and either discharge him, or do what is in fubftance the fame, or might be fuppofed or conceived by him to be the fame, this would be rather an act of too great obfequioufnefs, and but an ill example for the future conduct of our affairs. What we do now, will be often mentioned in after times; and if the like practice prevail, it will discourage public fervants from fidelity, and leffen their dignity and firmnefs. There is alfo fome reafon to fear that there may not be the most perfect agreement among them; and if a jealousy in point of affection between them fhould arife, it might be ftill more fatal than a difference in opinion. You may obferve, that Dr. Franklin particularly mentions the impropriety of having more minifters than one at one court, and in the fame place. We have felt the bad confequences of that already in more instances than one. Congrefs were led into fuch steps as ended in our parting with Mr. Lee, chiefly by the argument of his being disagreeable to the French court; and though he was in my opinion one of the most able, faithful and active fervants we ever had, and certainly one of the most difinterested-he was but barely able to go off, with a cold ceremonial adieu, that had very little in it of a grateful fense of his fervices, or cordial approbation. It is not pleasant to reflect, Mr. Prefident, that fo early in the hiftory of this new ftate, perfons in public employment fhould be fo prone to enter into ambitious contention, and push one another into difgrace.

I cannot help putting you in mind, upon this fubject, of what has juft now come to light. You are informed by the French court, in the most authentic manner, and indeed if I am not mistaken it is by implication at least in the king's letter, that you had been ill ferved by the people you employed there, and cheated both in point of quality and price; and that on this account they intend to give directions on that fubject themselves. Now, fir, perhaps it may be news to many members of this body, that thefe were the very contracts made by Mr. Dean, without the knowledge or confent of Mr. Lee, of which Mr. Lee loudly complained. These were the very fervants whofe accounts Mr. Lee objected to, and whofe conduct he cen

fured. But what did he get by it? Mr. Dean was fupported by his venerable old friend, as he called him: Mr. Lee was complained of as jealous and troublesome, and disagreeable to the court of France; and not only opposed and flighted by many members of this house, but I may fay attacked and perfecuted in fuch a manner, that if he had not been fupported with a generous franknefs by others, might have ended in public infamy.

I have juft further upon this fubject to obferve, that you very lately fent a new minifter to the French court, Mr. Laurens a measure much difapproved by many; and it was then foretold, it would be a difgraceful thing to Dr. Franklin. Probably he has conceived it in that light; and as he has no defire at all to return home, I am well convinced that this is the true caufe of the defire expreffed in his laft letter to refign his commiffion.

Some have mentioned the importance of the matter, and that the chance is greater against corruption, where three are to be taken off, than one. It is very true, that ceteris paribus, as is commonly faid, there is a greater chance for one incorruptible perfon in three than in one; but there are fingle perfons in whom I would confide as much as in ten. And befides, the thing may be taken the other way; for there is a greater chance of finding one corruptible perfon in three than in one; and in a commiffion of that nature, one traitor is able to do much mifchief, though the others are perfectly upright. He, being admitted into the fecret, may not only difclofe measures, but perplex them, let the abilities of his colleagues be what they will. I have feen a man in Congrefs, who upon the fuppofition of his being a traitor, I am fure had addrefs enough to draw many into his measuresmany not contemptible in understanding, and fincerely attached to their country's caufe.

Before I conclude, I would fay a little upon our circumftances in another refpect. The first appearances we make upon the public ftage, are of confequence. It is to be wifhed therefore, that the credit of the United States were confulted. If we were fure that our commiffioners would be immediately admitted to public and co-ordinate

feffion with the other plenipotentiaries, perhaps a commif fion of three would be august and honorable; but if, as I ftrongly fufpect will be the cafe, they are not at first publicly admitted at all, but obliged to negociate through the plenipotentiaries of France-if, as is not impoffible, even in the fettlement of the treaty, we are not confidered as the formal contracting parties at all, but our interest attended to in articles as it were occafionally introducedif this is done, as a falvo to the honor of England, and to purchase for us advantages fubftantial and durable, a pompous commiffion to a number of delegates will rather leffen our dignity, and detract from our wisdom and caution.

Upon the whole, fir, I am of opinion that it would be much better to affign to one the commiffion already given with the inftructions which have been cordially agreed upon, and feem to be in every refpect agreeable to the defires of the court of France, and the opinion of the king's minifter in this country.

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Mr. PRESIDENT,

AM fenfible, as every other gentleman in this houfe seems to be, of the great importance of the prefent queftion. It is of much moment, as to private perfons, fo to every incorporated fociety, to preferve its faith and honor in folemn contracts: and it is especially fo to us, as representing the United States of America, associated fo lately, and just beginning to appear upon the public ftage. I hope, therefore, we fhall deteft the thoughts of embracing any measure which fhall but appear to be mean, captious, or infidious, whatever advantage may feem to arife from it. On the other hand, as the interest of this continent is committed to our care, it is our duty, and it will be expected of us, that we give the utmost attention that the public fuffer no injury by deception, or abuse and infult, on the part of our enemies.

On the first of these principles, it is clearly my opinion that we ought, agreeably to the spirit of the first resolution reported, to find, That the convention isnot fo broken, on the part of general Burgoyne, as to entitle us to refufe compliance

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