di 
 rect to the care of Messrs. Sayre & Co., Oxford- 
 street. My letter I suppose has miscarried. 
 
 I desired particularly in one of my letters 
 which I suppose must likewise have miscarried 
 that you would be so good, as to give orders for 
 a considerable quantity of cotton to be planted, 
 for clothing my negroes. There is no part of 
 your last letter, (which contains a catalogue of 
 misfortunes,) that affects me so much, as the want 
 of clothing for the negroes. 
 
 The Congress should have protected the Pro 
 vince from such a calamity. I pray to God, 
 that you may be able to fall upon some means, of 
 supplying the deficiency you speak of. 
 
 You will I hope have sent my Wine, Plate, and 
 Papers, to Goose Creek as it is the public opinion 
 now that nothing will be very safe in Charles- 
 town. 
 
 Your letter of the 23d October, is the only one 
 I have received for Six months. Your public em 
 ployments I know must take up your time entirely. 
 You will oblige me by giving directions to some 
 body, Clerk Factor or Overseer to give me 
 some information, now and then concerning my 
 affairs. 
 
 If I find I can be of no service by staying here, 
 
[ 175] 
 
 I shall embark for America, in the Spring, if pos 
 sible. Opportunities I fear will not offer fre 
 quently. 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 POLAND-STREET, December 23, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have your favor of the 20th. I 
 hope you received mine in which, however, there 
 was nothing material. 
 
 The news of the taking of Chamblay and St. 
 Johns, does not meet with entire credit here, for 
 there are letters of the 22d October, from Mon 
 treal, in town, which says nothing of Chamblay s 
 capture which the Provincial accounts represent 
 to have happened on the 18th. I need not speak 
 to you of the Geography of a Country, you have 
 travelled over. But Chamblay is said to be within 
 six hours of Montreal. 
 
 You can imagine the anxiety with which every- 
 
body expects the Truth, upon a subject that most 
 people feel as decisive of the question between 
 America and England as far at least, as Taxation 
 is concerned. 
 
 Nothing transpires concerning the Commission 
 ers. Would to God they were sailed, and had 
 begun their negotiations and even their Indul 
 gences, before those who wish the Independency 
 of America have had time to operate upon the 
 minds of the well-intentioned, which this sad, and 
 last Bill affords them the means of doing, with 
 too much plausibility. 
 
 I hope Mrs. Izard is well, and all your family. 
 Please remember me kindly to her, and believe 
 me to be, 
 
 Dear sir, 
 
 Your affectionate friend, 
 
 GEORGE DEMPSTER. 
 
 RALPH IZARD, Esq. 
 
[ 177] 
 
 * 
 
 From Mr. Izard to Thomas Lynch, Esq. 
 
 BATH, December 23, 1775. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I wrote you on the 8th of last Sep 
 tember and cannot congratulate you upon the 
 prospect of affairs being more favorable ; in no 
 single instance have I had reason to alter my 
 opinion. 
 
 You will probably have a great deal of trouble 
 on your hands, the ensuing summer. The whole 
 force of the Country, is to be exerted against you 
 but I trust that the same spirit, which checked the 
 oppressions in the beginning will arrest them in 
 their progress. 
 
 The Ministry talk of sending Commissioners to 
 Treat with you and they are absurd enough to 
 expect that these Armaments, are to give efficacy 
 to the negotiations ; in other words, they hope to 
 intimidate America. I am sure they will be mis 
 taken ; at the same time, I am so desirous of an 
 accommodation that if anything should be pro 
 posed, that may produce an honorable pacifica- 
 
tion I should be sorry, if the Armament should 
 prove an insuperable Bar, to the entering on a 
 Treaty. 
 
 If it is expected that I should do anything you 
 will take care to furnish me with ample powers, 
 and means. If you do not, you may depend upon 
 it, that nothing can be done. 
 
 Lord Dunmore rides triumphant within the 
 Capes of Virginia with a single ship. This seems 
 extraordinary. 
 
 I am apprehensive that the ignorance pride 
 and insolence of the governing powers of this 
 Country may drive the Colonies, to the neces 
 sity of declaring themselves Independent. 
 
 If Peace and a security of our Rights, could be 
 obtained without it, I should be better pleased. 
 
 I have great confidence in the Wisdom and 
 Virtue, of the Congress, and trust they will do 
 that which is best. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 P. S. The news of the taking of St. Johns in 
 Canada, is just arrived. I should be very happy 
 if it would open the eyes of the King. I fear 
 that the Men, who are immediately about his per 
 son, still make him believe, that the opposition of 
 America is nothing but a faction. 
 
From George Mercer, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, December 30, 1775. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 I went to B. Watson as you bid me; he returns 
 his compliments, and says he is happy to know 
 you, &c., are well, as it was the first news he had 
 heard of you having been so extremely hurried 
 since his return, that he had not had leisure, to en 
 quire after his friends. 
 
 As to the general Fate of Canada, he speaks 
 doubtfully. ************ 
 One Arnold, is at Point Levi, with eight hundred 
 Men ; he went up Kennebec River then carried 
 six pieces of Cannon, and his Batteaux without 
 assistance earthly, but the cowardly Yankees, to 
 the Chaudiere, down which they went right forth 
 to Point Levi. W. says Montgomery borrowed 
 an excellent Train of Artillery at St. Johns, and 
 he also says, that the Canadians all except the 
 Noblesse are against Government, and many have 
 actually taken arms against them. 
 
L 
 
 General Carleton s whole Force, was not 
 engaged a few only landed and some of the 
 Batteaux were aground when all the Canadian 
 Batteaux pushed back, with wonderful alacrity. 
 General C. was near being taken. He lost in 
 prisoners, wounded, and killed, about twenty-five 
 Five only slain. 
 
 It was not known who commanded the Provin 
 cials ; but General C - n s being obliged to re 
 turn, had nearly occasioned the loss, of Colonel 
 Macleane, and his whole party. He was waiting 
 at the mouth of the Sorel, or thereabouts for the 
 General s arrival and only got intelligence of his 
 change of Resolution, in time to Decamp a quar 
 ter of an hour before the arrival of five hundred 
 Rebels who really would have met him. 
 
 Colonel Macleane and his Emigrants are at 
 Quebec. The returns of the War Office, say they 
 are two hundred and sixty-seven. General Carle- 
 ton, has besides about one hundred and forty, of 
 the 7th and 26th Regiments I think. 
 
 As you read the newspapers, I need say no 
 more about Canada it is greatly feared by the 
 friends of Government, that Quebec is even now 
 in want of Provisions. As to Boston all the 
 world knows it to be the case and none of the 
 Reliefs of Sour Crout, and Cabbages Potatoes, 
 
and Geese, Sheep and Carrots, Beef and Coals, 
 Porter and Turkies, shipped from home the begin 
 ning of September, had arrived the 5th December. 
 But a person of Plymouth on the first news of the 
 Bostonian scarcity, sailed with a supply on a 
 Risque, and though he lost two-thirds of it on his 
 voyage, he made a good speculation. Geese, and 
 Turkies, sold from 1 Os. to 20s. Fowls, from 7s. 
 6d. to 10s. 6d., and a starved Pig of not more than 
 three stone for five or six dollars. Mutton at the 
 rate of Is. 6d. per Ib. The Troops recover fast, 
 with the cold weather, and are served with fresh 
 Provisions twice a week, but the Inhabitants of 
 Boston, have had no fresh Provisions for some 
 months. 
 
 The Rebels, it is said, are still fifteen thousand, 
 and are prepared for a winter Campaign, as they 
 are all hutted, and the Sentinels are so near, that 
 they hear every relief that goes round on each 
 side. 
 
 The Troops on Bunker Hill, where General Clin 
 ton commands, would all be under cover, by the 
 10th of this month. 
 
 Washington, and Lee have quarrelled, the latter, 
 it seems, with the whole Army. 
 
 They have made a great acquisition in taking 
 the Transport, which was entirely freighted with 
 17 
 
t 182] 
 
 Military Stores, and Clothing, for the Troops ; 
 Among other things were five hundred Barrels of 
 Gunpowder, some light Rifle barreled Field Pieces, 
 invented, or introduced, however, by Lord Town- 
 send. 
 
 Ethan Allen, who Mr. W. assures me was a 
 Freebooter, and had no authority from the Con 
 gress with Walker, and about thirty-six persons, 
 are come over from Quebec, in the ship with Mr. 
 
 Watson, and are now safe in Pendennis Castle. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Many happy years, dear Izard, to you, Mrs. 
 Izard, and those you love. 
 
 I am, most sincerely, 
 
 Your friend. 
 
 From Mr. Izard to George Dempster, Esq. 
 
 BATH, January 28, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 This will, I hope, find you safe 
 returned after having furnished yourself with all 
 
[ 183] 
 
 the knowledge the farmers of Norfolk could af 
 ford you. 
 
 We have had a very full season here, and I wish 
 you could have added one to the number. 
 
 The weather has been so cold, that if I had had 
 no other remembrancer, it would have put me in 
 mind of New- York. 
 
 It has been reported here for some days, that 
 Lord North, was to resign the direction of affairs 
 to Lord George Germaine. I heartily wish it may 
 be true ; I look upon the noble Lord in the blue 
 ribband, to be the chief support of the present Min 
 istry. Remove him and the others cannot hold 
 long together. 
 
 Great part of the Nation have confidence in him. 
 Never was there anything worse founded, but still 
 it has its effect. I cannot think that this Kingdom 
 will long endure Lord George Germaine. 
 
 The first considerable miscarriage, that happens, 
 under his direction will shake him to the founda 
 tion. Lord North is perfectly a thing of paste, to 
 be moulded into any form, at the will of Jenkinson, 
 and Sir Gilbert. 
 
 The other is as haughty and arbitrary as the 
 King of Prussia ; He willsubmit to no invisible in 
 fluence and will, of course, soon be obnoxious to 
 
L 184] 
 
 many people who are as unfriendly to America 
 as himself. 
 
 Applications, I hear, have been made for assist 
 ance to the Court of Brunswick. Has Prince 
 Ferdinand forgotten and forgiven everything? 
 Does he not know, who it is that the King at pre 
 sent, delighteth to honor ? Has the Hereditary 
 Prince no remembrance of the ungentlemanlike 
 treatment he met with from his brother-in-law, 
 when he came here to marry his sister ? Perhaps 
 these two Princes have no interest at the court of 
 Brunswick or they may be possessed of nothing 
 but the milk of Human Kindness. 
 
 From Mr. hard, to a friend in Bath. 
 
 LONDON, February 13, 1775. 
 
 The weather during my journey was exceeding 
 ly good, and the roads except about Maidenhead. 
 That Town resembles the Streets of Venice 
 water up to the Threshold of every door. I lay 
 
[ 185 ] 
 
 last night at Houndslow and arived safe in town 
 this morning between nine and ten. 
 
 As I had appointed my anonymous correspon 
 dent to meet him at ten, I should have been oblig 
 ed to rise disagreeably early if I had stopped at 
 Salt Hill as I first intended. 
 
 The letter came from the quarter I suspected 
 and the writer can give me very little more intel 
 ligence than I had before. 
 
 The most material part is that he has authenti 
 cated Dr. Church s correspondence. He has told 
 me nothing that has alarmed me or that is at all 
 answerable to the contents of his letter. 
 
 He thought that he^was doing a material piece 
 of service to the cause and so far, I am obliged to 
 him, but wish he had postponed it for ten days. 
 
 The Somerset Man-of-War, is arrived at Ports 
 mouth, from Halifax which she left on the 14th 
 January. It is stated that she has brought a con 
 firmation of the taking of Quebec and an account 
 that the Provincials had begun to Bombard Boston. 
 On the other hand, it is reported that a party had 
 sallied out of Quebec, and routed Arnold, with 
 considerable loss to his party. It is possible that 
 both these pieces of news may be true allowing a 
 small interval of time, between the two events, 
 
 17* 
 
February 15, 1775. 
 
 You will have heard of Shuldham s arrival at 
 Boston, and that Admiral Graves is hourly expect 
 ed from thence. 
 
 The Ministry are so much exasperated against 
 him that I am told they intend to destroy him if 
 they can. 
 
 I have seen a letter from Macdougal, at New- 
 York giving an account of public affairs. 
 
 The Militia (he says) of that Province, is well 
 regulated, by the Convention. Nine thousand five 
 hundred are appointed as minute men and will, 
 by the spring, be in excellent order. They have 
 a good train of Brass and Iron Artillery. 
 
 The Province of New- York is now better pre 
 pared for defence than the Massachusetts Bay 
 was when they were first attacked. 
 
 There are at Cambridge, Twenty-six complete 
 Regiments, of six hundred and thirty-two effective 
 men each which is between sixteen, and seven 
 teen Thousand. 
 
 The last advices that they had in New- York, 
 from Canada, when this letter was written were 
 of the 7th December. General Montgomery was 
 
[ 
 
 then before Quebec, with four thousand Provin 
 cialsand a considerable number of Canadians. 
 He was waiting for his Artillery to come from 
 Montreal. There was no doubt but he would 
 soon oblige General Carleton, to surrender who 
 has under his command one thousand and fifty- 
 three men, consisting of English and French Mer 
 chants Emigrants Newfoundlanders Sailors 
 and Mariners. 
 
 Accounts from Philadelphia mention their being 
 supplied with ammunition of their own making, 
 that they do not stand in need of any importation 
 of that article. They have great quantities of sul- 
 pher, and Saltpetre. 
 
 Six Frigates were ready to sail out of the Dela 
 ware as soon as the Ice would permit them. Four 
 others would soon follow. Eight were on the 
 stocks intended to carry thirty-six Guns, each. 
 This Armament, I believe, is intended against the 
 three Governors to the Southward who are not 
 to be got at but by an expedition of this sort. 
 
 Some shells have been thrown into Boston and 
 I have heard that General Howe, has written to 
 the Ministry, that if they continue to annoy him, 
 of which there is very little doubt he shall be 
 obliged to sally out, and attack the Provincial lines. 
 
 If so a second Bunker s Hill affair will happen 
 
[ 188 J 
 
 but certainly much more bloody. What I have 
 written, you will see in the next Evening Post. It 
 is no small additional consequence in the Political 
 world to get news, two days before one s neigh 
 bours. 
 The news of the taking of Quebec is discredited. 
 
 February 17, 1776. 
 
 The Congress have adjourned and left a stand 
 ing Committee of five, to transact business. 
 
 Franklin, and Dickenson, are two of their mem 
 bers. I wish Lynch had been added to them. 
 
 The report of the taking of Quebec, is entirely 
 blown over. 
 
 Lord George Germaine grows every" day a 
 greater favorite ; Lord North, sometimes hesitated 
 and found difficulties but to him all things are 
 smooth and easy. 
 
[ 189] 
 
 LONDON, February 19, 1776. 
 
 I had heard of the taking of the Cruizer sloop. 
 It was said that Martin had left her some time ago 
 and gone on board the Scorpion. 
 
 I wish Mr. Digges account may be true. 
 
 If he is gone ashore, his Marines may not be 
 sufficient to protect him. Compliments to Mr. 
 Digges, and thank him for his intelligence. I am 
 very sorry he has changed his resolution about 
 coming to town. 
 
 I met General Gage, in the Street a day or two 
 ago. He was civil, and hoped to see me. I said 
 the same to him, and yesterday he left his name 
 for me. I returned the visit but nobody was at 
 home. 
 
 Charles Fox, is to move in the House of Com 
 mons, to-morrow for an examination into the 
 causes of the ill-success of the British Arms and 
 the defection of the Canadians. A good debate, 
 and division is expected ; I shall endeavor to get 
 in but do not think the Ministry, will choose to 
 have their folly, and misconduct laid before a full 
 Gallery. 
 
[ 190] 
 
 February 22, 1776. 
 
 The friends of America, are much afflicted at 
 the news which Admiral Graves, has brought from 
 Boston. A most unfortunate affair, has happened 
 at Quebec. Montgomery, and seventy men, are 
 killed and Arnold wounded, and taken prisoner. 
 
 The Ministry and their friends are in great 
 spirits ; and the news is generally believed. I fear 
 it is too true ; but still it is possible, that it may 
 not be. 
 
 Captain Fay, is appointed Commissary General, 
 to the Hessians and is certainly to go with them 
 to America. This Canadian news, comes very 
 mal apropos. Nobody was admitted to the debate 
 on Tuesday, except the Ladies. Dempster tells 
 me it was a very good one ; but as usual, our ene 
 mies greatly outnumbered us ; the division two 
 hundred and forty and one hundred and four. 
 
[191] 
 
 February 24, 1776. 
 
 I have taken a good deal of pains, to inform my 
 self about the unfortunate news, contained in my 
 my last letter. Would to God, I could write you 
 that I did not believe it. 
 
 Lord George Germaine, has told several gentle 
 men, whom I have seen that it may be relied on. 
 General Howe, received his intelligence from a 
 deserter. If the whole depended upon his testi 
 mony, there might be some reason to doubt the 
 truth of it ; but there is a letter handed about from 
 a gentleman in Montreal to his friend in Boston 
 giving an account, that on the 31st December, a 
 feint was made on Quebec, by Arnold with three 
 hundred men while Montgomery, with the Main 
 body attacked the town, in another quarter. 
 
 Arnold succeeded, and got into the town but 
 was afterwards taken prisoner, with his party as 
 Montgomery was repulsed and killed. The letter 
 mentions that his Aid-de-Camp, and Secretary 
 were killed at the same time. 
 
 The only chance we have, is that there is a 
 possibility this letter may be forged for the pur 
 pose of Stock Jobbing. This is the most unfortunate 
 
L 192 J 
 
 event that has happened. Seventy men, are said 
 to have been killed. These may be replaced ; 
 but where shall we get such another man, as 
 Montgomery ? 
 
 After lamenting his loss to the public I am truly 
 sorry for the distress of his wife who has, within a 
 few weeks, lost both her Husband, and her Father. 
 Judge Livingston died at Philadelphia, of an Apo 
 plexy. 
 
 It is of such consequence to get possession of 
 Quebec that I should imagine Washington, would 
 send a considerable reinforcement into Canada 
 probably under the command of Lee. 
 
 February 27, 1776. 
 
 In the first page of the London Evening Post, of 
 this night you will see the letter of 16th January 
 from Montreal, that I mentioned in my last. A 
 copy of.it was left at a Coffee House, in the City 
 and it was generally believed, at first, to be au 
 thentic. It is now suspected to be fabricated 
 here. 
 
[ 193 ] 
 
 The pnblick are not agreed about the truth of 
 the news from Quebec, though it is believed in 
 general. I am sorry to say that the reasons offer 
 ed for disbelieving it, are not entirely satisfactory 
 to me. I am always apt to suspect the worst. At 
 all events, whether Montgomery is killed, or not, 
 I believe that Quebec, will be taken before any 
 succour can be sent from this Country. 
 
 The Ministry made but a feeble defence, on the 
 day of Fox s motion. The division shows that 
 arguments have no effect, on so determined a band, 
 as the House of Commons. 
 
 They go to-morrow on the subject of the for 
 eign Treaties. You will see them in the Parlia 
 mentary Register. This Country will be drawn 
 into very great expense by them. 
 
 March 6, 1776. 
 
 Lady William Campbell, is arrived, with her 
 three children. I have had a good deal of conver 
 sation with her about Carolina, and find that every 
 thing there is in great confusion. 
 18 
 
L 194 ] 
 
 Charlestown is fortified, and considerable addi 
 tions have been made to Fort Johnson. The In 
 habitants are determined to defend themselves, if 
 attacked ; and if the discontented back inhabitants 
 can be kept quiet, an invasion in that part, will not 
 easily be effected. 
 
 I am just informed, that there are letters in town, 
 to-day, brought from New- York, by a ship, which 
 is arrived in Ireland. It would give me infinite 
 pleasure, to hear of a refutation of the news, con 
 cerning Montgomery; but my hopes are very faint. 
 The bad effects of that unfortunate affair, begin 
 already to appear. Before the Quebec news ar 
 rived Lord Howe declared that he thought him 
 self vested with such powers, as would enable him 
 to make peace. The death of Montgomery, and 
 the check which the Provincials have received, 
 have so elated a certain person that Lord Howe s 
 instructions are said to be altered and he is so dis 
 gusted, that it is doubtful whether he will go to 
 America, or no. 
 
[ 195 ] 
 
 March 9, 1776. 
 
 A Transport is arrived, which left New- York, 
 the 10th February. Despatches were brought to 
 Lord George Germaine but there were no private 
 letters. 
 
 General Lee was arrived at New- York, with 
 three thousand men. I wrote to Mrs. Tryon, to 
 know if she had heard anything of the fate of 
 Montgomery ; I have since heard that General 
 Carleton, has thought proper, to hang twenty 
 Canadians. This may produce very disagreeable 
 consequences. If he should be taken prisoner 
 himself the friends and relations of these people, 
 may think it right, to use the laws of Retaliation. 
 
L 196 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to John De Lancey, Esq. 
 LONDON, March 10, 1776. 
 
 It is long since I have had the pleasure of re 
 ceiving a letter from you. I have had no oppor 
 tunity of writing directly, but have written to you 
 by several passengers to Halifax, Newfoundland, 
 and Quebec, and hope some of my letters have 
 got safe to your hands. 
 
 I congratulate you on the spirited conduct of 
 our Countrymen ; and trust in God that such no 
 ble exertions will finally be crowned with success. 
 
 Though at such a distance as I am from home, 
 nothing in my power has been wanting. As soon 
 as I had intelligence that the Ministry, were nego 
 tiating for German Troops, I requested and obtain 
 ed a private interview with A. B. and C., sepa 
 rately. These three persons were supposed to 
 have the entire management of every measure that 
 relates to America. I expostulated against send 
 ing Troops to America particularly foreigners, 
 and requested that if any thoughts were entertain 
 ed of an accommodation that the Commissioners, 
 might be sent out immediately to Philadelphia to 
 
L 
 
 treat with the Congress, and that no army might 
 accompany them. That an Army accompanying 
 the Commissioners, would be. looked upon, as in 
 tending to intimidate. That it would not have that 
 effect but would most certainly irritate, and pro 
 bably would be an obstacle to any Treaty. That 
 the Ratification of the Treaty the negotiating 
 with Hesse Cassel, and Brunswick, would infalli 
 bly prove a Bill of Divorce, between Great Britain, 
 and America. That I was certain a very great 
 majority, not only of the people at large but also 
 in the Congress, had nothing so much at heart as 
 a redress of their grievances and an accommoda 
 tion with Great Britain. That I believed a renun 
 ciation of the right of Taxation, by the Authority of 
 Parliament of altering Charters and of bringing 
 persons to England to be tried, for supposed of 
 fences would be preliminary articles, so agreeable 
 to America that if they were granted, by Parlia 
 ment, it would show so good a disposition, on the 
 part of Great Britain, to an accommodation that 
 I did not doubt, but it would immediately take 
 place as most of the other grievances of America, 
 were but of a secondary consideration to these. 
 
 The result of these different conferences, was a 
 conviction to my mind, that the Governors of this 
 Country have no Idea of a connexion between 
 18* 
 
[ 198] 
 
 England and America but such a one as subsists 
 between a Lord and his Vassal. 
 
 Perhaps the Divine Author of our being may 
 have intended this, for our benefit. 
 
 As long as Petitions, and applications to the 
 King Parliament or the Ministry, seemed of any 
 possible effect I promoted, and forwarded them, to 
 the utmost of my power. 
 
 When every hops. vanished from that quarter 
 and it was evident, that nothing but bloodshed, and 
 subjugation was intended I took such steps as 
 seemed likely to be of service to my Country. I 
 cultivated an intimacy with D., who is a very sen 
 sible man and I flatter myself with the hope that 
 some advantage has been, and still will be derived 
 from that connexion. 
 
 From Mr. hard to his friend in Bath. 
 
 LONDON, March 12, 1776. 
 
 The Ministry, and their friends, are exceedingly 
 elated, at the news from Quebec. The joy that is 
 
[ 199 ] 
 
 shown, by every enemy to America, is the greatest 
 compliment, that can possibly be paid to the memo 
 ry of Montgomery. Carleton, from being a ruined 
 man is of a sudden become the greatest favorite 
 in the world. An accidental shot, has effected this 
 wonderful change. 
 
 Had Montgomery lived, he would certainly 
 have taken the town and Mr. Carleton, would 
 have been lost forever. Upon what trifles, does 
 the happiness, or misery of man often depend. 
 
 I heard to-day of the death of Mrs. Amhurst, 
 and do most sincerely pity her Husband. The 
 loss of an amiable wife must be the summit of all 
 human afflictions. 
 
 From George Dempster, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 DUNNECHEN, near FORFAR, N. B., April 7, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Since my return to this, I have 
 been favoured with yours of the 23d. The fate 
 
[ 200 ] 
 
 of our Militia Bill, gave me concern, because I 
 know, that my Countrymen, may safely be entrust 
 ed with Arms, and I thought the present, the most 
 likely time for its being obtained. When I see 
 what the Militia of America have done, in the De 
 fence of their Country, I am more and more con 
 firmed in my opinion, of the benefits to be expect 
 ed from such an institution. 
 I am just come home in the heat of the planting, 
 and ploughing season, and am pretty deeply en 
 gaged in both. The transition from London, to 
 these delightful occupations, affords me a pleasure, 
 that would be complete, but from the consideration 
 of the distracted state of this Empire, falling to 
 pieces, and never like to be again united. But 
 permanency is not the lot of Kingdoms more than 
 of their Inhabitants. 
 
 Mrs. D. returns you her compliment. I had the 
 pleasure of finding her in perfect health after a 
 dull, and severe winter Campaign. 
 
 I beg you will offer my respectful compliments 
 to Mrs. Izard, and believe me to be, with perfect 
 sincerity and affection, 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 GEORGE DEMPSTER. 
 
t 201 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Livins, Es q. 
 
 BATH, April 7, 1776. 
 DEAR LIVINS : 
 
 As soon as I received your orders 
 for the Coach, &c. I wrote to Messrs. Gemmell, 
 according to your desire. 
 
 Among other things, you mentioned such an 
 Organ as mine. The unhappy situation of Ameri 
 can affairs has obliged me to give up my House, 
 and confine myself, to as economical a system, as 
 possible. It was, therefore, a convenience to me, 
 to part with my Organ and. I have shipped it for 
 you, on board Captain Elphinson. It is as good a 
 one, as can be made, and is rather improved, than 
 injured by time. I have charged you 100 for 
 it, which is about twenty pounds less than it cost 
 me. 
 
 If the Organ is intended as an article of Mer 
 chandize and any loss should be sustained in con 
 sequence of the high duty I shall be satisfied to be 
 the loser. 
 
 I have written you but three letters, since you 
 
[ 202 ] 
 
 left England. I wish at all times to give you 
 every testimony of my regard and friendship ; but 
 the truth is that my mind has been so distracted 
 with the unhappy situation of public affairs that 
 I have felt a total disinclination to all business. 
 
 I thought that travelling might be of service to 
 me, and, therefore, Mrs. Izard and I, left the child 
 ren under the care of a proper Governess, and 
 made a Tour through France Switzerland Italy 
 and part of Germany. In these Countries all ranks 
 of people, are full of American Politics and the 
 Ministry of Great Britain, seem alone to be igno 
 rant of the dangers, that threaten the dismember 
 ment of the British Empire. 
 
