Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/194

166 form the basis of the treaty of peace. These conditions fell into two classes: the necessary and the advisable. The first were as follows:—

1. Independence full and complete in every sense, and all troops to be withdrawn.

2. A settlement of the boundaries of the Thirteen States.

3. A confinement of the boundaries of Canada, to at least what they were before the Quebec Act, if not to still narrower limits.

4. A freedom of fishing on the Banks of Newfoundland and elsewhere as well for fish as whales.

The advisable articles were as follows:—

1. To indemnify many people who had been ruined by the destruction of towns. "The whole," Franklin said, "might not exceed five or six hundred thousand pounds. However, though it was a large sum it would not be ill bestowed, as it would conciliate the resentment of a multitude of poor sufferers, who could have no other remedy, and who, without some relief, would keep up a spirit of secret revenge and animosity for a long time to come against Great Britain: whereas a voluntary offer of such reparation would diffuse an universal calm and conciliation over the whole country."

2. Some sort of acknowledgment by Act of Parliament, or otherwise, of the error of England in distressing the Colonies, as she had done. "A few words of that kind," Franklin said, "would do more good than people could imagine."

3. The ships and trade of the States to be received and have the same privileges in Britain and Ireland as British ships and trade.

4. The cession of Canada and Nova Scotia.

At the close of the interview at which the above conditions were communicated to Oswald, Franklin distinctly intimated that nothing could be done in the treaty for the Loyalists, as their property had been confiscated by laws of particular States over which Congress had no authority, and he drew back from the suggestion which