[dateline] Bruxelles Nov. 15. 1780
[salute] Dear Sir
A severe attack of a dangerous dysentery, a sick Family ever since Mr. Searle left
us, and above all, having nothing material to communicate, have prevented me from
writing to you for some time past and indeed my principal object now, is to enquire
after the health of yourself and your Sons, as it will give me sensible pleasure to
hear that you have escaped the contagion of the late very unhealthy season.
It seems that the rigor with which Mr. Laurens was at first confin'd, has been a good
deal relaxed and he is now permitted to walk abroad within the Tower Walls for the
benefit of the Air; from what cause this has proceeded one can't precisely say, but
it appears, there is a party in the Ks. Cabinet who are heartily sick of the War and
wish for Peace with America on
any Terms, but as the King is absolute, his Will, must be obey'd; therefore every effort
is to be made to send 10,000 men immediately to Ama., which number I apprehend, they
will find infinite difficulty in procuring; unless they send every regular Soldier
from G. Britain and Ireland. 'Tis some years since I knew three Systems were hatch'd
at Passy, all originating in Selfishness, Pride and personal malice and resentment.
1st., that America had no kind of occasion for Ministers or Agents any where else
but in France and Spain. 2dly, That it would not be of any advantage for all the Powers
of Europe to acknowlege the Independence of Ama., since France having done it was
amply sufficient. 3dly, That it was very immeterial what became of the Southern States,
or whether they were annex'd to G. Britain or not, as the 4 New England States were
fully capable by their own efforts, to maintain and support their Independency against
all the power of G. Britain. Designing Men are never at a loss for arguments, however
unsubstantial and unfounded, to propagate their doctrines and unfortunately for America
the two
{ 347 } first systems have been adopted. It has given me much concern to find Ideas similar
to the last re-echoed from the environs of Congress; but I conceive it merits the
most serious consideration of the Northern States, as I am convinced that ruin and
destruction to the whole, must inevitably follow any division or seperation among
the 13 States.
Monsieur Guichens return with his fleet and convoy will no doubt prove a cordial to
the French Merchants and proves also that the last Campaign has ended like the two
preceeding ones—An immense expence, a great deal of noise and bustle and nothing done.
The capture of the Quebec Fleet was however very fortunate, as it may in some measure
releive our Army that must have otherwise suffer'd immensely for want of supplies;
for I understand that those which were ready and ought to have left Europe last Winter
or early in the Spring, are at this time in the Ports of France.
The conversation in the H. of Commons the 7th instant and the resolves of the Westminster
Committee of the 2d are worthy of attention.
1 One can't help feeling astonishment and indignation at the conduct of some of the
branches of the power where you are—can the corrupted part mean to subjugate the whole
to their Rival and Bitterest Enemy? A union with the Northern powers would take away
even the shadow of danger as they can, by only with holding their Naval Stores, in
one or two Years annihilate the fleets of G. Britain. But at all events I do not see
what the Dutch have to apprehend from a War with G. Britain more than they now suffer—Their
Ships are taken in all parts of the World where met with and condemn'd; their Territory
invaded; their independency as a sovereign Power in fact denyed, and insult heaped
upon insult; without a means of redress, while their present conduct is pursued.
I beg you to present my best Compliments to your Sons & to be assured that I am with
the highest Esteem & Respect Yr. most Obliged & Obedt. Hble Servt.