American Aurora
Page 42
WILLIAM DUANE,
EDITOR, AURORA GENERAL ADVERTISER, 1798–1822918
By now, dear reader, you may be wondering how I, William Duane, can be both a newspaperman and an historian. I might answer that in 1796 (after I arrived in America but before I began work at the Philadelphia Aurora), I was engaged by Tom Paine’s old friend919 book publisher John “Walking” Stewart to write the fourth and final volume, The Revolutionary Part, of John Gifford’s History of France from the Earliest Time Till the Death of Louis Sixteenth … And Continued from the Above Period until the Conclusion of the Present War, by a Citizen of the United States, 4 vols. (Philadelphia: Stewart & Rowson, 1796–98).920 My volume, The Revolutionary Part, appeared, as you may have guessed, in 1798. So I’ve had some practice.
My volume (IV) tracks the French Revolution from its very roots, including, of course, its American roots. Henceforth, I will refer to that volume as “my history.” In my history, I write,
Franklin, whose fame had already opened him a free correspondence with the literati of the European continent, was with perfect wisdom, dispatched to France, where he found the public mind greatly influenced by men of letters peculiarly prepared to give him the most flattering reception. The father of American liberties became the general object of respect and love …
[French Foreign Minister] Vergennes, whose principles united the arbitrary policy of the French court with the refined knowledge of a country peculiarly distinguished by literature, became the social friend of Franklin. His unaffected manners, his sensible gracefulness, had obtained a sort of influence over the French minister, that he acted as if he were ashamed to pursue with the American the wily insincerity practiced with courtiers … Franklin by plain manners and an utter contempt for affectation … instead of being considered as ambassadors usually deserve to be … was esteemed as a new and different character, and his circle of society became as extensive as he could desire and circumscribed only by his avocations and by want of adequate leisure.—
Under such fortunate auspices, the principal difficulties to the negociation were easily removed …921
The French upper classes know Franklin for his writings on electricity, first published in France in 1752. The lower classes know Franklin for the ideas of Poor Richard’s Almanacks (translated into French as the “science” of “Bonhomme Richard”). The French royal court honored Franklin as early as 1767. France’s Academy of Sciences elected him to membership in 1772. Everyone in France loves Franklin! Even John Adams admits it:
His reputation was more universal than that of Leibnitz or [Sir Isaac] Newton, Frederick [The Great] or Voltaire, and his character more beloved and esteemed than any or all of them. Newton had astonished perhaps forty or fifty men in Europe … But this fame was confined to men of letters. The common people know little and cared nothing about such a recluse philosopher. Leibnitz’s name was more confined still … Frederick was hated by more than half of Europe … Voltaire whose name was more universal … was considered as a vain and profligate wit, and not much esteemed or beloved by anybody, though admired by all who knew his works. But Franklin’s fame was universal. His fame was familiar to government and people, to kings, courtiers, nobility, clergy and philosophers, as well as plebeians, to such a degree that there was scarcely a peasant or a citizen, a valet de chambre, coachman or footman, a lady’s chambermaid or a scullion in a kitchen, who was not familiar with it, and who did not consider him a friend to mankind.922
Saturday, January 4, 1777. Today, from Paris, Ben Franklin writes his Committee of Secret Correspondence:
I arrived here about two Weeks since, where I found Mr. Deane. Mr. Lee has since join’d us from London …
The Cry of this Nation is for us, but the Court, it is thought, views an approaching War with Reluctance … As soon as we can receive a positive Answer from these Courts, we shall dispatch an Express with it.923
Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, an important supplier to the French military, has taken charge of settling Franklin and Benny Bache in Paris. He has written Franklin,
This morning, Monsieur, your grandson and I have seen a boarding school which is convenient for Benjamin. If his account of it to you allows you to choose it, depend on my complete supervision.924
Ben Franklin will live at Chaumont’s residence in the Paris suburb of Passy, two miles along the road from Paris to the royal court at Versailles. Today, Benny Bache settles into Chaumont’s home to begin attending a nearby school.925
