powers._

The British Ministry adopting these observations, sent new powers to
Mr Grenville, authorising him to treat with all the belligerent
powers. Mr Grenville presented to the Count de Vergennes a copy of
these powers, and declared, _that the King of England, being disposed
to acknowledge and declare directly the independence of America, it
would no longer be a conditional article of peace_. And as to France,
the English Plenipotentiary proposed _to take the treaty of Paris for
the basis, not of the peace itself, but of the negotiations which were
to be entered into_.

The Count de Vergennes, on the 21st of June, communicated to Mr
Grenville the answer of the King. In this communication his Majesty
declared his wishes for the restoration of peace, and his
satisfaction, that the King of Great Britain was disposed to treat
with all the belligerent powers, and that he intended to make a direct
acknowledgment and declaration of the independence of the United
States of America, and that this point would no longer be a
conditional Article of a general pacification. That the King consents
to adopt, according to the proposition of the King of England, the
treaty of Paris for a basis of the negotiation, not as a confirmation
of all its stipulations, but with exceptions and alterations
respecting the East Indies, Africa, the fisheries of Newfoundland, and
commercial regulations in Europe to mutual advantage. Restitution and
compensation to be treated of, when the negotiation shall be
established, with respect to which the King will be governed by the
principles of justice and moderation, which are the basis of his
policy. If these overtures are agreeable to the King of England, his
Majesty will explain himself precisely on the different points. His
Majesty expects, that his Britannic Majesty will make to all the
belligerent powers and states, without delay, such overtures as he may
think conducive to promote the negotiation as far as it respects their
interests. That no doubt may be left with respect to his Majesty's
sentiments, he declares anew, that he will neither treat nor terminate
any negotiation, unless the interests of his allies and friends shall
be conjointly discussed and determined, or separately, according to
the wishes of his Britannic Majesty and the allied and friendly powers
of his Most Christian Majesty.

Such was the state of affairs on the 28th of June, at which time there
appeared some obstructions