observed, that in March last he informed Congress, that the Court no
longer pay the bills drawn upon France; upon which declaration he
believes Congress stopped all drafts on Dr Franklin. That he informed
the Court of that resolution of Congress. The Court in the meantime
had resolved to grant a subsidy of six millions, to be employed in
purchasing arms, ammunition, and clothing, to be sent from France to
the United States; and the remainder of the sum to be employed in
paying the drafts of Congress, or of any person they might appoint. Mr
Morris being appointed Superintendent, the Minister according to his
instructions authorised him to draw for half a million of livres, and
informed M. Necker of this measure; accordingly funds were prepared
for a regular payment. The Chevalier de la Luzerne had agreed with the
Superintendent, that he might draw in the whole for a million and a
half, including the half million above mentioned; of all which he had
informed Count de Vergennes. Colonel Laurens being in the meanwhile
arrived in France, it was found from his representation, that the mode
of drawing was prejudicial to Congress, and that if the specie was
imported, there would be no loss; and it was agreed, that he should
bring over two millions and a half, out of the six millions, in
specie. In consequence of this measure, Count de Vergennes acquaints
the Chevalier de la Luzerne, that he hopes the Superintendent will not
have drawn more than the before mentioned half million of livres. He
wishes it the more earnestly, as bills for a greater sum would
embarrass the finances of France in a great degree, the goods
delivered to Colonel Laurens exceeding already the sum remaining out
of the six millions, and the goods taken on board the Marquis de
Lafayette being not yet replaced.
For a fuller explanation, the Chevalier de la Luzerne communicated to
the Committee an account of the sums already furnished, and to be
furnished from this time to the end of the present year for the
service of the United States. That he had orders to take hold of this
opportunity to repeat to Congress, that the King for the next year
cannot continue any supplies to the United States, even of a much less
nature. That it is time for them to relieve his Majesty from the heavy
burdens in a war, which he had undertaken and carries on for their
sakes. That the Count de Vergennes expects that Congress will not have
drawn more bills of any kind after the 1st day of April last; that
firmly relying on this, he had engaged the King to procure the
necessary sums to answer the bills drawn before that period, and
desired Dr Franklin to accept no more, if he had no other means of
paying them; that this resolution could not be altered by any
circumstances whatever.
The Count de Vergennes proceeds to state, how far the abuse of the
King's benevolence had been carried, he supposes against the will and
instructions and without the knowledge of Congress. That the bills
drawn upon Mr Jay, Mr Adams, and Mr Laurens, had been sent back to Dr
Franklin, that is, in effect to the Court of France. That the Republic
of Holland had been unwilling to hear of any loan, even under the
guarantee of the King, when it was known that the money was intended
for the use of the United States; and that to remove this obstacle, as
he had before observed, the King was induced to present himself as the
principal borrower. The Court was still unacquainted with the effect
of that proposition.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, September 24th, 1781.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor of
communicating to Congress a Memorial, which has been sent to him by
Don Francisco Rendon. He entreats Congress to take it into
consideration, and he has no doubt that the resolution, which that
body shall pass upon the subject, will be as advantageous to the
subjects of his Catholic Majesty as justice will allow.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
MEMORIAL OF DON FRANCISCO RENDON TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.
Translation.
May it please your Excellency,
Don Francisco Rendon, resident in this city, _Encargado de Negocios_
for the Court of Spain, with all due respect, informs your Excellency
that in consequence of the articles of capitulation granted to the
troops and inhabitants of his Britannic Majesty at the reduction of
Pensacola, by Don Bernardo de Galvez, commander in chief of the forces
of his Catholic Majesty, permission was granted by the Governor of the
place to Captain Jahleel Smith, with his vessel called the Sally, her
crew and passengers contained in the passport, to go to New York, six
of the passengers being prisoners on parole, to be exchanged for an
equal number of Spanish prisoners; that in his passage the said flag
was captured by an American vessel, called the Betsy, Captain Enos,
belonging to the State of Pennsylvania; that in consequence thereof,
the said J. Smith has presented to me a petition and an account, which
I herewith enclose, praying me to obtain for him an indemnification
and payment for the damages he has sustained, and that liberty may be
granted him by the supreme authority to pass freely to the place of
his destination, agreeable to the permission of the Generals of the
King, my master.
I therefore entreat, that your Excellency would be pleased to present
this Memorial, with the documents accompanying it, to the Honorable
Congress, and pray them to order payment to be made to the Captain of
the flag, for the delay and damages occasioned by this capture, and
grant the said prisoners of his Catholic Majesty mentioned in the
passport, free permission to go to New York, in order to discharge
their parole and obtain their exchange. I am induced by your
Excellency's goodness to hope for this favor, and am, &c.
FRANCISCO RENDON.
* * * * *
CONGRESS TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.
Philadelphia, September 25th, 1781.
Sir,
The United States in Congress assembled, ever desirous to observe good
faith and maintain the rights of neutrality, and sincerely disposed to
cultivate the friendship of his Catholic Majesty, have referred the
Memorial presented by your Excellency, in favor of Jahleel Smith,
master of the schooner Sally; to a committee of Congress, who now have
it under consideration.
