always acted wisely hitherto His conduct when closely scrutinised is uncensurable. Were his Inferior Generals as skillfull as himself - we should have the grandest Choir of Officers ever God made. . .

Dec. 28th. Yesterday upwards of fifty Officers in Gen! Green's Division resigned their Commissions-Six or Seven of our Regiment are doing the like to-day. All this is occation'd by Officers Families being so much neglected at home on account of Provisions. Their Wages will not by considerable, purchase a few trifling Comfortables here in Camp, & maintain their families at home, while such extravagant prices are demanded for the common necessaries of Life — What then have they to purchase Cloaths and other necessaries with? It is a Melancholly reflection that what is of the most universal importance, is most universally neglected-I mean keeping up the Credit of Money.

The present Circumstances of the Soldier is better by far than the Officer-for the family of the Soldier is provided for at the public expence if the Articles they want are above the common price - but the Officer's family, are obliged not only to beg in the most humble manner for the necessaries of Life — but also to pay for them afterwards at the most exhorbitant rates -and even in this manner, many of them who depend entirely on their Money, cannot procure half the material comforts that are wanted in a family- this produces continual letters of complaint from home. . .

Dec. 31st. Ajutant Selden learn'd me how to Darn Stockings-to make them look like knit work-first work the Thread in a parallel manner, then catch these over & over as above.

...

1778. January 1st.- New Year. I am alive. I am well.

Hutts go on briskly, and our Camp begins to appear like a spacious City....

Bought an embroidered Jacket.

How much we affect to appear of consequence by a superfluous Dress, — and yet Custom (that law which none may fight against) has rendered this absolutely necessary & commendable. An Officer frequently fails of being duly noticed, merely from the want of a genteel Dress . . . .

Sunday, Jan. 4th. - Properly accouter'd I went to work at Masonry - None of my Mess were to dictate me- and before Night (being found with Mortar & Stone) I almost compleated a genteel Chimney to my Magnificent Hutt - however, as we had short allowance of food & no Grogg - my back ached before Night.

I was call'd to relieve a Soldier tho't to be dying

- he expir'd before

I reach'd the Hutt. He was an Indian

an obedient good natur'd fellow. . .

8th. Unexpectedly got a Furlow. Set out for home. The very worst of Riding - Mud & Mire.

We had gone thro' Inoculation before this furlow.

Lodged at a private house three miles this side Delaware in

Capt. Porter's Cross Road 2 M. from McCurdy's Lodged

Poquonnack 10 M. from N. Y. at Jennings Tavern & a nar

For 2 boles Grog & Phyal of Rum Vaulk's house

Good Old squeaking Widow Ann Hopper, 26 M. from Jenning's, fine Living, for Horse, Supp'r, Lodg'd, Break'd Satyr Tavern- Lodged & Supped

Judge Coe's, 9 M. from King's Ferry Dinner, Oats

Lo 12

9 6

6

8 19 6

The Historical Magazine, May-June, 1861 (New York, etc., 1861), V, 131172 passim.

CHAPTER XXXII - FRENCH ALLIANCE,

1778-1779

199. A Treaty with France (1778)

BY COMMISSIONER BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

This letter, addressed to Thomas Cushing, is a brief announcement of the conclusion of negotiations that began with the sending of Silas Deane to France in 1775. The treaties continued in force till the war with France in 1798.- For Franklin, see Nos. 68, 81 above. - Bibliography of the treaties: Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VII, ch. i; Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, II, 490, 568–578; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 139.- For later French relations, see chs. xxxiv, xxxv below.

...

I

Passy, 21 February, 1778.

RECEIVED your favor by Mr. Austin, with your most agreeable congratulations on the success of the American arms in the Northern Department. In return, give me leave to congratulate you on the success of our negotiations here, in the completion of the two treaties with his most Christian Majesty: the one of amity and commerce, on the plan of that proposed by Congress, with some good additions; the other of alliance for mutual defence, in which the most Christian king agrees to make a common cause with the United States, if England attempts to obstruct the commerce of his subjects with them; and guarantees to the United States their liberty, sovereignty, and independence, absolute and unlimited, with all the possessions they now have, or may have, at the conclusion of the war; and the States in return guarantee to him his possessions in the West Indies. The great principle in both treaties is a perfect equality and reciprocity; no advantage to be demanded by France, or privileges in commerce, which the States may not grant to any and every other nation.

