James Smith to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives
<[after November 17, 1778]: I have received your very extraordinary
letter of Nov. 17 and thank you for presenting my
case to the count de Vergennes.
You say that if I subscribe to the declaration and take the
oath of allegiance to the United States you will give me the
customary passport to Calais. Unless this passport will remove
all impediments to my going to Dover I cannot guess
your meaning. Taking the oath before going to England could
be fatal to my liberty and even my life. Nowhere do I find that
the acts of Congress require imposing the oath upon any person
going to England. Did you tender it to Dr. Bancroft, Mr.
Austin, and Mr. Williams, with whose connections to the British
ministry you were acquainted? Without disparaging their
characters, why am I to be more suspect than the others?
When I expressed willingness to give the most solemn assurances
of my affection and duty I meant such assurances as
would be binding on a man of honor, not those that would
subject me to arrest. The powers you hold were not given to
endanger the lives and liberties of your countrymen. Please
explain yourselves. I beg you to reach a decision quickly, as
my affairs are suffering by my absence.>
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