Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/456

424 these governors, that the offer contained in the letter might have as wide a circulation as possible. Washington immediately sent this letter to Congress, and that body, on the 19th of July, ordered it to be published in all the newspapers, "that the good people of the United States might be informed of what nature are the commissions, and what the terms, with, the expectation of which, the insidious court of Great Britain, has endeavored to amuse and disarm them; and that the few, who still remain suspended by a hope founded either in the justice or moderation of their late king, may now, at length,be convinced, that the valor alone of their country is to save its liberties."

There is no reason to doubt that Lord Howe was sincerely anxious for peace. He addressed a note to Dr. Franklin, to whom he was personally well known, earnestly expressing his wishes, that the differences between the Americans and the mother country might be amicably settled. Franklin, in his reply, courteously regretted that he had crossed the Atlantic on an errand so fruitless, as to expect to obtain submission from his countrymen. "It is impossible," he writes, "that we should think of submission to a government, that has, with the most wanton barbarity and cruelty, burnt our defenceless towns, in the midst of winter; excited the savages to massacre our peaceful farmers, and our slaves to murder their: masters; and is now bringing foreign mercenaries to deluge our settlements with blood. Long did I endeavor, with unfeigned and unwearied zeal, to preserve from breaking, that fine and noble China vase, the British empire; for I knew that being once broken, the separate parts could not retain even their share of the strength and value that existed in the whole; and that a perfect reunion could scarce ever be hoped for." In conclusion, he says, "I know your great motive in coming hither, was the hope of being instrumental in a reconciliation; and I believe, when you find that to be impossible, on any terms given you to propose, you will then relinquish so odious a command, and return to a more honorable private station."

Failing in these efforts, the Commissioners next attempted to open a communication with Washington, whom they addressed as George Washington, Esq., but as they were not prepared to acknowledge the official position and station of the commander-in-chief, a difficulty at once arose. Washington never suffered the slightest deviation from exact propriety in all his public relations. The Commissioners, anxious to accomplish something, next had recourse to an expedient, by which they hoped to obviate all difficulty; they changed the address of their letter for the superscription following; to George Washington, etc., etc. Adjutant-general Patterson was sent with this dispatch. Being introduced to Washington, he gave him in conversation, the title of Excellency. The general received him with great politeness, but at the same time with much dignity. The adjutant expressed himself greatly concerned, on behalf of his principals, on account of the difficulties