 Great Britain, and Switzerland are the only two 
 Countries where Tyranny is not triumphant. The 
 reason is obvious. In one Country there are no 
 taxes, or Standing Armies ; and though there are 
 both, in the other the people are a continual check 
 upon the executive, by scrupulously preserving the 
 right of granting money, in their own hands. 
 America, is well convinced how essential this is to 
 freedom and she is determined to be free. 
 
 I am told that the Magazines and Newspapers, 
 are sent regularly to Calcutta ; it will, therefore, 
 be unnecessary for me to enter into a long, and 
 Historical account, of public affairs ; but as every- 
 
[ 203 ] 
 
 thing that appears in these two great vehicles of 
 Intelligence, is not of consequence to be believed 
 I will write you a few facts that may be depended 
 on. 
 
 The Legislative, and Executive powers of 
 North America, are now exercised by the Conti 
 nental Congress which is composed of Delegates, 
 from Thirteen Provinces (the three lower Coun 
 ties on the River Delaware, having an Assembly 
 distinct from that of Pennsylvania being reckoned 
 as one) and make altogether between sixty, and 
 seventy persons. 
 
 I believe them to be the wisest the most honest 
 the most incorrupt and as far as relates to them 
 selves, as individuals the most disinterested Repre 
 sentative Body that ever were assembled. This 
 is the character they bear, throughout all North 
 America ; the people have confidence in them, 
 and of course their mandates, are implicitly 
 obeyed. 
 
 They have raised an Army and have issued as 
 much paper Money, as is necessary to answer all 
 their purposes. Mr. Washington is Commander 
 in Chief and there never was a General more 
 adored by an Army. 
 
 He has been encamped before Boston, all win 
 ter, with Twenty Thousand Men. General Gage 
 
[ 204 ] 
 
 was shut up there, with Ten Thousand Regular 
 Troops ; he is now removed and General Howe 
 succeeds him in the command, and continues to be 
 besieged. The Ministry looked upon that force, 
 as more than sufficient to terrify America, into sub 
 jection. 
 
 On the 19th of last April before the Congress 
 had resolved to raise an Army (still hoping that 
 their repeated applications to the King, would 
 open the eyes of the Nation, and prevent the ne 
 cessity of having recourse to arms) General Gage, 
 resolved to put the patience and courage of the 
 inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay to the trial. 
 
 A provincial Congress, was assembled about 
 twenty miles from Boston, to deliberate upon pub 
 lic affairs, as their General Assembly had been 
 dissolved. General Gage, had intelligence of this 
 meeting and dispatched two thousand men, with 
 orders to seize Messrs. Hancock and Adams two 
 gentlemen who are highly esteemed by their 
 countrymen. 
 
 The Troops met about one hundred of the New 
 England Militia, exercising at Lexington a town 
 fifteen miles from Boston. The Militia seeing the 
 superiority of numbers against them, retreated and 
 would have disappeared. The Regulars fired on 
 them killed eight and then pursued their march, 
 
[205] 
 
 intending to execute their commission against 
 Hancock and Adams, who kept out of their way. 
 An alarm was immediately spread, and the coun 
 try people, undisciplined and without officers, at 
 tacked the Regulars, and drove them into Boston, 
 after having killed, and wounded, about three hun 
 dred of them. 
 
 On the 17th June following, about one thousand 
 five hundred of the Provincials, took possession of 
 a post opposite Boston, called Bunker s Hill. 
 General Howe, General Clinton, and Colonel 
 Piggot, with the Grenadiers, and light Infantry of 
 the Army, amounting to about two thousand two 
 hundred men, attacked, and obliged them to re 
 tire, which they did in good order, without the 
 King s Troops daring to follow them. They did 
 not quit Bunker s Hill, until they had expended all 
 their ammunition, which was employed so effectu 
 ally, that about one thousand one hundred of the 
 King s Troops, were either killed, or disabled. 
 
 An account of these things, you will probably 
 have received long ago, but it may be, not with 
 such truth as I have stated it. The Brussels Ga 
 zette, last War, became Proverbial, on account of 
 its falsehood, and partiality. The London Gazette, 
 at present, is not much less so. Ministry would 
 have it believed, that there were at Bunker s Hill 
 19 
 
[206] 
 
 five or six thousand Provincials, but you may de 
 pend upon it, I write you from undoubted au 
 thority. 
 
 There have been several skirmishes last sum 
 mer, between small parties, of the two armies, 
 and in no instance, have the Regulars shown 
 themselves superior, when the numbers have been 
 equal. 
 
 Charlestown, near Boston, has been burnt, Fal- 
 mouth in Casco Bay, and ^Norfolk in Virginia, 
 have met with the same fate. 
 
 Brigadier General Montgomery, with about 
 two thousand five hundred Provincials, (Connecti. 
 cut men, and New-Yorkers) entered Canada, be 
 sieged St. Johns, (which at the beginning of this 
 Civil War, was made a very strong Fortress) and 
 took it, together with Chamblay ; near six hundred 
 of the King s Troops, and two hundred Canadi 
 ans, were made prisoners at these two places. 
 
 General Carleton, Governor of Canada, attempt 
 ed to relieve them, but was beaten, and forced to 
 fly. Montgomery took Montreal, and pursued 
 Carleton to Quebec. He besieged him there, but 
 his cannon proving too small to make a breach, 
 he attempted to take the place by escalade 31st 
 December. He was unfortunately killed, and his 
 
"* 
 
 [207] 
 
 death prevented Quebec, from falling into the 
 hands of the Provincials. 
 
 The death of General Montgomery, is the great 
 est loss the Americans have met with. He was a 
 very brave, and able Officer. You may very like 
 ly remember him. He was, when you were in 
 America, a Captain in the 17th Regiment. He 
 quitted the Army between three and four years 
 ago, married a daughter of Robert R. Livingston, 
 and settled in New- York. 
 
 These are dreadful accounts, but the ensuing 
 summer, will furnish others much more so. 
 
 The Ministry of this Country, putting no value 
 upon their past experience, are determined upon 
 subjugating the Colonies. They find that the 
 force of Great Britain, is not sufficient, and there 
 fore they have shamefully prostrated themselves, 
 before every Court in Europe, supplicating some, 
 not to assist America, and others, for assistance 
 against her. 
 
 France, and Spain, have promised to remain 
 neuter, and seventeen thousand German Troops, 
 consisting of Hessians, and Brunswickers, are 
 waiting for nothing but Transports, and a fair 
 wind, to waft them to the shores of America, to 
 dye them with the blood of her once happy sons. 
 
 Human wisdom, cannot answer for the events 
 
[ 208 ] 
 
 of War; but if any thing can be depended on 
 from what has happened, I think the Ministerial 
 Troops, with their German Mercenaries, will be 
 defeated. It is said they will amount to forty 
 thousand effective men, which against so young a 
 Country as America, seems rather more than 
 enough. The goodness of our cause and the 
 courage of my countrymen will, I trust, surmount 
 all difficulties. 
 
 I congratulate you on the happy prospect you 
 have of succeeding in India. 
 
 From Mr. hard to his friend in Bath. 
 
 LONDON, April 26, 1776. 
 
 A gentleman lately arrived from Lisbon, told 
 Mr. Lloyd that he had seen the Captain of the 
 Hancock, and Adams, who left Philadelphia the 
 beginning of March. 
 
 General Lee has certainly Fifteen Thousand 
 men, at New- York. He is fortifying the City and 
 even the Streets. The Congress have determined 
 
[ 209 ] 
 
 that it shall be vigorously defended. The pass of 
 Kingsbridge, is made very strong with one hun 
 dred and seventy pieces of cannon. 
 
 The Captain says that he saw Five Thousand 
 men, exercised in the neighbourhood of Philadel 
 phia, and fire Powder, not only with their small 
 arms, but likewise with their cannon ; this is what 
 they have not done hitherto, and is a sign that a 
 considerable quantity of ammunition has lately 
 got in safe. 
 
 Six new Frigates of thirty-six guns each, would 
 be ready to be launched about the middle of April. 
 The Canadian expedition is certainly not aban 
 doned. Two Thousand men marched from Phila 
 delphia, as their quota, the beginning of February 
 towards Quebec and it was expected it would be 
 in the hands of the Provincials, before any suc 
 cours could arrive from England. 
 
 America feels her strength, and is determined to 
 exert it. I do not find that there is the least pro 
 bability of her being frightened by the Hessians 
 or even by the Guards into unconditional submis 
 sion. This will be some comfort to you, and to 
 our friends in the Centre house. 
 19* 
 
[210] 
 
 LONDON, May 2, 1776. 
 
 Government have this afternoon received advice 
 that General Howe, has embarked his army and 
 left Boston. Nobody knows where he is going, 
 or what is the cause of it ; I mean nobody except 
 the Ministry ; perhaps they may. 
 
 As I do not hear of his having been attacked, I 
 suppose he must have been in want of Provisions. 
 If that is the case, I do not know where he will 
 get supplied. 
 
 Lord George Germaine said at 5 o clock, this 
 afternoon, that Mr. Howe, was embarked. I do 
 not know that any great good will be the conse 
 quence of it, but I should think, that he would not 
 have quitted Boston, if he could have staid there 
 conveniently. 
 
 May 3, 1776. 
 
 I wrote you last night, as I thought it would 
 give you pleasure to hear of the Evacuation of 
 
[211 ] 
 
 Boston and I think you must have received the 
 intelligence, before any body in Bath. 
 
 Washington s long inactivity, has been owing to 
 his not having banished the thoughts of an accom 
 modation. As soon as the prohibitory Act ar 
 rived he attacked Boston, from Dorchester Point 
 and Mr. Howe, was glad to get his Army em 
 barked, in the best manner he could. 
 
 The Ministry keep this transaction, as secret as 
 they can ; but there are some private letters, that 
 will make it impossible for them to prevent its 
 being known. 
 
 The enclosed is an extract of one, from an Offi 
 cer s wife to her sister and can be depended on 
 as genuine. 
 
 " Nantasket Road, March 25th. We were Can 
 nonaded and Bombarded by the Provincials, four 
 teen days, and at last, after many losses, are got 
 on board one hundred and forty sail of Vessels. 
 The Provincials fired eighteen pounders, and threw 
 a vast number of Shells into the Town. 
 
 " We know not where we are to go. We are 
 in great distress. The spectacle is truly terrible. 
 The Provincials entered the town, with Colours 
 flying, and Drums beating, the instant we left it. 
 I wish to God, I was with you. It is said, Gen 
 eral Robertson is gone to Halifax to provide 
 quarters." 
 
[212 ] 
 
 May 4, 1776. 
 
 The Ministry and their adherents, affect to be 
 not discomposed at the loss of Boston. 
 
 It must be a matter of great consequence to 
 them ; their whole plan is disconcerted, and a new 
 one must be formed. General Howe, and his Army 
 are in the greatest distress, and know not where 
 to go. 
 
 When he found himself Cannonaded from one 
 side, and a prodigious Battery erected against him 
 on the other he desired the Select Men, to write 
 to General Washington, and inform him, that he 
 would leave the town ; and if the firing would 
 cease, and his men were suffered to embark, un 
 molested he would not burn the Town ; otherwise 
 he should be obliged to lay it in ashes. Washing 
 ton consented, and that is the reason, of Mr. 
 Howe s embarking, without losing any of his men. 
 This may be depended on as it comes from Gov 
 ernor Hutchinson whose son has written him a 
 full account of the whole affair. 
 
 The Justice Clerk dined here last Thursday. 
 He told Mr. Blake, that I was too sanguine in my 
 expectations for I was the only man in England, 
 
[213] 
 
 who thought that the Provincials would be in 
 possession of Boston, before the expiration of the 
 winter. 
 
 Before the company broke up, I received the ac 
 count, I sent you. The countenances of some of 
 the party, were much changed for the worse, and 
 some who ought to have rejoiced were otherwise 
 affected. 
 
 It is pleasant to hear some gentlemen, who a 
 few days ago, insisted that Mr. Washington s 
 force, by desertion, and discontent, was become 
 inconsiderable now magnifying it to a powerful 
 Army of Twenty-five thousand men. 
 
 I have read " Common Sense," the pamphlet you 
 ask about. It is by much the cleverest, and most 
 ingenious performance I ever saw. Almon had a 
 copy of it, but it was- taken from him. 
 
 I have just bought the Gazette, and send it you. 
 The account given of General Howe s having 
 taken the Resolution to remove from Boston to 
 Halifax, is truly ridiculous. 
 
[214] 
 
 From Mr. hard to Geoorge Livins, Esq. 
 
 RICHMOND, July 15, 1776. 
 DEAR LIVINS : 
 
 I wrote you, two or three months 
 ago, a long letter intending that it should go by 
 Captain Elphinson. It was sent to Mr. Gemmells, 
 but by some mismanagement, it was left behind, 
 and I understand, is not gone yet. * 
 
 In my last I gave you a particular account of 
 the state of Politicks ; I wish you had received it 
 in proper time ; the news contained in it, will be 
 stale, when it gets to your hands. One thing, 
 however, may be satisfactory you may depend on 
 the truth of everything I write you. 
 
 I informed you that the Ministry had engaged 
 seventeen thousand Hessians, and Brunswickers, 
 to assist them, in their schemes against America. 
 
 They have been sailed several weeks and are 
 perhaps at this instant, engaged in executing their 
 impious and destructive business. 
 
 If the Administration succeed, there will be an 
 end to the boasted Liberties of Englishmen. There 
 
I 215] 
 
 is a spirit of Despotism evident, in the Governing 
 powers, of this Country, which will be dreadfully 
 felt here if the power of resistance in America, is 
 ever annihilated. The mercenary homicides now 
 employed in the extremities of the British Empire 
 if not successfully resisted there will meet with 
 very little opposition in England, when they are 
 brought here to carry the second part of the plans 
 of Administration into execution. But I trust in 
 God, they will not succeed. 
 
 My Countrymen have, hitherto, shown the 
 greatest courage, and good conduct, in all their 
 proceedings and I believe they will continue to do 
 so to the disappointment, and confusion of their 
 enemies. 
 
 In my last, I informed you of General Howe s 
 being besieged at Boston. General Washington 
 knew that no assistance could be sent to him from 
 England, during the winter. Boston was too 
 strongly fortified, to be taken ; but by keeping the 
 town constantly alarmed the Garrison grew very 
 weak. 
 
 On the second of March, Washington, having 
 got a considerable supply of Gun Powder, and 
 other Military stores, from the French West Indies, 
 determined to drive Mr. Howe out of the Town. 
 He was Bombarded, and Cannonaded, for several 
 
[216] 
 
 days, and Admiral Schuldham, informed him, that 
 unless he could silence the American Batteries, the 
 Men-of-War, could not stay in the Harbour. This 
 was out of his power to do and therefore he de 
 termined to embark his Troops. 
 
 If the Americans had attacked him, during the 
 time of his embarkation Mr. Howe, in his own de 
 fence must have destroyed the Town of Boston. 
 
 The Select Men, who were shut up in the Town, 
 were very anxious to save it from destruction. 
 
 They applied to Mr. Howe, and were permitted 
 to go to Mr. Washington and inform him that if 
 the King s Troops were not annoyed while they 
 embarked the Town should not be burnt. It was 
 a great object to preserve it and, therefore, the 
 English Army were suffered to depart on the 14th 
 March without having a gun fired at them by the 
 Americans. 
 
 They lay in Nantasket Road, off the Harbour 
 of Boston, till the 27th, waiting for a fair wind 
 when they sailed on board one hundred and fifty 
 Transports for Halifax, and arrived there safe in 
 six days. 
 
 We have accounts that General Howe left Hali 
 fax, on the 20th June. As soon as he is joined by 
 the British, and German reinforcements from Eu 
 ropebloody measures will be pursued. 
 
[217] 
 
 Washington at the head of the American Army, 
 is waiting for him at New- York. I send you en 
 closed a list of the forces, now employed against 
 America. They are commanded by Howe Clin 
 ton Carleton and Burgoyne four of the best 
 English Generals. 
 
 Lord Howe Admiral Schuldham and Sir Peter 
 Parker, command the Fleet, which consists of about 
 seventy sail of Men-of-War. This is a formidable 
 force but yet I am of opinion that it is not suffi 
 cient, to answer the purposes of the Ministry. 
 
 It will doubtless do a great deal of mischief. 
 Many Americans will be killed we may be beaten 
 at first, as the Czar was by Charles the XII. but 
 I think we have resources, to enable us to over 
 come all our difficulties. 
 
 I have let my House in Town, and have taken 
 one at Richmond where I am practising the 
 strictest rules of economy as I have no remittan 
 ces from America. There is no possibility of my 
 getting to America, directly from England. My 
 Wife, and Children, are less unhappily situated 
 here than they would be there at present. 
 
 Were it not on their account I should certainly 
 endeavor to get myself conveyed to the other side 
 of the Atlantic. 
 
 I am very glad to hear of your being so fortu- 
 20 
 
[218] 
 
 nately settled. Mr. Dea, tells me that you have 
 the friendship, and confidence, of Mr. Francis. I 
 was always of opinion, that your success, would 
 be founded on the Virtue, and integrity of your 
 heart. 
 
 The Gentlemen who have returned enriched 
 from the East have not, I believe, always been 
 regulated by such motives. The patronage of a 
 person of Mr. Francis character, and abilities 
 leaves me no room, to think myself mistaken. I 
 have been so often deceived]in men that I believe 
 there is no invariable standard by which they may 
 be judged. 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 TEIGNMOUTH, DEVONSHIRE, August 25, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I was favoured with yours of the 
 12th, and though I have neither information, or 
 entertainment to send you in return for it, I am at 
 
[219 J 
 
 least bound to send you my best thanks this in 
 deed I should have done sooner, if I had not for 
 some days past, been rambling about the Country 
 among other places, to Mount Edgecombe 
 which, for its Views, is, I think, much the finest place 
 in England. 
 
 Mrs. C. is much obliged to you for your good 
 wishes The benefit she receives from bathing is 
 really wonderful. All the symptoms of weakness 
 and relaxation which she brought with her, entire 
 ly vanished within a week and have not since 
 appeared. 
 
 We shall remain till the 13th September, when 
 I hope to return to Bath. This place is exceeding 
 ly private (not even a publick room, or Coffee 
 House) and would of course be dull, if it were not 
 for our own society. Two of them are well 
 known to you, and send their compliments. C. 
 Townshend, and Ley. 
 
 We find all our Ministerial acquaintance very 
 happy with the Contents of the Gazette of the 10th. 
 I confess I do not see any great cause for exulta 
 tion. It seems fortunate, indeed, that General 
 Howe, had attempted nothing, without his rein 
 forcements but it by no means seems clear, that 
 with these reinforcements, he will be able to act 
 to any effectual purpose. From what I have heard, 
 
[ 220 ] 
 
 it is probable that instead of making an attempt 
 against New- York, as was intended all his force 
 will be bent against Philadelphia. 
 
 The hopes from Lord Howe s negotiation, are, 
 I find, entirely vanished before the opening of 
 his Commission. In short, I believe, that at St. 
 
 J s s they have only now the wicked hopes of 
 
 being able to protract the war and this I believe, 
 in my conscience, they will do so long as Fleets, 
 and Armies can be paid for. They laugh at the 
 Declaration of Independence and though cool and 
 serious people, must think it the worst piece of in 
 telligence that was ever communicated to this 
 Country I have no doubt but it will be made a 
 matter of Triumph with the Government, as ful 
 filling the Ministerial Prophecies of that event. 
 
 In their exultation, they will not choose to re 
 member, that Independence was not predetermin 
 ed in America, but is only the immediate, and ne 
 cessary consequence of their own acts. I can 
 only say as Lord Chatham did upon some such 
 occasion, "God may perhaps forgive them but 
 their Country never will." 
 
 By the Post of to-day, we have just heard, that 
 Sir Peter Parker, and General Clinton, have been 
 but indifferently received at South Carolina. I 
 suppose the Gazette will not give any particular 
 
1221 ] 
 
 accounts of this expedition but if the experiment 
 is lost some notice must be taken of it. 
 
 I have not at present a single correspondent in 
 London, so that I shall be much obliged to you for 
 any particulars, that may arrive upon the interest 
 ing subject of America especially such as are 
 not likely to make their appearance in the Gazette. 
 Mrs. C. unites with me in sincerest regards and 
 wishes to you and Mrs. Izard. 
 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very heartily yours, 
 C.C. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Claude Crespigny, Esq. 
 RICHMOND, August 31, 1776. 
 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 We are very happy to hear of the 
 favorable change in Mrs. Crespigny. 
 
 They laugh, you say, at St. James s at the De- 
 20* 
 
[ 222 ] 
 
 claration of Independence. I do not know that 
 they have much cause to do so. 
 
 When the Duke of Braganza, declared Portu 
 gal Independent of Spain, and himself King of 
 it the Count Duke Olivarez, affected likewise to 
 laugh. Philip the Fourth was persuaded to think 
 it a very pleasant and comical circumstance. 
 This minister made him believe, that there would 
 be such confiscations as would abundantly recom 
 pense him for the trouble these few factious peo 
 ple would give him. The King, however, was 
 deceived and the Spanish Monarchy dismem 
 bered. 
 
 Perhaps some Historian may find a parallel to 
 this Spanish story. 
 
 I believe the History of Europe does not fur 
 nish so extraordinary an affair as the late defeat 
 at Charlestown. 
 
 Last year s Algerine expedition, is not to be 
 compared to it. The Ministry must have great 
 confidence in the passive tempers of the Nation, 
 to impose such an account on them, as appeared 
 in last Saturday s Gazette. There must certainly 
 have been a misunderstanding between the two 
 departments which, however pleasing it may be 
 to those who are enemies to the doctrine of pas 
 sive obedience and unconditional submission, 
 
[223 J 
 
 much behooves the supporters of the measures to 
 enquire into. 
 
 Clinton has always borne the character of a 
 brave and good Officer it is therefore the more 
 extraordinary, that he should have been landed on 
 a sandbank, (Long Island, and Sullivan s Island, 
 are nothing else,) from the 9th to the 28th, with 
 out sounding the water, and knowing that it was 
 too deep to walk across. 
 
 Sir Peter Parker tells us, that he drove large 
 parties several times out of the Fort, which were 
 replaced by others from the main. This Fort was 
 a temporary thing built to annoy the shipping in 
 their passage to the town. It was not expected, 
 that it would have been necessary to defend it, for 
 upwards often hours against a Bomb Vessel and 
 eight or nine Men-of-War. 
 
 The Powder I dare say was very near ex 
 hausted ; and the men whom Sir Peter supposes he 
 had driven out might probably have been messen 
 gers for a fresh supply. 
 
 The large parties might have been small ones. 
 "We know that the Provincial numbers, at Bun 
 ker s Hill were by the Gazette, multiplied at least 
 by five. Objects seen through the medium of 
 Smoke, and Fire, are always considerably magni 
 fied. 
 
[224 ] 
 
 If the fort was evacuated for an hour and a half 
 as he writes why did he not take possession of it ? 
 He would, I believe, have found himself mistaken, 
 if he had attempted it. 
 
 But the Fort was totally silenced very likely 
 and for the reason just assigned. It requires a 
 great quantity of Powder to fire Cannon. While 
 this was bringing, I cannot help thinking that my 
 Countrymen had sagacity enough, to lie perdu, 
 behind the Parapet to defend themselves against 
 the boasted coup de main, with their small arms. 
 
 The Gazette does not announce the actual de 
 parture of any of the Ships from Charlestown Har 
 bour. The want of water will oblige them to be 
 as expeditious as possible. They may accommo 
 date themselves, with that article at Staten Island 
 and nowhere^else with safety that I know of to 
 the Southward of that. 
 
 If Mrs. Crespigny will lend you her plan you 
 will see that they must pass within the reach of 
 two Batteries which may give them a pretty 
 warm Salute at taking leave. 
 
 Very important news, may be expected every 
 day from New- York. The Ministry I hear are 
 fully persuaded that Mr. Howe will winter in 
 Philadelphia. This is possible ; but I have not the 
 least Idea, that it will happen. 
 
[225] 
 
 You know my opinion on the probable event, 
 of this cruel, and unfortunate business. I have 
 had no reason to change it since I saw you. 
 
 Pray give my compliments to Mr. Townshend 
 and Mr. Ley. 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 TINGMOUTH, DEVONSHIRE, September 6, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I return you many thanks, for your 
 favor of the 31st, and must beg that your next 
 may be directed to me, in the Crescent, at Bath. 
 I propose to be there on this day se nnight. 
 
 Mrs. C. who desires me to thank you for the 
 plan you was so kind as to send her is entirely re 
 covered. Not so with me but the Bath waters 
 are to do wonders for me. 
 
 I sincerely congratulate you on the Carolina 
 business. It seems to me to have been as ill con 
 ducted as it was unsuccessful. Was General Lee 
 
[226] 
 
 there ? I hope he was. I believe him to be very 
 able and I want him to give proofs of his being 
 to be trusted. 
 
 To see a K , a Tyrant, and his Ministers 
 
 Tools and Rogues is not very surprising. But 
 to see a whole Nation mad is rather more extra 
 ordinary. Even now, I can scarce meet with one 
 man in Twenty who does not wish to see the na 
 tion, and himself a Bankrupt rather than not bring 
 America to the feet of. Lord George Germaine. 
 This indeed is an addressing Country and a 
 blessed stock of Tories overrun it. 
 
 I am called away and if I were not I have 
 neither news, or entertainment, to send you. We 
 unite most heartily in regards and best wishes to 
 yourself, and Mrs. Izard, and family. 
 
 I am very heartily, 
 Yours, 
 
 C. C . 
 
[ 227 ] 
 
 From George Livins, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 CALCUTTA, September 15, 1776. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 With much impatience I have ex 
 pected letters from you, and am disappointed. 
 The Gemmells informed me of your health, which 
 proved indeed very satisfactory, for my anxiety 
 was very great. That all these troubles should 
 have happened since we have had any intelligence 
 from Europe and not a single line from you ! I 
 assure you this has affected me much for none of 
 my American friends have written to me and the 
 Calamity which threatens both Countries engages 
 much of my attention, and depresses me greatly. 
 
 I hope in God some unforeseen, favorable event, 
 will happen for nothing can be more deplorable, 
 than the accounts we have received here. 
 
 I look to the worst, and will venture to speak, 
 and think freely to you. I have a prospect of get 
 ting some money, in this Country and therefore 
 will, without studying formalities, and modes of 
 expressiontake the liberty to beseech you to ac- 
 
[ 228 ] 
 
 cept of, and to excuse the freedom of my enclos 
 ing you bills for two hundred pounds which you 
 will dispose of as you shall think proper ; had I 
 more (perhaps I shall presently) I would trouble 
 you with it remittances may be stopped with you, 
 and six months will restore all. I should say a 
 great deal upon my presuming so much ; but all I 
 could add, would prove deficient and unsatisfac 
 tory, on this head ; and my mind, and spirits, are 
 so jaded by the climate and state of things here 
 that I scarce know myself; but should I live once 
 more to see you I should be happier than ever. I 
 often think of all my friends from whom I thus ex 
 ist in cruel banishment. 
 
 I have many things to say to you but being at 
 present ill and having letters to write I am 
 obliged to break off abruptly. Adieu, Adieu, think 
 of an absent friend, and let me receive a line. 
 
 Ever yours, 
 
 GEORGE LIVJNS. 
 
