Just as I was closing this, a private letter from Mr Jay was delivered of the 4th of September, which contains the following remarkable passage. "I am preparing a map to show you the line, which Count d'Aranda proposes for our western boundary. It will not be finished in time for this conveyance. I am persuaded it is best for us to take time. My further reasons shall be explained at large in a future letter, which I shall begin as soon as my health will permit." He adds, "that Spain has issued more bills, and that the depreciation has increased." I delay reporting on the passage in Dr Franklin's letter, relative to the demands of Spain, as there is no immediate opportunity of writing to Europe, and as I am in hourly expectation of receiving something more particular on this subject.
Head Quarters, South Carolina, } December 19th, 1782. }
The Southern States, so long oppressed by the weight of a destructive war, are now happily relieved by the evacuation of Charleston, and the total departure of the British troops from this country. This event, so very important to all America, took place on the 14th instant.
The fleet, with the troops on board, fell down into Rebellion Road, and on the 17th crossed the bar and went out to sea. The British regiments are said to be destined for the West Indies, and the German troops for New York. They took with them a great deal of property, and between five and six thousand negroes, the greater part of which they had once promised to deliver up.
Governor Matthews, with all the officers of government are now in town; and civil police fully established and supported.
TO THE COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS APPOINTED TO REPAIR TO RHODE ISLAND.
I can only reply to your inquiries with respect to the probability of extending our loans in France, by informing you, that the general tenor of our public despatches discourages the idea, as will appear by the extracts of letters herewith sent you. To them I have added such official communications as I have received from time to time from the Minister of France.
I might add to these the result of several private conversations with him upon that subject, having frequently introduced it, to know how far we might in case of extreme necessity lean on France. He has always expressed on these occasions a strong sense of our wants, and a wish to relieve them, accompanied with an apprehension, that the heavy expense incurred by France, in creating and supporting a large marine, would render it highly imprudent to expect, that she should add anything to the liberal supplies already afforded us, and the maintenance of an army in America on our account. Of late, too, the unproductiveness of our taxes, and the uneasiness of the public creditors in the United States, has not escaped his observation. His reflections on this subject are so obvious, that I need not repeat them. I am seriously alarmed for their effect on the loans we have already opened. A private letter from Mr Jay informs me, that the paper struck by Spain has greatly depreciated, so that had we needed any further assurances on that head, we must now be fully convinced, that we have nothing to expect from that quarter.