y
different from matter of fact. He said that the idea had not existed six
months, and had not been in actual negociation more than half that time.
But it is well known that the idea had been uppermost in the minds of
the American leaders for full two years, and that Silas Deane had been
attempting to negociate for nearly that period, and Benjamin Franklin
had been at Paris with the same object in view for near twelve months.
It appears indeed that the only reason the treaty was not signed long
before, was that the French at first attempted to drive a hard bargain,
conceiving that the Americans were in such a weak condition that they
would agree to any terms rather than not obtain the cooperation of
France. The news of ther surender of Burgoyne's army, as Governor
Pownall observed, lowered the demands of the French, and this it was
that made them hurry on such a treaty as congress desired. But even.
now Pownall remarked, peace was yet practicable, if Great Britain would
pursue the proper course. He said:--"The Americans are and must be
independent. We acknowledge it in our acts, and have already, though we
may try to cover our shame with words, resigned all dominion over them.
They will never rescind their declaration; but if parliament will
extend the powers of the commissioners so far as to acknowledge their
independence, on conditions, they will, in return, form with us a
federal treaty, offensive, defensive, and commercial. The compact,
signed at Paris, is not yet ratified by congress: by a speedy and candid
exertion this country may still be enabled to take advantage of the
natural predilection of the Americans for the parent state. If a federal
treaty Were not adopted, and the Americans should ever be induced to
treat on other terms, one of their first demands must be a reimbursement
of expenses, and an indemnification for losses. A pecuniary remuneration
was out of the question; but in lieu of it government must sacrifice
Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Newfoundland fishery. This would be
insisted on; but if independence were conceded America could only
treat with England on the same ground as any other independent nation."
General Conway and Mr. Dun das argued that it would be better policy to
form a federal union with America, than to let her fall into the hands
of France; but the vast majority of the house seemed to think that the
entrance of France into the quarrel rendered all present thought of
negociation an a