vention *

sh

in ton to neric.-- 2 Tes of Carsonai Enemies -pentru ea.ijn in Szcze s magng Engiishmenord

e wakaal vi tte-nezamarcas iecounts--- iving too much for the *stwinguint u: se Lat!land.

SECEITED some sime since a letter from a rerson it Cestost. informing me at a great cumber of reople 'n bose rarts were iesirous

of oing o sette in Imerica.* if passports could e obtainei ir nem nd seir streets, and referring

Sir sa**9rd Newen. m. iated

2980. May, ito.

me to you for future information. I shall always be ready to afford every assistance and security in my power to such undertakings, when they are really meant, and are not merely schemes of trade with views of introducing English manufactures into America, under pretence of their being the substance of persons going there to settle.

I admire the spirit with which I see the Irish are at length determined to claim some share of that freedom of commerce, which is the right of all mankind, but which they have been so long deprived of by the abominable selfishness of their fellow subjects. To enjoy all the advantages of the climate, soil, and situation in which God and nature have placed us, is as clear a right as that of breathing; and can never be justly taken from men but as a punishment for some atrocious crime.

The English have long seemed to think it a right, which none could have but themselves. Their injustice has already cost them dear, and, if persisted in, will be their ruin.

To

Horatio Gates,* dated

1779.

The pride of England was never so humbled Passy, 2 June, by any thing as by your capitulation of Sara

toga. They have not yet got over it, though a little elevated this spring by their success against the French commerce. But the growing apprehension of having Spain too upon their hands has lately brought them down to an humble seriousness, that begins to appear even in ministerial discourses, and the papers of ministerial writers. All the happy effects of that transaction for America are not generally known. I may some time or other acquaint the world with some of them. When shall we meet again in

* Then Major-General in the army of the United States.-ED.

TTIGLES OF HIS ETIES.

[. ET. 73.

veikir inverse, taik over our adventures, ind inish vith 14.0t {ime of chess?

Selittie dissensions between particuiar States in America mit inuch magnified in England, and her once had great Lopes from them. I consider them, with you, as the effects of apparent security; which do not affect the grand points of independence, and adherence to “reaties; and which will vanish at a renewed appearance of danger. This court continues neartily our friend, and the whole nation are warm in our favor; excepting only a few West Indians, and mer: chants in that trade, whose losses make them a little uneasy.

Richard

Το

I am very easy about the efforts Messrs. Bache, dated

1 and Passy, 2 June,

are using, as you tell me, to 1779.

injure me on that side of the water. I trust in the justice of the Congress, that they will listen to no accusations against me, that I have not first been acquaintert with, and had an opportunity of answering. I know those gentlemen have plenty of ill will to me, though I have never done to either of them the smailest injury, or given the least just cause of offence. But my too great reputation, and the general good will this people have for me, and the respect they show me, and even the compliments they make me, all grieve those unhappy gentlemen ; unhappy indeed in their tempers, and in the dark, uncomfortable passions of jealousy, anger, suspicion, envy, and malice. It is enough for good minds to be affected at other people's misfortunes; but they, that are vexed at everybody's good luck, can never be happy. I take no other revenge of such enemies, than to let them remain in the miserable situation in which their malignant natures have placed them, by endeavouring to support an estimable character; and thus, by continuing

the reputation the world has hitherto indulged me with, I shall continue them in their present state of damnation ; and I am not disposed to reverse my conduct for the alleviation of their torments.

I am surprised to hear, that my grandson, Temple Franklin, being with me, should be an objection against me, and that there is a cabal for removing him. Methinks it is rather some merit, that I have rescued a valuable young man from the danger of being a Tory, and fixed him in honest republican Whig principles; as I think, from the integrity of his disposition, his industry, his early sagacity, and uncommon abilities for business, he may in time become of great service to his country. It is enough that I have lost my son; would they add my grandson ? An old man of seventy, I undertook a winter voyage at the command of the Congress, and for the public service, with no other attendant to take care of me. I am continued here in a foreign country, where, if I am sick, his filial attention comforts me, and, if I die, I have a child to close my eyes and take care of my remains. His dutiful behaviour towards me, and his diligence and fidelity in business, are both pleasing and useful to me. His conduct, as my private secretary, has been unexceptionable, and I am confident the Congress will never think of separating us.

I have had a great deal of pleasure in Ben too.* He is a good, honest lad, and will make, I think, a valuable man. He had made as much proficiency in his learning, as the boarding school he was at could well afford him; and, after some consideration where to find a better for him, I at length fixed on sending him to Geneva.

I had a good