position to make reparation." He spoke all the time from a paper, which Oswald asked if he might see. Franklin after a little delay acceded. Oswald having read it, requested leave to take it back with him to England. To this also Franklin agreed, and at the same time gave Oswald a letter for Shelburne, congratulating him on his choice of a negotiator, and stating that he desired no other channel of communication between them.[1]
Hardly however had Oswald left for England with the paper in his possession before Franklin regretted his weakness in permitting it to go out of his hands. "On reflection," he says, "I was not pleased with my having hinted a reparation to the Tories for their forfeited estates." The paper itself, which was to have consequences but little foreseen at the moment by either Franklin or Oswald, ran as follows:—
To make a peace durable, what may give occasion for future wars, should, if practicable, be removed.
The Territory of the United States and that of Canada by long extended frontiers touch each other.
The settlers on the frontiers of the American provinces are generally the most disorderly of the people, who being far removed from the eye and control of their respective governments, are most bold in committing offences against neighbours, and are for ever occasioning complaints, and furnishing matter for fresh differences between their states.
By the late debates in Parliament and public writings, it appears that Britain desires a reconciliation with the Americans. It is a sweet word. It means much more than a mere peace, and it is heartily to be wished for. Nations make a peace whenever they are both weary of making war. But if one of them has made war upon the other unjustly, and has wantonly and unnecessarily done it great injuries, and refuses reparation; though there may for the present be peace, the resentment of those injuries will remain, and will break out again in vengeance, when occasions offer. Those occasions will be watched for by one side, feared by the other; and the peace will never be secure; nor can any cordiality exist between them.
Many houses and villages have been burnt in America by the English and their allies the Indians. I do not know that the- ↑ Franklin to Shelburne, April 18th, 1782; Works, viii. 465.
