478 Journal and Correspondence.

Red Book

No. 29

States she seems at present disposed to acknowledge our Indepen-
dancy but she will probably do it in the same insidious manner by
which she has hitherto conducted Herself & in doing so plunge into
fresh Difficulties. However if she is sincerely disposed to Acknowl-
edge the Independancy of the United States (that great stumbling
block which her madness & folly have raised) this Groundwork of
a general Peace will be laid and we may be once more quiet & happy ;

•for this purpose America coti'd not have trusted the public Interest

in better hands than those of his Excellency M^r Adams, no man that
I have seen, having a sincerer & truer Love to his Country. I am
Confident He will pursue the Common Interest of the Alliance on
which the Common Strength & Happiness depends
I mention'd to you Sir, that your Excellency would have perticu-
lar details by the Gentlemen, who come over by this opportunity, of
the State of Europe if I was to draw a general outline thereof, it
wou'd be as follows. The King of G. B. with a corruptd majority
in the House of Commons the same in the House of Lords, two or
three wicked ministers & a Jacobite favorite, stands agst the Power
of France, Spain his declared & avowed Enemies. He insults
Holland, Sweden, Denmark, the Empire of Russia & Turkey, who
are ready to Confederate against Him as a violater of the Law
of Nature, personally dispis'd by the King of Prussia, and Chargd
with Ingratitude As Elector of Hanover by his Liege Lord, the
Emperor of Germany all Europe wishes to see Him abased his own
Subjects at Home distrustful of Him, & declaring that his Influence
ought to be diminishd & those who were once his Subjects & that
too most cordially & obediently so, now holding Him in Horror &
opposing his Malice in the bravest & most successful manner. Surely
this man must be humbled the Independancy of America will do it,
& this all the insulted Powers of Europe see & I doubt not will
either openly or secretly promote, for what was Ever their natural
Interest to do, the Insolence of the Court of London has made a
political Duty

I Have the Honour to be Sir Your Excellencys Most Otf H^ble
Serv^t
p. S. I should be Happy to Execute your Excellencys Command
in Europe, if you think proper to entrust me therewith be pleased to
direct to the care of Monsieur Joshua Johnson negociant a Nantes

April 20
Brown
Book No. S

Leiter

No. 71

[Jos. Marbury Capt. 3^d Regt, Portobacco]
Return of Cloathing wanting for Recruits
7 Jackets 2 Shirts 25 Hats
. 7 Breeches 3 Stockings 10 Blankets
25 Overalls 30 Shoes

I have 30 Men at this place 25 of which are Recruits