The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PARTII.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 327
"We are'acquainted, Sir, by authority, that negotiations for a general peace have already commenced at
Paris, and that Mr. Grenville is invested with full powers to treat with all parties at war, and is now at Paris
in the execution of his commission. And we are likewise, Sir, further made acquainted, that his Majesty,
in order to remove all obstacles to that peace, which
he so ardently wishes to restore, has commanded his
ministers to direct Mr. Grenville, that the independency
of the thirteen provinces should be proposed by him,
in the first instance, instead of making it a condition
of a general treaty; however, not without the highest
confidence, that the loyalists shall be restored to their
possessions, or a full compensation made them for whatever confiscations may have taken place."
These communications, they say, had just arrived by
a packet. They farther add, that Mr. Laurens was
enlarged from all engagements, and that transports were
prepared for conveying all American prisoners to this
country to be exchanged here. Whatever the real intention of the enemy may be, I think the strictest attention and exertion, which have ever been practised
on our part, instead of being diminished, ought to be
increased thereby. Jealousy and precaution, at least,
can do no harm. Too much confidence and supineness may be pernicious in the extreme.
There having been a vague report, that a sAnall embarkation of cavalry and infantry was to take place at
New York, to relieve part of the garrison of Charleston, I have made use of this occasion to desire the
secretary at war to put Armand's legion immediately
in motion to join you, and have requested he will use
his endeavours to have the means afforded to facilitate and expedite the movement.
A mail has lately been intercepted by the enemy