ll
entitle them on a negotiation to make demands at our expense, which
they would not presume to think of, if the mediators were acquainted
with our firm resolution never to return to our obedience to their
Government. Besides which, they cast a degree of odium upon the
conduct of France, representing it as the support of a discontented
faction, rather than as the generous ally of an oppressed nation.

There is reason to apprehend, that in order the better to secure the
advantages of this deceitful policy to themselves, they will make
proffers to each of the United States. If any of them should listen to
them, (which cannot, however, be presumed,) they will urge this, as a
proof of their assertions, even if they should decline receiving their
proposals and refer them to Congress, as from the nature of our Union
they undoubtedly must; still as the result of the experiment cannot be
known for some time in Europe, they will avail themselves of it in
part, if negotiations should open.

This artifice of the enemy may be counteracted in two ways, both of
which deserve the serious attention of your Legislature. The first and
most important is, by making such exertions to procure a respectable
army early in the season, that the mediators casting their eyes upon
the muster rolls, may there read a full refutation of all that
British artifice can suggest. I need not observe, that this measure
must go hand in hand with taxation, since an army without the means of
supporting it, would only increase our evils. The second is to
anticipate the attempt of Great Britain by such resolutions as the
information contained in this letter suggests, resolutions which
strongly mark a spirited determination in the Legislature of each
State to listen to no negotiations, except through the intervention of
Congress, which manifest their attachment to the independence of their
country, and inviolable regard to the faith they have pledged to each
other, and to their allies. These may either prevent the attempt I
apprehend, or arrive in time to counteract this effect, which the
false expectations built thereon might otherwise have in Europe.

I mention this to your Excellency without any express direction from
Congress. It is more than probable, that your judgment, and the zeal
and wisdom of the Legislature, may improve these loose hints to the
general advantage of the United States. I have the pleasure of
assuring your Excellency and the Legislatur