how precarious things must be, that depend upon continued emissions of paper money if no extension loan can be procured in Europe, or if a war in Europe does not so employ the British attention as to enable us to send our produce to European markets. Both these points demand the deepest consideration of those who mean to secure the separation of this country from Britain. Our Privateers and armed Vessels cotinue to be very successful against the British Trade and Transports. I have written by this opportunity to our Brother William, supposing him to be in France. I told him that the times prevent me from making remittance, and therefore that my sons must be sent to me by the first good opportunity if he cannot continue to advance for their frugal maintenance in France a small time longer. I wish Ludwell to go deep into the study of Natural and Civil Law and Eloquence, as well as to obtain the military improvement you put him on, my desire being that he may be able to turn either to the Law or the sword here, as his genius, or his interest and service of his country might point out. I want Thom. to possess himself of the knowledge of business either in Mr. Schweighauser's counting house or under his uncle, if he should go into business that may be trusted to his care. But all or any part of this plan depends, I apprehend, entirely on their uncle William. Should any unhappy accident have befallen him and thereby prevented him from coming to France, I must rely on you to direct them to be sent over to me by the first opportunity. This Mr. Schweighauser can continue for me as you desire. This letter goes by a Mr. John King, a merchant of Hampton, a gentleman of reputation here, and who goes to France on commercial motives. He sails in a swift going vessel, that probably cannot be taken, and I believe he will accommodate my boys with a passage if they are

now to return.

God bless you and give you success in your mission. Much, very much depends upon it. Farewell.

York Town in Pennsylvania, }

MY DEAR BROTHER.

I heard with much pleasure that you were destined to the Court of Berlin, because I think you may be able to do your The country essential services there. power and the magnanimity of the Prussian monarch puts him above apprehensions from the court of London for pursuing measures dictated by true generosity, and the interest of his people. A post in the North for our privateers' Prizes, and for the conduct of Commerce will much benefit both countries. It is indisputably certain that a most extensive and mutually beneficial commerce may be carried on between the dominions of Prussia and the United States, but it is unfortunate for us, that while we are left singly to oppose the whole force of Great Britian, (young as we are in war), we are prevented from giving experimental proofs of the benefits of our commerce by the impossibility of sending our products or getting those of other countries. His Russian majesty has power, by a variety of ways, to call away much of the British attention from us and thereby facilitating commercial intercourse. Add to this that the public acknowledgment of the Independency of these States, by his Prussian majesty would give dignity and advantage to our cause and procure the same acknowledgments from other Powers. The Committee have written so fulletter, that I need not add here, to what ly of the events of war, in their public they have said; unless it be to say that our continued accounts confirm the great loss sustained by the enemy on the 4th instant, in the battle of Germantown. We understand that General Agnew and Grant are dead and that Sir Wm. Erskine is mortally wounded. Some reports place Gen. Shephausen among the slain and Lord Cornwallis with the wounded. Our army is by reinforcements stronger now than before the last battle, in high spirits, and we expect will give General Howe further amusement in a short time.

Suffer me here to observe a little upon the Enemy's possession of Philadelphia

In Europe, where our affairs are ill understood, perhaps it may make some noise; with us it is only of little importance. When first we entered into this war, we not only considered but absolutely declared, that we considered our great towns as not defensible. But that the possession of these would avail little, towards the accomplishment of the views of our enemies. In truth they are but spots in the great map of N. America. But it is far from being certain that Gen. Howe, will retain Philadelphia two months. We know that during the late battle, he had given orders for his baggage to cross the Schuylkill and the friends of Government, as he calls the detestable enemies of their country, to quit the town. Boston was once theirs, but now no longer so. It will be worth while to counteract the magnified falsehoods of our enemies concerning this subject. What has become of our brother? We hear nothing of him. I have never received the bark from Mr. Gordoque, but you may be assured it is extremely wanted by myself and family.] I make no doubt that you will do the best for my boys, in conjunction with their uncle. But if they cannot remain to be tolerably finished in France, let them be sent by the first good opportunity to me. I am, with the most tender affections and faithful friendship, yours.

