Caribbean Theater of The American Revolutionary War - 1782 - Peace Proposal

Peace Proposal

When news of the Saintes reached the United States, the Continental Congress considered whether to receive General Carleton, who had replaced Sir Henry Clinton as supreme commander of the British land forces in America, and his proposition from the British government to fully recognise the United States' independence in return for America renouncing its alliance with France. The Congress did not let itself be influenced by news of the French disaster in the West Indies and showed only indignation at it, refusing to admit the negotiator who was responsible for this suggestion. The States unanimously declared any proposition for a separate peace as high treason. These overtures, as well as the armistice demanded at the same time by the commander of Charleston and refused by General Nathanael Greene, were sufficient proof that (despite their success in the West Indies) the British were about to give up forcing their former colonies to submit. The Americans certainly desired peace, but showed their loyalty to their French allies and appreciation of their help by making new sacrifices to gain a peace that was as honourable for their allies as for themselves.

On their part, the French government only stopped sending help to the Americans when the poor state of their national finances left them no option but to do so. Two frigates, the Gloire and Aigle, were sent from Brest on 19 May 1782 under the command of M. de la Touche Tréville. These ships were however intercepted and defeated by the British in the Delaware river on 15 September 1782 and La Touche was made prisoner. This left marquis de Vaudreuil who took over from the captured comte de Grasse as commander of the fleet and received the order to sail into Boston to repair and refit his squadron.