To form a right judgment of the transaction it is conceived necessary,
that an authentic copy of the capitulation granted by his Catholic
Majesty's General to the British officer lately commanding at
Pensacola, and referred to in the Memorial of Don Francisco Rendon,
residing in this city, _Encargado de Negocios_ for the Court of Spain,
should be communicated to the United States. In the meantime it
requires no deliberation to assure your Excellency, that the laws of
the land are competent for redressing every injury perpetrated by
vessels of war commissioned by the United States, or under their
authority, although the security for the good behaviour of the
officers and crews may not be adequate to the damages claimed.
THOMAS M'KEAN, _President_.
* * * * *
FROM CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.
The United States in Congress assembled, to their Great, Faithful and
Beloved Friend and Ally, Louis the Sixteenth, King of France and
Navarre.
Great, Faithful and Beloved Friend and Ally,
We feel an additional obligation to your Majesty, for your friendly
reception of our late special Minister Lieutenant Colonel John
Laurens. By him we received your Majesty's letter, containing new
assurances of what the United States have been long convinced, your
Majesty's affectionate patronage of American independence. His report,
while it proves that our attachment has not been misplaced, will
increase our gratitude. We have charged our Minister Plenipotentiary
at your Court to render to your Majesty more particular
acknowledgments for your zeal for the re-establishment of peace, upon
principles coinciding with the liberty and sovereignty of the United
States, and for the important succors lately administered to our
necessities. We shall also instruct him to inform your Majesty of the
arrangements, which have taken place for calling forth the resources
of the United States with decision and effect against the common
enemy.
We pray God, that he will keep your Majesty, our Great, Faithful and
Beloved Friend and Ally, in his holy protection.
Done at Philadelphia, the eighteenth of October, in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, and in the sixth year
of our independence. By the United States in Congress assembled.
Your faithful friends and allies.
THOMAS M'KEAN, _President_.
Attest, CHARLES THOMSON, _Secretary_.
* * * * *
THE KING OF FRANCE TO CONGRESS.
Translation.
Very Dear and Faithful Allies,
Satisfied of the interest you take in every event which affects us, we
are anxious to inform you of the precious mark, which Divine
Providence has just given us of his goodness, and of the protection he
has granted to our kingdom. We do not doubt that you will partake in
the joy we feel on the birth of our son, the Dauphin, of whom the
Queen, our most dear spouse, is just now happily delivered.
You will easily be convinced of the pleasure, with which we shall
receive every proof that you may give of your sensibility upon this
occasion. We cannot renew at a period more affecting to us, the
assurance of our affection and of our constant friendship for you.
Upon which we pray God, that he would have you, very Dear, Great
Friends and Allies, in his holy keeping.
Written at Versailles, the 22d of October, 1781.
Your Good Friend and Ally,
LOUIS.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Philadelphia, October 24th, 1781.
Sir,
I do myself the honor to transmit you a copy of the resolution, by
which Congress have been pleased to appoint me their Secretary of
Foreign Affairs. They have annexed to this department the agreeable
duty of receiving and making those communications, which the
reciprocal interest of the allied nations may render necessary.
I need not tell you, Sir, with what pleasure I enter upon that task,
when (by the direction of Congress) I enclose an account of the signal
success obtained by the united arms of America and France. The cement
it so happily affords to their connexion may justly be numbered among
the important advantages, that will result from it to both countries.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with the highest respect and esteem, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, October 25th, 1781.
Sir,
I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 24th
instant, and it is with the most sincere satisfaction, that I see in
it your determination to accept the office, to which Congress have
appointed you. It will give me great pleasure to address myself to
you, in sending to Congress those communications, which I shall have
it in my power to make; and I shall be no less flattered to receive
through you every communication, which that body shall think proper to
make to me. I can assure you, Sir, that the choice now made by
Congress will give great satisfaction in Europe, where your
patriotism, your past services, and your wisdom have long been known.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, November 2d, 1781.
Sir,
It is with peculiar pleasure that I obey the directions of Congress in
making communications, which show their sense of the exertions of
their ally, and of the merit of the officers he employs. The
confidence inspired by the first, and the esteem excited by the last,
form new bands of union between nations, whom reciprocal interests had
before connected. In this view I flatter myself the enclosed acts of
Congress will be agreeable to you, and that you will with pleasure
communicate to his Most Christian Majesty their desire, with his
permission, to present to the Count de Grasse two pieces of field
ordnance, taken from the enemy at York, with inscriptions calculated
to show that Congress were induced to present them from considerations
of the illustrious part, which he bore in effectuating the
surrender.[1]
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect and esteem, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] _In Congress, October 28th, 1781._ "Resolved, That the thanks of
the United States in Congress assembled be presented to his Excellency
the Count de Rochambeau, for the cordiality, zeal, judgment, and
fortitude, with which he seconded and advanced the progress of the
allied army against the British garrison in York.
"That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled be
presented to his Excellency the Count de Grasse, for his display of
skill and bravery in attacking and defeating the British fleet off the
Bay of Chesapeake, and for his zeal and alacrity in rendering, with
the fleet under his command, the most effectual and distinguished aid
and support to the operations of the allied army in Virginia.
