through us, it is impossible
to suppose that she can again arrive at the same pitch of power. Here
she was assisted by numberless privateers. Here she supplied and
partly manned her fleet; recruited, and almost raised her army, for
that service; in short, America in the last war represented Britain
removed to this side of the Atlantic. The scene is changed, and
America now is that to France and Spain in point of advantages, which
she was the last war to Britain. Therefore, putting the convenience,
which we might receive, out of the question, by their making an attack
on the West Indies, we are somewhat surprised, that such politic
Courts as France and Spain, should hesitate on a measure so alluring
and practicable. We do not mention these remarks, because we suppose
they do not occur to you, but to let you know our thoughts on the
matter, and to give you every advantage, by conveying our minds to
you, as well as our instructions and informations.

This packet takes complete sets of our public paper, filed in order,
for seventeen weeks past.

B. HARRISON,
R. MORRIS,
T. HAYWARD,
JAMES LOVELL.

* * * * *

TO JOHN JAY.

Dunkirk,[39] 2d June, 1777.

Dear Sir,

We refer the committee to ours to you of the 26th ult. of which we
sent duplicates, should either arrive, but apprehensive of the
contrary, we send you the substance in this. The British commerce in
Europe, especially in the north, is unguarded, the Greenland whale
fishery and the Hudson Bay ships in particular. Could two or three of
our frigates, accompanied by less swift sailing cruisers, get into
those seas in the months of August, or September, a valuable part of
the commerce of our enemies might be interrupted.

As tobacco, rice, &c. are in great demand in France, and remittances
wanted, we submit to the Congress the sending out some of their
frigates loaded with these articles for Nantes, or Bourdeaux, and
whilst their cargoes were disposed of, they might refresh themselves,
and make a cruise against the enemy. The coast of England to the west
is unguarded, either by land or sea. The frigates, capable of landing
five hundred