of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 55

[Charles Carroll to Gov. Johnson.]

23^d April 1778
Dear Sir

By this opportunity you will receive Draughts of two bills
and L^d North's speech ushering them into the house of Com-
mons: I have little doubt myself but that these Bills have long
since been cloathed with all the formalities of law. If Lord
North's speech is genuine, (and I think we have no reason to
suspect it to be otherwise) we may fairly conclude that the
Administration begin to see the impracticability of reducing
these States, or of retaining them, when reduced, in such a
state of subordination as to be useful to G. B The heavy &
encreasing expence of the war, a Jealousy of Fran.ce & Spain,
perhaps the appearances of an approaching rupture in
Germany about to be occasioned by the death of the Elector
of Bavaria, the actual commencement of hostilities between
Russia & the Porte have forced the british Ministry on this
measure: However I am satisfied they will try the arts of
negotiation first, in order to divide us, if possible, and will
hazard another campaign before they acknowlege the Inde-
pendence of these States: to withstand their hostile efforts
this campaign, wh I am convinced will be vigerous and to
counteract their insidious profers of reconciliation, it will be
absolutely necessary to have a very respectable force in the
field this year; and if a right & dexterous use is made of the
minister's speech, it will probably much promote the recruiting
service among us. In a word, if we guard ag' their insidious
offers on the one hand, and can resist their warlike efforts on
the other, during the ensuing campaign, I have not the least
doubt but that they will acknowledge our Independency next
winter, or Spring, particularly if no alliance between these
States or any other European power be concluded on in the
interim
The Raleigh continental Frigate is arrived at Porsmouth in
32 days from France; the Alfred w^h sailed with her is taken:
we have not yet rec^d by this opportunity any dispatches from
our Commissioners at Paris, tho' I do not yet despair of
receiving them, as the Express may be on the road.
The Congress has passed some observations on the two
draughted Bills, to counteract their obvious design, or at least
the possible bad effects they might produce in the minds of
the People, if published without such strictures. These
observations will be printed to day; they will be immediately
distributed throughout the United States: I fear they are not
so perfect as they ought to be, but the hurry of business &
the want of time must & will, no doubt sufficiently apologize

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