King, and I believe that he will in this respect express himself perfectly satisfied.*

The ample supplies, with which the King furnishes the Americans, authorize him to expect, that they will exert the greatest energy in the operations of the approaching campaign. I beg that you will mention to General Washington, that his Majesty has in this respect the greatest confidence in his experience, activity, and patriotism. I have nothing to add to the communications in my last letter concerning our operations. Our arrangements will remain as I have transmitted them to the Chevalier de la Luzerne.

Finally, Sir, if the war, as appears probable, is prolonged beyond the present campaign, I hope that we shall not be called on with similar demands. I forewarn you, that it would be quite impossible to satisfy them. France is by no means an inexhaustible mine. I have the honor to be, &c.

SIR,

VERGENNES.

Versailles, 11 May, 1781.

I had forgotten to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 4th of last October. My letter of the 19th of April replies to nearly all the points on which it touches. Mr. Laurens is on the eve of his departure. He has converted a part of the money, given by his Majesty, into arms, clothing, and ammunition. We are waiting the result of a loan of ten millions, negotiating in Holland. It cannot be obtained in the name of the Americans, and the King, to attain his desire of obliging them, has resolved to come forward as prin.cipal negotiator. I beg that you will acquaint General Washington with this circumstance.

Notwithstanding the great efforts we are making for the United States, Mr. Laurens is not satisfied. This officer has treated me with great neglect since I announced to him the determination of

*The zeal of Colonel Laurens, and the ardor of his character, induced him to press his demands with more pertinacity, and with less regard to forms, than is usual in diplomatic intercourse. M. de la Luzerne conversed with him on the subject after his return to America. He appeared," said that minister, "to be sensible of his mistake, and said he was a soldier, little acquainted with the usages of courts, but warmly attached to his country; and that this sentiment may have led him beyond the bounds, which he ought to have prescribed to himself. He has suffered none of the complaints to escape him here, in which he indulged at Paris."— MS. Letter from Luzerne to Vergennes, September 25th, 1781.

All the official papers relating to Colonel Laurens's mission to France are contained in the Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. IX. p. 199 et seq.

his Majesty. I know that his complaints have been highly indiscreet, and I apprehend that he will do every thing in his power to prejudice his General. I beg you to inform the latter of this, and to induce him to advise his aid-de-camp, and above all, to impress him with the necessity of rendering to Congress the most exact account of the mission in France, which has been confided to him. I trust that we shall not again receive similar messages. France is not inexhaustible, and it would be impossible to attend to them. We are doing much for the Americans, but they must also exert themselves. We are waiting with great impatience for news from your quarter. We have learnt as yet only by the English gazettes, that a naval combat has taken place off the Capes of Virginia; but they do not mention whether our troops have disembarked, nor what has become of M. Destouches. It is affirmed, that you are blockaded at Annapolis by several frigates. I am very anxious to hear that this intelligence is without foundation, and that you have reached your destination in safety. Finally, I have nothing new to add to the information of my preceding letters, respecting the operations of the ensuing campaign. God grant that the Americans may at length put forth all the energy of which they are capable. It will be the surest means of obtaining a speedy peace.

I have the honor to be, &c.
VERGENNES.

No. VII. p. 163.

LETTER FROM COUNT DE GRASSE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON, CONCERNING OPERATIONS IN THE CHESAPEAKE.

SIR,

Cape Henry, 23 September, 1781.

The intelligence, which your Excellency has sent to me by the aid-de-camp of Count de Rochambeau, is most distressing. I know but little of the evil and the progress, which this operation may effect, but I perceive that our position is changed by the arrival of Admiral Digby.

The enemy is now nearly equal to us in strength, and it would be imprudent in me to place myself in a situation, that would prevent my attacking them, should they attempt to afford succour. I have the honor, therefore, to propose to your Excellency that I should leave two vessels at the mouth of York River, and draw around me

all the rest, excepting the corvettes and frigates, which have been blockading James River since my arrival, and which are the Charlotte, the Cormorant, the Sandwich, and one other frigate. The rest I shall bring together, in order to sail and keep the sea, that in case the enemy attempt to force the passage, I may attack them in a less disadvantageous position. But it is possible, that the issue of the combat may force us to leeward, and deprive us of the power of returning. Under these circumstances, what could you do, what would be your resources? I cannot sacrifice the army under my command, and my present position is neither favorable for attacking, nor secure in case of a gale.

