60 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



No. 25. 1782, May 18: Extract from letter, Mr. Oswald (from Calais, 

 on his way to London) , to Lord Shelburne. 



. . . On these occasions I could observe the doctor [Franklin] 

 spoke the language more of a philosopher, than as fettered by the ties 

 of a particular commission. And upon the whole, as he is certainly 

 a man of good sense, so I take him to be equally happy in the enjoy- 

 ment of the most liberal sentiments of benevolence and humanity. . . . 



Instead of sending, he came himself about eight o'clock and deliv- 

 ered me his letters. On that occasion, after expressing himself with 

 kindness respecting me, he said he wished much the affair was over. 

 In which I concurred. He then said that once they had what they 

 sought for properly secured, (meaning no doubt independence, al- 

 though I don't remember he mentioned the word) they desired no 

 more. . . . 



Therefor, to save what remains in allegiance on that continent, and 

 such parts of our army as are stationed there, we ought to make the 

 most of the present occasion ; not only by a final conclusion of treaty 

 for putting an end to subsisting differences with these Colonies but 

 also in such way and manner as is most likely to prevent any future 

 revival of them and even, if possible, to obliterate the remembrance of 

 them in future times. 



In proceeding to give these ideas some actual consistence, it is to 

 be observed, 



That a grant of independence is the great question regarding the 

 Colonies; and, from what can be guessed from the conversation of 

 their Commissioners, it is the only point in which they think them- 

 selves materially concerned. 



And consequently, if that is granted, they are satisfied. . . . 



No. 26. 1782, May 18, British Cabinet Minute. 



GROSVENOR SQUARE, May 18th. 1782. 



Present Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Duke of Richmond, 

 Lord Rockingham, Lord Shelburne, Lord John Cavendish, Lord 

 Keppel, Lord Ashburton, General Conway, Mr. Fox. 



It is humbly submitted to your Majesty, that your Majesty will be 

 pleased to direct Mr. Fox to order full powers to be given to Mr. 

 Grenville to treat and conclude at Paris, and also to direct Mr. Fox 

 to instruct Mr. Grenville to make propositions of peace to the belliger- 

 ent powers upon the basis of independence to the thirteen colonies in 

 North America, and of the treaty of Paris ; and in case of such prop- 

 osition not being accepted, to call upon Monsieur de Vergennes to 

 make some proposition on his part, which Mr. Grenville will, of 

 course, report to Mr. Fox. 



38 No. VI. 1782, May 18: Letter, Mr. Fox to The King. 



Mr. Fox has the honour of transmitting to your Majesty the min- 

 ute of the Cabinet Council assembled this morning at Lord Rock- 

 ingham's. Mr. Grenville will, no doubt, make a proper use of the 



