The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution

THE

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION;

BEING

THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN
ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH
IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY
LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M.
DUMAS, AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN
RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING
THE WHOLE REVOLUTION;

TOGETHER WITH

THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF
CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS,
GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS.

Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from
the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably
to a Resolution of Congress, of March 27th, 1818.

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NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN:

G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON.

1829.

113916

Steam Power Press-W. L. Lewis, Printer. No. 6, Congress Street, Boston.

CONTENTS

OF THE

FIFTH VOLUME.

JOHN ADAMS' CORRESPONDENCE,

CONTINUED.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 17th,

1780,

Probable effects of the armed neutrality.-Critical situ-

ation of England.-The opposition carry the resolu-

tion, that the influence of the Crown is increasing,

and ought to be diminished.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 18th,

Encloses a letter written from England on the subject

of peace with America.-Exposes the errors of the

writer; on the confederacy with France and Spain;

on the probability of America violating her treaty

with France; on the notion that the policy of

France has been to expose the States in order to

exhaust them; on the plan of a reconciliation and

re-union of America with Great Britain.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 24th,

1780,

Proceedings of Russia in regard to the armed neutral-

ity. Proceedings in Holland in relation to the same

subject.

To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, April 25th,

1780,

Enclosing papers from America.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 25th,

Page.

1780,

State of Ireland.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 26th,

1780,

Page.

Debate in the House of Lords on the declaration of
Russia; Lord Camden expresses his astonishment at
the doctrine of free ships and free goods; Lord
Shelburne's remarks on the critical state of Eng-
land.-Anti-English policy of Russia,

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 28th,

1780,

Declaration of the English Council, placing the sub-
jects of the United Provinces on the footing of neu-
tral powers, not privileged by treaties.-Address of
the States of Groningen to the States-General, re-
commending the protection of commerce by con-
voys.-Second Address of the States of the same
Province, proposing answers to the Memorials of
Sir J. Yorke.-The Province of Holland recom-
mends the acceptance of the invitation of Russia
to accede to the armed neutrality.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 29th,

1780,

English naval expeditions.

To the President of Congress. Paris, April 29th,

1780,