ce, but
reconciliation with America on the noblest terms and by the noblest
means."

In the course of the beforementioned conversation with Mr Oswald, I
reminded him, that the judgment and opinion of America respecting the
disposition and views of Britain towards her, must be determined by
facts and not by professions. That the Enabling Act, and the
Commission granted to him in pursuance of it, by no means harmonised
with the language of these instructions to Sir Guy Carleton. That
unless the offers and promises contained in the latter were realised,
by an immediate declaration of our independence, America would
naturally consider them as specious appearances of magnanimity,
calculated to deceive and disunite them, and, instead of conciliating,
would tend to irritate the States. I also urged, in the strongest
terms, the great impropriety, and consequently the utter impossibility
of our ever treating with Great Britain on any other than an equal
footing, and told him plainly, that I would have no concern in any
negotiation, in which we were not considered as an independent people.

Mr Oswald upon this, as upon every other occasion, behaved in a candid
and proper manner. He saw and confessed the propriety of these
remarks; he wished his commission had been otherwise, but was at a
loss how to reconcile it to the King's dignity, to make _such_ a
declaration, immediately after having issued _such_ a commission. I
pointed out the manner in which I conceived it might be done; he liked
the thought, and desired me to reduce it to writing. I did so, and
communicated it to Dr Franklin, and, as we corrected it, is as
follows, viz.

"George III, &c. to Richard Oswald, greeting. Whereas by a certain
act, &c. (here follows the Enabling Act.)

"And whereas, in pursuance of the true intent and meaning of the said
act, and to remove all doubts and jealousies, which might otherwise
retard the execution of the same, we did, on the ---- day of ----
instruct Sir Guy Carleton, &c. our General, &c. to make known to the
people of the said Colonies, in Congress assembled, our royal
disposition and intention to recognise the said Colonies as
independent States, and as such, to enter with them into such a treaty
of peace as might be honorable and convenient to both countries.

"And whereas further, in pursuance of the said act, we did on the ----
day of ---- authorise and commission you, the said Richard Oswald,
(here follows the commis