L 229 ] 
 
 f 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 BATH, October 15, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Many thanks to you for your favor 
 of the 12th. It has revived me much. The ex 
 ultation of the Tories, and Ministerialists added to 
 the dejection of the few here, who think with me 
 had I confess made me fear the late advantage, 
 was of more consequence, than at first it appeared 
 to me. 
 
 I do assure you my own thoughts corresponded, 
 very much, with what you say but when on one 
 hand they asserted that the men would not stand 
 were sickly and discontented with their leaders, 
 &c., and that I found these assertions very faintly 
 denied on the other side I began to think that 
 Tyranny would be triumphant, without any fur 
 ther check. From what you say, I have recover 
 ed my hopes as I know that you do not suffer 
 your reason to be partial to your wishes but that 
 you speak from information, and well founded be 
 lief. 
 
 21 
 
[ 230 J 
 
 That the troops at Long Island should have left 
 their entrenchments is to be sure very unaccounta 
 ble. When you hear any better news, you will I 
 hope favor me with it especially such news, as the 
 Gazette either takes no notice of or falsifies. 
 
 I hope that General Howe is out in his compu 
 tation of the number killed, and drowned and I 
 should suppose him mistaken in the number de 
 tached by Putnam, from the Entrenchments. 
 
 The Bells were set a ringing, and Bonfires a 
 blazing at midnight, upon the arrival of the Ga 
 zette. ******* 
 All the Invalids, and some moderate people were 
 
 much offended, at being so disturbed, and alarmed. 
 
 ******** 
 
 Mrs. C. writes with me in best regards. 
 I am, Dear Sir, very sincerely, 
 Yours, 
 C. 
 
[ 231 ] 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 BATH, October 24, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR: 
 
 Your favor of to-day has given us 
 very sincere pleasure. Mrs. C. bids me say, she 
 can have no possible objection to her brother 
 Sponser, nor any to the intended name unless you 
 add Tertius to it. 
 
 I am obliged to you for your letter of yesterday, 
 and am sorry that these horrid times, make it ne 
 cessary for you to separate from your family 
 though but for a twelvemonth. It would give 
 Mrs. C. and me infinite pleasure if we could, dur 
 ing your absence, in any way contribute to Mrs. 
 I. s comfort. Would it be agreeable to her, if she 
 could meet with a lodging very near us for the 
 children to favor us with her company till you 
 return. If such a plan can be made suitable to 
 her be assured, it would make us happy. I men 
 tion it for your consideration, and only beg that 
 you will not think yourself obliged by the offer, 
 but will accept it without hesitation if you find it 
 
[ 232] 
 
 agreeable, and convenient to Mrs. I. If this offer 
 be not accepted, give me leave to add, that if in 
 consequence of these unhappy times, Mrs. I. 
 should during your absence, want such a sum of 
 money, as a man who is not rich can afford to 
 lend I hope she will let me know it and give me 
 the pleasure of doing her that, or any other act of 
 friendship in my power. 
 
 By letters I have lately received, I have great 
 reason to fear, that I am myself likely to suf 
 fer considerably in consequence of these wicked 
 proceedings but my sufferings are nothing, com 
 paratively to those of others. 
 
 I hope you will find your affairs in America in a 
 better state than you expect and that you may 
 find Mrs I. and your family, in good health at your 
 return. 
 
 When you have fixed upon your time for going 
 I wish you would let me know it as it is more 
 than probable, that I shall have occasion to go to 
 Town before X mas and would if possible con 
 trive to see you before you go. 
 
 We are still impatient to hear from New- York. 
 An account which is Credited came yesterday from 
 Bristol of Howe s taking possession of it and 
 though you reason very well against it I am in 
 my own mind, satisfied, that he will attempt to 
 
J[ 233 ] 
 
 force Washington s Lines. He will never, with 
 such a force, think the taking of New York for 
 Winter Quarters, a proper finishing to a whole 
 summer s campaign. * 
 
 Mrs. C. joins in best regards, and wishes to you 
 and Mrs. Izard. 
 
 T am, dear sir, 
 Very sincerely, yours, 
 C. C. 
 
 From Mr. Izard Jo Claude Crespigny, Esq. 
 RICHMOND, October 29, ] 776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am infinitely obliged to you for your 
 last letter, and assure you that the contents of it, 
 have very sensibly affected me. There is no family 
 under whose protection I should feel so much 
 satisfaction, in leaving my wife, and children, as 
 yours. It is not yet determined whether it will be 
 best for them to be in France or England. 
 21* 
 
[ 234 ] 
 
 If the latter, your neighborhood would on every 
 account, be our choice. The retirement to which 
 Mrs. Izard is inclined makes us fearful of incom 
 moding Mrs. Crespigny and therefore of accept 
 ing your friendly offer ; believe me, however, 
 when I assure you it has made a very proper im 
 pression on us both. England is the most agree 
 able place for them without doubt ; but if there 
 should be a French War it will be difficult to get 
 to France from hence. I am glad to hear there is 
 a probability of your coming to London before 
 Christmas and hope we may expect to see Mrs. 
 Crespigny with you. 
 
 As soon as my plan is fully settled I shall cer 
 tainly inform you of it, and if you should be pre 
 vented from coming to Town I will contrive to 
 see you before my departure. 
 
 The account of the evacuation of New- York, 
 though not yet confirmed is generally believed ; 
 I think nothing is more probable. 
 
 If New- York was not an object for Howe to at 
 tack neither could it have been one for the Ame 
 ricans to defend. The conquerors at King s Bridge, 
 must have it during the winter let who will be in 
 possession on the 15th September. 
 
[ 235 ] 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 BATH, November 4, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have been favoured with yours 
 of the 29th October. ***** 
 I most impatiently wish for the account of the at 
 tack at King s Bridge. The event of that day 
 will be very material though I believe far from 
 decisive. 
 
 You see that the Ministry still talk as well as his 
 Majesty of the pacific intentions of the House of 
 Bourbon. But the actions of all parties corres 
 pond so ill with their assurances that I think it 
 would be the height of folly, to have any confi 
 dence in them. 
 
 My wife joins in best regards to Mrs. Izard, and 
 you. 
 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very heartily yours, 
 CLAUDE CRESPIGNY. 
 
From the same to the same. 
 
 BATH, December 15, 1776. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 It is near a fortnight since I 
 was favored with yours. I am much ashamed 
 not to have thanked you for it before. No news 
 yet arrived from New- York. I begin to think that 
 Sir W. Howe, will be satisfied with New- York 
 for his winter quarters and will finish the glorious 
 Campaign, without attempting to force Washing 
 ton s lines. Mr. Burgoyne, since his return, I find, 
 affects great silence, and only says that Carlton 
 intends to begin the next Campaign, as early as 
 possible, with the attack of Ticonderoga. Dacre 
 who was sent home with the account of the suc 
 cess upon the Lakes does justice to Arnold, and 
 acknowldges that the disposition of his force the 
 defence he made against so superior an enemy 
 and the management of his retreat all did him 
 great honor. Every one, as you may imagine, is 
 impatient to hear from the Howes. The Ministe 
 rialists pretend to fear, that they are treating with 
 
I 237 ] 
 
 the Rebels and are inclined to give too good terms 
 before they have given them a hearty drubbing 
 (their very words.) 
 
 For my own part I totally despair of any ami 
 cable settlement of the dispute and sincerely la 
 ment the bruises that both parties must receive. 
 At the same time I most heartily execrate the 
 authors of the mischief and detest still more, if 
 possible, their senseless addressers who are still 
 crying out for more vengeance and for risking 
 every thing rather than not have their full of it. 
 
 As to the French and Spaniards they hold in 
 contempt the idea of their interference and if they 
 should be such fools why, we will kill them too. 
 
 Admiral Keppel has (upon being applied to) ac 
 cepted the Command of the grand Fleet of obser 
 vation, which is intended for the protection of this 
 country against our natural enemies at the same 
 time fully declaring his perseverance in his senti 
 ments of the impolicy of our contest with_our fel 
 low subjects of America. He seems just the same 
 as last year, very well in health, but still afflicted 
 with the spasms in his legs. He desires, as does 
 Mr. Rogers, his best compliments to you and Mrs. 
 Izard. When you have fixed upon your time for 
 leaving England I hope you will acquaint me 
 
[ 238 ] 
 
 with it. My wife unites with me in best regards 
 to you, Mrs. Izard, and all your family. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very heartily yours, 
 CLAUDE CRESPIGNY. 
 
 From John Laurens, Esq. to Mr Izard. 
 
 BORDEAUX, January 27, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am on the eve of embarking for 
 Cape FranQois, where I shall not be detained for 
 want of opportunies to the Continent. 
 
 Since I arrived in this place I received a letter 
 of my Fathers, dated 16th September, which, after 
 having been detained a long time here, by a gentle 
 man desirous of delivering it with his own hands 
 had proceeded as far as the mouth of the Garonne, 
 on its way to England. 
 
 In this letter you are mentioned ; my Father 
 says he never hears from you, by any opportunity. 
 
L 239 ] 
 
 ****** "In my journey 
 to Santee, I mean to visit Mr. Izard s plantations, 
 perhaps I may not write to him by this opportuni 
 ty he writes to me by none. Tell him his affairs 
 are in as good order as my own and that I have 
 done more for him than I have for myself bad 
 very bad, at best." * * * * * 
 
 There is nothing new here except that orders 
 arrived here last Friday, from Court to lay an 
 Embargo, upon all Naval Stores. Some people 
 think this indicates War. 
 
 My best respects wait on Mrs. Izard ; my good 
 wishes ever attend you and yours, and 
 I remain your friend, and 
 
 Humble servant, 
 JOHN LAURENS. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Mr. Bousie, at Paris. 
 RICHMOND, January 31, 1777. 
 
 The unfortunate situation of American affairs 
 obliges me to determine on the strictest economy. 
 
[ 240 ] 
 
 I am for several reasons strongly inclined to 
 carry my Family to France ; but to what part or 
 what plan to follow I am very doubtful about. 
 Circumstances may happen during the course of 
 the ensuing Twelvemonth which may make it ne 
 cessary for me to go to America and leave my 
 family behind. ***** 
 
 I have communicated my intentions to several 
 friends, who have correspondents in France and 
 they have been so obliging as to make enquiries 
 for me. Limoges Libourne and several other 
 proper places in point of economy have been 
 pointed out to me. But as there are some very 
 interesting things on the Tapis I should not choose 
 to be at so great a distance from Paris. This is 
 my reason for declining to go Nantes where I am 
 assured my family might be accommodated much 
 to my satisfaction upon very moderate terms. I 
 am desirous of being in, or near Paris for three or 
 four of the summer months, at least. 
 
 If in Paris, I should choose, on account of my 
 children to be near one of the public Gardens, a 
 friend of mine recommends St. Germains to me. 
 I beg to know your opinion whether the plan of 
 Boarding my family in Paris or St. Germains, is 
 practicable. ******* 
 
 My family consists of my Wife, two Daughters, 
 
[ 241 ] 
 
 and two sons, together with one man servant, and 
 two maids. I am ashamed to give you so much 
 trouble, but hope you will excuse it. Mrs. Izard 
 joins me in compliments to Mrs. Bousie, and 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 From John Lloyd, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 
 NANTES, February 14, 1777, 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 As I cannot advise you to pursue 
 the route which I took to come here, I think it 
 needless to trouble you with any very particular 
 observations or to give you a very minute detail 
 respecting it I shall, therefore, be very brief in my 
 information. 
 
 We embarked at Southampton, the 10th ult., and. 
 by contrary winds, were obliged to put into Yar 
 mouth, in the Isle of Wight, which place we left 
 22 
 
[ 242 ] 
 
 on the 18th, and arrived at Guernsey the 20th. 
 Our stay there, was till the 24th, when we re-em 
 barked, and landed the next morning at St. Malo s. 
 Its Harbour is so environed with rocks, that it is 
 truly tremendous but what adds considerably to 
 the risque of approaching it, is, that great numbers 
 of them lie concealed at high water ; we were in 
 great danger in entering, on account of the want 
 of knoweldge, in the Pilot we took on board at 
 Guernsey a circumstance we did not know; till 
 after we were safe on shore. 
 
 Having letters of introduction to some principal 
 Merchants, as an American, I was received with 
 great civility and respect and readily obtained an 
 extraordinary indulgence respecting the examina 
 tion, and landing of our baggage. 
 
 It was fortunate that we brought our Carriages, 
 as St. Malo s could not have furnished us with 
 convenient ones. Mrs. Lloyd, being very much 
 indisposed, I was on that account detained there 
 till the 1st inst, when we set off, and got here on 
 the 3d. The roads were rather better than I ex 
 pected but God knows, they were bad enough. In 
 the summer, I think they must be tolerably good. 
 
 A large ship, last week, arrived at L Orient, in 
 six weeks from Charleston, bound to this Port ; 
 she has on board five hundred barrels of Rice and 
 
I 343 ] 
 
 upwards of sixty thousand pounds of Indigo ; the 
 Cargo (except fourteen thousand pounds of the 
 Indigo, which is on private account.) belongs to the 
 State, and as it comes to a good market it will pro 
 duce a great profit, and neat at least. Eighteen 
 Thousand Pounds Sterling. It is under the care 
 of a Supercargo, whose name is Brown he is a 
 grandson of old Mr. Thomas, whom you may, per 
 haps, remember seeing at Bath. 
 
 The young gentleman came here express, for 
 the needful instructions, about bringing the ship to 
 Painboeuf ; his stay in town was so very short, 
 and his business employing his whole attention, 
 that I had not time to be particular in my enqui 
 ries indeed, I thought it the less necessary, as he 
 assured me that he should return in three days, the 
 expectation of his doing so, occasioned my delay 
 of writing to you but yesterday, a message came 
 from him to say, that some business had, and would 
 detain him a few days longer, upon which I re 
 solved not to defer it to any further period. 
 
 The latest paper he had, is dated 12th Decem 
 ber, and contains the following very material in 
 telligence : 
 
[ 244 ] 
 
 In the General Assembly, the llth day of 
 October, 1776. 
 
 " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this House, 
 " that no person in this State, indebted to any per- 
 " sons subjects to the King of Great Britain, (the 
 " inhabitants of Bermuda, and the Bahama Islands 
 " excepted,) or to any Attorney within the State, 
 " for any such subject, (except as aforesaid.) ought 
 " to remit or pay directly or indirectly to any such 
 " subjects (except as before excepted) or for their 
 " use any sum of Money, or Merchandise, what- 
 " soever, until it shall be otherwise directed by law ,- 
 " except Attornies for Persons, usually Residents in 
 " this State now in Great Britain and intending 
 " to return, as soon as possible, to this State and 
 " the Parents, and Guardians of youth, now resid- 
 " ing, and educating in Great Britain or in any 
 " other part of Europe which last mentioned At- 
 " tornies Parents, and Guardians, may be at lib- 
 " erty to remit for the use of their Constituents 
 "Children and Wards such sums as they shall 
 " think necessary, and expedient for their support, 
 " or Education, and maintenance. Resolved, also, 
 " that it is the opinion of the House, that all the 
 " Absentees, holding Estates in this State, should 
 
[ 245 ] 
 
 " use every means in their power, forthwith to re- 
 " turn to this State. 
 
 By Order of the House. 
 Signed, PETER TIMOTHY, A. G. A." 
 
 The General Assembly met at Charleston, the 
 10th December, there is nothing particular in the 
 President s Speech or in the addresses to him. 
 Hugh Rutledge is speaker of the Legislative Coun 
 cil. Colonel Williamson had concluded a Treaty 
 of Peace with the Cherokees. 
 
 The Cattle, and Stock, by a resolution of the 
 General Assembly, are ordered to be removed 
 with the utmost expedition from the following 
 Islands, (viz.) Bulls Capeis Kegwah Daw- 
 furkers Pinckney s South Cole Folly Mur 
 phy s, and the Hunting Islands. 
 
 The expedition against Florida, came to nothing 
 owing to the improper Season, for such an under 
 taking. 
 
 Having only a few minutes conversation with 
 Mr. Brown and seeing only two papers and not 
 receiving any letter I am but little qualified to 
 transmit you the occurrences, and state of affairs in 
 Carolina. It concerns one exceedingly, to find that 
 they continue very much distressed for the want 
 of a great number of necessary articles especially 
 22* 
 
[ 240 ] 
 
 Woollens ; an inferior kind of Cloth proper for the 
 clothing of Negroes has been sold at ten shillings 
 the yard. 
 
 The supplies hitherto from this Kingdom to our 
 State have been comparatively very trifling nor 
 do I see any immediate prospect of their being 
 more considerable. By a ship that is intended to 
 go there and will sail in about ten days I shall 
 write upon some consequential business to the gen 
 tlemen in power. The intercourse is not so well 
 established as I could wish. 
 
 I have in contemplation a scheme, for the send 
 ing out some Vessels and which I hope soon to 
 accomplish. There never was an opening for a 
 greater Commercial advantage nevertheless the 
 French Merchants are not easily persuaded to 
 speculations. 
 
 Your Friend, Mr. Lee, has been here on publick 
 business for a few days. He left us this morning 
 for Bordeaux. He has, I find, sent you Mr. Mon- 
 tondonin s information respecting your residence 
 here which renders any communication from me 
 needless ; indeed, I am not yet qualified to write 
 you upon the subject all I can at present say is 
 that the town is plentifully supplied with provisions 
 of every kind and which in general, are very good, 
 and cheap. Whitsuntide is the season for remo- 
 
L 247 j 
 
 vals in the intermediate time it is difficult, nay, 
 almost impossible, to procure convenient apart 
 ments which are in very great demand, owing to 
 the populousness of the City which contains up 
 wards of one hundred thousand inhabitants and the 
 great resort of Strangers to it. I am told that such 
 Lodgings as would accommodate your family are 
 let at about thirty-five pounds sterling, a year, 
 but you must hire furniture, which I am informed, 
 may be procured for the year from fifteen to twen 
 ty guineas. There is no family who would re 
 ceive yours to board that you would approve of. 
 In short, if you determine on a residence here you 
 must not come, before every thing is ready for 
 your reception, or you may be obliged to stay at 
 a Hotel which is a receptacle of dirt and filth. 
 
 There is certainly an exceeding good society 
 (from all accounts) for those who can speak the 
 language -and an American commands their ut 
 most civility and respect. The Town for a Sea 
 Port, I think very eligible its buildings are every 
 day increasing and those (of which there are great 
 numbers) lately erected, have a very superb appear 
 ance. It is undoubtedly the most convenient, and 
 suitable place in France, for an intercourse with 
 America, whilst affairs are on their present footing. 
 
 Mr. Morris, the supreme Commercial Agent for 
 
[ 248 ] 
 
 the Congress, resides here who told me, that he 
 had lately forwarded to you a letter from Phila 
 delphiawhich I suppose has acquainted you with 
 the departure of our deservedly respected friend, 
 Mr. Lynch. His last attack was in November, 
 upon his return to Carolina it was not far distant 
 from Philadelphia, to where he was taken back. 
 
 The Houses being in general very large, and lof 
 ty, families occupy different floors, as in Edinburgh 
 style, and great numbers reside under the same 
 roof. 
 
 Mr. Verplank, of New- York, is here and sev 
 eral other Americans. Mr. Laurens lately em 
 barked from Bordeaux. There being no dates 
 from America since the surrender of Fort Wash 
 ington I am not possessed of anything new, from 
 thence nor in short, do I recollect any circum 
 stances further material, at present, to acquaint you 
 with except that the Reprisal, Captain Weeks, 
 who (entre nous) is cruising in the Bay has sent a 
 Vessel loaded with fish, from Newfoundland into 
 L Orient the news came here last night, her 
 name is not known. 
 
 I suppose the proceedings, respecting her, will 
 be the same as with the prizes he took and sent into 
 Quiberoon. A repetition of such conduct, I think 
 must inevitably bring matters to a decisive point 
 
[ 249 ] 
 
 between two rival powers who both appear to be 
 preparing for War. 
 
 To convey this letter to you with more certain 
 ty, I have put it under cover. * * * 
 It is unnecessary for me to assure you that my 
 services here are at your command. If you have 
 occasion to write upon any material subject en 
 close your letter for me to Monsieur J. D. Sweig- 
 hausen. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD. 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Mercer, Esq. 
 
 RICHMOND, February 28, 1777. 
 
 I thank you for the particular account you have 
 given me of your enquiries about an accommoda 
 tion for me. I am very sensible that St. Omers 
 and several other towns in that part of the coun 
 try would be cheaper and in many instances more 
 agreeable, than the neighborhood of Paris but in 
 
[ 250 ] 
 
 some respects it would be inconvenient to me. If 
 I am obliged to go far from Paris it must be some 
 where to the south-eastward of the great road be 
 tween that city and Calais. Orleans and several 
 other places on the Loire I am told, are both 
 agreeable and cheap. 
 
 Such a plan as mine I believe is practicable ; 
 the only difficulty is in finding a friend who is 
 well acquainted with the different Towns. 
 
 I wonder that neither you, nor Mr. B. mention 
 ed a word of St. Germaine s. It is agreeably situ 
 ated and as provisions are not subject to the Pa 
 ns duty living there, must be cheaper. 
 
 If you are able to collect any further informa 
 tion for me, you will be so good as to write me 
 fully on the subject. If the neighborhood of Paris 
 will not do I must content myself, with being at a 
 distance from it. At all events, I must leave Eng 
 land for I cannot afford to stay here any longer. 
 I have practised every species of economy and 
 yet I am dreadfully in debt. I have not received 
 a single farthing from my Estate in America for 
 above two years. This has almost distracted me, 
 and I must contrive some method of getting there, 
 and endeavor to make some remittances. 
 
 I had some money in the hands of Sayer and 
 Cook, which is lost by their Bankruptcy. As you 
 
[251 ] 
 
 have long known the unfortunate state of my 
 finances you can easily judge how much that must 
 have added to my distress. 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 BATH, March 9, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I return you many thanks for your 
 favor of the 3d and 4th. It has explained very 
 fully many parts of Sir W. H. s last letters, which 
 were before very unintelligible. One thing I must 
 remark, viz., the Hessian Minister s reflection on 
 the extension of the Army s chain of communica 
 tion ; this reflection, in all probability was sug 
 gested by Heisler and if so can be productive of 
 no good understanding between him, and Sir 
 Wm. . You have to be sure accounted for 
 that extension. 
 
 It is my astonishment that the apprehensions of 
 War still decrease. Surely the French cannot 
 
[ 252 ] 
 
 possibly resist so favorable an opportunity of sink 
 ing this unhappy country and yet their conduct 
 seems very problematical. If they do not assist 
 more vigorously in adding to the distresses, we 
 have most wickedly brought upon ourselves the 
 good Angel of this Country is much kinder to it 
 than it deserves. 
 
 Unhappily, however, its utmost kindness and 
 efforts cannot preserve it for any length of time 
 our increasing folly and wickedness must inevi 
 tably bring us to perdition. 
 
 I dont know how it may be in London but here 
 the rancour against every man who does not wish 
 well to the doctrine of absolute submission is ex 
 cessive ; and I really think that the violence and 
 madness of the friends of that doctrine increases 
 daily. If it were not for my friends and connec 
 tions in this country I would not live in it a 
 month longer. By holding my tongue, I take care 
 not to be affronted but I daily hear so much illibe 
 ral invective that I believe I shall soon confine 
 myself to the society of my own particular friends. 
 
 I still hold my intention of going to town, next 
 week and have set aside Monday 24th to wait on 
 you and Mrs. Izard. I hope to be with you by 
 noon but must return to town in the evening. 
 
[ 253 ] 
 
 Mrs. C. unites with me in best regards to you. and. 
 Mrs. Izard. 
 
 Admiral Keppel, who is at my elbow, goes to 
 town the latter end of this week, or beginning of 
 next and bids me send his compliments, and tell 
 you that he shall be very glad to see you in Aud- 
 ley Square, whenever you go that way. 
 Mr. Rogers desires his compliments. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very heartily, yours, 
 C. C. 
 
 From George Mercer, Esq. to Mr. Izard* 
 
 PARIS, March 12, 1777. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 Although neither of us mentioned 
 St. Germain, in particular to you, yet assure your 
 self it was included in the list of our Researches ; 
 and G. M. not only visited St. Germain, on seeing 
 a house advertised there before he wrote you last, 
 23 
 
t 254 ] 
 
 but has since been as far as Nantes on the Seine, 
 on the same errand all to no purpose. 
 
 We mentioned in our last the South of France, 
 as the most probable for you to meet with ready 
 furnished houses, and choap. A Pension (Board 
 ing House) you will not be able to get, in all 
 France, for such a family, and we are confirmed 
 in this opinion by late enquiries. 
 
 A gentleman who lives at Brienes, in the Limo- 
 sin, affirms, that an officer lives there who has a 
 wife, and ten children, and keeps all the company 
 of the place, for less than 300 per annum. This 
 was pointed out to you formerly, and is certainly 
 within the limits you say you wish to establish 
 yourself as is Loches, in Touraine, a Town equal 
 ly cheap, and agreeable and Tours and Angers. 
 
 V/e shall not omit to search for what you di 
 rect, in, and about Paris and we will get the best 
 information of the Prices, and conveniences of the 
 Country in general, before you arrive. 
 
 It will certainly be best for you to come over 
 immediately, with your Family and if we are not 
 able to procure you a Mansion before you arrive 
 here you must proceed directly south where you 
 may be always furnished with one to your own 
 mind and in a country, where you may live for 
 half what you can in Paris, or its neighborhood. 
 
[ 255 ] 
 
 G. M. means to settle this summer at Brienes, 
 in Limozin, and if you determine to go there, will 
 render you every assistance in his power. 
 
 My best wishes attend Mrs. I. and my little 
 Friends. 
 
 From John Lloyd, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 NANTES, March 20, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I should not have deferred writing 
 to you, so long, but from what your friend Mr. 
 Lee said, I was possessed with a belief that you 
 would leave England, so very soon, that I con 
 cluded to wait for the pleasure of hearing from 
 you which gratification I have received, by your 
 favor of the 7th instant. 
 
 The only material circumstances that I have 
 had to acquaint you of, were the arrival here of 
 a vessel from Boston, and a packet sent by the 
 Congress, with dispatches to the Honorable Com- 
 
[ 256 1 
 
 rnissioners at Paris. All the intelligence that I 
 could obtain from them, I transmitted in a very 
 particular manner to Mr. Champion and injoinedi 
 him (if you were in England) to communicate the 
 same to you immediately and which request I 
 please myself was instantly complied with. 
 
 By yesterday s Post, we expected to have had 
 an authentic account from Paris, respecting the 
 contents of the dispatches to the Commissioners 
 our not hearing I attribute to some detention 
 which the Captain must have met with on the 
 road. Since he went off I have conversed with 
 the mate, and from what I can learn from him, I 
 am pretty certain, they only bring an authoritative 
 communication of the actions at Trenton, and 
 Princeton. The Congress, when they came away, 
 (or, I should have said the Committee) was at 
 Baltimore but they were about to return to Phila 
 delphia. 
 