The anchorage at York, on which we were agreed, does not appear more suitable, considering the maritime forces of the enemy; because it would place me in a very unfavorable position, and would have no effect in preventing the reinforcement from entering. I see no resource but the offing, and possibly that may not leave me free to return within the Capes. I shall wait impatiently for your answer, and that of M. de Rochambeau, to whom this letter is addressed in common with you. I beg you to communicate it to him, and to send your advice and opinions on the subject.

If my troops, or those of M. de St. Simon, remain with you, the two vessels and the corvettes at James River will be sufficient for you. I will sail with my forces towards New York, and I may possibly do more for the common cause than by remaining here an idle spectator. If the enemy do not come out, it is evidently because they dare not. We shall then consider what course to take. In the mean time you will push Cornwallis vigorously, and we will act in concert, each on his own side. I have the honor to be, with respectful consideration, &c.

COUNT DE GRASSE.

VOL. VIII.

67

SS

I propose a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours, and that two officers may be appointed by each side, to meet at Mr. Moore's house, to settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester. I have the honor to be, &c.

CORNWALLIS.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO EARL CORNWALLIS.

MY LORD,

Camp, before York, 17 October, 1781.

I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letter of this date.

An ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood will readily incline me to listen to such terms for the surrender of your posts of York and Gloucester, as are admissible.

I wish, previously to the meeting of commissioners, that your Lordship's proposals in writing may be sent to the American lines, for which purpose a suspension of hostilities, during two hours from the delivery of this letter, will be granted.

I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

SIR,

EARL CORNWALLIS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

York, half past four o'clock, P. M., 17 October, 1781.

I have this moment been honored with your Excellency's letter dated this day.

The time limited for sending my answer will not admit of entering into the detail of articles; but the basis of my proposals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be prisoners of war, with the customary honors. And, for the conveniency of the individuals whom I have the honor to command, that the British shall be sent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under engagement not to serve against France, America, or their allies, until released or regularly exchanged. That all arms and

public stores shall be delivered up to you; but that the usual indulgence of side-arms to officers, and of retaining private property, shall be granted to officers and soldiers, and that the interest of several individuals, in civil capacities and connected with us, shall be attended to.

If your Excellency thinks that a continuance of the suspension of hostilities will be necessary, to transmit your answer, I shall have no objection to the hour that you may propose. I have the honor to be, &c. CORNWALLIS.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO EARL CORNWALLIS.

MY LORD,

Camp, before York, 18 October, 1781.

To avoid unnecessary discussion and delays, I shall at once, in answer to your Lordship's letters of yesterday, declare the general basis upon which a definitive treaty and capitulation must take place. The garrisons of York and Gloucester, including the seamen, as you propose, will be received prisoners of war. The condition annexed, of sending the British and German troops to the parts of Europe to which they respectively belong, is inadmissible. Instead of this, they will be marched to such parts of the country as can most conveniently provide for their subsistence; and the benevolent treatment of prisoners, which is invariably observed by the Americans, will be extended to them. The same honors will be granted to the surrendering army as were granted to the garrison of Charleston. The shipping and boats in the two harbours, with all their guns, stores, tackling, furniture, and apparel, shall be delivered in their present state to an officer of the navy, appointed to take possession of them.

The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores of every denomination, shall be delivered unimpaired to the heads of the departments, to which they respectively belong.

The officers will be indulged in retaining their side-arms; and the officers and soldiers may preserve their baggage and effects; with this reserve, that property taken in the country will be reclaimed.

With regard to individuals in civil capacities, whose interest your Lordship wishes may be attended to, until they are more particularly described, nothing definitive can be settled.

I have to add, that I expect the sick and wounded will be supplied with their own hospital stores, and be attended by British surgeons, particularly charged with the care of them.