Oswald, Richard (1705-1784) Plan for the Future Conduct of the American War

The only recorded copy of a very detailed proposal for the conduct of Britain's war in America by Oswald, a successful merchant and former slave trader. Oswald, a friend of American Henry Laurens, later served as a British Peace Commissioner for the Treaty of Paris. Although Oswald had no official status in the government until his apointment by Lord Shelburne in March 1782 as a peace commissioner, he had privately circulated recommendations among influential government friends. This is the only known copy of his "second" plan. (Other Oswald opinions privately circulated in the government are: 17 August 1781 at the University of Virginia on the strategic importance of the Elizabeth River in Virginia, August 1779 "General Observations" on the war (72 pages; Clements Library) and a "Plan for an alliance with Russia" (Clements Library) and some others noted in W. R. Robinson, Richard Oswald's Memorandum on the Folly of Invading Virginia (Charlottesville, 1953). Robinson was unable to locate this document but speculated that it might exist (p. 48). Oswald writes in his opening "I am of the opinion that there is no likelihood of compleating the reduction of any one great colony by military power alone, unaccompanied with concurrence of a considerable part of the inhabitants." He notes that a representative assembly cannot be convened but writes "it is proposed... to lay the foundation of the Recovery of these Colonies for the future of the civil power... taking the aid of the Troops when necessary for its support...." (pp. 1-2) On the bottom of page 32 appears the note "3 copies delivered," although this appears to be the only known surviving copy. 8 folios accompanied by 2 loose pages at the beginning and end.