Sunday, January 5, 1777. The French government has embargoed America’s long-awaited arms shipments. Today, Franklin writes French Foreign Minister Vergennes:
We are … instructed to solicit the Court of France for an immediate Supply of twenty or thirty Thousand Muskets and Bayonets, and a large Quantity of Ammunition and brass Field Pieces, to be sent under Convoy … This Application is now become the more necessary, as the private Purchase made by Mr. Deane of those Articles is render’d ineffectual by an Order forbidding their exportation …
[W]e may possibly, unless some powerful Aid is given us or some strong Diversion made in our favor, be so harass’d and be put to such immense Expence, as that finally our People will find themselves reduc’d to the necessity of Ending the War by an Accommodation [with Britain].926
Wednesday, January 8, 1777 (circa). Today, Benjamin Franklin prepares a memorandum for French Foreign Minister Vergennes:
The situation of the United-states requires an immediate supply of Stores of various sorts, of which a proportion of Military for the opening and supporting the coming Campaign …
Difficulties have arose at the different ports, where Military Stores have been collected and Objections made to their being shipp’d for the United-states in French ships though Charter’d on Account of the States, in the name of private Persons, by which great Delay has been already occasioned, and the Damages in consequence will be irreparable unless speedily relieved …
To Remedy these Difficulties it is with submission requested that Warlike stores already purchased or that may hereafter be purchased for the United States may be shipped in French ships for the said United States, directly …
[W]ithout this or some Measure effecting the same Design, the United States will be disappointed of the Stores they expected …
NB. The Stores in the Amphitrite, those ready to be Shipp’d from the other Ports [Le Havre and Nantes], are now detain’d by the above Obstacles.927
Through Franklin’s diplomacy, the French government arms shipments will be immediately released.
Sunday, January 12, 1777. Today, Ben Franklin writes his good friend (and former London landlady) Mary Hewson:
My dear Polley
Figure to yourself an old Man with grey Hair appearing under a Martin Fur Cap, among the Powder’d Heads of Paris. It is this odd Figure that salutes you …
I have with me here my young Grandson Benja Franklin Bache, a special good Boy. I give him a little French Language and Address, and then send him over to pay his Respects to Miss Hewson …928
“Miss Hewson” is Elizabeth Hewson, Mary’s two- or three-year-old daughter.
Wednesday, January 15, 1977. Franklin is being watched by everyone! Today’s entry in a Paris police journal includes a surveillance report of his activities:
DOCTOR FRANKLIN, who lately arrived in this country from the English colonies, is very much run after and feted, not only by the savants, his confreres, but by all people who can get hold of him, for he is difficult to be approached, and lives in a reserve which is supposed to be directed by the Government. This Quaker wears the full costume of his sect. He has an agreeable physiognomy, spectacles always on his eyes but little hair, a fur cap always on his head. He wears no powder but neat and linen very white, a brown coat makes his dress. His only defence is a stick in his hand …
There has been no lack of prints of Franklin, whose portrait has become the fashionable New Year’s gift of the year. People keep it on the mantel as they
formerly kept a statuette, and the singular costume of this grave personage leads our fops and women to turn his likeness into … those futile knick-knacks …
If he sees our ministers, it is at night (that is, in Paris, not at court) and with the greatest secrecy, but he has frequent conferences with the Sieurs de Beaumarchais and le Rez de Chaumont [the French military supplier]. The first of these is the tou tou [confidant] of Madame de Maurepas [wife of the French Prime Minister], and probably bears some messages …929
Friday, January 17, 1777. Today, from Paris, Franklin writes the Continental Congress:
[W]e are endeavouring to expedite several Vessels laden with Artillery, Arms, Ammunition, and Cloathing which we hope will reach you in time for the campaign …
The Hearts of the French are universally for us, and the Cry is strong for immediate War with Britain. Indeed every thing tends that way, but the Court has its reasons for postponing …930
Wednesday, January 22, 1777. Today, from his headquarters at Morristown (New Jersey) about halfway from Philadelphia to New York City, George Washington writes the Continental Congress:
