Earl of Carlisle and William Eden, A.L. New York, July 7, 1778 : to Lord Germaine [sic]

Earl of Carlisle and William Eden, A.L. New York, July 7, 1778 : to Lord Germaine [sic]

Carlisle and Eden A.L. to Lord Germain

New York 1778

[4] p. ; 32 cm.

MSS L1991.1.532.2-3

Signatures at end removed; however, the text of this letter to Lord Germain is reproduced in a different hand, where it is attributed to William Eden and the Earl of Carlisle. -- B.F. Steven. Facsimiles of manuscripts in European libraries relating to America, 1773-1783, v. XI, no. 1116.|"The decided rejections given by the Congress to all terms of accommodation short of independence, leasves to room to hope that any success will attend the Commission, with which we are honoured, except thro' the exertions of his Majesty's arms, or by an appeal to the people at large, or by negociation's [sic] with seperate bodies of men & individuals."|Nothing however shall be wanting on our part that can be tried with any hope or chance of benefit; and we conceive that if in the result those should not appear a possibility of our attaining any of those ends that are the objects of our mission, it will be our duty to return home rather than subject ourselves to the imputation of being an useless and great expence to our country, and the high trust reposed in us to contempt and indignities."|"We shall use the next occasion that presents itself, to write more fully upon this subject, but in the meantime we request your Lordship will not delay asking for us the Kings approbation of our return under the eventual circumstances above described."|The Carlisle commission was an attempt by Great Britain to bring about peace with the colonies, but failed. See also MSS L1991.1.532.1 for a related letter|Accompanied by a ms. list, apparently in the same hand, of the members of Congress by state, 1778. Written in 2 columns on the first page of four on 2 conjugate leaves.|Page [3] blank|Watermark: Pro patria 75

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