 I did not know till last night, that any private 
 letter was received by the packet when a gentle- 
 man, who has made a. large contract with Con 
 gress, read me an extract of one he has had, from 
 the Committee, dated January, wherein they men 
 tion " that the success of the British Troops, was 
 " entirely owing to the great assistance they re- 
 ^received from the Navy without whose protco 
 
[ 257 ] 
 
 " tion and support, their operations would be of 
 " little consequence. That General Washington, 
 " to avail himself of repeated advantages was ad- 
 " vancing towards the enemy, who had retreated 
 " to Brunswick. That it was yet uncertain whe- 
 " ther they intended to make a stand at that place 
 " or abandon the Jersies entirely, and embark for 
 " Staten Island. That Congress had resolved to 
 " raise one hundred and ten battalions of seven hun- 
 " dred and fifty of each, for the service of the en- 
 " suing Campaign, which were to be enlisted for 
 " three years. That the people were roused to a 
 " vigorous exertion and that their spirit was such, 
 " that the new levies even were completed. And 
 "they expected their whole force would be ready 
 " to take the field early in the Spring, well equipt." 
 The packet which is arrived, is a very small 
 schooner but I am told there was one kept ready 
 at Baltimore to be dispatched, that is much larger, 
 
 and mounts sixteen guns. 
 
 ******** 
 
 Nantes, for a sea port town, would not be a dis 
 agreeable place to reside at, for an American in 
 the present situation of affairs if convenient ac 
 commodations could be procured. The intercourse 
 from hence, to the different States, has been very 
 frequent the agent for transacting the commer- 
 
[ 258 j 
 
 cial business of Congress, resides here, which oc 
 casions* it to be the most likely Port for obtaining 
 the best intelligence. 
 
 I think there can be no doubt, if you are deter 
 mined to take your family to America, but that, 
 during the course of a few months you may de 
 pend upon finding a suitable conveyance, from 
 hence to some part or other of the Continent. But 
 before you resolve on that movement permit me 
 to submit a matter for your consideration, which I 
 think deserves attention. 
 
 In my opinion, a final separation between Ame 
 rica and England is now inevitable that being 
 admitted I think there must in consequence be a 
 very intimate and consequential connection be 
 tween this Kingdom and the United States of a 
 political, as well as commercial nature which for 
 the collective and general weal will be under the 
 care, and management of Congress but each par 
 ticular State will undoubtedly be left to a superin 
 tendence of its own distinct Interest. The present 
 great, and increasing importance of Carolina, is 
 such that I apprehend, it will be found essential to 
 the interest and prosperity of the State to have a 
 Commissioner Ambassador Agent, or what style 
 and title they please to be a constant resident at 
 Paris invested with full and ample powers, not 
 
t 259 ] 
 
 only for the superintendence of its public concerns 
 in Europe but to hear complaints and obtain re 
 dress of any .grievances that the subjects of the 
 State may have cause, or occasion to complain of 
 whilst they are on this side the Atlantic, in trans 
 acting their commercial business. As I am confi 
 dent there is no person more capable than your 
 self to discharge so important an office I there 
 fore sincerely wish you will let my idea have your 
 
 serious deliberation. 
 
 ******** 
 
 My present intention is to stay here till I receive 
 an answer to a letter which I have written to his 
 Excellency the President of Carolina. Having 
 the needful introductions to merchants at Bor 
 deaux Havre St. Malo s. and this place I pleased 
 myself that I should find but little difficulty in pro 
 curing French Ships, to proceed to Charlestown 
 to enable our friends to export their and our pro 
 duce ; as my finances would not permit me to pur 
 chase the articles I should prefer my plan was to 
 ballast them with salt, which would pay a good 
 freight, and be acceptable. Having no doubt from 
 the information I received, that there would be 
 any demur respecting Insurance at a premium of 
 twenty-five per cent, I proceeded to the execution 
 of my scheme in which I experienced a multipli- 
 
[ 260 ] 
 
 city of unexpected objections insomuch that I 
 almost gave up its prosecution ; but my anxiety to 
 get some vessels out, stimulated me to continue it 
 and at last I reasoned with and persuaded some 
 Owners of Bordeaux St. Malo s Havre and this 
 Port, to accept my proposal for about ten sail 
 upon condition they could effect an Insurance, 
 which I am extremely sorry to acquaint you can 
 not be made although thirty per cent has been 
 offered at the several ports mentioned and at Am 
 sterdam Rotterdam and Hamburgh. If I could 
 have succeeded, it was my intention to have pre 
 sented one of the vessels for your acceptance. 
 
 What steps I shall now take, is very uncertain. 
 Indeed, at present, I see very little prospect of 
 doing any thing. Be assured, I shall with great 
 pleasure co-operate with you in executing any 
 scheme that may be thought beneficial to the 
 State or to ourselves. 
 
 It concerns me, to observe that the French mer 
 chants appear to want a disposition for carrying 
 on with a requisite spirit an intercourse with 
 America. 
 
 It is true that several sail of Capital well-armed 
 Ships have lately been fitted out, at this and 
 some other ports but they are upon account, and 
 risque of Parisians. 
 
[ 261 ] 
 
 Two that are gone from hence, I am pretty 
 certain are destined for Charlestown ; they have 
 valuable Cargoes. 
 
 No vessel French property is permitted to 
 clear out for the United States those that go, are, 
 therefore, obliged to take their departure for some 
 French settlement and from whence the Admiral 
 ty requires, that the Captain should bring a vouch 
 er of his having been there which regulation com 
 pels the ship, either outward or homeward bound, 
 to proceed there, which is or I should have said, 
 will be accepted as sufficient although the Cargo 
 is apparently the production of the States. I say 
 will be, as no Vessel, French property has yet ar 
 rived at any Port in this Kingdom from any one 
 of them. 
 
 I am sorry to see that the Manufactures of 
 France are so very inferior, and dissimilar to those 
 the Carolinians have been accustomed to receive; 
 and dearer in proportion of fifteen to twenty per 
 cent. Another disagreeable circumstance is that 
 they keep no Stocks on hand if, therefore, a 
 quantity of goods are wanted a long previous 
 notice must be given and the cash is required on 
 delivery and sometimes before. * * * 
 The state of affairs between France, and Eng 
 land, is certainly drawing to a crisis. It is my 
 
[ 262 ] 
 
 opinion that both Courts, will, as long as possible, 
 avoid a formal declaration of War and which 
 leads me to expect that hostilities will precede it 
 and perhaps of a consequential nature. 
 
 The British Ministry have made such publick 
 sacrifices of national honor that it is impossible to 
 say, what provocations insults or indignities, 
 will rouse a spirit of resentment. 
 
 They are certainly very busy at Brest yester 
 day a considerable number of Artisans and Me- 
 chanicks went from hence. The people employ 
 ed in curing meat have been some time idle but 
 within these few days, they have been again set 
 to work with a very considerable additional num 
 ber of hands. Ten thousand men are now on 
 their march to be cantonned in the neighborhood 
 of that port and where there is a Fleet of eigh 
 teen sail of the Line and six Frigates kept ready 
 to proceed to sea at an hour s notice. The expecta 
 tion of War is now the general topick and it is 
 spoken of by the French Merchants with pleasure 
 from a confidence that it will certainly establish 
 the independence of America and bring to this 
 Kingdom a very considerable share of the bene 
 ficial Commerce of the United States. 
 
 The information you received respecting La 
 
[ 263 ] 
 
 Licorne, and the Pomona, is totally devoid of 
 foundation. 
 
 A ship arrived here the day before yesterday 
 from the Cape which brings letters, that mention, 
 there were forty sail of American Vessels then 
 there that Rice was 1 5s. per cwt. Flour, and 
 all other American produce, equally cheap. They 
 don t quote the price of Indigo as all that comes 
 they intermix with with their own ; but from Mar 
 tinique, the price is said to be for good Copper 
 from 4 10 to 5 10. 
 
 Upon the report of some Vessels being arrived 
 from America and one of them positively from 
 Philadelphia I have kept this letter open to the 
 last moment in hopes that the Captains would be 
 up, to have acquainted you if there was any thing 
 new but as none of them appear, I cannot tres 
 pass any longer and, therefore, with Mrs. L. s, 
 and my own sincere assurances of regard for Mrs. 
 Izard, and yourself, and family, I subscribe myself, 
 
 Dear sir. 
 
 I presented the compliments you desired \o Mr. 
 and Mrs. Channing who are well and have 
 charged me to return theirs to Mrs. I,, and your 
 self. 
 
[ 264 ] 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 NANTES, March 22, 1777. 
 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 V 
 
 The Vessels which I mentioned in 
 
 my last, prove to be two ships from Philadelphia 
 the last of them left Reedy Island, the 12th ult. 
 they are loaded with Tobacco another sailed 
 with them and seven more Vessels were loading 
 with that commodity bound to this Kingdom. 
 
 The Delaware has been blocked up by three 
 British Ships of War for six weeks they quitted 
 the station for Chesepeake Bay which released 
 between forty and fifty Vessels most of them 
 small and except the three mentioned all bound 
 to the West Indies. They were convoyed for 
 three days off the Coast, by the Randolph Frigate, 
 Captain Biddle one of the new ships built at Phi 
 ladelphia she mounts thirty-six guns, and carries 
 two hundred and eighty men. 
 
 When she left the Fleet she stood farther 
 Northward supposed for the Coast of New Eng 
 land to pay her first compliment, to the Milford ; 
 
[265 ] 
 
 she is completely equipped, and goes very fast. 
 The other Frigates (the last of which is called the 
 Effingham) are all ready for sea but their crews 
 are with the Army under their officers as a 
 Corps of Artilery. 
 
 The last intelligence from General Washington, 
 was that he had under his command, near thirty 
 thousand men and was advanced so close to 
 Brunswick that the Royalists dare not venture out, 
 to cut a stick of wood that Cornwallis command 
 ed them, with about twelve thousand men. The 
 Rariton continuing open, he had received great 
 assistance from the ships and which had enabled 
 him to fortify the town and all the environs in so 
 strong a manner, that General Washington, had 
 not thought it prudent to attack him. This favor 
 able circumstance kept open a communication with 
 New- York, and permitted his retreat whenever 
 he pleased and for which purpose the necessary 
 preparations were made. 
 
 The desertions from the British as well as the 
 Hessianswere considerable and daily and I 
 cannot omit to inform you, that the masters of one 
 of the ships informed me he saw at Philadelphia 
 upwards of fifty Highlanders who had walked off 
 from Cornwallis without leave. No deserters are 
 enlisted in the Continental Army but they meet 
 24 
 
[ 266 ] 
 
 with great encouragement in every other employ 
 ment, that they are fit for. The report of a Brig 
 ade of Hessians having laid down their arms is 
 not true. 
 
 General Washington s Army was principally 
 composed of Militia, which were discharged as 
 the Regiments upon the new Establishment arriv 
 ed. They are enlisted for the War, and filled ex 
 ceeding fast. 
 
 Having seen a list of prizes published in the 
 English papers taken by the Milford I have 
 selected an account of Vessels taken by the Alfred 
 Frigate, belonging to the States during one month. 
 
 November 2d, 1776. Sailed from Rhode Island 
 with one hundred and forty Officers and Men. 
 
 12th. Took a Brig with a valuable Cargo from 
 Liverpool to Halifax. 
 
 13th. The ship Mellish, a transport, bound 
 to Quebec with Clothing for the Army she had 
 twelve thousand complete suits. 
 
 16th. A Scow with Fish from Guepey, to 
 Barbadoes. 
 
 22d. Chased a transport ashore off Canso 
 loaded with provisions as she could not be got 
 off, sent the boats, and burnt her. 
 
 23d. Three transports under convoy of the 
 Flora frigate. 
 
[267] 
 
 26th. A ship from Liverpool to Halifax 
 mounted with ten carriage guns. 
 
 December 16th. Arrived safe with the Mellish 
 in Nantasket Road, with one hundred and forty 
 prisoners on board, among whom are the Attor 
 ney General of Canada, his lady, and family 
 with several Officers and soldiers. 
 
 The papers which I have seen, contain nothing 
 material except the following proclamation : 
 
 By his Excellency, G. Washington, General and 
 Commander-in- Chief of all the forces of the 
 United States. 
 
 PROCLAMATION. 
 
 " Whereas, several persons Inhabitants of the 
 " United States of America inflamed by enemical 
 " motives intimidated by the threats of the Ene- 
 mv or deluded by a proclamation, issued 30th 
 " last November, by Lord and General Howe 
 " styled the King s Commissioners for granting 
 " pardons, &c. &c., (now at open War, and invad- 
 " ing these States,) have been so lost to the inter- 
 " est, and welfare of the country as to repair to 
 " the Enemy sign a declaration of fidelity and, 
 " in some instances, have been compelled to take 
 
[ 268 ] 
 
 " oaths of allegiance and to engage not to take 
 " up arms or encourage others so to do against 
 " the King of Great Britain ; and whereas, it has 
 " become necessary to distinguish between the 
 " friends of America and those of Great Britain 
 " Inhabitants of these States and that every man 
 " who receives a protection from, and is subject of 
 " any State (not being conscientiously scrupulous 
 " against bearing Arms,) should stand ready to de- 
 " fend the same against every hostile invasion. I 
 " do, therefore, in behalf of the United States, by 
 " virtue of the powers committed to me by Con- 
 "gress hereby strictly command, and require 
 "every person having subscribed such declara- 
 " tion taken such oaths and accepted protec- 
 " tions, and certificates, from Lord, and General 
 "Howe or any person acting under their au- 
 " thority forthwith to repair to head-quarters, or 
 " to quarters of the nearest General Officer of the 
 " Continental Army, or Militia (until farther provi- 
 " sion can be made by civil authority,) and there 
 " deliver up such protections certificates and 
 " passports and take the Oaths of Allegiance to 
 " the United States of America. Nevertheless, 
 " hereby granting full liberty to all such as prefer 
 " the interest and protection of Great Britain to 
 " the freedom, and happiness of their Country 
 
[ 269 ] 
 
 " forthwith to withdraw themselves, and families, 
 "within the Enemy s Lines. And I do hereby 
 "declare, that all and every person who may 
 " neglect, or refuse to comply with this order within 
 " thirty days from the date hereof will be deemed 
 "adherents to the King of Great Britain and 
 "treated as common enemies to the American 
 " States." 
 
 Given at Head Quarters, 
 
 Morristown, Jan. 25, 1777. 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 " By his Excellency s Command. 
 
 ROBERT HARRISON, Secretary. 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 " In a folio general order book belonging to Col. 
 " Rohl s Battalion, taken at Trenton, and now in 
 " possession of the Council of Safety, for this State, 
 " the following barbarous order is frequently re- 
 " peated : " His Excellency the Commander in 
 " Chief orders that all inhabitants that shall be 
 " found with arms, not having an Officer with 
 " them shall be immediately taken and hung up." 
 24* 
 
[270 ] 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 NANTES, March 27, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 The letters from London by the 
 last post are uniformly confident in advising that 
 the prospect of a War between France and Eng 
 land has vanished. 
 
 I am set down to reply to your queries, present 
 ed to me under date of the 14th instant. 
 
 There are vessels which go from Havre to St. 
 Domingo but not so frequent as from this Port 
 the accommodations on board of them, I am told, 
 are tolerable as you know what the French call 
 such it is needless for me to comment thereon. 
 The usual terms for passage are three hundred 
 and fifty to four hundred livres, for grown per 
 sons to be found in every thing and one hundred 
 and fifty for servants. You may have the whole 
 cabin it not having been customary so to do. I 
 cannot with any certainty acquaint you what sum 
 would be required. A merchant whom I consult- 
 
[ 271 ] 
 
 ed upon this point told me that he thought it could 
 not be less than one hundred Louis d ors. 
 
 There are no French ships permitted to go to 
 St. Eustacia direct. St. Domingo is certainly the 
 best Island to land at ; a captain who is just ar 
 rived from thence reports that a great number of 
 Vessels resorted there from the different States 
 but they were in general very small. I have no 
 doubt but among the number there are some Ber- 
 mudian Sloops. I know that there is a company 
 at Charlestown, which have four or five of them, 
 that go to, and from, the French West India 
 Islands St. Eustacia St. Croix, &c. 
 
 I am at a great loss what method to think the 
 best for returning to America, with a family 
 there is not one that I can devise to which there 
 are not almost insuperable objections ; for a single 
 man the mode of conveyance is not very material 
 but when I reflect upon the complicated, disa 
 greeable circumstances, which more than proba 
 bly would attend a family the proposed embarka 
 tion of one distresses me exceedingly ; for that 
 reason, I wish what I submitted to your considera 
 tion some posts since may be thought deserving 
 of your attention but if it should not I would not 
 recommend your leaving Europe till the Fallby 
 which time you may have answers to your letters, 
 
[ 272 ] 
 
 written from this Kingdom besides it is certainly 
 the best season for departure upon every account. 
 
 It is my earnest and sincere desire to return to 
 Carolina ; but previous thereto I wish to receive 
 from thence some remittances that I maybe able 
 to do it in a more acceptable manner. * * * 
 
 This I have submitted to his Excellency and 
 my other friends in power and also to my attor- 
 nies, who I hope, and expect (when they know 
 that I am certainly in this Kingdom) will devise 
 some mode of remitting me and which I think 
 during the course of the summer they may have 
 opportunities of doing either direct or by the way 
 of the French West Indies. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Lord George Germaine, one of 
 his Majesty s principal Secretaries of State. 
 
 RICHMOND GREEN, March 27, 1777. 
 MY LORD : 
 
 I am a native of South Carolina 
 of considerable property in that Province and 
 
[ 273 ] 
 
 came to reside in England, with my wife, and 
 family, several years ago. 
 
 The unfortunate commotions in North America 
 render my presence absolutely necessary to pre 
 serve the wreck of my Estate. The laws that 
 have been passed for restraining the communica 
 tion between this country and the Coloniesren 
 der it difficult for me to get there. I am desirous 
 of carrying my wife and children with me because 
 I have now no means of maintaining them here. 
 
 I wish to go in the most public manner. The 
 Packet to St. Augustine, is the most natural chan 
 nel. I therefore apply to your Lordship, and re 
 quest you will obtain his Majesty s License for 
 that purpose with orders to Governor Tonga or 
 the Commander-in-Chief of the Province of East 
 Florida to permit me and my family, to pass 
 peaceably to South Carolina. Or in case this is 
 thought improper that I may be allowed to hire a 
 Vessel upon the assurance of a License for her 
 under every restriction, that I shall carry nothing, 
 except necessaries for my family. 
 
 I am extremely anxious to be satisfied on the 
 points which I have had the honor of submitting 
 to your Lordship and therefore request the favor 
 of an answer, as soon as possible. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
[274] 
 Lord George Germaine to Mr. hard. 
 
 Lord George Germaine presents his compli 
 ments to Mr. Izard, and is sorry to inform him, 
 that he cannot move His Majesty for the License 
 Mr. Izard desires. 
 
 Whitehall, March 28, 1777. 
 
 From George Livins, Esq. to Mr. Izard. 
 
 CALCUTTA, April 3, 1777. 
 DEAR IZARD : 
 
 I was much disappointed in not 
 receiving a line from you, these two seasons past. 
 It has given me much concern, on every account. 
 
 I hope the ships of this season which we expect 
 after July next will give me some satisfactory in 
 formation of your health and welfare. 
 
 I am impatient to hear news from America 
 and I trust things will yet go well. I wished 
 earnestly to hear from you especially as I was 
 
[ 275] 
 
 informed you had in 1 775, settled yourself in the 
 Country. 
 
 It is hard I should never have received a line 
 from you. I took the liberty of remitting bills, to 
 an inconsiderable amount (200 sterling. It would 
 have been doing me a favour to keep the money, 
 in your hands, lest other expectations should fail 
 with me. I have now again troubled you with a 
 bill for 100, which I beg you will do me the fa 
 vour to dispose of, as you may think proper. It 
 may be of some use during the present troubles 
 and if it should be of any the least use I pray 
 you will dispose of it. 
 
 My prospects in India are very good ; and I 
 trust I shall see you, with a small but independent 
 fortune in the course of a few years. The trade of 
 India has been these two years past, much on the 
 decline and very unsuccessful to most con 
 cerned in it but I have had good fortune beyond 
 all expectation. 
 
 I had written thus far yesterday ; I hope to 
 write to you from Madras having now but just 
 time to close this. 
 
 Remember me, in the best manner to Mrs. Izard, 
 Mrs. Blake, and all my friends. 
 
 I remain, dear Izard, 
 Your affectionate friend and humble servant, 
 
 GEORGE LIVINS. 
 
[ 276 ] 
 
 From John Lloyd, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 NANTES, April 26, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Your favor of the 4th instant came 
 to hand in due course. We have nothing new 
 from America ; the wind has been long unfavora 
 ble for ships to come in but as it is now westerly 
 I please myself with hopes that we shall soon re 
 ceive some satisfactory intelligence. 
 
 The principal design of this letter is to acquaint 
 you the Merchants have lately such confident 
 assurances from Paris, that there will be no war 
 with England and as several circumstances con 
 cur to strengthen the belief they are in conse 
 quence generally disposed to become more or less 
 adventurers to America and they manifest a pre 
 ferable disposition for speculation to Carolina in 
 somuch, that there are now fitting out upwards of 
 twelve vessels at this port, for Charlestown ; and I 
 think it is probable the number will continue to in 
 crease whilst the underwriters will take the risks ; 
 the present premium is 35 per cent, out and home, 
 
L 277 ] 
 
 and the freights 220 to 225 livres per ton to be 
 paid upon the return cargo. 
 
 I have not engaged any, upon my own account 
 and am doubtful if I shall till towards the fall as 
 I think the present season is too far advanced. 
 None of those taken up will be ready to sail, at 
 soonest before the latter end of next month and 
 as they must go from hence to St. Domingo Mar 
 tinique or some other French port, before they 
 proceed to Charlestown I do not expect they will 
 arrive there before September by which time I 
 have not a doubt, but that all the Indigo, will be 
 shipped off. In that case, my plan would be sub 
 verted as I propose to ease the Charter, to take 
 Indigo on freight between decks, being of opinion* 
 that by the period when the vessels may be expected 
 to return that Rice will be at a price that will not 
 afford the present freights and insurance. I have 
 no doubt, but that a considerable quantity will find 
 its way to Europe the crop of St. Domingo hav 
 ing failed more than one half a great number of 
 ships must of course be deprived of their cargoes. 
 To remedy this unfortunate circumstance I am 
 informed that orders are transmitted out, by seve 
 ral owners, for their vessels to get a little sugar, 
 and clear out for France but to proceed to 
 Charlestown which scheme can be effected with 
 25 
 
[278 ] 
 
 little or no risk. I have been consulted upon the 
 subject and have given the plan all possible recom 
 mendation. There are three going out from here 
 as seekers and I think it probable more will follow 
 the example whilst Insurance can be made, and 
 the present political aspect continues. 
 
 They all take a considerable quantity of salt 
 and more or less goods some of them will be 
 near loaded with necessary articles so that I think 
 there is a prospect of the market being tolerably 
 well supplied and of the Planters getting good 
 prices for their produce. 
 
 I omitted to tell you in my last, that when the 
 schooner which I therein mentioned to be ar 
 rived here from Charlestown, left it the Captain 
 says old Rice was selling from 35s to 375 6d, and 
 new from 42s Gd to 455, and that the best copper 
 Indigo, was in demand at 30.9 to 355, at which I 
 am not surprised as most of the small foreign ves 
 sels that arrive there, are obliged to invest the 
 proceeds of their cargoes, in that article which, 
 by advices from Statia, may be bought there for 
 20 per cent less than it can in Carolina owing to 
 the great quantities that have been carried to that 
 market. 
 
 If you are disposed to speculate in Charters I 
 will endeavor to get executed any order that you 
 
L 279 ] 
 
 may give me with the strictest attention to your 
 interest. I have no doubt but you will see the im 
 propriety of mentioning in England the mercantile 
 intelligence, which I have communicated. 
 
 Your particular friend, Mr. Lee, is returned to 
 Paris from Madrid where he has accomplished his 
 business, to his satisfaction and by this day has 
 departed upon another tour to Berlin. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Blake, with the children arrived 
 here well the 19th. Your friends here join me in 
 respectful assurances to Mrs. I. and yourself. 
 
 Adieu. 
 
 Believe me to be, 
 
 Most sincerely, yours, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD, 
 
 From Mr. hard to Edward Rutledge, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, May 8, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR :-- 
 
 It is long since I have had the plea- 
 sure of receiving a letter from you. That brought 
 by Mr. Story, through France, was the last. 
 
[ 280 ] 
 
 I have written to you by several opportunities, 
 and hope some of my letters may have got to your 
 hands. A person who goes by way of Augustine, 
 has promised, if possible, to deliver this to you. As 
 it is very doubtful whether it will get safe, or no it 
 will be improper, to enter so fully into the state of 
 affairs, as I could wish. 
 
 The conduct of America is approved of and ad 
 mired by all the world except those whose folly 
 and villainy have made that conduct necessary. I 
 most sincerely congratulate you, on the wise, and 
 spirited behaviour of our Countrymen in Carolina ; 
 and I have not the least doubt, but their cause 
 will be crowned with success as it is the cause of 
 virtue and the noblest one that ever was con 
 tended for by a free people. 
 
 I have long wished to be with you, but it has 
 been absolutely out of my power. A letter I 
 wrote to my late worthy friend T. L., (which I de 
 sired hfm to communicate to you) required an an 
 swer. 
 
 Then came the Act to prohibit all intercourse 
 with America. After that, I endeavored to pro 
 cure from the Secretary of State, an order to the 
 Governor of Augustine to let me and my family 
 pass from his Province, to Charlestown. My an 
 swer was a peremptory refusal. In short, every 
 
[281 ] 
 
 step in my power has been taken without effect. I 
 have, however, the satisfaction of thinking, that 
 my time has not been uselessly employed here. If 
 my Countrymen think that I can be of any service 
 to them in Europe it will make me very happy. 
 
 I shall go with my family to France during the 
 course of next month where I shall be glad that you 
 will write to me and I desire that you will send 
 me as much of my crop ^both Rice and Indigo 
 as you can. Let it be consigned to any Merchant 
 in any part of France that the Government of 
 Carolina make their consignments to. You will 
 be so good as to make Insurance in Carolina on 
 whatever you send me. 
 
 I rely on these shipments for the support of my 
 family. I have not for a considerable time, re 
 ceived any remittances which has obliged me to 
 get into debt. I trust to your friendly exertions 
 and I think that, circumstanced as you know me to 
 be I need say no more to you on the subject. 
 
 As I hear that Mr. Laurens is appointed one of 
 the Delegates it is probable that he will not be in 
 Charlestown, when this arrives. I shall therefore 
 defer writing to him till I get to France. If I have 
 been misinformed and he is still in Carolina pray 
 make my compliments to him. 
 
 I shall be greatly disappointed, if Sir W. Howe 
 25* 
 
[ 282 ] 
 
 does not find in the middle Colonies more employ 
 ment than he can engage in, to his satisfaction. 
 
 Should he succeed in his wishes, this summer 
 which I think impossible you will have another 
 visit next winter. 
 
 This you must long have expected and I am 
 
 very happy to think -you will of course be prepared. 
 
 ******** 
 
 Whenever I have a good opportunity, and any 
 thing worth communicating I shall write to you. 
 I beg our compliments to your brother s family. 
 Adieu. 
 
 I am with great regard, dear sir, 
 
 Your friend, and humble servant. 
 