Chantilly, February 23d, 1778.

MY DEAR BROTHER.

It is now something more than two months, since my ill state of health compelled me to leave Congress for a time. Being pretty well recovered, I shall return to Congress in a fortnight. Since my being in Virginia, I have interested myself so effectually in behalf of Monsieur de Loyeauté, that he is appointed Inspector General of the Artillery and fortifications of this State. He is an able young officer, and very capable of doing Virginia great service and himself much honor. To answer these purposes effectually, something that we have not is necessary. Various kinds of military stores are in

dispensable. A good Founder is wanted and an expert Armorer. To obtain these, Monsieur Loyeauté and myself did here contrive the following plan which is sent to the Gavernor and council for their adoption if they approve it. A proper fund to pay for what these things will cost is to be lodged in France. Mons. Le Maire, an intelligent French officer, is to be sent immediately to France with letters from the Governor and myself to you, and from Gen. Loyeauté to his father, who is a Lieutenant General in the French army and an Inspector General of the Artillery. The design of this is, to be able to obtain leave to purchase from the Royal Arsenals such stores as we want, and such as are really good in their kind. Having obtained these, Monsieur Le Maire is with secrecy and celerity to transport them hither in an armed cutter. That he may be able to land on our Eastern Shore, or in North Carolina, he is to take a good Coast Pilot out with him. You will, I am sure, give this plan all the success in your Power, if it should be adopted, because I assure you it is quite necessary for our proper defence. Mons. Loyeauté recommends Mons. Le Maire strongly to me, and I can rely on the Judgment and Integrity of the former. So I hesitate not, to recommend Mons. Le Maire and his business strongly to you. The sooner he returns the better, since we cannot tell how soon, the war may be transferred to this Commonwealth. It may be very well to get acquainted with Mons. Loyeauté's Father in France, because coöperation may benefit us. Since I left Congress they have received abundant reason to suppose, that Gen. Burgoyne does not intend to observe the Convention at Saratoga, in consequence of which Congress has ordered that General Burgoyne and all his army shall be detained Prisoners of war, until the Court of London shall ratify the Convention of Saratoga. Our Enemies no doubt will endeavor to persuade the world that this is an act of perfidy, but the propriety of the measure, will be evident to all who are acquainted with the reasons that our enemies themselves have furnished. We received at this place but imperfect intel

ligence, being removed from the PostRoad and out of the way of much company. But the last time I heard from the Army, Gen. Washington was placed about 17 miles from Philadelphia, in which the Enemy were, and where they suffered a good deal, for most kinds of provision and forage, the American army being so placed as to prevent them from getting supplies of this kind. We are preparing for an early and vigorous campaign. I hope this year the Court of London will have other force to contend with besides North America. My love to the Alderman, his lady, and my boys. Farewell.

Let me hear often from you.

It is with infinite pain that I inform you, our dear brother, of Belleview,* departed this life on the 13th of April last, after sustaining a severa Rheumatic fever for 6 weeks. Dr. Steptoe attended him the whole time, and I was also with him. Both public and private considerations render this loss most lamentable. Ie had been just appointed one of our five Judges of the General Court, in which station he was well qualified to do his Country eminent service. He has left behind him a numerous little family (7 children) and a very disconsolate widow.

It is not necessary now to say much about 115 b xxxviii.-His 305 b xxxwhich I now rejoice at, will prevent all future 233 b vii.-from him, at least in 150 a xxxiv-and himself, as well as all

others, shall be well attended to here. Our friend, Mr. Adams, who 361 b xiii115 b xxxviii-is a wise and worthy Whig, who will not 168 a xxxi-75, b vi -for any private or sinister purpose. I advise you to 112 a xxiii his 170 a xix.

