[draft] [excerpt] Nants May 5th 1782 [2] I believe the present Ministry L.t Shelbourne expected have no Idea of offering any thing to America [illegible] than her fall and perfect independence, and rather think the other Minister have brought him to think with them on that point so that I shall not be in the least surprised to hear by [inserted: [the earliest intelligence from America that those proposals have been [struck: proposed] made and that the troops are withdrawn, to support this opinion & I have two Reasons the first s that the commands of England have resolved that any member who should propose coercive measures or the [continuation] of an offensive War in America, should be deemed an enemy to his Country, or something to short [effect]. & [a seemed] is That [3] The [taist] acknowledgement of America is independent in the releasement of the [American Prisoners], [inserted: in English Poisons] in the same manner as those of any other power, after [inserted: their]having been committed for high treason and kept on two [kinds] allowance, in consequence of that species of commitment: [struck: these] The Minister, have began their Ministry by founding Mr Franklin & Mr. Adams on the subject of operate [aspirate] peace they have been told it was impracticable, they have also proposed a separate Peace to Holland this the Medium of Prince Gallitzin the Russian Ambassador, but insted [sic] of attending to these proposals, or accepting 'em they have been [struck: requested] [inserted: rejected] after having all the force of the Prince of Orange & Party to support them, and immediately after the United Provinces [struck: had] recognized the independence of America and received Mr. Adams as Ambassador. The proceeding, particularly relative to Mr.ch. Franklin & Adams, were rather [stops] to gain knowledge respecting the [closeness] of the connection between France & America. [If] than from any expectation of making peace with one at the expence of the other, this is what they must do in order to satisfy object. It is not impossible that America may be intended as a medium power to influence a general peace, everything being allowed to America the she claims. here souvereignty [sic], or independence recognized, this is perhaps all america wishes, they know or ought to know that America will not make a peace (particularly when she stands on such high grounds) without the acquiescence of France but they pray suppose that America may be so far influenced by the advantageous prospect of Peace on her t[erms] [struck: that she] [inserted: as] desire France to declare what her intentions are in continuing the war, by which means great Britain may come at the knowledge of the terms which my be made with France, when at the same time, their pride [4] pride would not let them apply to France for this knowledge themselves. France would be induced to let America under these circumstances to know what she wished, and I am led to think from circumstances that her demands would not be such as England might [inserted: not] accept of [inducing] the business of her [situation] with some degree of honour. France & America, [strikeout] [struck: Holland], once satisfied Holland, and (that nation to whom I pray [Heaven] we may never be obliged to) Spain might be made [intended on] terms in the power of England to give, without Receiving herself. the power of these two wants a separation of their likes. & the latter want Gibraltar which is of very little consequence to the English in reality I sincerely with peace to my Country, but it must be perfectly an honorable one, if she should be made amediatorcal power already I hope the honor will not make her giddy, on the other hand I would not wished any honest offers on the parts of the New Ministry spurned at, but provided their should be solid proofs of their Honesty, I hope they will be heard…