I shall be glad to know what Stock of small Arms you at present have, and what are your Expectations shortly. The Necessity that we have been and are now under, of calling in and arming the Militia Scatters our Armoury all over the World in a Manner … The new raised Regiments will call for a great Number of Arms; and I do not at present see how they are to be Supplied.931
Thursday, January 23, 1777. Franklin’s negotiations with France have released the arms shipments from their embargo. Today, from the port of Nantes, Ben Franklin’s nephew, Jonathan Williams, reports to his uncle,
I have the pleasure to inform you that the last Lighter went to the Ship [Mercure] yesterday … I am impatient to hear that the [A]mphitrite is gone …932
The Amphitrite leaves tomorrow.933
Saturday, January 25, 1777. Today, from the French port of Nantes, Ben Franklin’s nephew writes him again, including,
I am treated here with as much Respect as if I were the Nephew of a prince. So much is your name respected that I hear the Ladies of Nantes are about making an addition to their heads in imitation of your Hair Cap, which they intend to call “à la Franklin.”934
Sunday, January 26, 1777. Today, George Washington writes the Continental Congress:
By a Resolve of Congress passed some time ago, General Schuyler [of the Northern Army] is directed to apply to me for 94 Tons of powder, a Quantity which it is impossible I should have by me and for which I do not know where to direct him to apply. I could wish that Returns were made to me of the Quantity of Powder on hand and where it is to be found that I may not be at a loss at any time of Emergency.935
Monday, January 27, 1777. If America’s Northern Army is to defend against a British army entering from Canada, it needs arms and ammunition. Today, George Washington writes Major General Philip Schuyler, who commands the Northern Army:
I know your difficulties will be great in procuring a proper Quantity of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores against next Campaign, but … if our adventures are lucky, we shall be well supplied with Field Artillery from France … The Enemy have given out that they have taken a ship from France with Artillery on board, but I never heard of her being brought in, so I hope it is not true.936
Today, Ben Franklin writes a friend:
I suppose you would want to know something of the State of Affairs in America. In all probability we shall be much stronger in the next Campaign than we were in the last; better arm’d; better disciplin’d, and with more Ammunition. When I was at the Camp before Boston, the Army had not 5 rounds of Powder a Man. This was kept a Secret even from our People. The World wonder’d that we so seldom fir’d a Cannon. We could not afford it. But we now [shall have] Powder in Plenty.937
Friday, January 31, 1777. Today, George Washington writes the Continental Congress:
Our army is shamefully reduced by desertion, and except [unless] the people in the Country can be forced to give Information when Deserters return to their old Neighborhoods, we shall be obliged to detach one half of the army to bring back the other.938
Wednesday, February 5, 1777. Today, from Philadelphia, Benny Bache’s father, Richard Bache, writes Benjamin Franklin:
On the approach of the Enemy towards this City [last autumn] I had your Library packed up and sent to Bethlehem [Pennsylvania], where I intend it shall remain ’till our public affairs wear a better aspect. I removed my Family … to a place called Goshen in Chester County, having procured in a good farm house two comfortable rooms for them. They yet remain there … The Enemy may determine to pay us a visit in the spring …
I suppose you have been informed from the Congress of their appointing me Post Master General [I think because] … your Services may be required in France for a much longer time than you or I perhaps had any Idea of when you left home …
With most anxious expectation of hearing from you, and with unfeigned Love to yourself … and Benny I subscribe myself … [&c.]939
Friday, February 14, 1777. Shortly after his arrival in France, Ben Franklin ordered Lambert Wickes, the Reprisal’s captain, to cruise against British shipping. Today, Captain Wickes reports:
This will inform you of my Safe arrival after a tolerable Successfull Cruize, having Captured 3 Sail of Brig’s, one Snow and One Ship. [T]he Snow is the Falmouth [England] Packet bound from thence to Lisbon. [S]he is mounted with 16 guns and had Near 50 Men on board. She Engaged Near an hour before she struck … Three of our prizes is Arrived and I expect the other two in to Morrow … 940