Congress has now resolved the same for the support of their Commissioners at Madrid, Vienna, Berlin and Tuscany as for those at Paris, and they are authorized to draw bills of exchange on the Commissioner or Commissioners that may be at Paris, for the money they want to defray their expenses. This makes each 205 b xxii-and will for a time at least render it unnecessary to send particular remittances to those places in the way of Commodities. You may be assured that Congress are ready and willing to send powerful remittances to Europe in the way of Commodities, but the attempt now, would be only supplying the Enemy, whose cruizers are so numerous on our coast, and in our bays that almost every vessel is taken. When a war with France or Spain shall take place, the numerous ships of England will find some other employment, than bending their whole force against us. Then it will be in our power to make the remittance we wish to make. Congress has not yet taken up the consideration of appointing another Commissioner; when they do I think there can be no objection to the Gentleman you recommend, or that he should be appointed to Spain. Gen. Burgoyne has leave to return to England upon parole. But his army is detained until the Court of London shall notify to Congress their Ratification of the Convention of Saratoga. The detention of this Army was founded, partly on the reasons you assign, and for other powerful ones which Burgoyne himself furnished us with. In the enclosure which our public letter contains, you will see the reasons more at large. I am very happy to be able to observe to you, that the unalterable attachment of Congress to Independence is ciearly evidenced by their Resolutions upon Lord North's insidious bills of Pa

cification, some days before they had any notice of the Treaty with France. I think you may make a good use of this with those who may doubt our firmness. We have now no danger but what may arise from our 172 a xxi.

Necessity has made our 268 a xxxviii -143 b xxiv-very large and may render it indispensable that a solid support should be derived from 348 a xxxviii. Therefore 229 b xxxvii from 150 a xxxiv -are necessary, and the desires of Congress on this head demand great attention.

New Orleans is so removed from us, and so situated as to make the difficulty of getting any thing from thence very great, that the Havannah would answer much better. The English ships have taken and destroyed so many French and some Spanish vessels the last winter and Spring upon our coast, that it appears to me upon every principle of policy, unwise for these powers to keep their marine force unemployed, whilst the whole active naval force of England is warring upon their commerce,-that part of it at least which approaches our shores. I should be glad to know the particulars of Mons. Ellis's* theft of your papers. you can contrive me any valuable new publications in England, I shall be glad to have them, [and I pray you will not forget an annual supply of Jesuit's bark, for we have very little here. I have yet received only 8 pounds of what you formerly mentioned, but I thank you greatly for this.] God bless and preserve you.

If

P. S.-The British Army have been closely confined in Philadelphia this winter. It is yet there; our army is daily growing stronger, both in numbers and discipline, and we expect soon to begin offensive operations against them. My Bro. Frank and myself are both of us eligible to Crngress for three years to come; our Bro. appears inclinable to quit the service, but it shall depend upon my country whether I do so or not, until I see a proper peace upon proper principles.

York, in Pennsylvania, 19th May, 1778. MY DEAR BRother.

Your several favors by the vessel from Spain, with duplicates of the treaties with France are arrived and shall have my most particular attention. In Virginia we have determined to retain in our practical Jurisprudence, the common Law of England, excepting such parts as relate to Royalty and Prerogative; also some of the statutes that are of a nature the most general. These, with our own Acts of Assembly, constitute our code of Laws. You see therefore that Ludwell may be fully employed with you in reading the Common Law, and the Statutes, leaving the municipal law of Virginia until he comes home. But I wish him much to have the ground-work of the law of nature and nations, with the civil law and Eloquence. I have not got the Virginia Acts of Assembly here, and it would be difficult to send them if I had.

York, Pa., 27th May, 1778.

MY DEAR BROTHER.

Having written you fully and very lately it is not necessary, nor have I time now, to be long. All your letters covering Missives, Certificates, &c., have safely arrived and will be maturely attended to. I hope the safe arrival of Mr. Adams and the recall of Deane will benefit extremely the public business. The latter is in every respect the reverse of Mr. Adams, and so you may form your judg ment of the former. I have found ample cause to love and esteem Mr. Adams in our joint labors for the public good.

My eyes are so extremely injured by their constant application, that without the aid and support of spectacles, I fear I shall soon lose the use of them. I pray you then to procure me a pair of the best Temple spectacles that can be had. In fitting these, perhaps it may be proper to remember that my age is 46, that my eyes are light-colored, and have been quick and strong, but now weakened by