The turning-point of the American War was the surrender of Burgoyne, which brought money and men and open aid from France; the decisive event was the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, October 19, 1781, to Washington, commanding the allied French and American forces, with the aid of the French fleet.  Although the war was still continued in a half-hearted way, the Cornwallis disaster convinced England of its hopelessness, and led to negotiations for peace.  In these the diplomatic talents of Franklin eclipsed his financial abilities.  And this was the more remarkable, since he was not trained in the diplomatic school, where dissimulation was the leading peculiarity.  He gained his points by frank, straightforward lucidity of statement, and marvellous astuteness, combined with an imperturbable command of his temper.  The trained diplomatists of Europe, with their casuistry and lies, found in him their match.

The subjects to be discussed and settled, however, were so vital and important that Congress associated with Franklin, John Adams, minister at the Hague, and John Jay, then accredited to Madrid.  Nothing could be more complicated than the negotiations between the representatives of the different powers.  First, there was a compact between the United States and their allies that peace should not be concluded without their common consent, and each power had some selfish aim in view.  Then, England and France each sought a separate treaty.  In England itself were divided counsels:  Fox had France to look after, and Shelburne the United States; and these rival English statesmen were not on good terms with each other.  In the solution of the many questions that arose, John Jay displayed masterly ability.  He would take nothing for granted, while Franklin reposed the utmost confidence in the Count de Vergennes.  Jay soon discovered that the French minister had other interests at heart than those of America alone,—­that he had an eye on a large slice of the territories of the United States,—­that he wanted some substantial advantage for the ships and men he had furnished.  He wanted no spoils, for there were no spoils to divide, but he wanted unexplored territories extending to the Mississippi, which Jay had no idea of granting.  There were other points to which Franklin attached but little importance, but which were really essential in the eye of Jay.  Among other things the agent of England, a Mr. Oswald,—­a man of high character and courteous bearing,—­was empowered to treat with the “Thirteen Colonies,” to which Franklin, eager for peace, saw no objection; but Jay declined to sign the preliminaries of peace unless the independence and sovereignty of the “United States” were distinctly acknowledged.  At this stage of negotiations John Adams, honest but impetuous and irritable, hastened from The Hague to take part in the negotiations.  He sided with Jay, and Franklin had to yield, which he did gracefully, probably attaching but small importance to the matter in question.  What mattered it whether the triumphant belligerents were called “Colonies” or “States” so long as they were free?  To astute lawyers like Jay and Adams, however, the recognition of the successfully rebellious Colonies as sovereign States was a main point in issue.