st advisable
for making a direct communication of the substance of the same, either
immediately to Congress, or through the medium of General Washington,
or in any other manner, which you may think most likely to impress the
well disposed parts of America with the fairness and liberality of his
Majesty's proceedings in such great and spontaneous concessions.

"The advantages, which we may expect from such concessions are, that
America, once apprised of the King's disposition to acknowledge the
independence of the thirteen States, and of the disinclination in the
French Court to terminate the war, must see that it is from this
moment to be carried on with a view of negotiating points, in which
she can have no concern, whether they regard France, or Spain and
Holland at the desire of France; but some of which, on the contrary,
may be in future manifestly injurious to the interests of America
herself.

"That if the negotiation is broken off, it will undoubtedly be for the
sake of those powers, and not America, whose object is accomplished
the instant she accepts of an independence, which is not merely held
out to her in the way of negotiation by the executive power, but a
distinct unconditional offer, arising out of the resolutions of
Parliament, and therefore warranted by the sense of the nation at
large.

"These facts being made notorious, it is scarce conceivable that
America, composed as she is, will continue efforts under French
direction, and protract the distresses and calamities, which it is
well known that war has subjected her to. It is to be presumed, that
from that moment she will look with jealousy on the French troops in
that country, who may from allies become dangerous enemies.

"If, however, any particular States, men, or description of men,
should continue against the general inclination of the Continent
devoted to France, this communication will surely detect their views,
expose their motives, and deprive them of their influence in all
matters of general concern and exertion. You will, however, take
particular care in your manner of conducting yourselves, not only that
there should not be the smallest room for suspicions of our good faith
and sincerity, but that we have no view in it of causing dissensions
among the colonies, or even of separating America from France upon
terms inconsistent with her own honor. You must therefore convince
them, that the great object of this country is, not merely pea