JOY IN FRANCE.

ton's chagrin at his failure on that occasion.

161

"Every ac

count confirms the opinion I at first entertained, that our troops retreated at the instant when victory was declaring herself in our favor." "We did not know till after the affair was over how near we were to gaining a complete victory, but we have since learned that preparations were making to retreat to Chester." The impression which the

Massachusetts Council had, that there was a good probability of expecting Howe's surrender also, was not the mere ebullition of success. Washington himself writes to Putnam, who was in command on the North River, "Should Providence be pleased to crown our arms in the course of the campaign with one more fortunate stroke, I think we shall have no great cause for anxiety respecting the future designs of Britain." In fact, after the battle of Germantown, and after the defeat of the English in their attack on Redbank, General Howe withdrew within his lines around Philadelphia. Here they strengthened themselves as much as possible, " while we hover around to cut off their supplies." It was to this state of things that Franklin alluded when he said, in Paris, that General Howe had not taken Philadelphia, but that Philadelphia

HORATIO GATES.

had taken him.

Austin's news was received in France with the same public joy which would have welcomed a victory of the French armies. On the 12th a meeting of the French ministers was held, and on the 17th Gérard informed Franklin and the others that the King was determined to acknowledge American independence and make a treaty. He would

take no advantage of the present situation to obtain terms which otherwise would not be convenient, for the King hoped that the treaty would be durable, and the friendship of the nations last forever. This could not be expected if each nation was not interested in continuing it as well as making it. The concurrence of Spain would be necessary, and was expected. As soon as the courier arrived from Spain the whole affair would be concluded. But all this must be a dead secret till the Spanish money fleet arrived, "the Brazil army and fleet" of Spain,—and until she could make peace with Portugal. The Commissioners replied, and expressed their hope that the friendship might be eternal. They said that republics were usually steady in their engagements; to which the Secretary replied that France had been as steady to them.

In the same despatch the Commissioners were able to announce to Congress the promise of an additional aid of three million livres, with the expectation of the same sum from Spain. The French ministry had also granted a frigate to carry their despatches.

The news of Burgoyne's surrender had been received by the English government by way of Canada the day before Franklin received it in Paris. The news was known in the city, and in answer to questions in the House of Commons, the American Secretary was obliged to announce it there. Col. Barré moved for full papers and accounts, but the government refused to grant them, and the House sustained it. David Hartley, Franklin's friend, asked leave to introduce resolutions "that it is unbecoming to proceed any farther in the support of this fruitless, expensive, and destructive war;" but these resolutions were rejected.

The news of the Treaty of Alliance with France was announced in London on Saturday the fourteenth day of

AUSTIN IN LONDON.

163

March. Mr. Austin's journal gives this notice of the impression made there, for he was then in London:1

"On Saturday it was reported that France had acknowledged the independance of America; on Monday the same was announced in the papers; on Tuesday Lord Weymouth and Lord North acquaint the two houses that they should the next day lay before them a message from his Majesty. Stocks fell two pr. cent to-day. N. B.-Received a message from the French Embassador that if I intended to leave England the sooner I did it, the better.

"Seventeenth. Went to the House of Lords with Mr. Vaughan and Dr. Priestly, to hear the debates in consequence of the message from the King, but no persons were admitted. Dined with Mr. V., and in the evening went to Drury Lane to see Hamlet. Entertainment, Belphegor, or The Three Wishes. Mr. Henderson in the character of Hamlet.

"Eighteenth. Dined this day with the Earl of Shelburne, in company with the Marquiss of Granby, now Duke of Rutland, Lord Granby, Lord Ferrers, Colonel Barré, Lord Mahon, son-in-law to the Earl of Chatham, Viscount Pitt, Mr. Dunning, &c. &c. Was very kindly received by the Earl, and treated with every civility by him and the other Lords. They were very inquisitive respecting our real situation in America, the disposition of the people in general, and in what manner we were provided. I endeavored to answer all their Lordships' questions by setting forth the many difficulties and distresses Americans had undergone, the great affection that country ever had for England, which was always considered and mentioned as its home, the great exertions it had

1 Mr. Austin travelled in England as George Brown.
2 To whom Dr. Franklin had introduced him.

made in its own defence during this unnatural war, and the amazing supplies it had acquired during this contest; that I was satisfied they were now in a much better situation to carry on a war with any enemy for six years than they were eighteen months past, for six months; and if their Lordships would permit me to speak my real sentiments, I should not hesitate to say that they would never relinquish their Independance but with their lives. Their Lordships might possibly think I exaggerated the answer, but I endeavored to set America in as exalted and true a light as possible. The general and most prevailing disposition in all ranks is to conclude a peace with America rather than use any coercive means. The importance of that country is now too well known. The resentment of England is now turned towards France, but they have so far exhausted their strength in endeavoring to enslave America, that they cannot avenge the insult offered." 1

It is interesting to compare with the young Whig's journal, the graver and sadder entries which Governor Hutchinson made in his. He was at this time living in London, in what was to him exile:

"16. The papers to-day announce a French war, and say the F. Ambassador has acquainted Lord Weymouth the F. King had entered into a Treaty with the Colonies as Independent States. It is said Lord Stormont has given the same intelligence. Mr. Morris, of the Customs, called, and says Adm. Hill informed him L. Sandwich had ordered all the Captains in the navy to their ships immediately.

"17th. Everybody is struck dumb! The declarations from France, that they have entered into a Treaty with the Colonies as Independent States, seems to make a war inevitable. I met Gen. Monkton. He is in pain for Howe's fleet in the Delaware; thinks the French force gone out may be too strong for them. The message from the King is to be communicated to-day. An address must follow, whether for an imme. diate declaration of war is doubtful.

"The sudden agreement of France seems to be the effect of the new measures here. Franklin's act [or art] probably carried him to require an immediate answer, - otherwise the Colonies would close with England; but this

is conjecture."

THE

CHAPTER IX.

1778.

VOLTAIRE AND FRANKLIN.

HE new year opened upon the Commissioners with prospects far more hopeful than had welcomed them the year before.

The event which most engaged the attention of Paris in the beginning of the year was the arrival of Voltaire. He was in the eighty-fourth year of his life, and it proved indeed to be the last.1 A letter from Geneva, written in December, said, "Voltaire will not go to Paris, but he is greatly pleased to be urged to go. He would be glad to give this éclat to his glory, but he also wishes to prolong his life, which is but the continual thought of his glory, and he knows that at his age a journey to Paris would put his health in some danger." But, as it proved, on the 10th of February, to every one's sur prise, Voltaire appeared in Paris. "The appearance of a ghost, or that of a prophet, or of an apostle, would not have caused more surprise and admiration than that of the arrival of Mons. de Voltaire. This new prodigy suspended for some moments every other interest, the

VOLTAIRE.

1 He was born, or thought he was, on the 20th Feb. 1694. The register of his birth does not agree with his own statement, however.