of.
In so doing, you will not only gratify the generosity of your own
dispositions, but there is no doubt of your obtaining the approbation
of the Congress, and your other American owners.

I have the honour to be,

Gentlemen,

Your most obedient humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN,

Minister Plenipotentiary from the Congress of the United States, at
the Court of France.

_At Passy, near Paris, this 10th day of March, 1779_.'

"It is observable, that as Dr Franklin acted on his own authority, he
could only _earnestly recommend_ to the commanders of American armed
vessels not to consider Captain Cook as an enemy; and it is somewhat
remarkable, that he mentions no more than one ship; Captain Clerke not
being noticed in the requisition. In the confidence which the Doctor
expressed, with respect to the approbation of Congress, he happened to
be mistaken. As the members of that assembly, at least with regard to
the greater part of them, were not possessed of minds equally
enlightened with that of their embassador, he was not supported by his
masters in this noble act of humanity, of love to science, and of
liberal policy. The orders he had given were instantly reversed; and
it was directed by Congress, that especial care should be taken to
seize Captain Cook, if an opportunity of doing it occurred. All this
proceeded from a false notion, that it would be injurious to the
United States for the English to obtain a knowledge of the opposite
coast of America. The conduct of the court of Spain was regulated by
similar principles of jealousy. It was apprehended by that court, that
there was reason to be cautious of granting, too easily, an indulgence
to Captain Cook; since it was not certain what mischiefs might ensue
to the Spaniards from a northern passage to their American dominions.
M. de Belluga, a Spanish gentleman and officer, of a liberal and a
philosophical turn of mind, and who was a member of the Royal Society
of London, endeavoured to prevail upon the count of Florida Blanca,
and M. d'Almodavar, to grant an order of protection to the Resolution
and Discovery; and he flattered himself, that the ministers of the
king of Spain would be prevailed upon to prefer the cause of science
to the partial views of interest; but the Spanish government was not
capable of rising to so