sent herewith will inform yon, and have now reason to expect the whole province may be soon in our possession; that we purpose greatly to increase our force for the ensuing year; and thereby, we hope, with the assistance of a well-disciplined militia, to be able to defend our coast, notwithstanding its great extent; that we already have a small squadron of armed vessels, to protect our coasting trade, who have had some success in taking several of the enemy's cruizers, and some' of their transport vessels and stores."
Aware that France, on every account, would favor any measures calculated to diminish the superiority of England, Mr. Silas Deane was sent, early in March, 1776, as a commercial and political agent to the French court. He was directed to state that clothing and arms for twenty-five thousand men, as well as ammunition and field-pieces, were needed by the Americans; and also to sound the French minister in respect to the probabilities of effecting an alliance with France in case the colonies should be able to attain independence.
Deane arrived in Paris early in July, and devoted himself to the objects of his mission. Having been introduced to the Count de Vergennes, the French minister, he stated the purpose had in view by his appointment, and was favorably and courteously received by the court. Vergennes informed Mr. Deane, that the importance of American commerce was well known, and that no country could so well supply the American colonies, and in return receive their produce, as France; that an uninterrupted intercourse was, therefore, for the interest of both; and for this reason, the court had already ordered their ports to be kept open, and equally free to America, as to Britain. That considering the good understanding between the courts of Versailles and London, they could not openly encourage the shipping of warlike stores, but no obstructions, of any kind, he said, would be given; if there should, as the custom-houses were not fully in their secrets in this matter, such obstructions should be removed, on the first application. That he might consider himself perfectly free, to carry on any kind of commerce in the kingdom, which any subject of any other state in the world might, as the court had resolved their ports should be equally free to both parties. That he might consider himself, as under his immediate protection; if he should meet with any difficulty either from their police, or from any other quarter, on application to him every thing should be settled. On the subject of the independence of the colonies, Vergennes declined to say any thing decisive, looking upon that as an event too far into the future and too uncertain, to base upon it any present action.
In June, 1776, immediately after the question of independence was determined upon, Congress appointed Mr. Dickinson, Dr. Franklin, John Adams, Mr. Harrison, and Robert Morris, a committee, to prepare a plan of treaties with foreign powers. On the 10th of July, the committee reported a plan, which was amended, and after further consideration, was adopted on the 17th
