on Appearance of a rising Storm at Boston; indeed contrasting the avow'd Determination of Governm't here, with what I well knew to be the universal Sense of the Colonists respecting British Taxation, I shudder'd under Apprehension of the Hostility and Bloodshed that ensued, whence I considered it my Duty to hold out early to those in Power, such a candid & serious View of Consequences, as (had it been attended to) would necessarly led to an Accomodation, honble and salutary to both Countries. But alas! Infatuation seem'd to prevade our Councils, in their embracing delusive Information, & founding thereon such a system of Measures, as has not only proved unsuccessful, but Expensive and Inglorious-being apprised next year 1775, of the Intention of Congress to Petition the King, I exerted my utmost to predispose some Characters of first Influence to a proper reception of that Petition, by dilating to them the important, yet very different Consequences that must ensue from its being Received or Rejected. That as it was the last to be expected, a proper Reply was the natural Means of opening an amicable TreatyWhereas the Rejection of it might probably issue in the loss of the Colonies. But here also Infatuation had its perfect work.

The fatal Experience of three years Hostilitys, having brought Government in Spring 1778, to the appointment of Commissioners to treat with Congress, my Opinion was ask'd by some Members of a very respectable Body, then Petitioning Parliamt, on the necessity of Peace with America. I subscribed their Petition & same time convey'd to the Committee in a Letter, the most extensive View I was capable of, respecting the Importance of the intended Negociation. I suggested the probability of Congress refusing to Treat till their Independence was Recognized, especially considering the Treatment their Petition had mett with, and thence Represented the Necessity of the British Comisrs. being not only Men of liberal Minds, but their being Cloathed with such Powers as might fully enable them to restore Peace & Freindship with America, by whatever Means it could be best Effected-and same time stimulated by the feelings of my wonted Friendships, I resolved to take Shipping by first Conveyance after departure of the Commissioners, presuming that in the course of so important a Transaction, it might not be unacceptable to have an Old Friend from hence to drop in upon you.

I have troubled you, my DrSir, with the foregoing Detail in proof of my Endeavours to have promoted an amicable ReUNION of the two Countries while such a thing was practicable-Or their Separation on Friendly Terms, when that appeared the Intention of Heaven and the Interest of Parties.

I was unfortunate in a tedious passage of 13 weeks to N York, & from a Combination of Circumstances became not a little Melancholy on my Arrival-1st from seeing the vast Havock made in the City by Fire, which greatly affected me-2d The Inhabitants my old Acquaintance, generally removed, and their Homes desolated, or in Possession of Strangers. 3d Finding myself (instead of old Peaceful N York) in a Garrison'd Town & under Military Governt, the Soldiery parading & the Bayonet glancing in every Street. 4th The Prevalence of a certain degree of Party spirit & Retaliating Menace, which too much interlarded all Conversation.

Same time must acknowledge I was civilly Received & hospitably treated by such of my old Acquaintance as I found in the City & on Long Island, and by keeping Political that on a large Scale, avoided jarring with any.

The Views of the British Commissrs. in approaching Congress, I found had received a decisive Check before my Arrival. On hearing of which I comforted myself in the Sentiment that Heaven design'd other Purposes & by other Means, still I was ardently desirous to see my old Friends without the Lines, & was assured there would be no difficulty in obtaining a Flag to go to ElizhTown, but was diswaded from thinking of it till Spring, as constant Excursions would be making by the Kings Troops into Jersey thro' the Fall & Winter, of which no previous notice could possibly be had & whence I might run the risk of my Life-I necessarly submitted to this precaution from those on whom I intirely depended to procure me a Fass, & when Spring came (having received a Permission from ElizhTown) I