 P. S. So far my letter of the 8th May. I have 
 since heard that a considerable number of French 
 Vessels have got safe into Charlestown which has 
 raised the price both of Rice, and Indigo. This 
 may make it possible to procure Bills of Exchange 
 on France. If so I should prefer them to pro 
 duce on account of the risk though a considerable 
 premium should be paid for them. However, if 
 Bills of Exchange are not to be had send me 
 Rice, and Indigo for I stand in absolute need of 
 remittances of some sort or other. 
 
 Lord Chatham is so far recovered as to come 
 
[ 283 ] 
 
 to the House of Lords. I heard him make a very 
 good speech last week. He moved to address the 
 King, to redress the accumulated grievances of 
 America and that this measure should be sent 
 over to America as the Herald to announce the 
 disposition of this Country to Peace. An excel 
 lent debate ensued in which Lord Shelburne, and 
 Lord Camden, showed the greatest abilities. The 
 Book of Numbers overthrew every sensible argu 
 ment. 
 
 It was ridiculous enough, at this stage of the 
 business when they do not seem to have the 
 smallest chance of success to hear Lord Gower 
 talk of the necessity of carrying on the war and 
 convincing the Americans, that they were their 
 Masters those were his words. 
 
[284 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to George Livins, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, May 12, 1777. 
 DEAR LIVINS : 
 
 Mr. Dempster has just informed 
 me that there is an express, going overland to In 
 dia ; and that he will enclose a letter to a friend 
 of his at Madras which will be forwarded to Cal 
 cutta. 
 
 I embrace, therefore, that opportunity of ac 
 knowledging the receipt of your letter of the 15th 
 September which enclosed a bill of Exchange 
 for 200 for me, and another of 100 for Mr. 
 Blake. I am much obliged to you for this act of 
 friendship and it gives me particular pleasure to 
 find, that my attachment and affection have been 
 so judiciously placed. Mr. Blake desires me to 
 give you his compliments and thanks. He has no 
 immediate occasion for the money and therefore 
 desires me to make use of it. I have sent the 
 Bills for acceptance and shall keep the money, at 
 my Bankers and use it if I have occasion for it 
 which may be the case for I see no prospect of 
 
[ 285 ] 
 
 an end to this unhappy war which I have some 
 reason to think, will extend itself to all parts of 
 the world. Possibly, you may, at Calcutta, have 
 an opportunity of knowing the designs of the 
 Court of France before they are openly avowed 
 at St. James s. England, the former pride and 
 terror of the World rather than abandon her un 
 just attempts against her own offspring is com 
 pelled meanly to put up with such insults from 
 her ancient rival and natural Enemy as would 
 have roused her at any other period .of her his 
 tory. 
 
 Three ambassadors, from the Congress, reside 
 publickly at Paris. Scarce a week passes, but 
 there are some English prizes carried into some 
 of the ports of France, and sold. Lord Stor- 
 mont remonstrates the French Minister gives 
 assurances of the pacific intentions of his master 
 but no restitution is made nor any sort of satis 
 faction given. This is the state of affairs in 
 France ; in the meantime, every sort of assis 
 tance that can be devised is given to America, 
 by France. Cannon Ammunition Tents Arms 
 of all sorts and all kinds of Military stores are 
 slipt into the Continent from the French Islands. 
 
 This is publickly known to be the case. Lord 
 Stormont remonstrates again the French Minis- 
 
[ 286 ] 
 
 ter promises to enquire into the matter but still 
 no satisfaction is ever obtained. An American 
 Privateer, last week, took two Packets going from 
 Harwich to Helvoet Sluys. One of them had a 
 considerable sum of money on board and dia 
 monds belonging to the Jews. 
 
 Every nation in Europe, stands astonished at 
 the extreme folly of this country while the Min 
 istry, wrapped up in their own importance are 
 marching with a steady and certain step to the 
 destruction of that Union which formed the 
 strength of the British Empire. 
 
 The Packet from New- York, is just arrived. 
 General Howe was making every preparation for 
 opening the Campaign, in Jersey. Washington 
 was collecting his Army, in that part of the Pro 
 vince which borders on the Delaware. 
 
 Howe s object must be to bring his antagonist 
 to an engagement if possible. The American 
 General is greatly his superior in point of abili 
 tiesand will, without doubt, avoid opposing his 
 young troops to Howe s veterans unless some 
 very advantageous circumstances make it proper 
 to do so. 
 
 The Ministry, and their friends, talk confiden 
 tially of success ; on the other hand the Congress 
 talk of driving the British Army out of America, 
 
[ 287 ] 
 
 the ensuing Campaign. Neither of these opin 
 ions, I believe, will be found true. I expect a 
 great deal of blood will be spilt, in America, this 
 year without anything very decisive being done. 
 But I believe as firmly as I do that God created 
 the World that, before the expiration of the year 
 1788, the cause of America, will be triumphant 
 and her Independence, perfectly established. 
 
 The partisans of the Ministry assert that Howe 
 will be in possession of Philadelphia, by the 1st 
 of June. This, I am sure, will not be the case. 
 If Washington does not find it expedient, to come 
 to a general action Sir William Howe, may be 
 in Philadelphia, during the course of the summer ; 
 should that be the case he will not be the least 
 nearer subjugating America than he is at present. 
 That event, I hold to be utterly impossible. 
 
 Would to God, it had never been attempted. 
 Great Britain, is now fruitlessly exhausting her 
 strength, and tearing out her own Bowels. 
 France is lying by carefully watching for an op 
 portunity of taking ample revenge for the dis 
 grace and losses she met with last War. 
 
 Your friends, in Bengal, have probably some 
 times letters from England on the subject of 
 America ; their accounts, it is likely, will differ 
 from mine. Be assured, that I have the means of 
 
[ 288 ] 
 
 being well-informed in this business. The facts 
 that I mention you may rely upon. With regard 
 to the points which are yet undecided my opin 
 ions will have just the weight, you think they de 
 serve. The event alone can show whether they 
 have been well founded. 
 
 The affairs of Madras, have made some noise. 
 There are many publications on the subject but 
 my mind is too much agitated with concerns that 
 are much more interesting to me to allow of my 
 attending to them, so as to make myself master 
 of the business. It seems, I think, hard, to recall 
 all the parties. The Nabob will be perfectly 
 happy at getting rid of Lord Pigot ; and as to 
 the inconveniences that the majority of the Coun 
 cil will experience that will give him no great 
 distress. 
 
 I am happy that you are out of the scrape and 
 I hope that you will continue to experience no 
 thing but prosperity and happiness. 
 
 My mind has suffered more uneasiness, during 
 the last two, or three years than I ever thought it 
 would have been my lot to have known in this 
 world. I have been very desirous of getting to 
 America. The only possible way of doing so, 
 is, by the French West Indies. This, I should not 
 hesitate an instant about if it were not for my 
 
[ 289 ] 
 
 Wife, and Children. I cannot think of exposing 
 them to the danger of being taken at sea and, 
 perhaps, being ill-treated. 
 
 I mean to go to France, next month with my 
 family and reside there, till I go to America. I 
 can live there, much cheaper than I can here and 
 the opinions of the people there, are much more 
 agreeable to my own than they are in England. 
 We think alike in this unhappy business but our 
 thoughts spring from very different motives. 
 They rejoice to think that the pride and power 
 of England will be humbled in the dust. What 
 little satisfaction I feel on the subject, arises from 
 a thorough persuasion that that pride and power, 
 will not be able to deprive us of the rights of hu 
 manity. 
 
 Continue to write to me. Mr. Gemmell will 
 know how to forward your letters to me. I fre 
 quently see our friends in Perry-street. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Blake, are still in Newman-street she is 
 still in the state you always knew her. He talks 
 of taking, and leaving her at Aix-la-Chapelle and 
 going to Carolina, himself. This scheme, I be 
 lieve, will take place. His brother is in the South 
 of France, with his family. What he intends do 
 ing, I know not. 
 
 Mrs. Izard and the little girls offer their best 
 26 
 
[ 290 ] 
 
 regards to you. I am vexed to find that none of 
 my letters have got safe to your hands. 
 
 Adieu, dear Livins. 
 
 From John Lloyd, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 NANTES, May 22, 1777. 
 DEAR Sm : 
 
 Since I had the pleasure to write 
 you several vessels have arrived here, from dif 
 ferent parts of America. Among the number, is 
 a Schooner from Charlestown, called the Rut- 
 ledge, belonging to Mr. Gillon. She left it, the 
 15th March. The Captain brought no letters, 
 and only two papers ; these omissions are not 
 made up by his being intelligent unfortunately, 
 his knowledge extends not beyond the limits of 
 his own particular sphere of action. The infor 
 mation which I have obtained, is The particu 
 lar accounts of Colonel Fuzar s too successful ex 
 pedition with a detachment from St. Augustine, 
 
[291 J 
 
 the material circumstances of which I have seen in 
 the English papers and therefore shall not trouble 
 you with a recapitulation. His attack occasioned 
 some little alarm to the State of Georgia but proper 
 means were taken to prevent any ill consequences. 
 
 I am sorry to inform you that the Randolph Fri 
 gate, soon after she parted from the Capes of Del 
 aware met with so severe a gale as obliged the 
 Captain to cut away all her masts and to bear 
 away for Charlestown where she fortunately ar 
 rived, and was repairing with all possible expedi 
 tion. 
 
 The state of Carolina appears to be perfectly 
 tranquil. The Legislature have passed a good 
 many salutary laws among them is one for ap 
 pointing Commissioners to ratify a permanent 
 peace with the Cherokees. The Planters are re 
 ceiving very satisfactory prices for their produce. 
 Rice was at 60s and Indigo from 30s to 50s per 
 pound ; the high price of this article is owing to 
 the great demand and their having shipped such 
 immense quantities to the West Indies. The car 
 goes which the foreign vessels bring, being very 
 considerable the Captains from necessity have 
 been obliged to invest the proceeds, in that article ; 
 on account of its value, in a small bulk the mar 
 ket was so drained, that there remained none for 
 
[ 292 ] 
 
 sale but that which was of very inferior quality. 
 This circumstance compelled the adventurers to 
 purchase Rice which occasioned a demand for 
 more than the market was regularly supplied with 
 owing to the want of craft to bring it to town 
 the large schooners, and hands that used to be em 
 ployed in the business were occupied ingoing to 
 and from the West Indies and happily lately they 
 had met with very little interruption. As the 
 quantity of Rice remaining in the State, was very 
 considerable I do not suppose so good a price 
 can continue long as I have not a doubt but that 
 the Planters will find some method to supply the 
 market. 
 
 Captain Cockran, who loaded at this port, with 
 Arms Ammunition and Clothing, on account of 
 the State was safe arrived and on his passage 
 took an armed transport bound from Cork to New- 
 York. Their two Privateers have been very suc 
 cessful in taking and fortunate in getting their 
 prizes safe into port. 
 
 Mr. Cushing s son of Boston, landed here lately 
 with dispatches for the Honorable Commissioners. 
 He left New England the 10th of last month the 
 last post from Paris brought me the substance of 
 their contents, which is that both Armies con 
 tinued to possess the same posts which they have 
 
[ 293 ] 
 
 had for some time past that skirmishes were fre 
 quent and had generally terminated in favor of the 
 Americans but none of them were of sufficient 
 consequence to mention except one lately near 
 Amboy which by the American account, resem 
 bles the Lexington retreat and they made the 
 loss of the Royalists in killed wounded and pri 
 soners five hundred and nine men. Most of the 
 different States had raised their respective quotas. 
 A considerable reinforcement had marched for 
 Ticonderoga. The Congress found no difficulty 
 in raising money by Loans and their Lottery 
 was fully subscribed for. Ten frigates were at 
 sea from twenty to thirty-six guns more were 
 building and also some seventy-four gun ships. 
 The father of the before mentioned young gentle 
 man has the superintendence of that upon the 
 stocks at Boston. 
 
 The report of General Washington s being very 
 ill is without foundation. It is true that in re- 
 connoitering the Enemy, he had a fall from his 
 horse but it was not^attended with any bad conse 
 quences. 
 
 You may depend upon it that Lord and Gene 
 ral Howe through General Lee have intimated a 
 wish to commence a pacific negotiation with Con 
 gress but as that body expressly refused to enter 
 26* 
 
[ 294 ] 
 
 upon the subject of treaty, previous to the acknow 
 ledgement of the Independence of the United 
 States it produced nothing. There has been an 
 insurrection among some Tories on the Eastern 
 shore of Maryland the number was not very con 
 siderable a detachment of Connecticut troops 
 soon set them right. 
 
 Since the apprehension of War between France 
 and England has subsided the French Merchants 
 are become very capital adventurers. Several 
 very valuable Cargoes are already dispatched to 
 Virginia Philadelphia Maryland and South Ca 
 rolina and many more are preparing to follow - 
 and vessels are building for the express purpose of 
 trading to Virginia and Maryland. They seem 
 confident in an opinion that the Court of France 
 will claim any of their ships that may be taken 
 without they have warlike stores on board. It is 
 now pretty evident to me that the French Ministry 
 are not desirous of taking an active part in the 
 American contest but notwithstanding I have not 
 a doubt but they will connive at the Americans 
 being supplied with Arms, and Ammunition, from 
 their ports and will give them every encourage 
 ment to come and trade. 
 
 I am now to present my thanks for your oblig 
 ing favor of the 9th instant. Such authentic intel- 
 
[ 295 ] 
 
 ligence is very acceptable. Your dates from Ame 
 rica are later than ours. We have certain advices 
 of the safe arrival of very considerable supplies of 
 Arms Ammunition and Clothing and we have 
 not a doubt but that the Amphitrite is one of the 
 vessels though her name is not particularly men 
 tioned. ******* 
 
 I am very anxious to hear the cause and to 
 know the consequences of the confinement of the 
 Captain and Seamen of the Privateer at Dun 
 kirk who took the Harwich packet. 
 
 The Merchants whom I would recommend to 
 you, are Monsieur I. D. Schweighansen, at this 
 port Monsieur Andrew Limosen, at Havre and 
 Messrs. Desegray, Beaugerd Son & Co. at St. Ma- 
 loes. I must defer my recommendation at Bor 
 deaux till I go there which I intend to do about 
 three weeks or a month hence. 
 
 Your acquaintances here are all pretty well 
 and join Mrs. L. in respectful compliments to Mrs. I. 
 and yourself with which and the most sincere 
 assurance, I subscribe, 
 
 Dear sir, yours, 
 
 J. L. 
 
L 296 J 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 NANTES, June 5, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have now to acquaint you, that 
 three more vessels arrived here from Charlestown 
 and their cargoes are upon private account and 
 consist of about 2,000 bbls. Rice and 60,000 Ibs. 
 Indigo. The last left the port the 21st April 
 when there were in the harbour upwards of one 
 hundred sail. The Indigo being all bought, occa 
 sioned such a demand for Rice that it was thought 
 the principal part if not the whole of the last crop 
 would be exported the price was 505. The great 
 supplies of necessary articles with their internal 
 manufactures will, I doubt not enable them to 
 pass the next winter without much inconvenience. 
 Cotton is produced in such plenty, that considera 
 ble quantities may be bought. Mr. Hey ward, who 
 I suppose has as many negroes as any gentleman 
 in the State makes clothing sufficient for their ser 
 vice. All the King s Officers and some others 
 who refused to take the Abjuration oath were pur- 
 
[ 297 ] 
 
 suant to orders preparing to leave the State 
 which they are compelled to do in thirty-five days. 
 
 ******** 
 
 Mr. Blake has fifteen casks of Indigo arrived 
 
 here shipped by his attorney Mr. F . It is 
 
 said that the exportation of it as the property of an 
 absentee occasioned so much conversation in 
 
 Charlestown that Mr. F thought it needful to 
 
 apply to the President who called a privy coun 
 cil and it is reported that the opinion was that 
 no part of the proceeds ought to be received by 
 Mr. B. It is therefore ordered to be invested in 
 articles necessary for his plantations. This deter 
 mination appears to me so directly contrary to the 
 consistent resolution of the Legislative body that 
 I cannot reconcile it. Admit that they are desirous 
 for persons possessed of Estates to return certain 
 ly it should be considered that they have unavoida 
 bly for a considerable time been contracting 
 debts and which they cannot discharge without 
 obtaining the needful from Carolina which if with 
 held the natural consequence to be supposed is 
 their detention for non-payment. I cannot imagine 
 that a subject of Britain, resident in this State- 
 would be permitted to leave it, in compliance with 
 his King s requisition without satisfying his credi 
 tors My first letter to his Excellency, was upon 
 
[ 298 J 
 
 this subject and* I flatter myself it will not be 
 long before I shall be honored with a reply as the 
 vessel by which I wrote is safe arrived at St. Do 
 mingo and was preparing to proceed from thence 
 to Charlestown. 
 
 We have nothing new from America. Our hav 
 ing no vessels from Philadelphia inclines me to 
 think that the Delaware is blocked up by Men-of- 
 War. By a ship arrived from Martinique, we are 
 informed that the Seine a ship dispatched from 
 Havre-de-Grace with military stores and clothing, 
 having there unloaded her cargo which was re 
 ceived by American vessels took on board Rum, 
 and Molasses, for St. Peters Miquilon. During 
 this time there lay in the Rodd a British Frigate, 
 the Captain of which when the Seine was scarce 
 clear of the harbour sent an armed boat with 
 twenty-two men who boarded her and she with 
 the Frigate proceeded to Dominico ; she had a 
 good many Officers on board- as passengers who 
 complain of ill usage. The person who transmits 
 this intelligence, says that the Governor was so 
 extremely angry at this unjustifiable insult that 
 he was resolved to order reprisals. 
 
 I think at present of going to Bordeaux in about 
 three weeks for the purpose of seeing how busi 
 ness is and may be conducted there. This Port 
 
[ 299 ] 
 
 is not so convenient and suitable for the Carolina 
 trade as I could wish. * * * * 
 Your friends here are all well. 
 Mrs. Smith joins in every affectionate assurance 
 for Mrs. Colley, your good selfand family, with 
 him, who is 
 
 Most sincerely yours, 
 
 THOS. SMITH.* 
 
 From Mr. Colley to Thos. Smith, Esq. 
 
 LONDON, June 19, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am very glad to find, by your 
 letter of the 5th June, that there have been three 
 arrivals at Nantes, from Charlestown and that 
 
 * It was thought prudent to use fictitious names at the time 
 these letters were written. Mr. Izard took that of Colley, Mr, 
 Lloyd that of Smith. 
 
[ 300 ] 
 
 they have brought favorable accounts of the situa 
 tion of affairs. 
 
 It is a most fortunate circumstance, that they 
 have been able to supply themselves, so plenti 
 fully with their own Cotton Manufactures. Some 
 Blankets of that stuff, which I saw in the South 
 of France and in several parts of Italy were 
 well adapted to the climate of Carolina and I 
 hope to hear of their making them there soon. 
 Some samples and workmen, with proper Tools 
 might easily be sent from Nantes and Bordeaux. 
 I am surprised at the Resolution of the President, 
 
 and Council, respecting Mr. B s remittance. 
 
 The murmurs of the common people are not to be 
 wondered at they are always apt to suspect and 
 complain if they do not find everybody precisely 
 in the same situation with themselves. But the 
 gentlemen of the Council ought to know that 
 there are more ways, than one, to serve one s 
 country. 
 
 If I am included under the general head of ab 
 sentees and my property, in consequence, is with 
 held from me I shall think myself extremely ill- 
 used. If I am acquainted at all, with my own 
 character I think it is not that of a vain boaster. 
 A man of any degree of modesty is reduced to a 
 very disagreeable situation when he is compelled, 
 
[ 301 ] 
 
 either to speak of himself or to suffer by his si 
 lence suspicions to be cast upon his character. 
 I will be bold to say, that if it is thought in Caro 
 lina, that any man there, has been more uniform 
 ly hearty, in the cause or exerted himself to the 
 extent of his ability more than I have done it is 
 an injurious supposition and can only be founded 
 on a want of information. 
 
 I have, from the beginning of the troubles, 
 done everything in my power ; even before the 
 appearance of Sir Egerton Leigh s pamphlet, 
 down to the present time. If any man in Caro 
 lina, thinks that I was not exposed to considerable 
 danger in consequence of the active part I took 
 in endeavoring to stem the torrent, at the time of 
 the passing of the Boston Port and other bills fatal 
 to the liberties of America he is mistaken. I 
 hope that the Council, upon revising that Resolu 
 tion, will see cause to alter it. However strong 
 their inclination may be, for the return of absen 
 tees my own, to be in America is, at least, equal 
 ly strong. But there are such difficulties in my 
 way as are not to be surmounted. I shall w r rite 
 to Rutledge, on this subject by the first good op 
 portunity that I hear of. In the enclosed letter to 
 my cousin Ralph, I have touched upon it ; you will 
 be so good as to forward it as soon as you can. 
 27 
 
L 302 ] 
 
 The English Ministry are exasperated, to a 
 great degree, against France and I am con 
 vinced they are now meditating a War against 
 her. The taking of the Island of St. Catharine, 
 by Spain will probably forward this event. 
 Should Portugal continue the War unsupported 
 by England she must be undone. The addition 
 of this Kingdom with its dependencies in the 
 East and West Indies, to the natural and heredi 
 tary enemies of England will not be easily con 
 sented to. But Portugal, may not put any great 
 confidence in the support of England and may 
 prefer the offer which I am well assured has 
 been made to her of being admitted a party in 
 the Bourbon family compact. Wherever this 
 country turns her eyes the prospect is but 
 gloomy. 
 
[ 303 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to Ralph hard, Jun.> Esq. 
 
 LONDON, June 19, 1777. 
 DEAR RALPH : 
 
 It is impossible for me to get my family to Amer 
 ica, and I find it difficult to maintain them in Eu 
 rope. Mr. Laurens, I hear, is chosen a Delegate 
 to the Congress. If neither he nor Rutledge, 
 are in Carolina I must beg the favor of you to 
 see that some remittances are made meeither in 
 Bills or produce. Probably, Mr. John Laurens 
 will before this gets to your hands be arrived in 
 Charlestown. Should his father and Rutledge, 
 be both absent, I dare say he will assist yon, in 
 rendering me any service. I beg you will offer 
 my affectionate regards to him. I had the plea 
 sure of seeing his wife and daughter, three or four 
 
 days ago. 
 
 ******* * 
 
 I intend carrying my family, next month, to 
 Francenot to return to this unfortunate country 
 any more. 
 
[ 304 ] 
 
 The Ministry and their abettors talk confident 
 ly of success, during the ensuing Campaign. For 
 my part I have not the least doubt but that they 
 will be completely disappointed their pride hum 
 bled and this long deluded and insulted Nation, 
 will, at last, when it is too late, see that they have 
 been betrayed and ruined by as foolish, and bad 
 a set of men as ever a country was cursed with. 
 The Treaty with the Germans, was the Bill of 
 Divorce between Great Britain and America. I 
 visited the Ministry before that fatal measure was 
 finally concluded and told them so. Had not 
 their accursed pride, made them deaf to the voice 
 of reason, they would have sent Commissioners to 
 treat with the Congress, without an army. So 
 might peace have been restored the noblest Em 
 pire in the world have continued undivided and 
 happiness diffused through every part of it. That 
 opportunity is now lost, without a possibility of its 
 ever being recovered. I am, &c. 
 
 R. I. 
 
 P. S. * * * * * 
 
 I know not whether any orders have been given 
 about me or whether any general resolutions, 
 respecting absentees, are intended to operate in 
 discriminately. I hope this will not be the case , 
 
[ 305 ] 
 
 as I gave sufficient reasons, for my absence both 
 to Lynch and Rutledge some months ago. I am 
 greatly afflicted at the death of Lynch. His loss, 
 to America, in general and to the Province in 
 particular, is great but to me it is irreparable. If 
 he were alive, I trust I should have had a friend, 
 who would have made all explanations on my 
 part, at present unnecessary. I shall hope that 
 they are so. * * * 
 
 From Thos. Smith, Esq. to Mr. Colley. 
 
 NANTES, July 2, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 My last was the 20th ultimo. I have 
 since received, in due course, your favor of the 
 19th, covering a letter which I shall take great 
 care in forwarding. * 
 
 Two vessels are arrived at Bordeaux from 
 Charlestown one in thirty-six, the other in forty- 
 eight days. * * * 
 They have brought me letters of the 7th May. 
 The first vessel that sailed after I came here ar- 
 27* 
 
[ 306 ] 
 
 rived safe in Charlestown. I wrote by her to 
 my friend, and Attorney, Mr. Lowndes and in 
 formed him of my intention to send out some 
 Charters, from France. 
 
 On the 5th May, arrived at Charlestown, five sail 
 of larger vessels from France, with suitable car 
 goes for the State and which will find a very ad 
 vantageous market. A very considerable and 
 uninterrupted trade, has been carried on from the 
 Port, for many months -and as they have one of 
 the Continental frigates, of thirty-two guns with 
 six large privateer brigs to cruise on the coast, 
 they expect it will be kept clear of single English 
 frigates. * ****** 
 The Mercury a French ship was despatched 
 from hence with Arms Amunition and Clothing 
 the particulars of whose cargo you will recollect 
 to have seen published in the English papers as 
 safely landed is arrived here, from Portsmouth, 
 in New Hampshire, which port she left the 3d June. 
 She has brought some despatches for the Com 
 missioners. 
 
 On the 23d May, a detachment from General 
 Parsons Army, crossed the Sound, from Connecti 
 cut, and landed near Sagg-Harbour, on Long Island, 
 (where the Royalists had a considerable Maga 
 zine,) which they totally destroyed, as also a great 
 
[ 307 ] 
 
 number of Craft and took ninety prisoners. This 
 successful business was accomplished without the 
 loss of a man on the side of the Americans. 
 
 We are happy at last, in receiving authentic in 
 formation respecting the Amphitrite s safe arrival. 
 The Mercury left her at Portsmouth where she 
 arrived after a passage of ninety days of which 
 time she was a month beating about the coast of 
 America and fortunately during that period did 
 not see any British Cruisers. Her Cargo consisted 
 of sixty Brass Cannon with every necessary com 
 plete. Tents and Camp equipage for ten thousand 
 men Clothing and accoutrements for the same 
 number ten tons of Powder six thousand Mus 
 kets and Bayonets a great quantity of Blankets- 
 Lead Ball, &c. &c. The whole was landed with 
 the utmost expedition and sent to General Wash 
 ington. Twenty-four experienced French Officers 
 of the train, were passengers and a Colonel Con- 
 wayin the French service who was immediately 
 appointed a Brigadier General. 
 
 Tryon s excursion to Danbury appears exactly 
 similar to the Lexington expedition. The Ameri 
 cans buried sixty- two regulars and took forty pri 
 soners with a great number of waggons and 
 horses. ******* 
 
 General Wooster died of the wound he received. 
 
[ 308 ] 
 
 General Washington, in a letter to Congress, ac 
 quaints them that he had been informed from 
 Ticonderoga, that three thousand Men were ar 
 rived there in good health and spirits. A para 
 graph in one of the late papers mentions, that ad 
 vice had been received that seven stores at St. 
 Johns containing the rigging, &e. &c., of the 
 Vessels on the Lake were destroyed by fire. 
 
 A person was executed at Philadelphia for at 
 tempting to engage three of the Chevaux-de-frize 
 Pilots. He was employed in this business by Gal- 
 way. The Pilots got from him fifty half Joes 
 and then discovered him. There are accounts of 
 many executions in the different States for various 
 offences. No particular news from General Wash 
 ington s Army or of Howe s commencement of 
 the Campaign. From his preparationsand the 
 best information that could be obtained it seemed 
 to be the most prevalent opinion that he had in 
 contemplation a design to attack Philadelphia. 
 However, they were not without some suspicion 
 of an intention to invade the Massachusetts and 
 where preparations were making to receive his 
 troops. 
 
