nces, and when a formidable and hostile army had just
arrived to invade their country. If such, therefore, were their
sentiments, and such their resolutions at so early, so dangerous, and
doubtful a period, there certainly is reason to presume, that the
fortitude which influenced them has not been abated by the present
aspect of their affairs.

"On the 22d of November, 1777, Congress resolved, 'that all proposals
of a treaty between the King of Great Britain or any of his
Commissioners and the United States, _inconsistent with the
independence_ of the said States, or with such treaties or alliances
as may be formed under their authority, _will be rejected by
Congress_.'

"We cannot consider the present proposals to treat with us in a
character _below independence to be consistent with it_.

"Among other objections _unanimously_ made by Congress, on the 22d of
April, 1778, to certain bills of the British Parliament, then about to
be passed into laws to enable the King of Great Britain to appoint
Commissioners to treat, &c. is the following, viz.

'Because the said bill purports, that the Commissioners therein
mentioned may treat with _private individuals_, a measure highly
derogatory to _national honor_.'

"Mr Oswald's commission contains a similar clause, and, consequently,
is liable to the same objection.

"The Congress did also, on the same day, _unanimously_ declare, 'that
these United States cannot with propriety hold any conference or
treaty _with any Commissioners_ on the part of Great Britain, unless
they shall _as a preliminary thereto_, either withdraw their fleets
and armies, or else _in positive and express terms acknowledge the
independence of the said States_.' Neither of these alternatives have
as yet been complied with.

"On the 6th of June, 1778, the Congress ordered their President to
give an answer in the following words to the Commissioners appointed
under the British acts of Parliament beforementioned, viz.

'My Lord,

'I have had the honor to lay your Lordship's letter of May the 27th,
with the acts of the British Parliament enclosed, before Congress, and
I am instructed to acquaint your Lordship, that they have already
expressed their sentiments upon bills not essentially different from
those acts, in a publication of the 22d of April last.

'Your Lordship may be assured, that when the King of Great Britain
shall be seriously disposed to put an end to the unprovoked and cruel
war wa