Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, November 26th, 1781, 250 Financial difficulties of America.--Importance of a French naval force in the American waters.--The commission for negotiating a commercial treaty with Great Britain discharged.--Preparations for a new campaign.--Supposed letters of Mr Deane. William Alexander to B. Franklin. Paris, December 15th, 1781, 256 Requesting information concerning the disposition of France and America to treat with Great Britain. To William Alexander. Passy, Dec. 15th, 1781, 257 To David Hartley. Passy, December 15th, 1781, 257 Concerning Mr Hartley's plan for securing the lives of the spectators at public spectacles in case of fire. Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, December 16th, 1781, 258 Military operations.--Enclosing a resolution of Congress for raising a pillar at Yorktown; also an ordinance ascertaining what captures on the waters are lawful, with other American State papers. David Hartley to B. Franklin. London, January 2d, 1782, 260 History of his proceedings for promoting negotiations for peace.--Conciliatory Bill of 1780, proposed as a basis; the question of independence to be waived; a separate treaty with America to be negotiated--Communicates these propositions to Lord North as general grounds of negotiation towards peace.--Lord North wishes to know if any person is authorised to treat on the part of America.--Urges the making of overtures for a separate negotiation. Remarks on the Conciliatory Bill, 267 Enclosed in the preceding. Robert R. Livingston to B. Franklin. Philadelphia, January 7th, 1782, 268 Suggesting the objects of most importance to be negotiated; the limits of the United States; extend to the Mississippi on the West.--The fisheries; right of the Americans to fish on the banks of Newfoundland; sentiments of France on this subject.--Compensation to American royalists--Restitution of records and papers taken from America. To David Hartley. Passy, January 15th, 1782, 281 No negotiations can be opened without the concurrence of France.--Objections to the Conciliatory propositions--Commissioners authorised to treat.--A formal acknowledgment of independence not made necessary by the treaty with France. To the Count de Vergennes. Passy, Jan. 18th, 1782, 285