 Three Continental Cruisers from this Port 
 have taken in the Irish and St. George s Channel 
 eighteen prizes eight of which being of little 
 
[ 309 ] 
 
 value they sunk seven and gave one to their 
 prisoners. Two were smugglers to whom they 
 gave their entire property. The remaining eight, 
 had prize masters on board with orders to put 
 into the nearest French port. Of the number 
 only two are yet arrived one here the other at 
 Dunkirk. Among them is a very valuable West 
 India ship. The three Cruisers on their return 
 to this port off Ushant were chased by a seven 
 ty-four gun ship which obliged them to bear 
 away, up the Channel. The Reprisal Captain 
 Weekes after throwing her guns overboard got 
 safe into St. Maloes, with her tender and the 
 Lexington Captain Johnson (which sails re 
 markably fast) put into Morlaix. 
 
 Two vessels are arrived one here the other 
 at Rochelle from a Northern port of North Caro 
 lina. Their two cargoes amount to near five hun 
 dred hhds. of Tobacco which is arrived to a 
 great Market. ***** 
 
 With the compliments of your friends here to 
 Mrs. C., and your good self, I am, 
 
 Most assuredly, yours, 
 
 T. SMITH. 
 
[310] 
 
 From Mr. hard to the Earl of Shelbume. 
 
 NEWMAN STREET, July 3, 1777. 
 MY LORD : 
 
 I am just favored with your Lord 
 ship s note and am sorry it will not be in my 
 power to accept of the invitation which you have 
 done me the honor to make. 
 
 In about ten days I think of leaving England 
 unhappy in not expecting ever to return again. 
 
 Your Lordship was so good as to offer me let 
 ters to Nantes and at Blois, or some other town 
 on the Loire. At present, I have no thoughts of 
 settling there but shall fix with my familyfor 
 some months at least in the neighborhood of 
 Paris. 
 
 I shall receive with pleasure your Lordship s 
 commands, and am, 
 
 My Lord, 
 Your Lordship s ob t, humble serv t. 
 
 RA : IZARD. 
 
[ 311 ] 
 
 From the Earl of Shelburne to Mr. hard. 
 
 BOWOOD PARK, July o, 1777. 
 SIR: 
 
 It gives me excessive concern when I 
 hear of an American of your property and cha 
 racter quitting this country. I cannot persuade 
 myself, yet, that our Infatuation is irrecoverable 
 and that things may not still return to our old and 
 Natural Union. It will add to the satisfaction of 
 such an event if it is permitted that I may have 
 an opportunity of renewing the honor of your ac 
 quaintanceand friendship. In the mean time, if 
 I can possibly do you pleasure or service here, 
 or in France you may freely command me. 
 
 I am connected with a most respectable French 
 family at Nantes. I have myself no acquaintances 
 at Blois but I know those who have to whom I 
 will not fail to write when I hear your determi 
 nation. I am, wishing you Honour and Happi 
 ness in these troublous times, 
 With great regard, 
 
 Sir, your most obedient, 
 And most humble serv t, 
 SHELBURNE. 
 
[ 312 ] 
 
 From Richard Champion, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 BRISTOL, July 16, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : - 
 
 Our worthy and common friend Mr. 
 Digges has just now made me acquainted with 
 your determination to leave England, within a 
 very short time. I am concerned at it because I 
 promised myself the pleasure of seeing you be 
 fore you took a final leave of a kingdom which 
 once attracted your regard and whose character, 
 as a nation, stood very high in fame. Englishman 
 as I am and possessing a warm affection for my 
 native country, I cannot refrain from blushing at 
 its unworthy conduct. Every excuse I can form 
 for it will not cover its errors they can only 
 reach to pity for the delusory madness which 
 possesses it attended with an anxious hope that 
 it will open its eyes, to the weakness and 
 wickedness of its Governors by whose ill con 
 ductthe great and flourishing prospects of this 
 happy Empire, have vanished in a moment. No 
 people ever possessed more real enjoyments nor 
 
[ 313 ] 
 
 did any people ever more absurdly lose them. 
 And must this great Empire be dissevered ? Must 
 two countries happy in their connections allied to 
 each other, by the nearest ties of blood and friend 
 ship suited by Language Custom and Manners 
 be disjoined for ever? Such has been our 
 folly such has been the necessity to which you 
 have been driven that however severe the lot 
 it must be. May you then when we cease to be 
 one people enjoy that happiness, which was for 
 merly our common lot and practising the Virtues 
 which have characterized an Englishman may 
 you continue the race of Heroes to which well 
 as I love my country I must almost confess 
 England itself has lost its claim. Yet, in the midst 
 of conquest, forget not that there remain in the 
 country you leave some friends whose regret at 
 parting, is only equalled by their affectionate Re 
 gard for you. For their sakes, suffer not your 
 Resentment to take too deep a root. England may 
 recover from her Delusion and see the injustice 
 she has done you. She must feel, and weep over 
 her own misfortunes. In that hour of distress 
 have compassion on her consider that she was 
 once your Parent and though her conduct merits 
 not your former confidence yet, if we cannot be 
 one People let the remembrance of our former 
 28 
 
I 314] 
 
 Happiness, make us faithful and affectionate 
 friends. Permit me to tell you that I shall ever 
 esteem myself happy in the execution of your com 
 mandsand in any thing which you can point out 
 to me that I can be useful to you you will do me 
 a particular pleasure in giving me an opportunity 
 of showing those sentiments of Esteem and Respect 
 with which I am, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most ob t. servant, 
 RICHARD CHAMPION. 
 
 From Thomas Smith, Esq. to Mr. Colley. 
 
 NANTES, July 17, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I had the pleasure in due course 
 to receive yours of the 1st inst. the whole tenor 
 of which proved exceedingly agreeable. I have 
 now to transmit to you, an acceptable occurrence 
 of its authenticity I have not the least doubt. 
 The news was received here previous to the de- 
 
[ 315 ] 
 
 parture of the last post but as I could not then 
 give my full testimony to it I determined to defer 
 my information. 
 
 I think in a former letter that I acquainted you 
 of the sailing of three Frigates, and some large 
 Privateers from Boston. On the third day, two of 
 the former, (viz.) the Hancock, Captain Manly 
 and the Boston, Captain McNeil met the Fox 
 an English Frigate. Captain Manly, who was the 
 commanding officer, being determined to have the 
 honour of engaging her singly made a signal for 
 the Boston to lay too which she did during the 
 whole action (without firing a shot). It continued 
 five hours. The Captain of the Fox behaved like 
 a man of spirit and did not strike, until after he 
 had lost his main mast, and was a perfect wreck 
 with a considerable loss of men. The Hancock 
 received but little injury, except in her rigging. 
 She had nine men killed, and sixteen wounded. 
 This account is brought to Bordeaux by the Cap 
 tain of a ship, who met the frigates, after the en 
 gagementand was some time on board the Han 
 cock who had the Fox in tow on account of her 
 disabled state. They were all standing in for Bos 
 ton. This testimony is attested by the Admiralty. 
 The Captain is a man of approved veracity and 
 commands a very large ship belonging to this Port. 
 
[ 316 ] 
 
 What I have transmitted, I had from two Ameri 
 can gentlemen, who are just arrived from Bor 
 deauxand who received the intelligence from the 
 Captain s lips. 
 
 The Chamber of Commerce here, have received 
 an assurance from the Minister at Paris that the 
 King has determined not to permit the capture of 
 vessels the property of his subjects either going 
 to or coming from any of the French Colonies 
 let their cargoes be what they may. This infor 
 mation is in consequence of a requisition from 
 hence, occasioned by an affidavit of a Captain of a 
 French merchant ship who was brought too, in the 
 Bay of Biscayby an English Man-of-War the 
 Captain of which told him expressly " that he had 
 orders to take all French vessels, that he should find, 
 with any of the produce of the Rebellious Colonies. 
 
 An affair has lately happened at Cherbourg, 
 which occasions a good deal of conversation. A 
 small American Privateer, with a prize put into 
 that Port one of the King s Cutters came there 
 soon after the Commander of which---officiously 
 sought the company of the Commander of the Pri 
 vateer who, in the course of conversation, ex 
 pressed the want of a good spy-glass. The other 
 replied that he had an exceeding good one which 
 he would spare if the Captain would go on board 
 
[ 317 ] 
 
 to try it which he agreed to when he was in- 
 stantly secured and the Cutter immediately got 
 under sail and carried him to England. Some 
 days after a small Cutter came over apparently 
 as a smuggler but from some peculiar circum 
 stances there was cause to suppose the crew had 
 other business and were therefore carefully 
 watched. One night twelve of them were appre 
 hended with materials for a destructive fire. It 
 is supposed that their intention was only to burn 
 the Privateer ; but the Inhabitants will not place 
 that construction upon their design and insist that 
 their scheme was to set fire to the town. The 
 Minister has sent for the Commanding Officer 
 of the place to make his report of the circum 
 stances. The French are of opinion that they will 
 suffer death. 
 
 What do you think of the circumstance of Mr. 
 Lee s papers at Berlin ? 
 
 Not having any arrival from America since my 
 last I have not further but to present the compli 
 ments of your friends united with Mrs. Smith s 
 and my own with which I subscribe, 
 Dear sir, 
 
 Yours, most sincerely, 
 
 T. SMITH. 
 
 P. S. 19th. This letter was wrote and sealed, 
 28* 
 
[ 318 ] 
 
 to be transmitted by the last post but from the de 
 lay of carrying it to the office, the mail was closed 
 before it was delivered. I have opened it to trans 
 mit you the purport of several letters received this 
 day from Bordeaux. This moment, your letter of 
 the llth inst. is presented. I shall accordingly en 
 close this to Rouen. T. S. 
 
 From Edmund Burke, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I hear with pleasure that you are still 
 on this side of the water. I thought for a con 
 siderable time that you had left us. 
 
 This delay, will I hope put it in your power to 
 do Mrs. Burke and me a favour, we have long 
 been sincerely desirous of. If Mrs. Izard and you 
 will spend a few days with us, we shall endeavour 
 to make this part of the country as agreeable to 
 you as we possibly can. Be so good as to present 
 our best compliments to Mrs. Izard and prevail 
 on her to take this little jaunt which is but of 
 
L 319 ] 
 
 twenty-three miles. I hope the weather will not 
 long continue unfavorable. 
 
 I am, with the greatest esteem and regard, 
 Dear sir, your most ob t. and humble serv t. 
 
 EDM. BURKE. 
 Beaconsfield, Monday, July 20, 1777. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Benjamin Bewicke, Esq. 
 BRIGHTHELMSTONE, July 29, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have just received your favor, 
 enclosing your letter to Sir John Lambert and 
 the Bills of lading. 1 am sorry that Cunningham 
 should have occasioned an alarm and I agree 
 with you that it will be better to postpone the 
 insurance, till it is subsided which will probably 
 be the case soon. 
 
 The French Court will I believe certainly give 
 some orders respecting the American vessels 
 which will put the underwriters into spirits. I 
 
[ 320 ] 
 
 had yesterday but an unpleasant journey and 
 the weather still continues very bad. The wind 
 is not fair at present should it change in our 
 favour, we shall certainly sail to-morrow evening. 
 The vessel I am told is a very good one. I 
 shall be happy of Mr. Fitzgerald s company. 
 
 From a friend in England to Mr. hard. 
 
 LONDON, August 8th, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Enclosed is a letter from Colonel 
 Laurens which Mr. Manning desired might be 
 forwarded to you. 
 
 We all desire to congratulate you on your safe 
 arrival at Calais and hope you have by this time 
 forgot the disagreeableness of the passage. 
 
 Sir Robert Fletcher is dead, and has left Mr. 
 Dempster a thousand a year. This good fortune 
 of your friend will give you pleasure but I 
 
[321 ] 
 
 must inform you what a lucky mortal you are 
 yourself in comparison with my Brother and me. 
 
 Would you believe that the Deeds must be sent 
 to Aix la Chapelle, for me to sign before we can 
 receive our money? Mr. Field says they are 
 come too late for this term that the Court of 
 Chancery is broke up, and will not meet till No 
 vember. I would not trouble you with this ac 
 count, but to give you comfort and to make you 
 bless your stars, at being such a favorite of the 
 blind Goddess. 
 
 I have not read a newspaper since you went 
 and of course am not in the secrets of the Political 
 world. 
 
 Pray remember us all to Mrs. Izard and let 
 her know that as she sometimes condescends to 
 act as your Secretary, I hope she will do so on 
 this occasion and send us word what sort of a 
 journey you had to Paris and how George in 
 particular likes the French and the French roads. 
 I am yours. 
 
[ 322] 
 
 From John Lloyd, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 NANTES, August 11,1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I have this moment received your 
 letter from Rouen but as Mr. Lesterget (who is 
 just arrived from Charlestown) the bearer of this, 
 sets off immediately, I have scarce more time than 
 to acknowledge it. We have had six sail lately 
 here from Carolina by which I have had the satis 
 faction to receive several letters from my friends 
 their contents I shall communicate to you at Paris, 
 where I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you 
 in the course of a fortnight and will then acquaint 
 you with my plan and determination. Having oc 
 casion to correspond with Mr. Deane upon some 
 consequential business and as I am a stranger to 
 him I took the liberty to refer him to you for 
 some information respecting me. I have a great 
 deal to say to you and I am extremely anxious 
 for the pleasure of a conversation with you. 
 
 I will take care to forward your letter. There 
 is no want of conveyances either from here or 
 
[ 323 ] 
 
 Bordeaux. I think you had better defer writing 
 any more upon the subject of the resolution of the 
 privy council until I see you. Your letter of the 
 llth July came to hand in course. I have neither 
 seen, nor heard any thing of Beresford. We have 
 nothing late from America but I think must in 
 the course of a week. I have sent you the Caro 
 lina papers. Mrs. Lloyd joins in compliments to 
 Mrs. Izard. I am in great haste. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD. 
 
 A letter by return of post will certainly find me 
 here. 
 
 From Mr. Izard to a relation in London. 
 
 PARIS, August 14, 1777. 
 DEAR COUSIN : 
 
 Accept my thanks for the letter you 
 were so good as to enclose me, and for the intelli 
 gence of my friend Dempster s good fortune. I 
 
L 324 J 
 
 most sincerely rejoice at it and believe that no 
 body upon Earth is more deserving of it. The 
 maxims of the Duke de la Rochefoucault are in 
 general founded upon truth. In some instances 
 however he is mistaken and in the following I 
 am sure I have detected him in an error : " Dans 
 1 adversite de nos amis nous trouvous tonjours 
 quelque chose qui ne nous deplait pas."* In gene 
 ral I believe the remark is but too just ; my objec 
 tion is only against the word tonjours.^ I should 
 be glad if he had substituted souvent^ instead of it. 
 The first includes me and therefore I formally 
 enter my protest against it and at the same time 
 can with truth assure you that so far from deri 
 ving any comfort from the unlucky circumstance 
 respecting the detention of the money that I am 
 exceedingly vexed at it. 
 
 You have, however, I think, given the blind 
 Goddess a little more credit than she deserves. 
 Had she interested herself so much in my favour, 
 as to entitle her to the handsome things you have 
 said of her she would have saved me many a 
 disagreeable walk to the Temple the trouble of 
 
 * In the adversity of our friends we always find something 
 which does not displease us. 
 
 t Always. t Often, 
 
I 325 ] 
 
 writing many a letter, and many an unpleasant in 
 terview with a man, whom I always thought unfit 
 for the trust that was reposed in him. Some ob 
 ligations to her I acknowledge with gratitude but 
 cannot consent to have this added to the catalogue, 
 though I am at present disposed to allow her every 
 degree of merit, in consideration of what she has 
 done for my friend Dempster. A few more such 
 instances of her discernment will convince me that 
 she is not so blind, as some folks would make us 
 believe ; and I think there are some grounds to 
 suspect, without doing her any great injustice, 
 that the old English proverb may be applied to 
 
 From his relation to Mr. hard. 
 
 AUGUST 19, 1777. 
 DEAR COUSIN : 
 
 I return you a great many thanks 
 for answering my letter so soon, and for the kind- 
 29 
 
[ 326 ] 
 
 ness that dictated it. It came at a good time to 
 keep up my spirits, for I had just heard of a per 
 son s having failed in our debt for 1,100. I am 
 however glad to inform you that I shall have no 
 occasion for your obliging offer. * 
 
 And since the Bank is not yet broke, perhaps we 
 may some time or other come into possession 
 of the money. 
 
 I agree with you for your sake and that of a 
 few others that souvent would be a better word 
 than tonjours ; and I recollect when I was read 
 ing Rochefoucault s book that for the honour of 
 human nature, I wished he had thought proper 
 in most of his maxims to use the former rather 
 than the latter. Tis true he sometimes does but 
 his experience or his heart led him generally to 
 the other. * * * * 
 
 He says it is those on whom Fortune bestows 
 no favours who call her blind and very probably 
 Mr. F s illness made me injure her Lady 
 ship, for surely she could see when she gave a 
 thousand pounds a year to Mr. Dempster. 
 
 Let us however dismiss her when we talk of 
 America. Do things wear a favourable aspect 
 with you ? It is the report here, that Ticonderoga 
 is taken the garrison made prisoners and Put 
 nam wounded. * * * 
 
[ 327 J 
 
 I had almost forgot to tell Mrs. Izard, that I saw 
 
 Mr. Temple the other day and that Mrs. Temple 
 
 is quite recovered. Mrs. Laurens desires to be 
 
 remembered as do all your friends to you both. 
 
 I am your affectionate servant, 
 
 From Mr. Izard to his Relation. 
 
 PARIS, August 30, 1777. 
 
 Ticonderoga taken, and no news of 
 my Rennet ! Two such pieces of news ought not 
 to have been mentioned in one letter. 
 
 When Philip received intelligence in one day, 
 that his General had gained a battle his horses, 
 the prize at the Olympic games and that he had a 
 son born he thought it too much ; and prayed the 
 gods to counterbalance these great events, by 
 some misfortune. I must I believe follow his 
 example ; the object, however, of my prayers, 
 must be something different. 
 
 To be serious the taking of Ticonderoga is a 
 
[ 328 ] 
 
 very disagreeable circumstance, and will probably 
 produce unhappy consequences. 
 
 Dr. Franklin has received a letter from Ameri 
 cawhich mentions its having been evacuated on 
 the 6th of July. 
 
 There had been some dissensions in the Con 
 gress, about who should command there. General 
 Gates was first appointed then General Schuy- 
 ler and at last General Sinclair had the command. 
 
 The New England Provinces and particularly 
 the Massachusetts Bay who were entrusted with 
 the care of supplying men and provisions for the 
 defence of the place have been most unaccounta 
 bly negligent and to them entirely may be attri 
 buted the loss of it. 
 
 They will probably be the greatest sufferers by 
 it as it is likely that both the Armies under Howe 
 and Burgoyne will carry on their operations in 
 New England. 
 
 The unhappy consequences that I suspect will 
 be produced by this event, are that the Savages 
 with Burgoyne will do a great deal of mischief, 
 on the frontiers which will give such new life to 
 the Savages in England that they will be induced 
 to continue the miseries of war in America another 
 campaign which I am persuaded they would not 
 
[ 329 ] 
 
 have ventured to do if Burgoyne could have been 
 checked at Ticonderoga. 
 
 All will yet be well notwithstanding this un 
 lucky circumstance. Our success has been won 
 derful and totally unparalleled in the History of 
 the world. We must not be unreasonable and 
 expect it to be constant and uninterrupted. 
 
 I am glad to find you have got safe upon the 
 Continent which information I received yester 
 day from W . Be so good as to thank him 
 
 for his letter several ivords of which I could make 
 out tolerably well. 
 
 Mrs. Izard and the little girls join me in offering 
 best regards to all your family. I shall be glad to 
 
 be informed of Mr. B s intentions respecting 
 
 Carolina. 
 
 I have some thoughts of leaving my family 
 here and going myself in a little time. 
 I am yours, affectionately, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 Mr. Laurens writes that he advises me to send 
 out Clothes Blankets and other necessaries for 
 my plantations ; and I am endeavouring to con 
 trive the means of doing it. I should be glad to 
 
 know what Mr. B thinks would be the proper 
 
 quantity of each article. 
 29* 
 
[ 330 ] 
 
 *> .. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Claude Crespigny, Esq. 
 PARIS, August 31, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Mrs. I. did herself the pleasure of 
 informing Mrs. Crespigny some time ago of our 
 safe arrival here. We have taken very agreeable 
 apartments in a pleasant and healthy part of the 
 suburbs of this city. My family will continue in 
 them some months but it is still uncertain how 
 long I shall remain here myself. 
 
 The Commissioners have lately received a 
 confirmation of the evacuation of Ticonderoga. 
 ******** 
 
 This event is particularly to be lamented as 
 Tyranny began to pant ; and if a proper check 
 could have been given at Ticonderoga, she would 
 have been down. 
 
 All New England have been busied in Priva 
 teering the sweets of which they experienced 
 early. Though this is certainly a very necessary 
 part of the war yet so important an object as 
 Ticonderoga ought not to have been neglected. 
 
[ 331 ] 
 
 Dissensions have been in the Congress respecting 
 the command there. Gates was first appointed 
 a party then insisted that Schuyler should have 
 it and at last the command was given to General 
 vSinclair. I was in hopes that the Congress had 
 been possessed of a sufficient share of wisdom to 
 know that nothing but unanimity can save them 
 from destruction. Their success hitherto has 
 been beyond the most sanguine expectations and 
 altogether without example in the history of the 
 world. They ought not to forget, that the suc 
 cess, which England met withduring the last war 
 intoxicated her and that all her present calami 
 tiesmay fairly be deduced from that cause. 
 
 Howe being obliged to leave the Jerseys is an 
 unquestionable proof of the superior strength of his 
 antagonist let his pretence be what it will about 
 the objects of the campaign. 
 
 I shall be very glad to hear that you have passed 
 an agreeable summer at Margate and received 
 benefit from the sea. Be so good as to direct to 
 me under the name of Mr. Crawford and enclose 
 the letter under cover directed thus : A Monsieur 
 Monsieur Lotsom chez Monsieur Grand Banguier, 
 Rue Monmatre a Paris. 
 
 Let me know your opinion on the situation of 
 affairs. I continue to think that America will sue- 
 
[ 332 J 
 
 ceed in the contest and that her Independence 
 will be established. The Ministry here afford 
 assistance but it is done with a greater degree of 
 caution than I expected to have found. They see 
 clearly the advantages that they will derive from 
 the separation of the two Countries but they are 
 infinitely solicitous to avoid a War themselves. 
 Maurepas and Neckar are both old. The former 
 is the sole director of every thing though the lat 
 ter has considerable xveight with the King. Our 
 compliments to Mrs. Crespigny. 
 
 I am, with great regard. 
 
 From a friend in England to Mr. hard. 
 
 September 1, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I should long since have done my 
 self the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of 
 your favor, from Shoreham, and congratulated 
 you and Mrs. Izard, on your safe arrival at Paris. 
 
[ 333 ] 
 
 But I have every Post for some time past been 
 in expectation of hearing from my friend, how to 
 address my letters to you. In this I have been 
 disappointed as almost all my letters have been 
 interrupted. I will, however run the risk of this 
 reaching you. 
 
 By the last mail, I forwarded to Mrs. Izard, (in 
 closed to Monsieur Grand) a letter from New 
 York. I hope it informed you that her Mother- 
 Brothers and your little Boy were perfectly well. 
 
 The Ticonderoga news at first much alarmed 
 your countrymen and what greatly increased 
 their chagrin were the tumultuous rejoicings of 
 all ranks of People. Nothing, indeed, is yet to be 
 heard in Publick places but the Gallantry of Bur- 
 goyne---and his little army and the matchless cow 
 ardice of the Americans ! " We are now sure of 
 the entire conquest of the Confederated Provinces. 
 They will be at our all-conquering Footbefore 
 Christmas. Burgoyne is our Heroin fact, our 
 Caesar. We are at a loss whether most to admire 
 his Sword or his Pen. We give him Cassar s 
 Motto Veni Vidi Vici. The Americans fly be 
 fore him. They dare not stand before the close 
 compacted Britons." You are really happy to be 
 out of this city at present. For the taunts and 
 the jeers of this people are insufferable. * * 
 
[ 334 ] 
 
 Pray where have you fixed Mrs. Izard, and 
 your family. Do you stay at Paris, or do you go 
 to St. Germains ? I hope you will excuse my not 
 giving you a circumstantial detail of News as I 
 do assure you it is out of my power and I should 
 suppose it wholly unnecessary as I am persuaded 
 my friend the Doctor to whom I write regularly 
 twice a week will cheerfully impart my commu 
 nications to you. When you are so obliging as to 
 favor me with a letterpray write to me under 
 the address of David Wister, Esq., at No. 7, New 
 man street, and inclose it to Monsieur Monsieur 
 Stables, Diepe. You need not give yourself the 
 trouble of writing a single word to Monsieur Sta 
 bles. Will you be so good as to present my best 
 Respects to Mrs. Izard and assure her I shall be 
 very happy if I can render her any services, while 
 
 I stay here. My compliments to the young ladies. 
 
 ******** 
 
 Adieu. 
 I am, with sincere esteem, dear sir, 
 
 Your faithful and most ob t. serv t. 
 You can easily assign a reason why I borrow 
 the pen of another and of course, I trust, ex 
 cuse it. 
 
[ 335 ] 
 
 From John Lloyd Esq., to Mr. hard. 
 
 NANTES, Sept. 6, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I sincerely lament with you the loss 
 of Ticonderoga which I am confident was owing 
 entirely to the shameful neglect of that important 
 post by the New-England States who may 
 probably have more cause to repent of it than any 
 of the others. 
 
 The day after this news was received from Lon 
 don, I was in some degree relieved from the dis 
 tress which it occasioned, by the arrival of two 
 Vessels from Virginia, which sailed from thence 
 the 5th ultimo. 
 
 A gentleman who came passenger in one of 
 them and who in every respect merits credibility 
 assures us with confidence that a day or two be 
 fore he sailed, they had certain information by ex 
 press from Philadelphia, that a Major was arrived 
 at General Washington s head quarters from Fort 
 Edward, with an account of an action that hap 
 pened on the 17th July near that Post wherein 
 Burgoyne lost upwards of one thousand men 
 
[ 336 ] 
 
 killed wounded and taken and was compelled 
 to retreat to Ticonderoga and that the Americans 
 had destroyed between five and six hundred 
 Bateaux. If this should be true (of which I have 
 at present but little doubt,) it is a glorious affair, 
 and I think will terminate the principal business of 
 this campaign in that quarter. 
 
 I shall not say any thing farther upon this sub 
 jector enter into a detail of other intelligence 
 that he brings as he sets off for Paris, early on 
 Tuesday morning where you no doubt will have 
 the pleasure of seeing him and also the newspa 
 pers, which he has brought to the 1st August. 
 
 From General St. Glair s letter to Congress pub 
 lished by their authority I think his evacuating 
 the Fort, is not only justifiable but commendable. 
 
