[Extract]
I wrote you every material occurrence to the time of my leaving Bordeaux, and sent duplicates by Captains Palmer, Bunker, and Seaver, one of which you will undoubtedly have received before this comes to hand. I left that city on the last of June and arrived here the Saturday following, having carefully attended to everything in the manufacturing or commercial towns in my way; which, indeed, are neither numerous nor of great consequence. I spent at Angouleme a day in viewing what, as to manufactures alone, deserves attention on the journey ー the foundry for cannon, where the greatest part of those used in the kingdom are manufactured. The cannon are cast solid, after which they are put as in a turner's lathe and bored out and the outside smoothed and turned at pleasure. They can bore and complete a twelve-pounder in one day in each lathe, which takes four men only to work. The workmen freely showed me every part of their furnace and foundry. On Monday after my arrival I waited on my bankers, and found that Mr. [Edward] Bancroft had arrived the same day with me, Mr. Thomas Morris and M. Venzonals about ten days before. I waited on M. Dubourg and delivered him Dr. Franklin's letter, which gave the good gentleman the most sincere and real pleasure.
M. Penet, on his arrival in Paris, waited on M. Dubourg, showed him a copy of his contract with the committee of Congress, and told him he had letters from Dr. Franklin to him, but had left them on the road or at Rotterdam through fear of a search. He told M. Dubourg, to whom he was a perfect stranger, so many particular circumstances that he could not doubt of his sincerity, and in consequence he embarked in his affairs to a large amount. Five or six weeks have now passed without the arrival of the letters said to be left on the road. Arms, powder, etc. to a large sum were in readiness, when my arrival gave him confidence that I would take the burden off him, as he doubted not that my credentials would be explicit. I saw immediately the arrangement of the whole, and that M. Penet had returned to France (copy of the contract excepted) almost as empty-handed as he came to Philadelphia, yet had found means to collect a very considerable quantity of stores, part of which he had actually shipped. This circumstance gave me hopes; yet I found that it would now be expected I should become responsible for the articles, which embarrassed me much, since to detain them would be quite disagreeable, and to step out of my own line and involve myself with Messrs. Plairne and Penet's contract would be equally so.
M. Penet had somehow got intelligence of my being in France and that I was expected at Paris; he therefore waited for me, and I saw him the next day at my hotel, when he complained of want of remittances, and desired me to pledge my credit for the stores, which I waived in the best manner I could, for I saw the consequences might involve me in many difficulties and frustrate my greater de, signs. I therefore told him I would certify to the merchants, if necessary, that the Congress would pay for whatever stores they would credit them with; and in the mean time advised him to proceed strictly agreeable to the letter of the contract, and I was positive that the Congress would fulfill their part of it. I finally satisfied both him and M. Dubourg, and he parted for Nantes to ship the goods the next day. I must do him the justice that is his due: he has been indefatigable in the business; his heart seems to be entirely in it and I believe him honest; but his connections, either commercial or political, are not of themselves equal to such an undertaking; but the cause he was employed in had in a great measure, I found, supplied this deficiency, which was to me a favorable appearance.
M. Dubourg told me that the ministers would not see me, as they meant to be quite secret in any countenance they gave the United Colonies, and that my arrival in France was already known in London, in consequence of which Lord Stormont arrived express but a few days before and had applied to the court on the subject. I showed him my commission and told him I was determined to apply; for every circumstance, in my opinion, was favorable instead of otherwise. On this he wrote a letter to Count de Vergennes, asking liberty to introduce me the Thursday following, on which day I went to Versailles, and, though the letter had not been delivered to his excellency, yet he gave us immediate admission. Fortunately his chief secretary spoke English well, by which means I had an opportunity of conversing freely with him on the subject of my commission for two hours, and was attentively and favorably heard by him and was asked many questions, which shows that the American disputes had been, and still were, a principal object of attention. I pursued nearly the line marked out by my instructions, stating the importance of the American commerce and the advantages Great Britain had received from a monopoly of it. That, all intercourse ceasing between the two countries, the Colonies had considered where they might dispose of that produce which they necessarily had so large a surplus of, and receive for their raw or first materials the various manufactures they wanted. That they first turned their eyes on France as the best country on Europe for them to be connected with in commerce. That I was purchasing a large. quantity of manufactures, for which I expected to pay the money, and that I would want a quantity of military stores, for which remittances would be made. That I doubted not the Colonies had before this declared independency, and that I should soon receive instructions, in consequence, more full and explicit; that in the mean time they were very anxious to know how such a declaration would be received by the powers in Europe, particularly by France, and whether in such case an ambassador would be received from them, etc.?
