be kept altogether
clear, you cannot but agree with me in thinking that they must
be buried at least in silence, though not in oblivion. In order
therefore that you may see into every part of this business, I
will, as you desire, state in the most explicit manner the
circumstances of it, as far as I think they affect any
confidence reposed in me.

In the first place, then, you will have observed, that although
Franklin has actually made me no confidence, owing, as I
believe, without doubt, to the reasons I stated, yet as the
communication he had said he would make to me was of the most
confidential nature, and in full trust that the subjects which
he should mention should not be given as propositions coming
from him, I think it would be a breach of that confidence to
make it known even that he had promised to hold such a
conversation with me; and therefore to charge Lord Shelburne
with having diverted from me that expected communication, would
be to proclaim Franklin's promise to me; which promise, though
it has not been followed up, I cannot think myself at liberty to
quote. The delicacy of Franklin's situation with respect to the
French Court was, as he said, the ground of the caution which he
observed, and which, nevertheless, he was once inclined to risk
in my trust. He would certainly have both to repent and to
complain if anything on my part should lead to betray even the
confidential disposition he had entertained. These reasons you
will, I am sure, agree with me in considering as decisive
against any mention being to be made of the expectations I had
formed from the conversation I was to have had with Franklin.

The Canada paper is not perhaps quite under the same
circumstances. The only knowledge I have of that is from Oswald;
and as I before told you, I had it from him at a moment when I
fancy he apprehended I had heard or should hear of it from
Franklin. No other reason, indeed, can account for his not
mentioning it from the end of April till the 31st of May. He
told it me under no express limitation of confidence: the words
in which he introduced it were, "I think it right you should
know;" and I am perfectly sure that he asked from me no
engagement of secrecy, nor do I conceive myself under any with
regard to him, except that general secrecy which is alw