"The Congress did also, on the same day, _unanimously_ declare, 'that these United States cannot with propriety hold any conference or treaty _with any Commissioners_ on the part of Great Britain, unless they shall _as a preliminary thereto_, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or else _in positive and express terms acknowledge the independence of the said States_.' Neither of these alternatives have as yet been complied with. "On the 6th of June, 1778, the Congress ordered their President to give an answer in the following words to the Commissioners appointed under the British acts of Parliament beforementioned, viz. 'My Lord, 'I have had the honor to lay your Lordship's letter of May the 27th, with the acts of the British Parliament enclosed, before Congress, and I am instructed to acquaint your Lordship, that they have already expressed their sentiments upon bills not essentially different from those acts, in a publication of the 22d of April last. 'Your Lordship may be assured, that when the King of Great Britain shall be seriously disposed to put an end to the unprovoked and cruel war waged against these United States, Congress will readily attend to such terms of peace as may consist with the _honor of independent nations_, the interest of their constituents, and the sacred regard they mean to pay to treaties.' "The honor of an _independent nation_ forbids their treating in a _subordinate_ capacity. "On the 17th of June, 1778, Congress in another letter to the same Commissioners, _unanimously_ join in saying; 'Nothing but an earnest desire to spare the further effusion of human blood could have induced them to read a paper containing expressions so disrespectful to his Most Christian Majesty, the good and great ally of these States, or to _consider_ propositions so derogatory to the honor of an independent nation. 'The acts of the British Parliament, the commission from your sovereign, and your letter, suppose the people of these States to be subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, and are founded on an _idea of dependence_, which is utterly _inadmissible_. 'I am further directed to inform your Excellencies, that Congress are inclined to peace, notwithstanding the unjust claims from which this war originated, and the savage manner in which it has been conducted. They will therefore be ready to enter _upon the consideration_ of a treaty of peace and commerce, not inconsistent with treaties already subsisting, _when_ the King of Great Britain shall demonstrate a sincere disposition for that purpose. The only solid proof of this disposition will be an explicit acknowledgment of the independence of these States, or the withdrawing his fleets and armies.' "On the 11th of July, 1778, the British Commissioners again endeavored to prevail upon Congress to treat with them on the humiliating idea of dependence. And on the 18th day of the same month, Congress came to the following resolution, viz.