 I shall leave this City to-morrow afternoon with 
 Mrs. Lloyd, Messrs. Brown, Russell, and Smith 
 as we propose to go by the way of Orleans 
 and shall not travel fast we may probably be 
 near a week on our journey. 
 
 As at this season, I do not suppose there can be 
 the least difficulty in procuring apartments I 
 think it unnecessary to request you to take any be. 
 fore we arrive. I wish to be as near you as pos 
 sible but at the same time, I must observe, it is 
 my plan to be upon the most frugal system, during 
 my stay in Paris. 
 
[ 337 ] 
 
 The reputed extravagance of the place and the 
 impositions to which strangers are exposed make 
 me almost dread the thought of going there but 
 be assured I shall go, with infinitely more plea 
 sure, as you are there having confidence in your 
 ad vice assistance and protection. 
 
 Being exceedingly hurried in preparing for my 
 departure, I cannot possibly give satisfactory re 
 plies to your several queries as I have not time 
 for the purpose nor do I think it material as I 
 shall have the pleasure of seeing you so very soon 
 --when the communication will be fer preferable 
 than by lettter. 
 
 Your friends here are well, and join in compli 
 ments with Mrs. Lloyd to Mrs. Izard and your 
 self. You will accept the unfeigned assurances of 
 regard from, 
 
 Dear sir, 
 
 Yours, sincerely, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD. 
 30 
 
[ 338 ] 
 
 From Thomas Digges, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 WORCESTER, Sept. 8, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I did not mean to write to you until 
 I had received a line to inform me in what part of 
 France you had fixed your temporary residence 
 and given me a direction how to address you 
 which was promised me in your last letter but a 
 friend of mine, Mr. Matthew Ridley, formerly of 
 Maryland, and now a merchant in London being 
 about to take a trip to Paris, (where he will be an 
 utter stranger) I cannot but ask you how you do 
 nor deny him the pleasure of your acquaintance 
 by withholding this introductory note. 
 
 It is uncertain that Mr. Ridley will meet you in 
 Paris but should he do it I am to beg the favour 
 of your assistance, and advice to him. 
 
 He will naturally want to speak to our Ameri 
 can friends, in Paris which may be denied him 
 from a want of knowledge of his worth and the 
 cast of his Politics both of which, stand in the 
 highest estimation with me and I should be very 
 
[ 339 ] 
 
 thankful, you could gratify him should he apply 
 for assistance on this head. 
 
 When Mr. Ridley returns I should be glad of 
 a few lines by him acquainting me how to write 
 to you, &c. Should you have occasion to com 
 mand me I hope you will freely do it. Your usual 
 direction to Bath, would I think be a very safe 
 one. 
 
 I write to A. L. by this opportunity, in answer 
 to a letter lately received from him. My best 
 wishes attend you and yours and I hope you will 
 ever look upon me as 
 
 Your very affectionate friend, 
 
 And obedient servant, 
 
 T. DlGGES. 
 
 From M. de Beaumarchais to Mr. hard. 
 
 PARIS, ce 10 7bre, 1777. 
 
 J ai Thonneur de vous prevenu Monsieur que 
 J ai commande suivant la note que vous m avez 
 remise, 500 couvertures. Elles auront 6 pieds* 
 
 * The French foot is longer than the English. 
 
L 340 ] 
 
 de long, sur 4 pieds % de large. Un de mes 
 amis, m a promis aussi de me fournir 3000 aulnes 
 de drap Negre et je vous apprens avec plaisir 
 que le tout partira vers the i 5 d 8bre. 
 
 Aucun veritable ami des Americans ne rencon- 
 trera ni difficulte, ni meme de tiedeur en moi. 
 
 Je vous fais tenir cet avis, par M. de Franey, 
 mon Supercargue, et procureur de mes interest en 
 Amerique. Vous juges a la nature de Pemploi, 
 dout je le charge, que c est un homme sur. Si vous 
 desire envoyer quelque papier important a vos 
 amis d Amerique, II s en chargera, et les remettra 
 fidelement. 
 
 J ai 1 honneur d etre aves le plus 
 
 haute consideration Monsieur, 
 Votre tres humble et 
 
 tres obiessant serveteur, 
 CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS. 
 Mr. IZARD. 
 
 (Translation at the end of the Volume.) 
 
L 341 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to M. de Beaumarchais. 
 
 PARIS, September 10, 1777. 
 SIR : 
 
 I am favored this morning with your 
 Letter, informing me that 500 Blankets, and 3000 
 ells of Negro Cloth would be ready to be sent for 
 me to America by the 15th of next month. 
 
 I am much obliged to you for this information, 
 and for the readiness which you have expressed 
 in undertaking this business for me, 
 
 . The friends of America are very happy, in hav 
 ing a gentleman so capable and so willing to ren 
 der them service and I dare say they will be sen 
 sible of it. 
 
 As Mr. Franey was so good as to offer to carry 
 any letters for me I have taken the liberty of 
 sending him some and I hope he will excuse the 
 trouble that I give him. 
 
 I heartily wish him a safe and agreeable pas 
 sage and hope that he will execute the business 
 30* 
 
[ 342 J 
 
 he is going upon both to your satisfaction and 
 his. , 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, 
 
 Your most obed t. humble serv t., 
 
 RD. IZARD. 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 MARGATE, September 10, 1777. 
 MY DEAR SIR : 
 
 It gave us very sincere pleasure to 
 hear that you, and your family were safe and well 
 at Paris. I received your favour of the 31st July 
 yesterday. Mrs. I. s letter to Mrs. C. though 
 dated the 17th having been sent by mistake of 
 my banker to Bath and afterwards unaccounta 
 bly travelling about was received but a few days 
 ago. And I am desired to say, it shall be answer 
 ed in a few days hence. 
 
 The sea bathing as usual agrees wonderfully 
 well with Mrs. C., and I am very well without 
 
[ 343 ] 
 
 bathing. My son, too, was in good health a few 
 days ago, at Eton where he finds himself very 
 happy. 
 
 I am sorry that you will be under the necessity 
 of leaving your family but hope the time will soon 
 come when you will meet them again in peace 
 and happiness. 
 
 Your letter is not of the most encouraging na 
 ture but I do assure you your friends here do 
 not seem cast down nor your enemies greatly 
 elated. Though we have known of Burgoyne s 
 success in Canada at least a fortnight Stocks 
 have risen only one-half or one per cent, till within 
 these two or three days. Now they are got up a 
 little more and I am told not because of the 
 successes in America but on account of the pa- 
 cifick disposition of our European Neighbours. 
 
 It seems to be pretty generally expected, that 
 Howe will be at Philadelphia and Burgoyne at 
 Albany but no one seems to hope that that will 
 finish the War this Campaign. And I meet with 
 many country gentlemen who have hitherto sup 
 ported the Minister in Parliament but now de 
 clare that they will at all events be against try 
 ing another Campaign. 
 
 If you have dissensions in the Congress as you 
 seem to intimate they must prove fatal to the 
 
t 344 ] 
 
 Cause and I am still of the opinion that nothing 
 else can. 
 
 It is certainly in the power of France to decide 
 the business at once and I do not understand the 
 policy of their not doing it. I wish I could flatter 
 myself that we were likely to profit by their tardi 
 ness -and before it was too late for reconciliation 
 shake hands upon the best terms we could. If 
 once the King of France takes an open part I 
 shall then think us separated for ever. 
 
 I shall hope to hear from you again soon- -and 
 most heartily wish you may have cause to write in 
 better spirits. 
 
 I shall be at Camberwell again on the 19th or 
 20th and about the 2d or 3d October shall return 
 to Bath. I think you had better direct to me un 
 der cover to Messrs. Morshouse and Co., Lombard 
 street as they always know where I am. 
 
 Our best regards and wishes attend you all. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very heartily, yours. 
 
 I am told that old Moses (Dr. F.) writes to his 
 friends that all things go on to his wishes and yet 
 as you must often see him and do not confirm this 
 doctrine I doubt the truth of it. 
 
[ 345 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to a friend at Aix-la-Chapelle. 
 PARIS, September 26, 1777. 
 
 It is very extraordinary that nothing authentic 
 should have arrived, since the taking of Ticonde- 
 roga. There is indeed a gentleman here who 
 left Virginia the 4th August and says it was re 
 ported thereand believed that on the 17th July, 
 one of the divisions of Burgoyne s Army had been 
 defeated with considerable loss and that be 
 tween five and six hundred of his Bateaux had 
 been burnt. Reports of battles are seldom to be 
 credited in their utmost extentbut I fully believe 
 that something very disagreeable has happened to 
 Mr. Burgoyne.* If he has only been checked it 
 will answer our purpose. He cannot be reinforced 
 but our Army will be so considerably. 
 
 Nobody knows any thing about the Howes 
 their destination is as little known in London as in 
 Paris. Lord Stormont, I hear, reports that they 
 are gone to Philadelphia. Many people are of the 
 
 * He no doubt soon after was of the same opinion! 
 
[ 346 ] 
 
 same opinion but I believe we shall soon hear of 
 their being in some part of New England. 
 
 If they land there- they will for a few weeks 
 furnish entertainment to our enemies through the 
 channel of the Gazetteas they will for some time 
 have nothing but the Militia to contend with. 
 
 The Country through which you have passed 
 you say, puts you in mind of America. It is a very 
 agreeable circumstance to think of that Flanders, 
 which has so often been the Theatre of war 
 should be so well recovered as to be one of the 
 most delightfuland one of the best cultivated 
 Countries in the world. 
 
 The resemblance between the two Countries 
 will, I hope, in this last instance, be complete. 
 
 When I received your last letter I was deter 
 mined to go to America and leave my family 
 here. The only question was whether I should 
 go immediatelyor wait for the event of certain 
 alterations in my family which I am told will 
 probably take place in November. 
 
 The Congress have resolved that neither of my 
 plans shall be executed by doing me the honour 
 of appointing me one of their Commissioners in 
 this part of the world. 
 
 The department they have allotted me is Tus 
 cany. I shall go to Florence, as soon as I under- 
 
[347] 
 
 stand that anybody from America in a public 
 character will be admitted there which, at pre 
 sentwill certainly not be the case. 
 
 I feel a certain degree of diffidence upon this 
 occasion but derive comfort from the Chancellor 
 Oxenstern- prime Minister to Gustavus Adolphus. 
 His son without having much experience in pub 
 lic affairs was sent Embassador from the King 
 of Sweden, to the Hague. 
 
 He was alarmed at the importance of the trust 
 committed to him and at the able negotiators 
 with whom he was to contend ; He expressed his 
 fears in a letter to his Father and received this 
 answer: "My Son, you do not know how little 
 wisdom, is to be found among those who under 
 take to conduct the affairs of the world." If the 
 Chancellor were alive now a review of the con 
 duct of those persons who have undertaken to 
 direct the affairs of two great Kingdoms not 
 above seven leagues from each other would ra 
 ther tend to confirm than alter his opinion. 
 
[ 348 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to Henry Laurens, Esq. 
 
 PARIS, October 6, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Since my letter of the 16th July 
 a copy of which accompanies this I have been 
 favoured with yours of 9th June, from Goose- 
 Creek, 
 
 Several other copies have been sent in hopes 
 that one might get to your hands. Of this, I shall 
 be glad to be informed as it is a matter of no 
 small importance to me to be possessed of the 
 good opinion of those whom I esteem. 
 
 I left England, the 1st August which was as 
 soon as I could without great inconvenience to 
 myself. It was my intention to have done it 
 sooner but it was necessary that I should per 
 sonally receive a considerable sum of money due 
 me from my Uncle s Estate. 
 
 This business has been several years in the 
 hands of Lawyers. It was, at length, ordered 
 by the Chancellor, to be paid into the Bank, for 
 my use and there I thought my trouble would 
 
[ 349 ] 
 
 have ended ; but I was mistaken for, by the 
 folly and criminal negligence of my Attorney I 
 had still to experience, a delay, of several months. 
 
 Had I left England without receiving the 
 money I am sure it never would have been paid : 
 for my Lawyer was like the Judge in Scripture 
 he did me justice not for righteousness sake but 
 on account of my importunity. 
 
 When I left England, I was determined to go 
 to America as soon as my Wife s situation would 
 allow me either to carry her with me or to leave 
 her here. Your letter of the 9th June which I 
 received since my arrival here confirmed rne in 
 this determination. You say " the voice is much 
 against me for neglecting the public call." I hope 
 you are convinced that this has been a miscon 
 ception. I never have neglected the public call 
 and as I am of opinion that the Public has a 
 right to the services of every individual belong 
 ing to the State I think I may truly say that I 
 never will neglect the Public call. 
 
 Upon your arrival in Philadelphia you will 
 have been informed that Congress has done me 
 the honour to employ me, in this part of the 
 world. This is agreeable to me, for several rea 
 sons and has relieved me from very considera 
 ble embarrassment. 
 
 31 
 
[ 350 ] 
 
 It will not be difficult for any Man possessed 
 of the smallest degree of humanity to be sensible 
 how distressing it must have been for a person 
 circumstanced as my family is to have gone to 
 America, in the present state of affairs either 
 with them or without them ; this, however, 
 would have been the case as I was determined 
 to have submitted to any inconvenience and dis 
 tress rather than that so odious and false an 
 opinion as that of having neglected my duty to 
 the public should be established. 
 
 I flatter myself, I may be of more service here 
 than I could be in America. A very advanta 
 geous connexion may unquestionably be formed, 
 between us and the commercial parts of Italy. 
 It is very much their interest to promote the suc 
 cess of our cause. 
 
 The King of Naples and the Pope I know 
 are both exceedingly alarmed, in time of war 
 whenever an English Squadron is in the Mediter 
 ranean one for his Capital and the other for 
 Civita Vecchia. They would, therefore, wish 
 this formidable Naval Power to be a little hum 
 bled and possibly if they could be persuaded 
 to think that lending a few Sequins would con 
 tribute to such an event a Loan might be nego 
 tiated. 
 
L 351 ] 
 
 I have written to the Committee of Foreign 
 Affairs, on this subject and if the proposition 
 meets with your approbation and that of your 
 Colleagues, from Charlestown I hope it will have 
 your support. 
 
 It gives me a great deal of uneasiness that you 
 should have had so much trouble in the manage 
 ment of my affairs and the more so as I do not 
 see any immediate prospect of your being re 
 lieved from it. 
 
 Mr. Blake, who is joined with you in the pow 
 er of Attorney has. indeed, repeatedly assured 
 me that he should go over this Fall and afford 
 you every assistance in his power. I believe he 
 continues to hold his resolution, of going but he 
 is still at Aix-la-Chapelle. 
 
 Mr. John Lloyd, has likewise consented to take 
 the trouble of being one of my Attornies if he 
 goes to Carolina which, he says, is his present 
 intention. Should he go, (of which I have some 
 doubt,) his charging himself with this troublesome 
 business of mine will afford me much satisfac 
 tion as I have the greatest opinion of his ability, 
 and integrity and of his friendly disposition to 
 wards me ; and I am very happy in knowing 
 from the best authority that you think of him 
 not less favorably than I do. 
 
[ 352] 
 
 I was in hopes that a sufficient quantity of 
 Blankets and Negro Cloth might have been 
 procured for me in Charlestown. 
 
 ^he price must be highbut it would have 
 suL me much better --to have purchased those 
 articles in Carolina if they could be had there 
 at any price. Perhaps Mr. Owen may have been 
 able to do so ; but as you think I ought to en 
 deavour to send them from hence I have made 
 an engagement with a merchant here to ship for 
 me five hundred Blankets with four thousand 
 Ells of cloth which is dearer, and not so good 
 as we used to have from England. 
 
 This will be consigned to Mr. John Owen but 
 as it is very uncertain whether it will get safe or 
 no 1 hope he will have contrived to make suffi 
 cient provision of these articles upon the spot. 
 Should this be the case and my supply also get 
 safe to hand you will order it to be laid by for 
 next year or sold, as you think proper. 
 
 I have engaged to pay for it as soon as I can 
 and, therefore, should be glad to have some Rice 
 shipped to me for that purpose which, I believe, 
 will answer better if freight can be procured on 
 tolerable terms than Indigo at the exorbitant 
 price it sold for in Charlestown, last year. 
 
 I must beg the favour of you to take care 
 
L 353 ] 
 
 that the proceedings of Congress be transmitted 
 to me by every opportunity and, likewise, the 
 state of affairs in general. 
 
 This, I mention, because the Commissioners 
 here have sometimes been several months *~ :h- 
 out knowing what was transacting in America. 
 This, you must be sensible cannot fail of lower 
 ing them not only in the estimation of the Pub 
 lic but likewise of the Court. 
 
 This may have its bad consequences and 
 ought, if possible, to be prevented. 
 
 There is another thing respecting the Public 
 which I have to recommend to you and I do it, 
 because I think your opinion will have weight 
 whenever it is given. It is that the Committee for 
 Foreign Affairs, would agree upon a Cypher, and 
 correspond in it always. So many ships have been 
 carried into England, either as prizes, or by the 
 Villainy of the crews having public despatches on 
 board that I believe the British Ministry have 
 been better informed of our affairs from authori 
 tythan the Commissioners themselves. 
 
 I have taken every necessary step, to inform my 
 self, when I may with propriety, set out for the 
 Court that I have the honour of being appointed 
 to. There are some political reasons, why that 
 cannot be done immediately. 
 31* 
 
[ 354 ] 
 
 You will be so good as to address your letters 
 for me to the care of Dr. Franklin or whatever 
 Commissioner may be resident at the Court of 
 France which I believe will be the safest channel 
 to me wherever I may be. 
 
 Mrs. Izard desires her compliments to you and 
 I beg that you will be so good as to present mine 
 to our Countrymen from Charlestown. 
 
 I am, dear sir, with great regard, 
 Your friend and humble servant, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Robert Morris, Esq., Chairman 
 of the Committee for Foreign Affairs. 
 
 PARIS, October 6, 1777. 
 SIR: 
 
 I had the honour of receiving by the In 
 dependence, Captain Younge, a Commission, and 
 Instructions from Congress the objects of which 
 I shall use my utmost endeavours to accomplish. 
 The Powers of Europe seem to be waiting for 
 
[ 355 ] 
 
 the determination of the Court of Versailles, re 
 specting the acknowledgment of the Independence 
 of America. 
 
 As soon as she sets the example, it will I believe 
 be followed, by all those, whose interest makes 
 them wish for a diminution of the power of Eng 
 land. In this description, may be comprehended 
 every State, that can be of any service to us. 
 
 It is very much the interest of most of the pow 
 ers of Italy that the strength of the British Navy 
 should be lessened. Some of their Ports particu 
 larly those of Naples, and Civitta Vecchia have 
 been frequently insulted and all of them are liable 
 to be so by a Nation, not remarkable for its mo 
 deration. 
 
 I think therefore that they must be disposed to 
 afford assistance to the States of America pri 
 vately either by subsidy, or loan. Congress will 
 be pleased to honor me with their Instructions on 
 this point ; and in the mean time, I shall endeavour 
 to procure every information on the subject in my 
 power. Should the proposition be approved of 
 they will furnish me with proper powers. If I 
 should be so fortunate as to succeed in procuring 
 money I should be glad to know how it should be 
 disposed of whether in the purchase of such arti 
 cles, as are wanted, or remitted in specie. 
 
[ 356 ] 
 
 I hope to be frequently favored with the pro 
 ceedings of Congress and with the state of affairs 
 in America which will be of importance to me--- 
 and cannot fail of giving weight to the appoint 
 ment, they have honored me with. 
 
 I am, sir, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 From Mr. hard to Wm. Duer, Esq. 
 
 PARIS, October 8, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 It gives me great pleasure to hear 
 that you are a member of Congress and I beg you 
 will accept my congratulations on the occasion. 
 
 In the Courts of Princes, Offices of the most im 
 portant nature, are frequently bestowed upon the 
 most worthlessbut the voice of the public, seldom 
 calls forth those, to places of trust who are not 
 deserving of them. 
 
[ 35? ] 
 
 I have been between two and three months in 
 France having quitted a Country, which from my 
 infancy, I have looked upon as my own and for 
 which I have had the most unbounded affection. 
 
 If cruel experience did not demonstrate the fact 
 it could hardly be credited that the Ministry, 
 and Parliament, could have adopted and with 
 so steady and invariable a step pursued such 
 measures as should make it absolutely necessary, 
 for us to abandon England, and attach ourselves 
 to the interests of France. 
 
 It seems as if it were intended to show to what 
 extremities of wickedness and folly, a set of human 
 creatures vested with great power and vainly 
 imagining themselves of much greater could ar 
 rive. I trust, however, that the wisdom, and vir 
 tuous exertions of a free people, will humble the 
 arrogance of their oppressors. By the last de 
 spatches from America, I had the honour of being 
 appointed by Congress one of their Commissioners 
 in this part of the world. 
 
 I am extremely happy in having an opportunity 
 of shewing my readiness to stand forth in the cause 
 of my Country which no man in the world has 
 more at heart. 
 
 I know not who your Colleagues are probably 
 Mr. Duane Mr. Jay and Mr. Lewis Morris, are 
 
[ 358 ] 
 
 among the number if so you will be so good as 
 to present my compliments to them. 
 
 You must long ago have heard of the misfor 
 tunes of Sayre and Cooke. Their creditors will, 
 I fear, be considerable sufferers. 
 
 The debt of 163 sterling, which you owe to 
 their house has been made over to me by 
 Messrs. Christie and Bateman the assignees in 
 satisfaction for my demand upon them. It is proper 
 you should know this at the same time it is with 
 pleasure that I assure you, I have not the least ex 
 pectation or desire of receiving it from you until 
 it perfectly suits your convenience. 
 
 The approach of Mr. Burgoyne into the neigh 
 borhood of Fort Edward cannot be a very agree 
 able circumstance to you. 
 
 It is not impossible but he may experience the 
 fate of Charles, Duke of Burgundy, whose bones I 
 saw about three years ago mingled with those of 
 his Countrymen upon the banks of the lake of Mo- 
 rat, in the Canton of Bern. He as well as Mr. Bur 
 goyne had advanced considerably, into the Coun 
 try of a free, and virtuous people with the im 
 pious design of overthrowing their liberties but 
 were by them defeated, and slain together with 
 the greatest part of his Army. A Chapel is erected 
 over the bones, and a modest inscription records 
 
[ 359 ] 
 
 the fact. After relating what Charles had done 
 it concludes thus: Hoc Monumentum reliquit. 
 
 I have to request the favour that you will, as 
 often as your leisure permits, give me a particular 
 account of the state of affairs in America and fur 
 nish me with the Resolutions, and proceedings of 
 Congress. * * * 
 
 Mrs. I. desires her compliments to you. 
 I am, dear sir, with great regard, 
 
 Your friend and humble servant, 
 
 RA. IZARD. 
 
 From Mr. Wistar to Mr. Crawford* 
 
 LONDON, October 10, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I thank you for your favour of the 
 llth of last month and sincerely wish the news 
 you were so good as to send me has proved true. 
 
 * Feigned names were now used, and sentences written to mis- 
 lead those who might open the letters. Mr. Digges took the name 
 of Wistar Mr. Izard that of Crawford. 
 
[ 360 ] 
 
 I am entirely of opinion with you that as soon 
 as the Northern Provinces were informed of the 
 destination of Sir William Howe it is probable, 
 they would pour forth their whole strength to 
 reinforce the two Armies under Schuyler and 
 Putnam. 
 
 But a vast Majority of the deluded people of 
 this Kingdom think differently and according 
 ly all the funds rise considerably. 
 
 They say this Campaign, will destroy the re 
 bellious Faction, in America and put an end to 
 Washington and his Army. 
 
 The Ministerial tale of the day is that Howe 
 was to press him in front Sir William Erskine 
 to march to Lancaster and destroy his Maga 
 zines Clinton to move to Philadelphia through 
 the Jerseys and Burgoyne who is represented 
 as very near New York to Garrison that City 
 and protect its Environs. 
 
 And while these operations were carrying on 
 a number of small Men of War were to ascend 
 the Potomack River seize all the Tobacco in the 
 Inspecting Houses burn the American Vessels, 
 &c. and, by landing detachments of Marines in 
 different places afford employment, for such of 
 the Militia of Virginia and Maryland as resi 
 ded near the Potomack. In short we are not 
 
1361 J 
 
 without great hopes that Lord D s. Black Guards 
 may openly declare for us and prevent any as 
 sistance going from Virginia to Washington s 
 Camp. 
 
 This is our present flattering prospect and we 
 have no disagreeable apprehensions about any 
 power in Europe. Indeed, at no one time that I 
 can recollect were we ever in better spirits. 
 
 The arrival of the Jamaica Fleet and the 
 quarter part of the one from the Windward Isl 
 andshas increased our happiness and filled our 
 Merchants and Underwriters with new life and 
 vigourso much so that they would now under 
 write Philadelphia at a very moderate Premium. 
 
 We have no other account from America than 
 that I communicated to my friend, on Tuesday 
 evening and upon that have all our present de 
 lusive Prospects been founded. 
 
 The enclosed letter was sent me, by the penny 
 post, to day but by whom I cannot conjecture. 
 It appears to me to have been opened. Will you 
 be so good as to send it to Mr. Izard ? Where 
 does he live in Paris or St. Germain? Pray 
 make my best Compliments to Mrs. Crawford. 
 
 I am, Dear Sir, with great regard, 
 
 Your most obedient and faithful Servant, 
 
 D. WlSTER. 
 
 32 
 
[ 362 ] 
 
 Your Parliamentary RegisterRemembrancer, 
 and Annual Register are forwarded to you. 
 
 I fancy you will not be much pleased with the 
 account of the last Campaign as given in the 
 Annual Register. Vamp says it was drawn by 
 29.* 
 
 From Claude Crespigny, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 BATH, October 19, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 You should not have been so long, 
 without hearing from me if I had notfor some 
 weeks past been in daily expectation of some 
 news arriving which might have afforded me a 
 subject worth writing upon. 
 
 As no material news has arrived we are at 
 present only amused by the runners of Govern- 
 
 * Figures were used to designate persons if the Second Vol. 
 of these letters is published the Keys and Cyphers will appear. 
 
[ 363 ] 
 
 ment with the accounts of the great feats done 
 by the K g s Troops in the neighborhood of 
 New- York and the still greater feats that will 
 be done by Sir W. H.-and General B. They 
 have placed Washington between their two Ar 
 mies -and cut him to piecesnone have escaped 
 except the very swift of foot. 
 
 The more moderate, are doubtful whether 
 Burgoyne may not possibly meet with some 
 Checkby one Arnold and disappoint this plan 
 
 of totally defeating W n this Campaign and 
 
 if so we must have one more Campaign before 
 the Rebels are quite brought to unconditional sub 
 mission. This is really the language of many 
 but on the other handthere are numbers of 
 those who were for trying this Campaign that 
 openly declare they will, in Parliament oppose 
 having another. 
 
 It is really my opinion that unless H e and 
 
 B ne do much more than seems at present 
 
 possible this Country will not be for the continu 
 ance of the War- --even for another year. 
 
 I am well assured and believe it may be de 
 pended upon- -that about a month ago offers were 
 made to the M. of Rockingharn and his friends 
 to come into power in the room of the whole 
 B d House gang. The offers were not ac- 
 
[ 364 ] 
 
 cepted but one must see that they never would 
 have been made if there was a determination to 
 pursue the present measures. 
 
