DOCUMENTS BEARING ON TREATY OF 1783. 83 



in my letters to your Lordship, and in conversation with Dr. Frank- 

 lin, always supposed that the grant was meant to be absolute and un- 

 conditional, which last, however, is a term I never used, thinking 

 such qualification unnecessary. Its being given out that a difference 

 subsisted, and resignations happened on this account, must naturally 

 occasion this hesitation in the Commissioners of the Colonies; and 

 so I see by the doctor's letter to me, he puts a sort of stoppage upon 

 the preliminaries of settlement with them, which had been pretty well 

 sketched out, and defined in his conversation with me on the 10th in-* 

 stant, and until there is a further explanation under your Lordship's 

 authority, on the said head of independence, I am in a manner forbid, 

 in the doctor's letter, to go back upon the plan of that conference, 

 and to claim any right to the propositions thereof, which, if com- 

 plete independence was meant to be granted, is a little unlucky; and 

 there is reason to regret that any body should have been so wicked as 

 to throw this stumbling block in the way : by which not only peace 

 with the Colonies is obstructed, but the general treaty is suspended, 

 which I cannot help still thinking hangs upon a settlement, with the 

 Colonies. And so by this unlucky interjection, the peace of the coun- 

 try at home is disturbed, and the blame thrown upon the new admin- 

 istration, and upon your Lordship by name. . . . 

 I have the honour to be My Lord 



Your Lops most obedient humble servant, 



RICHARD OSWALD. 



No. 49. 1782, July 4-' Letter, Dr. Franklin to the Marquis de La 



Fayette. 



PASST, July 



DEAR SIR : In answer to your questions, Mr. Oswald is doing noth- 

 ing, having neither powers nor instructions ; and being tired of doing 

 nothing has despatched a courier requesting leave to return. He has, 

 I believe, received no letters since I saw you, from Lord Shelburne. 

 Mr. Grenville's return hither is, I think, doubtful, as he was particu- 

 larly connected in friendship with Mr. Fox; but if he stays, I sup- 

 pose some other will be sent, for I do not yet see sufficient reason to 

 think they would abandon the nogociation, though, from appearances, 

 I imagine they are more intent upon dividing us, than upon making 

 a general peace. I have heard nothing further from Mr. Laurens, 

 nor received any paper from him respecting Lord Cornwallis. And 

 since that general's letter, written after the battle of Camden, and 

 ordering not only the confiscation of rebel's estates, but the hanging 

 of prisoners, has been made public, I should not wonder if the Con- 

 gress were to disallow our absolution of his parole, and call him to 

 America. 



With everlasting esteem and respect, I am, dear sir, yours most 

 affectionately, 



B. FRANKLIN. 



