ged against these United States, Congress will readily attend to
such terms of peace as may consist with the _honor of independent
nations_, the interest of their constituents, and the sacred regard
they mean to pay to treaties.'

"The honor of an _independent nation_ forbids their treating in a
_subordinate_ capacity.

"On the 17th of June, 1778, Congress in another letter to the same
Commissioners, _unanimously_ join in saying;

'Nothing but an earnest desire to spare the further effusion of human
blood could have induced them to read a paper containing expressions
so disrespectful to his Most Christian Majesty, the good and great
ally of these States, or to _consider_ propositions so derogatory to
the honor of an independent nation.

'The acts of the British Parliament, the commission from your
sovereign, and your letter, suppose the people of these States to be
subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, and are founded on an _idea of
dependence_, which is utterly _inadmissible_.

'I am further directed to inform your Excellencies, that Congress are
inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust claims from which this
war originated, and the savage manner in which it has been conducted.
They will therefore be ready to enter _upon the consideration_ of a
treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with treaties already
subsisting, _when_ the King of Great Britain shall demonstrate a
sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid proof of this
disposition will be an explicit acknowledgment of the independence of
these States, or the withdrawing his fleets and armies.'

"On the 11th of July, 1778, the British Commissioners again
endeavored to prevail upon Congress to treat with them on the
humiliating idea of dependence. And on the 18th day of the same month,
Congress came to the following resolution, viz.

'Whereas Congress, in a letter to the British Commissioners of the
17th of June last, did declare that they would be ready to _enter into
the consideration_ of a treaty of peace and commerce not inconsistent
with treaties already subsisting, _when_ the King of Great Britain
should demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose, and that
the only solid proof of this disposition would be an _explicit
acknowledgment of the independence_ of these States, or the
withdrawing his fleets and armies; and whereas neither of these
alternatives have been complied with, therefore resolved, that no
answer be give