54 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



some of the important points, be the means of great good by impress- 

 ing our sentiments on the minds of those with whom they might have 

 influence, and where their being received might be of importance. I 

 then remarked that his nation seemed to desire a reconciliation ; that 

 to obtain this the party which had been the aggressor and had cruelly 

 treated the other should show some marks of concern for what was 

 past and some disposition to make reparation; that perhaps there 

 were things, which America might demand by way of reparation and 

 which England might yield, and that the effect would be vastly 

 greater if they appeared to be voluntary and to spring from return- 

 ing good will; that I, therefore, wished England would think of 

 offering something to relieve those who had suffered by its scalping 

 and burning parties. Lives, indeed, could not be restored nor com- 

 pensated, but the villages and houses wantonly destroyed might be 

 rebuilt, &c. I then touched upon the affair of Canada, and as, in a 

 former conversation, he had mentioned his opinion that the giving 

 up of that country to the English at the last peace, had been a politic 

 act in France, for that it had weakened the ties between England 

 and her colonies, and that he himself had predicted from it the late 

 revolution, I spoke of the occasions of future quarrel that might be 

 produced by her continuing to hold it, hinting, at the same time, but 

 not expressing too plainly, that such a situation, to us so dangerous, 

 would necessarily oblige us to cultivate and strengthen our union 

 with France. He appeared much struck with my discourse, and. as I 

 frequently looked at my paper, he desired to see it. After some little 

 delay I allowed him to read it. The following is an exact copy : 



NOTES FOR CONVERSATION. 



To make a peace durable, what may give occasion for future wars 

 should, if practicable, be removed. 



The territory of the United States and that of Canada, by long 

 extended frontiers, touch each other. 



The settlers on the frontiers of the American provinces are gen- 

 erally the most disorderly of the people, who, being far removed 

 from the eye and control of their respective governments, are more 

 bold in committing offenses against neighbors, and are forever occa- 

 sioning complaints and furnishing matter for fresh differences be- 

 tween their States. 



By the late debates in Parliament and public writings it appears 

 that Britain desires a reconciliation with the Americans. It is a 

 sweet word. It means much more than a mere peace and what is 

 heartily to be wished for. Nations make a peace whenever they are 

 both weary of making war. But if one of them has made war upon 

 the other unjustly, and has wantonly and unnecessarily done it great 

 injuries and refuses reparation, there may, for the present, be peace; 

 the resentment of those injuries will remain, and will break 

 34 out again in vengeance when occasions offer. These occasions 

 will be watched for by one side, feared by the other, and peace 

 will never be secure ; nor can any cordiality subsist between them. 



Many houses and villages have been burnt in America by the 

 English and their allies, the Indians. I do not know that the Ameri- 

 cans will insist on reparation ; perhaps they may. But would it not 



