DOCUMENTS BEABING ON TREATY OF 1783. 167 



I have only to add that we flatter ourselves that the business com- 

 mitted to your charge goes on well. 



It will be particularly advisable to guard with caution the article 

 relative to Newfoundland, that the indulgence granted to the Ameri- 

 cans may not interfere either with what is the right of the King of 

 Great Britain as the Sovereign of that island, or with what privileges 

 may be granted by the treaty to the French. 



I am with great regard Sir your most obedient humble servant, 



T. TOWNSHEND. 



RICHD. OSWALD Esqr 



No. 104. 1782, November 23: Letter, Lord Shelbume to Mr. Oswald. 



Private 



SHELBURNE HOUSE 



23d Novr 1782. 

 To RICHARD OSWALD Esqre 



DEAR SIR I flatter myself that the American Commissioners will 

 consider the step we have taken in regard to Parliament, the City, 

 &c., in its due light. 



In regard to the fishery, we wish nothing but to keep distinctly 

 to the principle so much dwelt upon by Dr. Franklin in the com- 

 mencement of the negotiations, viz., the necessity of laying the foun- 

 dation of permanent peace; and that no occasion, much less tempta- 

 tion, be left for future dissention. I need not tell you that the bicker- 

 ings of fishermen, if not guarded against, may easily revive all that 

 honest men of both sides are endeavouring to bury. 



The same principle extends to the refugees. It is no idea of inter- 

 est actuates us in regard to them; it is a higher principle. This 

 country is not reduced to terms of humiliation, and certainly will not 

 suffer them from America. If Ministers, through timidity or indo- 

 lence, could be induced to give way, I am persuaded the nation would 

 rise to do itself justice, and to recover its wounded honor. If the 

 Commissioners reflect a moment with that coolness which ought to 

 accompany their employment, I cannot conceive they will think it the 

 interest of America to leave any root of animosity behind, much less 



to lodge it with posterity in the heart of the treaty. 

 101 It is a very inferior consideration, and what you will do me 

 the justice to acknowledge that I never leant to, what affects 

 the Ministers of the day. Our uniform conduct ought to speak for 

 itself, and it must lie with the Americans what return they choose 

 to make. 



If the American Commissioners think that they will gain by the 

 whole coming before Parliament, I do not imagine the refugees will 

 have any objection. 

 I am &c 



No. 105. 1782, November 25: Extract from Mr. Adams' Diary. 



NOVEMBER 25, 1782. 



Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, and myself, at eleven [o'clock,] met at Mr. 

 Oswald's lodgings. Mr. Strachey told us he had been to London, 

 and waited personally on every one of the King's Cabinet Council, 



