Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/165

Rh the great knowledge of America already possessed by Oswald rendered him peculiarly fit to be the negotiator on behalf of England with America. Oswald replied that the idea so far met his own views, as owing to his ignorance of the French language, he had no wish to meddle with the rest of the negotiations.

The conversation having closed, Oswald at once communicated the results of it to Shelburne, who resolved to recommend the appointment of separate negotiators, and the appointment of Oswald, as soon as the Enabling Bill was passed into law.

On the 4th of June Grenville and Oswald had an interview, when the latter, in conformity with his instructions, conveyed the same information to his brother negotiator which he had imparted to Franklin the previous day, and the nature of Franklin's replies. He also told him what had previously passed on the subject of Canada, including the existence of Franklin's Paper of Notes, which he considered it right and desirable should be known to Grenville. The latter at once rushed at the conclusion that Oswald had communicated his projected appointment as Commissioner in the interview with Franklin on the 31st of May, and that this was the cause of the reserve with which Franklin had treated him on the 1st of June. It has however already been shown, that it was not till the 3rd of June, two days after and not the day before the interview of Grenville with Franklin, that the projected appointment of Oswald as Commissioner was communicated to Franklin. Acting under this misapprehension, and knowing that Fox claimed the right of negotiating with America, Grenville wrote a confidential letter to his principal, stating that on the part of Shelburne there existed an evident intention of encroaching upon Fox's province. His letter concluded by requesting that he might himself be recalled,