Sunday, February 23, 1777. Today, from Philadelphia, Benny Bache’s mother, Sarah Bache, writes Ben Franklin:
We have been patiently awaiting to hear of your Arrival for some time … I have refused dinning at Mr. Climers to day that I might have the pleasure of writing to you and my dear Boy who I hope behaves so as to make you love him. We used to think he gave little trouble at home, but that was perhaps a Mothers partiality …941
Monday, February 24, 1777. Today, in Paris, the French periodical Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique publishes the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, which the Duc de La Rochefoucauld has translated with the help of Benjamin Franklin.942 John Adams:
In 1775 and 1776 there had been great disputes, in Congress and in the several States, concerning a proper constitution for the several States to adopt for their government. A Convention in Pennsylvania had adopted a government in one representative assembly, and Dr. Franklin was the President of that Convention. The Doctor, when he went to France in 1776, carried with him the printed copy of that Constitution, and it was immediately propagated through France that this was the plan of government of Mr. Franklin … Mr. Turgot, the Duke de la Rochefoucauld, Mr. Condorcet, and many others, became enamored with the Constitution of Mr. Franklin.943
Saturday, March 1, 1777. Today, George Washington writes the legislature of New York:
[I]n opposition to all my Orders and notwithstanding my utmost Vigilance, most of the Regiments … took off with them many [public arms] that were put into their hands. These … may, I should Suppose, … aided by the Supreme Civil Power in each State, be regained to the Public. Unless some such Step as this is adopted and attended with Success, I fear we shall not be able to furnish a Sufficient Number for our Soldiers.944
Monday, March 3, 1777. Today, George Washington writes the Governor of Connecticut:
As I have, in many of my late Letters, mentioned the distress that the Continent in general is under for the want of Arms; I need only repeat to you the Necessity that there is for making a Collection …945
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 1777
The Pennsylvania Gazette
PHILADELPHIA. Tuesday last arrived here the Brig Sally, Capt. Stocker, in 11 weeks from Nantz in France, with 6,800 stand of small arms, a large number of gun-locks, &c.
Those are French arms!
Saturday, March 29, 1777. Today, George Washingt
on writes the Continental Congress,
The arrival [from France] of the Arms, Locks and Flints, you have been pleased to mention, is a most fortunate and happy event. I join you most sincerely, in congratulations upon the occasion …
I am happy to say the Arrival of the [French] Ship [Mercure] at Portsmouth … is confirmed by other Letters … Some of the letters say that a French general, Colo[nel] and Maj[o]r came passengers in the Ship who are highly recommended by Doctr. Franklin.946
Today, Washington also writes the Governor of Connecticut,
I have the pleasure to inform you that a Vessel arrived at Philadelphia a few days ago from France, with Eleven thousand stands of Arms and some other Military Stores. The Accounts of the Intentions of France were most favorable.
The late arrival of [French] Arms at Portsmouth is so ample that we shall have no future complaint for the want of them …947
Thursday, April 3, 1777. Large quantities of French arms are arriving. Today, George Washington writes the Governor of Rhode Island:
The late ample arrivals of [French] Arms at Philadelphia and at Portsmouth … puts me out of all further uneasiness on account of that necessary Article. The Eleven hundred and Seventy Six stand which you received from the Continental Agent at Boston will be very near the Number wanted for your two Continental Battalions when Compleat …948
In March, ten vessels of Beaumarchais’ Hortalez et Cie. sailed for America. The Amphitrite and the Mercure arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with fifty-eight Brass Cannon, 16,700 stands of arms, 110 barrels of gunpowder, tents for ten thousand, clothing for twelve thousand, &c. A procession of French government arms is now begun, employing such French ships as the Amphitrite, Mercure, Comte de Vergennes, Flammand, Mère Bobie, Seine, Thérèse, Amélia, and Marie Catherine. This year, eighty ships will clear Bordeaux alone for the U.S. Many others will set sail to Santo Domingo or other French West Indies ports where their cargoes will be transshipped to the U.S. This year, America will import thirty thousand guns from France.949