118 R03ENGARTEN— FRANKLIN'S BAGATELLES. [May 17, 



really spoke his heart in the compliments he paid ; and certainly it 

 was a prodigious speech. Some trick and play there was in it ; or as 

 the Duke of R. called them " the honest arts of eloquence, for they 

 were honest, he said;" but on the whole a monstrous deal of compre- 

 hension, reading, and real solid eloquence; too rapid and sudden how- 

 ever to be always neat and without expletives. I shall trouble you 

 with none of it except what is material to you as an American and 

 negotiator, and to save him from mis-interpretation, which has been more 

 ignorantly than industriously used, though some of the latter kind has 

 taken place in the abuse brought against him. 



"Man creature of regulation ; is what his government makes him. 

 A declaration of independence would acquit America of thinking as 

 English men ; would make separate interests, competition and hatred. 

 Already asked for Canada, Florida and Scotia ; and then to follow 

 fishery and islands. Much property lost by it to individuals. A vast 

 weapon put into hands of congress ; soon make minority into majority. 

 Would now give it for nothing ; for nothing said in return to the offer, 

 but that they won't thank you for it. Not a child's play with diadems, 

 to toss away a diadem, and hope to have it back again improved. 

 Many of congress-men wished to serve their community ; those of 

 elevated minds would wish (as they ought) to have elevated stations. 

 Was sure, however, the union would be again ; and the name of English- 

 men last, when that of France was rotten. France meant to dupe one and 

 hurt both. Now thirteen republics ; republics peaceful : would pay their 

 first quotas easily, as in the scrip, but third and fourth payments would 

 drag heavily. Prince Maurice built a citadel at Groningen to inforce 

 payment of quotas. (There he said something about an agrarian law 

 being as natural to a republic, as entails to a monarchy ; but I forget the 

 application.) 



" Wished none of the commissioners sent : if sent, sent with view to be 

 refused. Ought to do like bungling physicians : after trying many things, 

 try nothing ; see what nature would do, nature enough in this case. 

 Leave them alone : they will soon find what they have lost, and in two 

 or three years be for sending commissioners here. 



"As to France & Spain most all despair: England had her same 

 people, same private wealth, if properly taken care of and confidence 

 to draw it forth from its hoardings. If we grown old, France grown old 

 too. France & Spain vulnerable. 



" Though lords despond, those who know frivolousness of French 

 won't despond, not women even, who do know it. France had great 

 individuals, so had falling Rome; but nation refined in nothing but in 

 the art of making court : This the view of all. 



" Rupture with France not instant ; long seen ; why then surprised ; 

 why not so before ? Had low spirits at times himself; men in despond- 