To which he replied that the importance of the American commerce was well known, and that no country could so well supply the Colonies, and in turn receive their produce, as France; it was therefore the interest of both to have the most free and uninterrupted intercourse, for which reason the court had ordered their ports to be kept open and equally free to America as to Britain. That, considering the good understanding between the two courts of Versailles and London, they could not openly encourage the shipping of warlike stores, but no obstruction of any kind would be given; if there should, as the custom houses were not fully in their secrets in this matter, such obstructions should be removed on the first application. That I must consider myself perfectly free to carry on any kind of commerce in the kingdom which any subject of any other state in the world might, as the court had resolved their ports should be equally free to both parties. That I was under his immediate protection and should I meet with any difficulty, either from their police, with the rules of which he supposed me unacquainted, or from any other quarter, I had but to apply to him and everything should be settled. That as to independency, it was an event in the womb of time, and it would be highly improper for him to say anything on that subject until it had actually taken place; meantime, he informed me that the British ambassador knew of my arrival, and therefore advised me not to associate with Englishmen more than I was from necessity obliged, as he doubted not I should have many spies on my conduct.
I then told him the precautions I had taken, and should persevere in, in coming from Bermuda, and that I did not mean in public to pass for other than a merchant from the Island on speculation during the present cessation of commerce in America; but, at the same time, I told his excellency that I was well assured it was known in London that I was coming long before I arrived in Paris, and I doubted not they conjectured my errand; but at the same time I should take every precaution in my power, and most sincerely thanked him for his protection and assistance so generously offered, which he might depend I would never abuse. He was pleased with my having come by Bermuda and passing as an inhabitant of that island, and said if questioned he should speak of me in that character. He then asked me many questions with respect to the Colonies, but what he seemed most to want to be assured of was their ability to subsist without their fisheries and under the interruption of their commerce. To this I replied in this manner: That the fisheries were never carried on but by a part of the Colonies, and by them not so much as a means of subsistence as of commerce. That, the fisheries failing, those formerly employed in them turned part to agriculture and part to the army and navy. That our commerce must for some time be in a great measure suspended; but that the greater part of our importations were far from being necessaries of life, consequently we should not suffer under the want of them, whilst it was not wealth or luxuries that we were contending for. That, our comerce ceasing, it would be out of the power of our enemies to support themselves on our plunder, and on the other hand our ships, as privateers, might harass their commerce without a possibility of their retaliating. That I hoped to see a considerable marine force in the Colonies, and that, joined to the impossibility of Britain's guarding so extensive a coast, would preserve some of our commerce until it should be thought an object deserving the protection of other powers.
After many questions on this subjec{ he put this, in which f thought he seemd interested ー whether; if the Colonies declare an independency, they ー : , would not .differ among themselves? To this I replied that 'the greatest harmony had as yet subsisted, and, that I had no grourids to doubt it in future; that-the Gommon danger which first drove them into measures which must end in such a declaration would subsistHe then desired me to give "his secretary my address, and said, though' he should be glad to see me often, yet as matters were circumstanced his
house was too public a place; bunhat I might put the same confidence in his secretary as in himself, to whom I might apply for advice and direction; but that whenever anything of importance occurred I need but inform him and he W<;mld see me, but on common occasions I must address the secretary,
, and that alone was sufficient to insure their union.
