Oct. 26. 1778.
I received yours without Date, containing an old Scotch
Sonnet full of natural Sentiment and beautiful Simplicity, I
cannot make an entire application of it to present Circumstances;
but taking it in Parts, and changing Persons, some of
it is extreamly a propos. First Jenie may be supposed old England
and Jamie America. Jenie laments the Loss of Jamie, and
recollects with Pain his Love for her, his Industry in Business,
to promote her Wealth and Welfare, and her own Ingratitude.
Young Jamie loved me well
And sought me for his Bride
But saving ane Crown
He had nothing beside
To make that Crown a Pound
My Jamie gang’d to Sea
And the Crown and the Pound
Were all for me.
Her Grief for their Separation is expressed very pathetically
There is no Doubt but that honest Jammie had still so much
Love for her as to Pity her in his Heart, tho’ he might at the
same time be not a little angry with her.
Towards the Conclusion we must change the Persons, and
let Jamie be Old England, Jennie America and old Robin Gray,
the Kingdom of France. Then honest Jenie having made a
Treaty of Marriage with Gray expresses her firm Resolution
of Fidelity in a manner that does Honour to her good Sense
and her Virtue.
You ask my Sentiments of a Truce for 5 or 7 Years in which
no mention should be made of that stumbling Block to England
the Independence of America. I must first tell you fairly
and frankly that there can be no Treaty of Peace with us in
which France is not included. But I think a Treaty might be
made between the three Powers in which Englands expressly
Renouncing the Dependence of America seems no more necessary
than her renouncing the Title of King of France, which
has always been claimed for her Kings. Yet perhaps it would
be better for England to act nobly and generously on the Occasion
by granting more than she could at present be compelled
to grant, make America easy on the Score of Old
Chains [Claims] cod. [concede?] all that remains in North
America, and thus conciliate and strengthen a Young Power
which she wishes to have a future and serviceable Friend. I do
not think England would be a loser by such Cession. She may
hold her remaing Possessions there, but not without vast Expence;
and they would be the Occasion of constant Jealousies,
frequent Quarrels and renew’d Wars. The United States continually
growing stronger will naturally have them at last; and
by the generous Conduct above hinted at, all the intermediate
Loss of Blood and Treasure might be spared; and a solid lasting
Peace promoted; This seems to me good Counsel, but I
know it can’t be followed.
The Friend you mention must always be welcome to me
with or without the Cheese, but I do not see how his coming
hither could be of any Use at present, unless in Quality of a
Plenipotentiary to treat of a sincere Peace between all the Parties.
Your Commissioners are acting very indiscreetly in America.
They first spoke disrespectfully of our good Ally. They
have since called in question the power of Congress to treat
with them; and have endeavour’d to begin a Dispute about the
detention of Bourgoynes Troops; an Affair which I conceive
not to be within their Commission. They are vainly trying by
Publications to excite the People against the Congress. Governor
Jonston has been attempting to bribe the Members; and
without the least Regard to Truth has asserted three Propostions
which he says, he will undertake to prove; The two first
of them I know to be false and I believe the third to be so.
The Congress have refused to treat with the Commissioners
while he continues one of them, and he has therefore resigned.
These Gentlemen do not appear well qualify’d for their Business.
I think they will never heal the Breach; but they may
widen it. I am ever, my very dear Friend Yours most Affectionately