ON AMERICAN AFFAIRS. 379 1768. he did not think it would be expedient to send trusty emissaries into the country, who might first secretly put themselves into communication with the principal leaders for the purpose of obtaining exact information, and be on the spot to take advantage of any serious scheme on the part of the colonists to obtain aid from France and Spain. The Duke replies on the 21st instant that he had laid the contents of March 21. the Count's letter before the King, and that His Majesty was anxious that he should continue to communicate all the information he got on this subject. On May 23, after an interchange of letters with the May 23. Count du Châtelet respecting the best means of overthrowing the English influence in India, the Duke de Choiseul writes a letter to him respecting some recent occurrences in London, an extract from which is found in the text at page 45. There is also a reference in the same place to a despatch from the Count du Châtelet respecting the policy of admitting the produce of the American colonies free of duty into French and Spanish ports. On August 19 M. Francès writes to the Duke of Choiseul August 19. that Lord Hillsborough had represented to him the disturbances in Boston as not likely to be a cause of anxiety, provided, as was most possible, the other colonies did not follow the example; that he had positively assured M. Francès that no more troops, either military or naval, would be sent to America, the number actually there being sufficient for all purposes. He further observed, said M. Francès, that Canada and its dependencies were the only parts that were perfectly quiet, as we ought to be well aware from the agents and emissaries in our pay there.' "I assured him,' continues M. Francès, that not only had we no such thing there, but that we had not the slightest interest in having any such; and I entreated him to attach no importance to fables likely to be invented by people trying to make themselves important and necessary, without having carefully examined them, and he promised me, whenever such an occasion should present itself, to form no judgement without first asking for information.' Two days after this charming little specimen of diplomatic 1768. August 21. Oct. 28. Nov. 11. 380 FRENCH DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE duplicity, the Duke, alluding to a translation of a pamphlet attributed to Dr. Franklin, which M. Francès had sent him a few days before, observes that it is very lucky that the advice of the author is not listened to in England; that the more he reflects on the subject, the more he is convinced that the whole difficulty might be got rid of by permitting the colonies to be directly represented in Parliament; and the expedient being so obvious, he presumes there is some objection to it which he is not aware of, that prevents it from being put into execution. M. Francès, as appears by a despatch of October 28, was afraid that the Boston convention would precipitate things too much, and bring them to a premature issue. And the Count du Châtelet, on November 11, writes to the Duke de Choiseul, that if things could only go on as they were doing, it was all that France could desire, for the quarrel then could have no end, the colonies would learn to do without the aid of the mother-country, England would be ruined, and her vast possessions in America would be nothing better than a millstone round her neck. But this, he thinks, will certainly not happen, for the distress felt by different classes will oblige Parliament to do something to remedy the mischief. That it was quite possible, therefore, either that some sort of accommodation would be patched up, or that the forces collected against the colonies would be turned against France or Spain, thus diverting the minds of the colonists by means of a war from their own affairs. He says, however, that he believes the English administration is at present earnestly desirous of peace with other nations, and that their determination is to constrain their colonies by force; but he hopes they will be disappointed in the latter Nov. 18. purpose. Again, on the 18th, he repeats his conviction that if the quarrel continues there will be thousands of opportu nities of which France can avail herself to put England in a position from which she could never recover. He urges, therefore, the necessity of keeping a watchful eye on its progress, and especially of being ready, in case, by any sudden accommodation of the differences, the French colonies should be put in jeopardy, either to seize the proper moment of attack, ON AMERICAN AFFAIRS. 381 1768. 