power of _Qur enemies to support themselves on our plunder, and on the other hand our ships, as privareers, might harass their corimierce without a possibility of.their retaliating: . That I :hoped to. see' a considerable marine force)n the Colonies, and that, joined to the impossibility of Britain's guarding so extensive a coast, would preserve some of our commerce until it which would be every way niore convenient, as he understood the English language well and was a person in whom the greatest co11-fidence could be placed . .Having settled the mode of intercourse, I expressed the sense I had of his excellency's, politeness ad the generous protection he had given me, and on prting said if my commission or the mode of introducing the subject were out of the usual course, I must rely on his goodness to make llowances for a new-formed people, in circumstances altogether unprecedented, andfor. their agent, wholly unacquainted with courts. To which he _replied
that the. people and their case were very respectable in the eyes. of all disinterested persons, and that the interview had been agreeable:
J\fter this I returned to Paris with M. Dubom:g, whose zeal for the American cause led_ him to draw the most favorable consequences from this beginning. The next day, _ while from home, I was informed that Count Laureguais had inquired our my lodgings, immediately fter which he asked quiring what agents were here from otb, er negotiations between them and the I I leave to go for England, which was refused by the court. The same day Iwas informed that Sir _Hans Stanley_ and Sir Charles Jenkinson, who I knew were at Bordeaux when I.left it, were in France for the sole purpose of in
the Colonies and what commerce or
Colonies was carrying on. This alarmed , my friends and as had agreed for other lodgings, to which I wasnext day to remove, M. Dubourg advised me to secrete both my lodgings andnam.e. I told him that he Count Laureguais' conduct appeared mysterious, yet. I could nver think of keeping myself secret, for though should not seek these gentlemen nor throw myself purposely in their way, yet I mustthink it an ill compliment to Count Vergennes to suppose, after what hadpassed, that I was not on as ー _good and safe footing in France as they or any
0
other gentleman could be. However, his _uneasiness made him write to the count what he had advised, who returned for answer that such I . a step was both unnecessary and impolitic, as, it would only strengthen suspicions by
giving every thing, an air of mystery, while there was not the least_ occasionfor it..
The next day had a fresh conference with M. Dubourg, who brought
me a number of memorials from officers and engineers offering their serv ices in America, some of whom I believe deserve the utmost encouragement; but more of this hereafter. While I<was casting in my mind how best to im prove the present favorable crisis for supplying the Colonies, Monsieur by Count Verourg was so far from sounding the views Beaumarchais made proposals for procuring whatever should be wanted, but in such a manner as was understood by M. Dubourg to ainount to a monopoly, which indeed was not his only objection-for Monsieur Beaumar chais; though confessedly a man of. abilities, had always been a man of pleasure and never of business; but as he was recommended gennes, M. Dubourg could not avoid noticing him, but immediately.expostu lated with the count in a letter, which brought on embarrassments no way favorable, and I saw-that M. Dub' of his superior in this manoeuver, that he was, with the best intentions in the world, in danger of counteracting his wn wishes, the extent of which 'Yere to oqtain. the, supplies of merchants and manufacturers on the credit of the Colonies( i_n which the strictest punctuality and most scn.ipulous ex
actness would be necessary, and which, under the prsent difficulties of re
feared would not be lived up to.
had learned that in the late reform of the French army they had shifted their arms for those of a lighter kind, the heavy-ones, most of wh"ich were the same as new, to the amount of seventy or eighty thousand, lay useless in magazines, with other military stores in some such proportion, I apprehended it no way impossible to come at a supply from hence through the agency of some merchant, without the ministry being concerned in the matter. In such case the merchant would be accountable to the ministry and the Colonies to the merchant, by which means a greater time of payment might be given and more allowance in case of our being disappointed. With this in view, I went to Versailles on Wednesday, the 17th. and waited on M. Gerard, first secretary of foreign affairs, and presented to him the inclosed memorial, which led to a v.ery particular conversation ori the affairs of America, and which I turned finally on this subject, to which he would not then give me any immediate, answer, but promised me one in a day or two. Returning "to town, I . found Messrs. Dubourg and Beaumarchais had a misunderstanding, _ the latter giving out that he could effect everything we wished for, and the former, from the known circumstances of M. Beaumarchais and his known carelessness in money matters, suspecting he couldprocure nothing, and the more so as he promised so largely. They' parted. much displeased with each other, and Mons. Beaumarchais went directly to Versailles. On M. Dubourg's coming and informing me what had passed Iimmediately wrote to M. Gerard the inclosed letter, and in return was de sired to come with M. Dubourg the next morning to Versailles.
