Chapter V: Letter XI: P. 328–343

The conduct of the French, p. 329. Upon the news of the Saratoga convention, the American commissioners are received by the court in their public character, p. 331. Preliminaries of a treaty are delivered to them, p. 332. The London merchants raise money for the relief of the American prisoners, _ibid._ Ministerial attempts for raising a body of troops by a voluntary supply from the people, p. 333. The treaties between France and the United States are signed, p. 335. Lord North’s conciliatory propositions, p. 336. General Gates’s letter to the earl of Thanet, p. 337. The French rescript informing the British court of the treaty between France and the United States, and the same laid before the house of commons, p. 338. The American commissioners have a public audience of the French king, p. 339. Lord Chatham seized with a fainting, while engaged in speaking against the acknowledgment of American independence, p. 340. Count d’Estaing sails from Toulon, p. 341. An act passed for relieving the papists, _ibid._ Admiral Keppel sails on a cruise off Ushant, p. 342.

LETTER XII. P. 343–350.

Accounts of admiral Keppel, p. 343. He engages the French fleet under count d’Orvilliers, p. 347—returns to Plymouth, p. 348.