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the Thirteen States, according to the form and effect 1782. of the treaties fubfifting between the faid ftates and his most chriftian majefty; and 2. in which the faid treaties fhall not be left in their full force and validity.As to Boundaries and other particulars we refer you to the in-. structions given Mr. Adams, dated the 14th of August 1779, and 18th of October 1780. We think it unfafe at this distance to tie you up by abfolute and peremp tory directions, on any other fubject than the two effential articles above-mentioned. You are at liberty to fe cure the interests of the United States, in fuch manner as circumstances may direct; and as the ftate of the belligerent, and disposition of the mediating powers may require. You are to make the most candid and confidential communications upon all fubjects to the minifter of the king of France; to undertake nothing in the negotiation for peace or truce without their knowledge and concurrence, and ultimately to govern yourselves by their advice and opinion, endeavouring in your whole conduct to make them fenfible, how much we rely on his majesty's influence for effectual fupport, in every thing neceffary to the prefent fecurity or future prof perity of the United States.-If a difficulty should occur in the course of the negotiation for peace, from the backwardness of the British to make a formal acknow ledgment of our independence, you are at liberty to agree to a truce, or to make fuch other conceffions as may not affect the fubftance of what we contend for, and provided that Britain be not left in poffeffion of any part of the Thirteen United States."

The committee to whom was referred the memorial of the minifter of France, were directed by congress to

mere Cicenally to the faid minifter, the sub

treng nitructions. The commiffions Hummus were ent to France foon enough to adjer Jeng rceived early in May.

Singer de 200 of March, capt. Joshua Hud* roops at the block-house on preet county, New Jersey, was steer of revingees from New York; ez wad guilty

all his

11972226 e

is affair was made known to gen. Waitingpropoied a number of questions, on the case of

dy, to the general officers and others, who on. However, inftead of immediately

executing

executing an officer of equal rank with Huddy upon re- 1782. ceiving proofs of his murder, Washington wrote to Clinton, that unlefs the perpetrators of that deed were delivered up, he should be under the disagreeable neceffity of retaliating. On the 20th, he fent a letter to congrefs, with the copy of a memorial from the inhabitants of the county of Monmouth, and fundry affidavits respecting the death of the captain; which produced the following refolution on the 29th-" That congrefs 29. having deliberately confidered the said letter and the papers attending it, and being deeply impreffed with the neceffity of convincing the enemies of thefe United States, by the most decided conduct, that the repetition of their unprecedented and inhuman cruelties, fo contrary to the laws of nations and of war, will be no longer fuffered with impunity, do unanimously approve of the firm and judicious conduct of the commander in chief in his application to the British general at New York, and do hereby affure him of their firmest support in his fixed purpose of exemplary retaliation." What alteration may be produced by the change of British generals, remains to be discovered. Sir Guy Carleton arrived at New York on the 5th of May, and is now commander May in chief of the king's forces in America. From his 5 tried and known humanity, it may be concluded with certainty, that no acts of barbarity will be fupported by his countenance.

Negotiations were carried on the last year between fome leading perfons belonging to Vermont and the British in Canada and New York; which produced jealoufies in the minds of feveral, who thought that the rulers meant to unite that country to Great Britain, con

trary

1782. in oppofition to refiftance, remonftrance, and other endeavours to produce a different conduct. You must understand, that the gentlemen at the Hague, who are called their high mightineffes, are not the fovereign. They are only deputies of the States General, who compofe the fovereignty. Thefe joint deputies form a diplomatic body, not a legislative nor executive one. The States General are the regencies of cities and bodies of nobles. The regencies of cities are the burgomafter, fchepens or judges and counsellors, compofing in the whole a number of four or five hundred men, fcattered all over the republic. Mr. J. Adams had no way to come at them, but by the prefs. He therefore employed it, and by his publications fucceeded.

9.

The quarter of Ooftergo in the province of Friefland, was the first public body that propofed a connec

tion with the United States of America, in December Jan. Laft. On the 9th of January, Mr. Adams waited on the prefident Van Den Sandheuvel, and demanded a categorical anfwer, that he might be able to tranfmit it to Feb. his fovereign. On the 26th of February, Friefland preceded the other confederates by a refolution for opening negotiations with America, and admitting Mr. J. Adams forthwith as the minifter of congrefs. The new minifters of the court of London attempted to bring forward a negotiation for a feparate peace with the state of Holland. Propofitions for a particular peace, with an offer of an immediate fufpenfion of hoftilities, on the part of Great Britain, were made to that state by the mediation of the Ruffian ambaffador. The merchants had the greatest averfion to fuch offers, as artful and dangerous. Holland and Weft-Friesland agreed to admit