applied to the Commandant D. Jones for a Flag, who notwithstanding my being recommended by Mr. Elliot & Others, positively refused me but on express Condition I should not come in again. His Refusal was imputed to Insinuations having been drop'd to him of my being a Whig & Dissenter and long attached to leading Characters without of the same Cast, & this Impression was perhaps somewhat inflam'd from my lodging at Mr. Pintard's, the Congress Agent-It was also alledged he took umbrage at the friendly State of a Letter sent me from without, which I think not improbable, as that Letter tho' address'd to the care of Mr. Elliot, was first carried to the Commandant who on perusal & before he sent it to Mr. Elliot, subjoin'd to it in his own hand writing the following-“ N. B. The above Request, Mr. Elliot, cannot be granted." But whatever the true Reasons of his Refusal were, all Argument prov'd vain. He persevered to the last; while I felt exceedingly mortified in being denied a Pleasure I had travelled so far to Enjoy. Indeed I should have gone out on his own Terms and risk'd every Inconvenience, had not a particular Circumstance in my private Affairs render'd my Return to Engd. in course of the year absolutely Necessary. The Business I had taken a Share in here for the Introduction of my eldest son, tho' it had every promising Appearance, yet from a Deception of unparra'd Depth, I found we should be great Sufferers, and therefore having a Brake in our Articles at Mass 79, I was under a necessity of availing myself of it and being on the spot to disolve the Contract at that Periodfrom this Disolution, my two elder Sons became unemployed which gave me Concern, and the more as from the very precarious State of Public Affairs as well as Private Property, I was discouraged and indeed advised from going again into Business till there was some Appearance of Peace being reEstablished. I, therefore. look'd out & got my eldest son into an Employmt that defrays Expence & afforded me as much of his Assistance as I wanted in winding up the Affairs of the Partnership. My 2d Son I sent out to N York to get acquainted with Business there, and as Forerunner of his two Brothers, and having carefully bred them all in the Principles of Integrity, Temperance & Industry, hope they will become useful Members of Society wherever Providence may cast their Lot. Nor is it impossible I may follow my Children & perform the last Services of my Life in the Country I lovd and where I wish to lay my Bones. Wo to those men who from base Views and insidious Representations have been instrumental in wasting the Blood and Treasure of both Countries.

As Heaven seems now forecasting the Means, I trust it has in View the ReEstablishment of General Peace.

A jealousy of ill Plan'd Measures, fruitless Campaigns, an increasing National Debt, insuportable Taxes, and a Profusion of the Public Money, had been for sometime breeding a National Discontent, which has latterly produced Universal Murmur agt. the American War as tiresome & ruinous.

The Opposition in both Houses were indefatigable in availing themselves of the growing Disatisfaction.

They carried a RESOLVE in the lower House That the Influence of the Crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished.

Next, the Loss of Lord Cornwallis' Army Encourag'd them to move a RESOLVE (which thro' twice unsuccessful they carried at last) to Address his Majesty to restrain all future Hostilities in America, and to pursue such Measures only as tended to Peace with that Country.

They finally moved a RESOLVE to withdraw the Confidence of Parliament from his Mj's. present Minsr. This upon a Divisn they also failed in twice, but returning a third time to the Charge, the Premier (finding himself deserted) then Intimated to the House, that the Ministers who were the Object of the Motion Did not exist, and were to hold their Places only till his Mag'y had time to form a New Arrangement, and for that purpose he moved an Adjournment of 4 Days which was agreed to-that short Interval was anxiously employed in endeavouring to form a Coalition, but without Effect. Whence we have got an entire New Sett from the Opposition

Side of both Houses, form'd from the most respectable and powerful Whig Families in Eng'd. and if they steadily pursue the great Objects they have openly avow'd Economy and Peace with America, they will prove the firmest and best supported Administration England has had for Ages-And truly much Gratitude must be consider'd due to those Noble & brave Characters who have step'd forth at this critical hour to retrieve the Affairs of a distress'd Nation sinking under a Load of complicated Embarrassments.

They are annihilating Sinecure Offices, reducing exorbitant Salaries, and chastizing the infamous Rapacities of our Eastern Nabobs, yea instituting Committees to enquire into our National Expenditure from 1776 to the present Time.

They are also disabling Contractors from sitting in Parliament, and disqualifying Revenue Officers from Voting at Elections &c.

So far we are improving our internal Police. Among foreign Difficultys, a Settlement with America I presume ranks the foremost, and being the subject I'm best acquainted with, dwells much on my Mind, and with the greater Anxiety as tis said, that tho' Admn to a Man heartily wish the Restoration of Peace with America, yet that They are not perfectly at One either as to the Means or the End-Some 'tis said are for immediately acknowledging the Independence of America, while others mean trying to get that Country reUnited to this on Terms.