In short, the king has treated with us generously and magnanimously; taken no advantage of our present difficulties, to exact terms which we would not willingly grant, when established in prosperity and power. I may add that he has acted wisely, in wishing the friendship contracted by these treaties may be durable, which probably might not be if a contrary conduct had taken place.

Several of the American ships, with stores for the Congress, are now about sailing under the convoy of a French squadron. England is in great consternation, and the minister, on the 17th instant confessing that all his measures had been wrong and that peace was necessary, proposed two bills for quieting America; but they are full of artifice and deceit, and will, I am confident, be treated accordingly by our country.

I think you must have much satisfaction in so valuable a son, whom I wish safe back to you, and am, with great esteem, etc.,

B. FRANKLIN.

P. S. - The treaties were signed by the plenipotentiaries on both sides February 6th, but are still for some reasons kept secret, though soon to be published. It is understood that Spain will soon accede to the same. The treaties are forwarded to Congress by this conveyance. Benjamin Franklin, Complete Works (edited by John Bigelow, New York, etc., 1888), VI, 131-134.

200. A Dashing Young Officer in the Field (1778) BY COLONEL JOHN TRUMBULL (1841)

Trumbull, the son of the governor of Connecticut, became an artist, and painted some of the pictures now in the Capitol at Washington. — Bibliography of the Rhode Island campaigns: Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, VI, 592-603; Channing and Hart, Guide, § 138. — On the army, see ch. xxviii above.

IN

N the year 1778, a plan was formed for the recovery of Rhode Island from the hands of the British, by the coöperation of a French fleet of twelve sail of the line, commanded by the Count D'Estaing, and a body of American troops, commanded by General Sullivan. The fleet arrived off New York early in July, and in August sailed for Rhode Island. I seized this occasion to gratify my slumbering love of military life, and offered my services to General Sullivan, as a volunteer aid-ducamp. My offer was accepted, and I attended him during the enterprise.

The French fleet, which had passed Newport, and lay at anchor above the town, were drawn off from their well selected station by a clever manœuvre of Lord Howe, the very day after the American army had landed on the island. The two fleets came to a partial action off the capes of the Chesapeake, in which they were separated by a severe gale

of wind; the French, more damaged by the tempest than by the enemy, put into Boston to refit, and General Sullivan was left to pursue the enterprise with the army alone. The enemy shut themselves up in Newport, while he advanced to the town in admirable order, and the place was invested in form.

It soon became evident that the attempt was vain, so long as the enemy could receive supplies and reinforcements by water, unmolested; so soon as it was ascertained that the French fleet would not resume its station, the enterprise was abandoned — on the night between the 28th and 29th of August, the army was withdrawn, and reoccupied their former position on Butts' Hill, near Howland's ferry, at the north end of the island.

Soon after daybreak the next morning, the rear-guard, commanded by that excellent officer, Col. Wigglesworth, was attacked on Quaker, otherwise called Windmill Hill; and Gen. Sullivan, wishing to avoid a serious action on that ground, sent me with orders to the commanding officer to withdraw the guard. In performing this duty, I had to mount the hill by a broad smooth road, more than a mile in length from the foot to the summit, where was the scene of the conflict, which, though an easy ascent, was yet too steep for a trot or a gallop. It was necessary to ride at a leisurely pace, for I saw before me a hard day's work for my horse, and was unwilling to fatigue him.

Nothing can be more trying to the nerves, than to advance thus deliberately and alone into danger. At first, I saw a round shot or two drop near me and pass bounding on. Presently I met poor Col. Tousard, who had just lost one arm, blown off by the discharge of a field piece, for the possession of which there was an ardent struggle. He was led off by a small party. Soon after, I saw Capt. Walker, of H. Jackson's regiment, who had received a musket ball through his body, mounted behind a person on horseback. He bid me a melancholy farewell, and died before night. Next, grape shot began to sprinkle around me, and soon after musket balls fell in my path like hailstones. This was not to be borne, — I spurred on my horse to the summit of the hill, and found myself in the midst of the melée. "Don't say a word, Trumbull," cried the gallant commander, "I know your errand, but don't speak; we will beat them in a moment." "Col. Wigglesworth, do you see those troops crossing obliquely from the west road towards your rear?". "Yes, they are Americans, coming to our support." "No, sir, those are Germans; mark, their dress is blue and yellow, not buff; they are