 Though our Ministers and the Publick here 
 have been amused with the fair words from your 
 side of the water I have no doubt but our Minis 
 ters at least begin to suspect the sincerity of 
 them and supposing that to be the case their 
 panick is easily accounted for. 
 
 Mrs. unites with me in most sincere re 
 gardsand good wishes to you and yours. I 
 shall hope soon to hear from you and that you 
 are all well. The last time I heard was from a 
 friend of ours who is here and has lately had a 
 letter from you. * * * 
 
 We are at present in great confusion here about 
 the election of a Master of the Ceremonies Mr. 
 Wade having resigned. This business is likely 
 to produce great disputes amongst us and will 
 for a time make the place very disagreeable. 
 
 You must from time to time wherever you 
 are let me hear from you as you may be assur 
 edthat I shall ever be anxious to know of your 
 happiness and welfare. 
 
 I am, Dear Sir, 
 Your Sincerely Affectionate^ Friend, 
 
[ 365 ] 
 
 From Mr. hard to the Hon. Wm. Drayton, Chief 
 Justice of East Florida, at St. Augustine. 
 
 PARIS, October 26, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am favoured with your letter of 
 the 16th July which informs me of several prize 
 Negroes having been carried into St. Augustine 
 by a Man of War and of your having purchased 
 my servant Frank for 60 sterling subject to a 
 reclaim of the money from the captors if it 
 could be proved that I had either suffered for 
 my attachment to the English Government or 
 had resided in Europe for several years past ; 
 because it was thought that neither the letter 
 nor the meaning of the act under which they 
 were condemned did extend to persons in either 
 of these situations. 
 
 You desire that I would take the necessary 
 steps to prove my property and support my 
 claim in him. This, I cannot do as the Bill of 
 Sale which I received from Mr. Windell, of New 
 York his late master is left among my papers 
 32* 
 
[ 366 ] 
 
 in Carolina and as there can be no doubt about 
 his belonging to me I hope an advantage will 
 not be taken of a paper s not being produced 
 when it is known to be impossible that it should 
 be so for the reason that I have given. 
 
 It is likewise out of my power to procure an 
 order for his being restored to me or a certifi 
 cate of my having resided for several years 
 past in Europe in support of my claim as I 
 have left England with an intention of not return 
 ing to it again until there is an end to the pre 
 sent unhappy troubles. 
 
 These circumstances being known perhaps 
 my word may be taken on both points and there 
 fore I do declare to you that the Negro Frank, has 
 never been disposed of by me either by sale, or 
 gift and therefore, if my having been absent from 
 America ever since the month of June, 1771, 
 gives me any claim to him he is still and of 
 right ought to be my property. 
 
 I should have no expectation even if I were in 
 London of obtaining such an order as you men 
 tion and therefore should not think of applying 
 for it. 
 
 If redress is to be obtained only upon the suppo 
 sition of my approving of the measures of the 
 Ministry or as you say by my attachment to 
 
[367 ] 
 
 Government I can have no pretensions to it, as I 
 have always been of opinion that they are found 
 ed upon wickedness and folly. 
 
 The laws of England, I believe, do not injure 
 any man for his opinions only and as I have 
 done nothing, that I know of---that will warrant 
 my being deprived of my property if restitution 
 is made of any of the negroes that were taken off 
 the Bar of Charlestown I see no reason why I 
 should be excluded as I come clearly within one 
 of your descriptions. 
 
 I do not mean to lay much stress upon this mat 
 ternor do I desire that you should have much 
 trouble about it. If the 60 can easily be saved 
 it is certainly a desirable thing that it should be so 
 if not, I shall accept of the offer you have made 
 and take the negro of you at the price you 
 gave for him. It is a very disinterested, and friendly 
 proceeding on your part and founded upon such 
 sentiments, as I should have expected you to be 
 possessed of. I must, however, inform you, that 
 my funds in this country are so narrow that it 
 will not be convenient for me to pay you at pre 
 sent. You will in the meantime, keep the negro 
 in your hands, and as soon as it is in my power, 
 you shall be paid. 
 
 It would make me very happy, if I could in any 
 
[ 368 J 
 
 respect be serviceable to your son. If I were in 
 England I would make it my business, frequently 
 to see himand by that means probably be able to 
 judge of what plan would be best for him to pur 
 sue. 
 
 The present unhappy state of affairs in Pennsyl 
 vaniamust make Philadelphia an improper place 
 of Education ; otherwise I should prefer it, until 
 he is seventeen or eighteen years old, to any 
 school in England. 
 
 The school at Harrow bears a very good cha 
 racter and I should think, as you are determined 
 to send him to England that it will be as proper 
 a place for him as any until he arrives at that 
 age. 
 
 I do not think that the difference in point of ex 
 pense, between an English, and a Foreign school, 
 will be so great, as to make it of any importance 
 besides it may be of service to him while he is 
 young to have some friend near him to see 
 that he is taken care of. When he is old enough 
 to take care of himself two or three years resi 
 dence at Geneva will be of great service to him. 
 If he is sent to Cambridge or Oxford he must 
 have a considerable degree of judgment and dis 
 cretion if his time and money are not both 
 thrown away to very little purpose. 
 
[ 369 ] 
 
 On this last point, you will have time enough to 
 consider, and inform yourself at present a good 
 school is wanted for him and that I believe will 
 certainly be found at Harrow. 
 
 In the present situation of affairs it is uncertain 
 how long I shall continue here or where I shall 
 go next. 
 
 I am very desirous of being in America but I 
 do not think it either easy or safe to attempt 
 going there with my wife and five children. 
 
 Whenever you favor me with a letter enclose 
 it to Messrs. Benricke, Merchants in Mencing 
 Lane, London. By that means, it may escape the 
 inquisitive eyes of the gentlemen at the Post Office 
 which was not the case with yours which I 
 have now before me. 
 
 Mrs. Izard joins me in offering compliments to 
 Mrs. Drayton. 
 
t 370] 
 
 From John Lloyd, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 HAVRE DE GRACE, October 29, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I am much pleased with my visit 
 to Rouen and this Port having thereby obtained 
 some very satisfactory Knowledge respecting the 
 French Manufactories and which has induced me 
 to wish that we could have succeeded in our ne 
 gotiation as the investment might have been made 
 with greater facility than I thought- and in the 
 desirable articles. 
 
 I have not been unmindful of my promise rela 
 tive to an enquiry after vessels for you ; in conse 
 quence, some have been offered but as the terms 
 have been attended with a requisition for an ad 
 vance of a considerable part of the freight-previ 
 ous to departure I have not entered into any en 
 gagement as I think the demand unreasonable- 
 and disadvantageous. 
 
 To stimulate my friend Monsieur Andrew Limo- 
 zen to continue his application I have told him 
 that if he could procure you two suitable vessels, 
 
[371 ] 
 
 upon satisfactory conditions, that you would con 
 sent for them to return to this Port, to his address, 
 which I am confident will increase his attention, 
 as he is the entire man of business--! think the 
 most so of any merchant I have yet met with in 
 France. I shall leave him your address, that he 
 may be enabled to correspond with you, if there 
 should be occasion for it. 
 
 The hopes of being able to render you some 
 service, have induced me to stay here longer than 
 I intended. I shall set off to-morrow for Nantes. 
 The roads begin to be bad which I am afraid 
 will retard my journey. 
 
 I am surprised that we have not yet any certain 
 accounts of the Howes. 
 
 There is nothing new at this place. 
 
 Mrs. Lloyd joins in sincere testimonies of regard 
 for Mrs. Izard yourself and family, with 
 Dear sir, 
 
 Yours, assuredly, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD. 
 
[ 372 J 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 HAVRE DE GRACE, October 30, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 Soon after I wrote you last, Mr. 
 Limozen told me that he had some expectation of 
 procuring two vessels, one of about 120, and the 
 other of 180 Tons, upon the terms of 230 livres 
 per ton, payable upon the delivery of their Car- 
 goes in this Port, at and after the rate of 2,000 wt. 
 of Rice, 1,600 Indigo and 1,800 Tobacco ; but ob 
 served that the owners required that their Cap 
 tains should, if requestedbe each of them supplied 
 at Charlestown, by your agent with a sum, not 
 exceeding the value of two hundred pounds ster 
 lingto defray their disbursements in that Port 
 and the amount to be indorsed on their respective 
 bill of lading in French money as so much re 
 ceived in part of their freight which subjects you 
 to the loss of the sum advanced provided the ves 
 sels should be taken and to cover the same by 
 Insurance, either in this Kingdom or in Charles- 
 town, will increase the freight to near 250 livres 
 per ton. 
 
[ 373 ] 
 
 As I do not believe vessels are to be procured 
 upon better terms, 1 have not made any material 
 objection to the requisition but I have some 
 doubts about the adjustment of the exchange be 
 ing afraid that the present state of the Currency, 
 and the Law which the Legislature has passed to 
 prevent its depreciation may occasion dissatisfac 
 tory obstacles to the Captains. The mode which 
 I think the best to ascertain it, is to submit the 
 matter to the Chamber of Commerce, or to such 
 proper and disinterested persons, as his Excellency 
 the President might be pleased to appoint. 
 
 As the owners are not all resident here a con 
 clusive determination, cannot be immediately ob 
 tained and as I shall set off in the course of an 
 hour or two I must leave Mr. Limozen to cor 
 respond with you upon the subject and for which 
 purpose I have given him a letter of introduction 
 to you. 
 
 Salt cannot be procured here but at a much 
 higher price, than at Croisie (which is the place 
 where vessels load that go from Nantes.) I have 
 therefore required, that those which may be en 
 gaged upon your account, must proceed there for 
 it which Mr. Limozen gives me reason to think, 
 will be complied with indeed it must be insisted 
 on as the difference is of consequence. 
 33 
 
[ 374 J 
 
 I would advise you to have them fully loaded 
 with that article as it will greatly lessen your 
 freight and supposing the cost should exceed the 
 sum, which you would choose at present to ad 
 vance Mr. Limozen, will I believe make that mat 
 ter perfectly easy to you at least I have reason 
 to think so from what he has said to me but re 
 lative thereto you will in course, have a satisfac 
 tory explanation. 
 
 If you should Charter, the sum advanced the 
 Captains, in Carolina, may be insured conditionally 
 in France, which will be better than having it 
 made in Carolina as in case of loss, you will re 
 ceive the money on this side which 1 apprehend 
 will be more suitable to you. 
 
 You will let me know if you charter as I have 
 some observations to make, that may be expedient 
 for you to repeat to your Attornies and Mr. 
 Owen. 
 
 With Mrs. Lloyd s affectionate remembrance to 
 Mrs. Izard, and my own respectful compliments, 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Assuredly, yours, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD. 
 
[375 ] 
 
 From Daniel Blake, Esq. to Mr. hard. 
 
 BRUSSELS, November 7, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 My jaunt to Holland was attended 
 with no other success, than that of settling a cor 
 respondence at Curracoa, and St. Eustatia in 
 case I should choose to ship my produce that way. 
 
 The Dutchmen are too cautious to risk their 
 vessels and the premium of Insurance is too high* 
 to send any thing from thence to America they 
 ask forty per cent out. 
 
 I could not meet with any plantation Tools, that 
 would answer. I saw some Cloth and believe I 
 shall order mine out in the spring by the way of 
 one of their Islands. 
 
 I am endeavouring to get a house here to fix 
 Mrs. B. and Miss S. for the winter which as soon 
 as I have done, shall go for London. I am sorry 
 the season is so far advanced that I cannot do my- 
 self the pleasure of congratulating you and Mrs. 
 Izard in person -on the birth of your Daughter 
 and on your late appointment two events that I 
 assure you give me great pleasure. 
 
[ 376 ] 
 
 Walter left us a few days ago he proposes 
 spending a month at Margate. I suppose you have 
 heard of the death of poor Wragg he was washed 
 overboard. 
 
 Various are the Reports here some say that 
 Washington has been defeated by Howe others, 
 that Burgoyne has met with a check ; should you 
 have any agreeable news from authority---! shall 
 be glad to have the earliest notice of it. Mrs. B. 
 and Miss S. desire to join me in compliments to 
 Mrs. Izard. 
 
 I am, dear sir, your sincere friend, 
 
 And most humble servant, 
 
 DANL. BLAKE. 
 
 From John Lloyd Esq., to Mr. hard. 
 
 ANCENES, November 12, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 I think my last was dated 30th 
 ultimo from Havre, where 1 was detained a day 
 longer than I intended. The route that I took lay 
 
[ 377 1 
 
 through part of Lower Normandy where I found 
 the roads exceeding bad which, with frequent dis 
 appointments respecting horses, greatly retarded 
 the progress of my journey. 
 
 My friend having wrote to me that suitable and 
 convenient lodgings were not to be immediately 
 procured at Nantes I determined to stay at this 
 place till accommodations could be obtained--- 
 which I have reason to expect will be the case in 
 a few days. 
 
 It concerns me to acquaint you, that I am ad 
 vised of several vessels being taken bound from 
 Carolina to France, by British Men of War, and 
 which are arrived at Gibraltar and Lisbon. From 
 the latter place, I have a letter from Captain Man, 
 of the Alarm Frigate who encloses me some let 
 ters, which fell into his hands. This mark of po 
 liteness I attribute to a personal acquaintance and 
 a particular intimacy that subsisted between us, 
 some years since. I mention his name to you but 
 you will not speak of it as it is a conduct, that 
 might subject him to censure if known at the Ad 
 miralty. 
 
 I have nothing very consequential to transmit 
 
 you- -that I have received from Charlestown. I 
 
 am sorry to tell you that the Coast was strictly 
 
 watched by the Bruine, Perseus, and Galatea Fri- 
 
 33* 
 
[378 ] 
 
 gates who were stationed to cruise between St. 
 Augustine and Cape Fear. There can be no doubt, 
 but they must have taken a good many prizes. It 
 was hoped that the apprehension incident to the 
 Hurricane season would occasion them to depart. 
 
 Notwithstanding these Frigates were in sight of 
 the Bar a French Sloop, from the West Indies, 
 with twelve brass Field Pieces and a very con- 
 siderable supply of ammunition got safe into the 
 Harbour. 
 
 The Randolph was still in Port, and could not 
 proceed to sea, for want of hands. To remedy as 
 much as possible that disagreeable circumstance 
 the State by Proclamation offers a very large 
 Bounty to encourage Seamen to enter. 
 
 From what I hear I am afraid the Insurance 
 Company has sustained losses too considerable 
 for them to continue that expedient establishment, 
 which I was hopeful they might have been en 
 couraged to extend. 
 
 Mr. Laurens by his appointment to Congress 
 having vacated his Office of Vice President (of 
 the State,) Mr. James Parsons is elected in his 
 room. 
 
 I have no doubt from what I discovered during 
 my residence at Rouen, and Havre, that Mr. 
 Deane, has private as well as publick pursuits 
 
[ 379 ] 
 
 and I am more than ever convinced that he is a 
 very improper person to be applied to for advice 
 or assistance relative to a Loan wherein he is 
 not materially interested. I am confident your 
 idea of the man is just in every particular but 
 our opinions of and concerning him as also oth 
 ers it will be most prudent to reserve solely to 
 ourselves for reasons which are sufficiently mani 
 fest. 
 
 The plan which I proposed appears so very 
 advantageous and so easily carried into execu 
 tionthat I cannot avoid desiring you not to give 
 up your contemplations upon the subject; but if it 
 can be done with propriety renew your applica 
 tions to Beaumarchais or apply elsewhere. 
 
 It is my present intention to wait for some 
 further advices from Carolina before I absolutely 
 determine about my embarkation and if we should 
 succeed in obtaining a Loan that will of conse 
 quence detain me as I should like to give my 
 personal attention to the execution of the busi 
 ness. 
 
 There having been no arrivals at Nantes from 
 any part of America for some time I have no 
 thing material to inform you of from thence. I am 
 told there is a new Frigate equipping for Captain 
 Nicholson ; she is a very fine ship built at Nantes, 
 
[ 380 ] 
 
 and will mount thirty-six Guns twenty-four of 
 which are to be twelve pounders. The business 
 is conducted privately and avowed publickly to 
 be for and on account of Frenchmen but (entre 
 nous) you may depend upon it she is intended for 
 the Congress. 
 
 The Raleigh and Alfred that put into L Ori- 
 ent, were careened in the King s Dock and sup 
 plied with whatever they had occasion for out of 
 his Stores, without expense. The two prizes that 
 they brought in were disposed of without any 
 molestation. Those two which have been so 
 much the subject of conversation are certainly to 
 be given up, to the English and I am informed 
 that a Frigate will be admitted for the purpose 
 of taking them under Convoy. How can you re- 
 concile such inconsistent conduct in the French 
 Ministry and that of the British submitting to it ? 
 
 I am ashamed to tell you that I have forgot your 
 request, respecting the address of your letters. As 
 the most certain, I shall direct this, to the care of 
 Bousie. 
 
 Mrs. Lloyd joins in the most affectionate assu 
 rances of regard for Mrs. Izard, yourself, and 
 family, with Dear sir, 
 
 Your sincere, 
 
 JOHN LLOYD. 
 
L 381 ] 
 
 I was at the instant of closing this letter, when 
 I received your favour of the 7th. From what 
 Mr. Limozen writes to you and from the tenor 
 of his letter to me which came to hand this day 
 I have very little expectation that he will suc 
 ceedin procuring any vessels for you upon 
 suitable terms, at Havre de Grace. 
 
 I shall look out for you at Nantes, but I cannot 
 give you any reason to hope that I shall succeed 
 at least at present and the future demands 
 will be governed I suppose accordingly to the 
 aspect of public affairs. 
 
 I observe you have had a long conversation 
 with the Ludlows,* and the intention of the eldest 
 and that in consequence I became the subject 
 of your contemplation which I ascribe to your 
 attentive and sincere friendly attachment and 
 shall hold the same in grateful remembrance as I 
 esteem it the most convincing proof of your confi 
 dential regard. Your request for an immediate 
 reply to the important question which you have 
 honored me with prevents me from giving the 
 subject that mature consideration that I wish. 
 
 Being extremely desirous to render myself as 
 serviceable as possible to the United States 
 
 * The Lees. 
 
[ 382 ] 
 
 whose prosperity I have most sincerely at heart 
 and to be instrumental in promoting it, is a cir 
 cumstance that I devoutly wish. For which rea 
 sons I should esteem it, not only the most honor 
 able but a fortunate, and happy event to be 
 recommended to Congress by such respectable 
 names as yours, and the two gentlemen you men 
 tion and I am almost induced to say that I 
 would undertake to execute to the utmost of my 
 abilities whatever trust, office, or appointment, 
 that illustrious Body, should think proper to con 
 fer upon me. But with respect to the particular 
 one under consideration I am confident the busi 
 ness thereof cannot be conducted w r ith any degree 
 of proprietyor satisfaction except there is a 
 most effectual removal of the present Agent who 
 appears possessed of full, and ample powers and 
 still continues his long accustomed course ; for 
 which reason until there was an absolute cer 
 tainty of that step s being taken I could not give 
 my assent to an acceptance. 
 
 I have upon this occasion to request that you 
 will be pleased to present my most respectful ac 
 knowledgments to the Messrs. L. for their obliging 
 testimony of friendship which you will assure 
 them that I shall always study to merit. 
 
 I am extremely sorry, that the acrimonious hu- 
 
[ 383 ] 
 
 mour, continues to prevail, among the Controllers, 
 (Commissioners) as I think it cannot but produce 
 effects which must prove injurious to the business 
 that they have to transact besides rendering them 
 objects of contempt to those with whom they 
 ought to be respectable. 
 
 The disagreeable report, respecting General 
 Washington, gives me a great deal of concern as 
 it is mentioned to me from England, with a confi 
 dent assurance of its being true but I hope to God 
 it may prove false. 
 
 It is certain, however, that Burgoyne has been 
 trimmed. 
 
 There was nothing new at Nantes yesterday 
 except that a Privateer has sent into Queberoon 
 Bay, a victualling transport. With sincere and 
 affectionate assurances, I bid you adieu. 
 
[ 384 ] 
 
 From the same to the same. 
 
 NANTES, November 20, 1777. 
 DEAR SIR : 
 
 My last was dated the 12th inst. I came here 
 yesterday. My detention at Aneenes was longer 
 than I wished for, or expected. * 
 
 The Amphitrite is arrived at L Orient. She 
 sailed from Charlestown, the 22d September, and 
 has brought a Cargo of Rice and Indigo. 
 
 I have received a letter by her from my friend 
 Mr. Lowndes dated the 16th September, who is 
 very urgent in recommending me to make a visit 
 to Carolina if it was only to stay one, or two 
 months. His reasons are so forcible as well for 
 public as private considerationsthat I have al 
 most determined to embrace the first convenient 
 and suitable conveyance which may offer for 
 America. 
 
 I should have no objection to be landed as near 
 Philadelphia as possible as I wish to pay my re 
 spects to some members of Congressbesides I 
 am disposed to think, that a personal acquaintance, 
 
L 385 ] 
 
 with that illustrious body through the introduc 
 tion of your good self, and the Messrs. Lee may 
 be attended with a satisfactory and personal be 
 nefit more especially as you and they have 
 thought me deserving of an honourable and bene 
 ficial appointment. 
 
 I am told that the brothers of the gentlemen 
 whom I have just mentionedare leading Members 
 of Congress and that they have in consequence 
 great influence. If that is the case I think Deane 
 stands on very uncertain ground as you may de. 
 pend upon it his conduct will not be represented 
 in the most favourable point of view to them 
 which joined to M s inveteracy will form a col 
 lective power that may throw him from his pre 
 sent exalted pinnacle, to the dreadful abyss of na 
 tive insignificance. From the intimations of a 
 friend of Deane s I have some cause to believe 
 that such an event, would not be very unexpected. 
 
 Letters from L Orient mention that the Officers 
 of the Amphitrite, assert with confidence that the 
 Randolph Frigate Captain Biddle had sailed 
 from Charlestown and that she had taken several 
 Jamaica Men a twenty gun British Man-of-War 
 two armed Tenders and retaken a French Ship. 
 If one half is true it is a noble affair there being 
 many circumstances omitted in the information, 
 34 
 
[ 386 ] 
 
 which I think ought to have been mentioned and 
 as my letter of the 16th September contains no 
 such intelligence I am inclined to suspend my be 
 lief. Rice was at 505. * * * 
 All kinds of European goods were extravagantly 
 dear and continually advancing owing to their 
 want of supply and the great resort of the North 
 ern States to purchase. 
 
 As to the essential article of Negro clothing a 
 great number manufactured their own entirely 
 and the example was followed very fast. The 
 greatest difficulty was in the commencement. In 
 short the people in general began to be accus 
 tomed to do without what they were taught from 
 long habit to call the necessaries of life insomuch 
 that they would be soon brought to esteem them 
 as mere superfluities. 
 
 A vessel which Mr. Blake chartered soon after 
 coming to Nantes was got safe to Charlestown, 
 with a cargo of Salt which sold for the enormous 
 price of 70s. a bushel. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Munster* have lately 
 issued some very rigid preventive orders relative 
 to the exportation of Arms, and Ammunition 
 which occasions difficulties that are not immedi- 
 
 * Probably the King and Ministry of France. 
 
[ 387 ] 
 
 ately surmountable. They have also transmitted 
 positive directions to their Commissioners of Marine 
 not to permit any more than the peace comple 
 ment of Seamen to be received on board of mer 
 chant ships which is directly intended to prevent 
 the equipment of armed vessels under the sanc 
 tion of for the service of America. 
 
 These circumstances are a very plain manifesta 
 tion to me that L S is consequentially 
 
 attended to and that the Controllers meet with the 
 contempt which I am sorry to say their conduct 
 so justly merits. 
 
 Mrs. joins me in sincere and affectionate 
 
 testimonies to Mrs. I. and yourself with him 
 who is, dear sir, most assuredly yours. 
 
 P. S. Mr. Lowndes mentions the landing of 
 Howe but does not seem to be the least appre 
 hensive that he will do any thing consequential. 
 All the Cattle and every thing that could be of 
 any service to him were removed. 
 
[ 388 ] 
 
 From Mrs. hard to Wm. Duer, Esq. 
 
 PARIS, November 24, 1777. 
 SIR: 
 
 Mr. Izard is extremely ill with a severe 
 fit of the gout which deprives him of the use 01 
 his hands he therefore employs me, to convey his 
 sentiments to you, upon a subject in which he feels 
 himself exceedingly interested as he thinks the 
 welfare of his Country is concerned in it. 
 
 The present Commercial Agent in France, has 
 by his conduct, long shewn himself a very im 
 proper person to be employed in so important an 
 Office. Frequent complaints of his behaviour have 
 been sent to Congress and Mr. Izard hopes they 
 will at length have so much weight as to get him 
 removed from an appointment of which he has 
 proved himself to be altogether unworthy. 
 
 He desires me to request the favour of your in 
 terest in behalf of Mr. John Lloyd, of Charles- 
 town who is now settled in France a Merchant 
 of very respectable character and a gentleman, 
 of whose integrity, and zeal for the good of Ame- 
 
[ 389 ] 
 
 rica he has the highest opinion. He thinks if he 
 should be appointed to that Office the Public will 
 have every reason to be satisfied with his con 
 duct. 
 
 I take the liberty of enclosing a letter to my 
 Mother. You will oblige me very much, if you 
 will transmit it to her and you will make me very 
 happy if you procure me the means of hearing 
 from her. 
 
 Mr. Arthur Lee, was with us this morning. He 
 desires me to present his compliments to you. 
 
 34* 
 
From M. de Beaumarchais to Mr. hard. 
 
 PARIS, September 10, 1777. 
 
 I have the honor to inform you, sir, that I have 
 ordered according to the note you sent me, 500 
 blankets. They will be G feet long, by 4 feet 
 wide. One of my friends has also promised me to 
 furnish 3,000 Ells of Negro Cloth and I am glad 
 to inform you the whole will go about the 15th 
 
 October. 
 
 No real friend of the Americans will meet with 
 
 difficulty, or even lukewarmness from me. 
 
 I send you this information by Mr. de Franey, 
 my Supercargo, and Agent for my American busi 
 ness. You may judge from the nature of the em 
 ployment, with which he is charged, that he is a 
 man to be depended on. If you wish to send any 
 important papers to your friends in America, he 
 will take charge of them, and deliver them faithfully. 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 With the highest consideration, sir, 
 Your very humble and 
 
 Very obedient servant, 
 CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS. 
 Mr. IZARD. 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 4, line 7, for sending read send. 
 
 3, 2, for Dunnekur, read Dunnechen. 
 
 22, 26, for superior, read supreme. 
 
 49, 17, for one, read own 
 75, 4, for affection, read affectionate. 
 82, 7, Burmuda, read Bermuda. 
 163, 2, for Zoue, read iord. 
 
 163, 23, for Bounswickers, read Brunswickers. 
 
 169, 22, for Dasseldorp, read Dusseldrop. 
 
 : 23, for Wanderwerfs, Vanderwerfs. 
 200, 3, for Limns, read Livius. 
 
 331, 24, for Banguier, read Banquier. 
 
 : 25, for Monmatre, read Monmartre. 
 
 333, 5, for interrupted, read intercepted. 
 
 334, 13, for Hables, read Staples. 
 : : for Diepe, read Dieppe. 
 
 329, 18, for prevenu, read prevenir. 
 369, 12, for Benricke, read Bewicke. 
 : : for Mencing, read Mincing. 
 
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