unwilling to suppose France capable of acting so ungenerous a part. I am heartily disposed to entertain the most favorable sentiments of our new ally, and to cherish them in others to a reasonable degree. But it is a maxim founded on the universal experience of mankind, that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its inter ests; and no prudent statesman or politician will ventur to depart from it. In our circumstances we ought to be particularly cautious; for we have not yet attained sufficient vigor and maturity to recover from the shock of any false step into which we may unwarily fall.

"If France should even engage in the scheme, in the first instance, with the purest intentions, there is the greatest danger that, in the progress of the business, invited to it by circumstances, and, perhaps, urged on by the solicitations and wishes of the Canadians, she would alter her views.

"As the marquis clothed his proposition when he spoke of it to me, it would seem to have originated wholly with himself; but it is far from impossible that it had its birth in the cabinet of France, and was put into this artful dress to give it the readier currency. I fancy that I read in the countenances of some people on this occasion, more than the disinterested zeal of allies. I hope I am mistaken, and that my fears of mischief make me refine too much, and awaken jealousies that have no sufficient foundation.

"But, upon the whole, sir, to waive every other consideration, I do not like to add to the number of our national obligations. I would wish as much as possible to avoid giving a foreign power new claims of merit for services performed to the United States, and would ask no assistance that is not indispensable.

"I am, with the truest attachment and the most perfect confidence, &c."

Two days after the date of this letter, Hamilton, over the signature of Washington, wrote to the President of Congress in consequence of apprehensions entertained by New Jersey of an attack upon her western frontier: "These depredations of the enemy give me the most serious concern. I lament that we have not yet had it in our power to give them an effectual check. I am perfectly convinced that the only certain way of preventing Indian ravages, is to carry the war vigorously into their own country; but as this is thought impracticable at this season of the year, from the state of the weather and other circumstances, I fear we must content ourselves for the present with some defensive precautions." These were taken.

An effort was now made for the exchange of the troops captured at Saratoga.

A proposal for this purpose had recently been received from Sir Henry Clinton. This proposal was submitted by Washington to Congress, and a resolution passed the nineteenth of November, directing him to appoint commissioners to treat with those appointed by the British commander-in-chief. The basis of the exchange was to be, first, officers of equal rank; next, if necessary, an equivalent of inferior for superior officers; if this should leave any officers unexchanged, an equivalent of privates in exchange for such officers-to be settled. Hamilton and Harrison were appointed by Washington, and on the eleventh of December they met Colonels Hyde and O'Hara at Perth Amboy. An exchange was proposed by the latter of one-half of the officers for an equal number of officers, and for the residue, privates according to a proportion to be arranged. This proposal being a departure from the terms authorized by Congress, and

* Nov. 16.

which had been communicated to Sir Henry Clinton as preliminary, was rejected. The negotiation was thus at an end. To satisfy the public mind, the correspondence was published. The same day, the letter from Washington in relation to the Canadian expedition, was referred to a committee of Congress.

Reluctant to abandon the project, while assenting to the force of the dissuasive reasons presented in the letter, they nevertheless reported a resolution which was approved, instructing the commander-in-chief to write to La Fayette and to the envoy to France "very fully, in order that eventual measures might be taken, in case an armament should be sent from France to Quebec, to co-operate therewith to the utmost degree the finances of the States would admit." Laurens, the President, differed from the views of the majority. He wrote a reply to the recent letter received from Washington, expressing an entire concurrence with its opinions, and deprecating any unavoidable increase of the obligations to be incurred to France. "Their report," he stated, "was framed agreeably to his (La Fayette's) wishes, but the House very prudently determined to consult the commander-in-chief previously to a final determination; and, although your excellency's observations are committed, I am much mistaken, if every member in Congress is not decided in his opinion in favor of them."

Washington was placed in the delicate position, either of contravening the wishes of Congress, or of being party to a measure he disapproved. Hamilton again stated his views to that body.

"The earnest desire I have to render the strictest compliance in every instance to the views and instructions of Congress, cannot but make me feel the greatest uneasi.

* Dec. 13.