58 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



request of this nature. Besides it was not yet fully known in what 

 light pur offers to treat might be received by the French Ministry. 

 The line of our proposals was independence for America, and the 

 restitution of matters to the state in which they stood on the Treaty 

 of Paris ; and these were to be considered as the basis of the negocia- 

 tion. Mr. Thos. Grenville was soon after sent over to Paris to treat, 

 according to Mr. Fox's plan, with all, or any of the belligerent 

 Powers. 



No. 22. 6 1788, May 4 : Extract from Dr. Franklin's Journal. 



Mr. Oswald also informed me that he had conversed with Lord 

 Shelburne on the subject of my paper of Notes relating to reconcilia- 

 tion ; that he had shown him the paper and had been prevailed on to 

 leave it with him a night, but it was on his lordship's solemn promise 

 of returning it, which had been complied with, and he now returned 

 it to me; that it seemed to have made an impression and he had ra- 

 son to believe that matter might be settled to our satisfaction towards 

 the end of the treaty, but in his own mind he wished it might not be 

 mentioned at the beginning; that his lordship indeed said he had not 

 imagined reparation would be expected, and he wondered I should 

 not know whether it was intended to demand it. Finally, Mr. Oswald 

 acquainted me that, as the business now likely to be brought forward 

 more particularly appertained to the department of the other secre- 

 tary, Mr. Fox, he was directed to announce another agent coming 

 from that department, who might be expected every day, viz, the 

 Honorable Mr. Grenville, brother to Lord Temple and son of the 

 famous Mr. George Grenville, formerly chancellor of the exchequer. 

 I immediatelywrote the following note to Count de Vergennes : 



TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES. 



PASSY, May 4, 1782. 



SIB : I have the honor to acquaint your excellency that Mr. Oswald is just 

 returned from London and is now with me. He has delivered me a letter from 

 Lord Shelburne, which I enclose for your perusal, together with a copy of my 

 letter to which it is an answer. He tells me that it has been agreed in council 

 to treat at Paris, and to treat of a general peace, and that as it is more par- 

 ticularly in the department of Mr. Fox to regulate the circumstantials, a gentle- 

 man, Mr. Grenville, to be sent by him for that purpose, may be daily expected 

 here. Mr. Oswald will wait on your excellency whenever you shall think fit to 

 receive him. 



I am, with respect, &c., B. FRANKLIN. 



And the next day I received the following answer : 



THE COUNT DE VEKGENNES TO B. FRANKLIN. 



[Translation.] 



VERSAILLES, May 5, 1782. 



SIR : I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me 

 the 4th instant, as also those which accompanied it. I will see you with your 

 friend, with pleasure, at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning. 



I have the honour to be, &c., DE VERGENNES. 



Accordingly on Monday morning I went with Mr. Oswald to Ver- 

 sailles and we saw the Minister. Mr. Oswald acquainted him with 