1769. Jan. 28. Feb. 6. if we are able to do so, or to prepare in time for our defence if it be requisite. Measures for this purpose, he recommends, should be secretly concerted with Spain, which would meet any contingency. On September 9, he submits to M. de Sept. 9. Choiseul whether, in case of a rupture with England and her colonies, even though a premature one, England and Spain ought to remain passive spectators of an opportunity which may never recur. A few days after the Duke thanks him for Dec. 21. his suggestions respecting the policy that ought to be pursued by France and Spain, and says the King is highly pleased with his views, and thanks him for the zeal he shows for his interest. And again on January 28, 1769, the Count du Châtelet writes to the Duke an able letter, pointing out the advantages of the free admission of the produce of the American colonies into France and Spain free of duty. The Duke replies on February 6, that the King and his ministers are very much struck with his proposal, but that, it being necessary to consult Spain on the subject, he had, in conformity with the King's orders, sent an extract from his despatch to the Marquis d'Ossuno, with a request that he would communicate it to the Spanish ministry. The proposition, it seems, found no favour in Spain; for on February 20 the Marquis d'Ossuno, Feb. 20. on behalf of the Spanish government, informs the Duke that it cannot be entertained, giving, amongst other reasons, these that in case of the colonies becoming independent, they would form themselves into a republic, a form of government dangerous on account of the able, well-devised, and determined measures with which it would carry out plans of conquest natural to ascribe to it; or, in case of not separation taking place, it would then turn out to be a mistake to have allowed the free admission which was the sub Feb. 24. ject of the despatch. But, meanwhile, the suggestion had been so very agreeable to the Duke de Choiseul, that, writing on February 24, he said, it had again been the subject of deep consideration and long discussion in the cabinet in His Majesty's presence, who seemed to him to approve of his plans. He added, he had sent instructions to various official persons to obtain information on the subject. And on March 14 he communicates to the Count the reply March 14. 1769. March. 382 FRENCH DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE from the Spanish government, observing, I must confess it seems to me to be reasonable enough. We shall see if, upon further reflection, the court of Madrid will not be inclined to enter into our views.' In March 1769 the French minister received a letter from Colonel du Kalb, dated January 15, 1768, in which he announces that, having left London in October last, in a vessel bound for Philadelphia, instead of taking the packetboat of the 10th from Falmouth, he had just arrived, after a terrible passage, in which they had sadly suffered from winds and want. Their provisions, he said, were, generally speaking, spoilt; they were but too happy to have a ration of four pounds of mouldy biscuits a week and a bottle of foul water a day. But as bad as all this was, he congratulates himself on not coming by the packet, which, from the unexampled length of time which it had been due, was supposed to be lost. He describes in two or three letters the great excitement prevailing in America, the probability, or rather the certainty, of their independence, and notes the excellence of their militia, which, he says, the royal officers acknowledge to be not inferior to the regulars. ON AMERICAN AFFAIRS. 383 III. Abstract of a Correspondence between the Count Vergennes and the French diplomatic agent in London, relating to American affairs (1775-1776). THE HE Duke de Choiseul having retired from office, the subject seems to have dropped until 1775, when we find the Count de Vergennes, now Prime Minister, writing on July 22 to the Count de Guines, asking for information on American affairs. On the 28th of the same month the Count de Guines writes in reply, that Lord Rochford the day before had told him that numbers of persons of either party were beginning to think the best way to finish the war with America would be to declare war with France. Lord Rochford himself was of opinion, he added, that such a war, by rendering the Americans anxious about Canada, and forcing them in such a case to choose between the French and English, would certainly lead them to give the preference to the latter; and he pointed out the necessity of France keeping on her guard, while at the same time avoiding any show of preparation which would excite the suspicions of England. This, he says, was very difficult to do, and all he could suggest for the present, was to get the best information possible. Chance, he adds, had thrown in his way an opportunity of doing so. M. de Bonvouloir, a French gentleman, first cousin of the Marquis de Lambert, had been a volunteer in the regiment of the Cape, and had been obliged to quit St. Domingo for change of air; he had been in all the English colonies, from which he had just returned. He had been offered a commission in the rebel army, and had many acquaintances, from whom he could get information, in many parts of the country. His information respecting what he 1775. July 22. July 28. |