We went as desired, and after explaining many things to M. Gerard, had a conference with l_lis excellency, from whom I had fresh assurances of the utmost freedom and protection in their ports and on their coasts; that, ..in one word, I might rely on whatever Mons. Beaumarchais should engage in the rnmmercial way of _supplies, which, indeed, was all I wished for, as Iwas on the safe side of the question, viz. on the. receiving part. I communicated, to his excellency that clause of my instructions for procuring arms, etc. of which, he asked a copy. I then informed: him that I considered thepresent as the most critical juncture of American, affairs; that the campai told me. that. gnwould undoubtedly be carried far into the winter; that supplies now shipped might arrive very seasonably in the fall to enable the Colonies to hold out the present campaign. He replied that no delay should be made by any obstr.uction of any officer, or others, of the customs or police. He then
Count Laureguais was perhaps a well-meaning man, but not sufficiently discreet for such purposes as this; that Mr. Lee (meaning Mr. Arthur Lee of London), had confided, he feared, too much in him, and wishec;l me to caution him on the subject, and that if I would write to him he would ten, with an addition on this subject, a copy of which is inclosed . inclose it in a letter of his by a courier that evening. I most readilyem, b.raced this safe way of correspoi:iding, and sent-a letter I had before writ
I have thus given you the heads of my negotiatiOJJ:S to this time, July 20, and will not take up your time in making remarks on' it and the prospect before me, which are obvious, but inform you of the plan I IJ].ean fo P, t.1;rsue in the execution of 'my commision, and hint some methods by which I think I may be enabled to complete every part of fr to your satisfaction and the relief of my country, which is all my wish and the extent of most ambitious hopes. I go on the supposition of an actual, unconditional independency, without which little can be effected public!y; with it, almost everything we can wish for.
It is by no means probable that Europe will long remain in a state of peace. The disputes between Portugal and Spain are on the point of producing an open rupture; the former relies on England; the latter will look to this kingdom, and .. has already applied.to this cpurt o the subject. Nothing but the division of Poland has taken the king of Prussia's attention .off from the injustice done him in Great Britain at the close of the last_ war. He has now completed his part of that extra_ordin;:iry work, and, I am well in
formed, listns with pleasure to the dispute between the Unitec;l .Colonies and Great Britain., He is ambitious of becoming a maritime power, and is already in possession of.. the capital ports of the Baltic; but without commerce it is impossible to effect the design, and no commerce can put him so directly in the road as the American. The consumption .of coffee, sugar, and other West India productions increases fast in the north of Europe, and it must be his interest at least to supply his own dominions. In case of a war in Europe, France, Spain and Prussia might be brought into one. interest, and the Emperor of Germany is too closely connected with his majesty of Frane to take part against them, after which, Great Britain having het whole force employed 1n America, there could be nothing on the one hand to prevent Spain, , and .France from reducing Portugal to . a submission to the former, nor {rom Prussia and France subduing and incorporating into their own dominions Hanover and the other little mercenary electorates which lie
b_1:qveen them, and whichfor severl centuries have been one principal
cause of every war that has happened in Europe.
With respect to Russia, it is as closely allied to Prussia as to Great Britain, and may be expected to be master in the contest. Denmark and Sweden ar a balance for each o.ther and opposites .. Not to enlarge on this plan at present, I have only to suggest that an application to. the King of Prussia will d no harm, a.nd may be attel).ded with good and, great consequences; the. Prussian ambassador at this court and at that. of London may be sou11-ed on the subject. But my powers and instructions are so limited that I can by no means take , such astep; yet when I see Great Britain exert
ing her whole force, and that of her. allies and courting every power in Europe toaid her, I can but wish she may be counteracted in her, own system,
_and, by having employ fo1, 1nd for her in Europe, bring her to leave America in peace, and I think myself bound in duty to hint at what to me seems the most;_prob, able means. Dr. Bancroft was full with me in this opinion.4,
1. Francis Wharton, ed., ::'f he Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States (Washington, 1889), II, ll2-19. Hereafter cited as Wharton, ed., Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence.....
i. This letter, in Wharton, bears the date August 18, 1776, which is the date Deane finishd it. There were several interruptions in his writing, aricf the section included here; by his
own comment in the letter, wa written July 20, 1776. 3.. Tpere is no further reference to M. Venzonals in the diplomatic cq_rrespondence of the period, and it is possible Wharton and Jared Sparks before him, misread Van Zandt.
4. As Bancroft left Paris on July 26, 1776, the past tense reference to him would indicate that Deane was now writing after the Ju_ly 20 date given in his letter.