is too deep to draw it up solely from malevolence ; it occurs to me therefore that if he could obtain any answer it would be tacitly acknowledging him and his collegues in the capacity they assume, and consequently admitting the right of the rebel colonies to make such appointment, and to be united states ; and perhaps, if he does not succeed in this object, publishing something in Europe that may carry the air of our having acted with cruelty, which I am certain no officer, either military or civil, in my service would be guilty of. They certainly could not make much distinction among rebels, but if they have erred I should rather think it has been in too much civility towards them. . . .
[Jan. 13, 1778.] ... It also appears from these letters that Franklin and Deane either have no power of treating, or that they are not enclined to furnish any lights how an accommodation can be effected ; for whilst nothing short of independency will be accepted, I do not think there is a man either bold or mad enough to presume to treat for the mother country on such a basis. Perhaps the time may come when it will be wise to abandon all North America but Canada, Nova Scotia, and the Floridas, but then the generality of the nation must see it first in that light, but to treat with Independence can never be possible. . . .
What I have now to propose is, that without loss of time the mode of conducting the American war be deliberated upon, that Lord Amherst be examined at the Cabinet on the subject ; he is clear that after the disaster of Burgoyne not ess than an additional army to what is there at present of 40,000 men can carry on with any effect an offensive land war ; that a sea war is the only wise plan ; that the preventing the arrival of military stores, cloathing, and the other articles necessary from Europe, must distress them, and make them come into what Britain may decently consent to ; that at this hour they will laugh at any proposition. . . .
What is still more material to be settled is the plan on which Administration is to repell the different attacks of Opposition when Parliament meets, as to the calling for papers, the proposing enquiries, &c. This must be digested by you, and I hope is already so nearly ready that you may open the whole to the Cabinet when next it meets, and have a minute taken, that, when the debate [comes on] in both Houses on the state of the nation, from want of previous concert the conduct may not be opposite.
W. Bodham Donne, editor, The Correspondence of King George the Third with Lord North (London. 1867), II, 55-119 passim.
