82 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



P. S. This, the gentleman told me, led the doctor to express himself 

 very strongly as to his desire of quick dispatch, as he wanted much to 

 go home and have the chance of a few years repose, having but a 

 short time to live in the world, and had also much private business 

 to do. I should therefore hope it may be possible soon to bring their 

 business near to a final close, and that they will not be any way 

 stiff as to those articles he calls adviseable, or will drop them alto- 

 gether. Those he calls necessary will hardly be any obstacle. . . . 



No. 47. 1782, July 12: Letter, Dr. Franklin to Mr. Oswald. 



PASST July 12. 1782 



SIR I enclose a letter for Lord Shelburne, to go by your courier, 

 with some others, of which I request his care. They may be put into 

 the penny post. I have received a note informing me, that " some 

 opposition given by his Lordship to Mr. Fox's decided plan of une- 

 quivocally acknowledging American independency, was one cause of 

 that gentleman's resignation"; this, from what you have told me, 

 appears improbable. It is further said " that Mr. Grenville thinks 

 Mr. Fox's resignation will be fatal to the present negotiation." 

 This, perhaps, is as groundless as the former. Mr. Grenville's next 

 courier will probably clear up matters. I did understand from him 

 that such an acknowledgement was intended previous to the com- 

 mencement of the treaty; and until it is made, and the treaty 

 formally begun, propositions and discussions seem on consideration 

 to be untimely, nor can I enter into particulars without Mr. Jay, 

 who is now ill with the influenza. My letter, therefore, to his Lord- 

 ship, is merely complimentary on his late appointment. 



I wish a continuance of your health in that at present sickly city, 

 being with sincere esteem, Sir, 



your most obedient and most humble servant 



B. FRANKLIN. 



No. 48. 1782, July 12: Extract from letter, Mr. Oswald to Lord 



Shelburne. 



PARIS 12 July 1782 



MY LORD The courier has been in waiting some time for Dr. 

 Franklin's letters. They are just come to hand, with one to myself, 

 which I think proper to send to your Lordship, with the Maryland 



paper that was inclosed in it. 



51 I am glad to see by the doctor's letter, as if he wishes a set- 



tlement with them may not be stopped. I think that may be 

 presumed from his sending me this letter, and the explanations 

 therein mentioned. 



On the other hand. I cannot but be concerned at this report, which 

 has been conveyed to him, of a reserve intended in the grant of Inde- 

 pendence, being the first time I ever heard of it. At least Mr. Gren- 

 ville did not tell me that his signification on that head was accompa- 

 nied with any such reservation. And upon the faith of that, I have 



