222 APPENDIX TO BBITISH COUNTEB CASE. 



No. 135. 1783, June IS: Extract from letter. Dr. FranJcUn to Mr. 



Livingston. 



PASST, June 12, 1783. 

 ******* 



The definitive treaty with England is not yet concluded, their 

 ministry being unsettled in their minds as to the terms of the com- 

 mercial part; nor is any other definitive treaty yet completed here, 

 nor even the preliminaries signed of one between England and 

 Holland. 



134 No. 136. 1783, June 27: Extract from letter, Mr. Adams to 



Mr. Livingston. 



PARIS, June 27, 1783. 

 **** * 



I have put these several cases, because I should be surprised at 

 nothing from the present British ministry. If they have any plan at 

 all it is a much less generous one towards America than that of their 

 immediate predecessors. If Shelburne, Townshend, Pitt, &c., had 

 continued we should have had everything settled long ago to our 

 entire satisfaction, and to the infinite advantage of Great Britain 

 and America, in such a manner as would have restored good humor 

 and affection as far as in the nature of things they can now be 

 restored. 



After the great point of acknowledging pur independence was got 

 over, by issuing Mr. Oswald's last commission, the Shelburne admin- 

 istration conducted towards us like men of sense and honor. The 

 present administration have neither discovered understanding nor 

 sincerity. The present British administration is unpopular, and it is 

 in itself so heterogeneous a composition that it seems impossible it 

 should last long. Their present design seems to be not to commit 

 themselves by agreeing to anything. As soon as anything is done 

 somebody will clamor. While nothing is done, it is not known what 

 to clamor about. If there should be a change in favor of the min- 

 istry that made the peace, and a dissolution of this profligate league, 

 which they call the coalition, it would be much for the good of all 

 who speak the English language. If fame says true, the coalition 

 was formed at gambling tables, and is conducted as it was formed, 

 upon no other than gambling principles. 



Such is the fate of a nation, which stands tottering on the brink of 

 a precipice, with a debt of two hundred and fifty-six millions sterling 

 on its shoulders ; the interest of which, added to the peace establish- 

 ment only, exceeds by above a million annually all their revenues, 

 enormously and intolerably as they are already taxed. The only 

 chance they have for salvation is in a reform, and in recovering the 

 affection of America. The last ministry were sensible of this, and 

 acted accordingly. The present ministry are so far from being sensi- 

 ble of it, or caring about it, that they seem to me to be throwing the 

 last dice for the destruction of their country. 



I have the honour to be, &c., JOHN ADAMS. 



