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194 every point of favour and confidence. The maxim is not only new in all negotiations, but I consider it as no way adapted to our present circumstances, but as diametrically opposite to our interests in the present moment.

"Supposing the Colonies to return to the state they were in in 1763, I consider it as of the utmost importance to keep the fishery as distinct as possible, to avoid the numberless disputes which occurred perpetually before the present war. But the separation on the point of taking place makes it indispensable for the welfare of both countries to prevent future contention.

"In regard to the refugees, I speak of the mass of them, avoiding to enter into particular odious cases which must always occur in such great concussions. Can there in nature be anything more reasonable than to insist on the justice due to them? Nor can a single argument be offered against it except what you urge, of the particular situation of the Commissioners acting under thirteen provinces with different interests, and in fact no common centre. To remedy this, the matter of the boundaries and back lands naturally presents itself. Independently of all the nonsense of charters, I mean when they talk of extending as far as the sun sets, the soil is, and has always been acknowledged to be the King's. For the good of America, whatever the Government may be, new provinces must be erected on those back lands and down the Mississippi; and supposing them to be sold, what can be so reasonable as that part of the province, where the King's property alone is in question, should be applied to furnish subsistence to those, whom for the sake of peace he can never consistently with his honour entirely abandon. The debts due to our merchants previous to 1775 cannot be lightly passed over. They regard some of our most considerable merchants, who are full of apprehensions, and are making daily applications to Government. Honest debts must be honestly paid and in honest money, and to prove them honest, some security is expected in lieu of the right of appeal which existed when they were contracted. These are considerations