As 'tis my sincere Prayer that Heaven may inspire our Councils with Prudence -I have suggested to some in Adm'n, also to some well disposed Members, & in the general Tenor of my Conversation, that I consider it an Impropriety to Prescribe, when there is neither Power nor Intention to Enforce. That I apprehend even the proposing Terms to America, as hazardous of reexciting that Jealousy and Diffidence which has been the malady of both Countries for years past, that I should therefore Consider it most prudent simply to Notifie to America, the late Change of his M'y's Ministers. That those now in Office heartily lament the Calamities that have afflicted both Countries, and that it is their sincere Wish to contribute everything in their Power to make America Happy.-leaving it with America to speak for itself, who best know their own views and wishes and the State of their foreign Connexions. There are those here who Aver, that America is determined to a Man on having Independence-While others assert with equal Confidence that a great Majority is against it. Such busy designing Men greatly misled the old Adm'n, and are attempting the same Game with the New-Whence so far as my Opinion signifies anything, I recommend what I think most prudent, in leaving America to judge and speak for itself. And may Heaven direct the Deliberations of both Countries.

I remain with sincere Respect and Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obedient and Most humble Servant Will Donaldson.

London 1st May, 1782.

P. S. Genl. Carleton was early after the Changed administration, dispatch'd for N York but the Tenor of his Instructions has not transpired here, hope they are of a Peaceful Complexion

Ireland.

[No. 4875.]

Robert R. Livingston Notifies the Governor of His Resignation as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Philadelphia 2d Deer 1782.

Dear Sir, You will believe that it has given me some pain to take the step mentioned in the enclosed without your Excel

*Not found.

lencys advise but I suppose your other avocations have not given you leisure to answer my Letter soliciting it. In the mean while to put an end to all intriguing for the place which must be troublesome to you I have thought it proper to make my election, my penchant for the state has determined me if I must be a servant to wear its badge-I am sir, with great esteem & regard Your Excellencys Most Obt Hum Serv

Robt R Livingston.

His Excellency George Clinton Esqr &c &c &c

[No. 4876.]

Henry Sherburne Appointed by Governor Clinton Commissioner from New York to Adjust Accounts between New York and the United States.

By his Excellency George Clinton Esquire
Governor of the State of New York &c &c

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Person administring the Government of this State I do hereby signify my Approbation of the Appointment of Henry Sherburne Esquire by the Superintendent of the Finances of the United States as Commissioner to settle the Accounts between this State & the United States; and the Creditors of the United States within this State agreable to the Act of Congress of the 20th of February last.

By His Excellency's
Command.

Given under my Hand at Pokeepsie this 5th day of December in the seventh year of the Independence of the said State 1782.

Poughkeepsie Decr. 5th, 1782.

Sir, I have been honored by your Letter of the 21st ult. & I now enclose you my Approbation of the Appointment of Henry

Sherburne Esqr. as Commissioner to settle the Accts between this State & the United States &c purst. to the Act of Congress of the 20th Feby. last.

The honble. Robt. Morris Esqr. Supt. Finance &c.

I am &c G. C.

[No. 4877.]

James Duane Explains to the Governor Why James Clinton Failed To Be Appointed Major General.

Poghkeepsie Decemr 5th 1782.

Dear Sir, I am sorry to be deprived of the pleasure of paying my respects to your Excellency & your Lady on my return from Philad. The severity of the day I am apprehensive may detain you, and I am impatient to see my Family after half a years absent: but this Consideration woud not have weight, had not Mr L'hommedieu communicated to your Excellency the State of Affairs at Congress.

I beg leave to submit to your Exceliency the steps we took in the Case of General Clinton. The Principle on which the Rejection was founded was that the New York line was not entitled to a second Major General. I need not I hope assure your Excellency that nothing was omitted on my part which promised Success to the General's wishes.

The Vermont business is undecided: but these rash men are in a fair way to ruin themselves. I trust Mr. Lhommedieu has fully stated this matter to your Excellency.

I enclose your Excellency the Acceptance of the New York Cession. You will observe that it is left on the best possible footing for our State. I feel myself happy in being the Instru