e detected
occasional misapprehensions and errors of statement in the writers, as
well as the fallacy of some of their conjectures and speculations.
They were called upon to grapple with the politics of Europe, and to
discourse on a theme and execute a task, that would have been of no
easy accomplishment in the hands of the veteran diplomatists of the
old world. The editor's researches in the public offices of England
and France, with particular reference to the early diplomatic
relations between those countries and the United States, have put in
his possession a body of facts on the subjects discussed in these
papers, which might have been used to advantage in supplying
corrections and explanations; but, for the reason above mentioned, he
has not deemed himself authorised to assume such a duty. He is not
without the expectation, however, that the public will hereafter be
made acquainted with the results of his inquiries in some other form.

CONTENTS

OF THE

FIRST VOLUME.

SILAS DEANE'S CORRESPONDENCE.

Page

From the Committee of Correspondence to Silas Deane.
Philadelphia, March 3d, 1776, 5

Instructions to Mr Deane on his departure for France.

Silas Deane to the Committee of Secret Correspondence.
Paris, August 18th, 1776, 9

Mr Deane's interview with Count de Vergennes, and
conversation on American affairs.--Dubourg.--
Beaumarchais.--Military supplies for the American
service.

From Caron de Beaumarchais to the Committee of Secret
Correspondence. Paris, August 18th, 1776, 35

Account of his contract with Mr Deane for furnishing the
United States with military supplies.

Silas Deane to Count de Vergennes. Paris, August 22d, 1776, 40

To Robert Morris. Bordeaux, September 17th, 1776, 40

To Robert Morris. Paris, September 30th, 1776, 41

On mercantile affairs.

To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, October
1st, 1776, 43

Military supplies.--Asks for blank commissions for ships
of war.--Dr Bancroft.

To the Committee of Secret Correspondence. Paris, October
8th, 1776,