e.

As the copy was dated the eighth of July I took occasion to observe,
that the honorable Congress had taken the earliest opportunity of
informing this Court of the declaration of their Independency, and
that the variety of important affairs before Congress, with the
critical situation of the armies in their neighborhood, and the
obstructions of their commerce, had prevented that intelligence which
had been wished for, but that the present served to shew the early and
principal attention of the United States to this Court; and as their
Independency was now in form declared, the queries I had formerly put
in consequence of my first instructions might now be resolved, and I
hoped favorably. To this I was answered, unless France by a public
acknowledgment of your Independency makes war on Great Britain in your
favor, what service can such acknowledgment be of to the United
States? You are known here, our ports are open, and free for your
commerce, and your ships are protected in them, and greater
indulgencies allowed than to any other nations. If France should be
obliged to make war on England, it will be much more just and
honorable in the eyes of the world to make it on some other account;
and if made at all, it is the same thing to the United States of
America, and in one important view better for them, to have it
originate from any other cause, as America will be under the less
immediate obligation. Further, France has alliances, and cannot
resolve a question which must perhaps involve her in a war, without
previously consulting them. Meantime the United States can receive the
same succors and assistance from France without, as well as with, such
an open acknowledgment, and perhaps much more advantageously. To this
and such like arguments I had the less to reply, as you informed me
that articles for a proposed alliance with France were under
consideration, and that I might soon expect them.

I was further told that the Swiss Cantons, though in every respect
free and independent States for several centuries, had not to this
hour been acknowledged as such by any public act of any one power in
Europe, except France, and that neither the Revolution in the United
Provinces or Portugal had been attended with any such acknowledgment,
though the powers of Europe in both cases lent their aid. I replied
that I would not urge a formal acknowledgment, as long as the same
ends could be obtained, and without the inconveniences h