"That the thanks of the United States in Congress assembled be
presented to the commanding and other officers of the corps of
artillery and engineers of the allied army, who sustained
extraordinary fatigue and danger in their animated and gallant
approaches to the lines of the enemy.
"Resolved, That the United States in Congress assembled will cause to
be erected at York, in Virginia, a marble column, adorned with emblems
of the alliance between the United States and his Most Christian
Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender of
Earl Cornwallis to his Excellency General Washington, Commander in
Chief of the combined forces of America and France, to his Excellency
the Count de Rochambeau, commanding the auxiliary troops of his Most
Christian Majesty in America, and his Excellency Count de Grasse,
commanding in chief the naval army of France in the Chesapeake.
"Resolved, That two pieces of the field ordnance, taken from the
British army under the capitulation of York, be presented by the
Commander in Chief of the American army to Count de Rochambeau, and
that there be engraved thereon a short memorandum, that Congress were
induced to present them from considerations of the illustrious part,
which he bore in effectuating the surrender.
"Resolved, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs be directed to
request the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty to
inform his Majesty, that it is the wish of Congress, that the Count de
Grasse may be permitted to accept a testimony of their approbation,
similar to that to be presented to the Count de Rochambeau."
* * * * *
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 4th, 1781.
Sir,
I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the
29th ultimo, and the papers from Count de Grasse, which you had the
goodness to send to me, and for which I beg you will accept my
thanks.
We are encouraged to hope for your arrival here. I shall be extremely
happy to be able to testify to you in person the joy, which I have
received from your success. That joy is universal, and it can but
increase the attachment and esteem of all orders of citizens, and of
my own countrymen, to your Excellency.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 4th, 1781.
Sir,
I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 2d
instant, with the resolutions of Congress of the 28th of October,
which accompanied it. I have no doubt that they will be most agreeable
to his Majesty, and that he will learn with great pleasure, that the
remembrance of the success obtained by the allied arms is to be
preserved by a column, on which a relation of this event will be
inscribed, and mention made of the alliance.
I shall be glad, before any farther resolutions are taken on this
subject, to communicate to you some ideas relative to this monument.
It is so honorable to the two nations, and so well adapted to
perpetuate the remembrance of their union, that we ought to be
mutually desirous of giving it all the solidity and durability of
which the works of man are susceptible. Besides, Sir, I observe that
the United States are named before the King in these resolutions. This
is the second time within my knowledge, that this form has been
adopted. I remarked on it the first time; and was then positively
assured, that it was an error, which should be corrected on the
journals. I entreat you to be pleased to let me know distinctly what
usage Congress intends to adopt on this subject, in order that I may
make it known to my Court.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, November 6th, 1781.
Sir,
Having been honored with your letter of the 4th instant, I remark with
pleasure, that the mode in which Congress propose to perpetuate the
success obtained by the allied armies at York, is such as will in your
opinion be agreeable to his Most Christian Majesty. As Congress must
concur with you in wishing to render this monument of the alliance,
and of the military virtues of the combined forces as lasting, if
possible, as the advantages they may reasonably hope to reap from
both, they will, without doubt, pay all due deference to any ideas you
may think proper to suggest relative to the manner of carrying the
resolutions of the 28th of October into effect. I shall receive, Sir,
with pleasure, and submit to Congress any communications, that you
will do me the honor to make on this subject.
I am sorry to find, that you consider the order, in which the allied
nations or their Sovereigns are placed in the resolutions, as anywise
exceptionable. This mode of expression might perhaps be justified by
the absolute equality established between sovereign powers, and the
common practice of independent nations to recognise no superior in
acts to be executed by themselves, within their own limits. But, Sir,
I am so well satisfied that Congress wish to avoid discussions, which
must be treated with great delicacy by nations situated as ours are,
where every demand on the one part, not strictly authorised by the law
of nations, might derogate from the generous protection, which we make
it our boast to have received, and the denial of just rights on the
other subject us to the imputation of ingratitude, that I think you
may safely rely upon their practice, when some future occasion shall
present, to evince that the order in which the allied nations are
mentioned did not originate in any settled rule, and above all, that
no want of respect for his Most Christian Majesty dictated the
resolution to which you object. Be persuaded, Sir, that regardless as
the United States are of form and ceremony, in matters that relate to
themselves alone, they will think their endeavor to support France in
the high rank which her extent, wealth, and power have given her, a
small return for the wise and generous use she makes of these
advantages.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the greatest respect and
esteem, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Office of Foreign Affairs, November 6th, 1781.
Sir,
I do myself the honor to submit to Congress a letter to the Minister
of France, which covered their resolutions of the 28th of October, his
answer thereto, and the draft of a letter in reply to his. As the last
implies a promise on the part of Congress, I did not think myself
authorised to send it without their approbation.
Congress will observe, that I endeavor to wave a question, which
perhaps it might have been imprudent to answer by a direct avowal of
the propriety of the resolution, or in the present circumstances to
yield in express terms. By seeming to slight matters of mere ceremony,
we may avoid troublesome discussions in future, and teach the old
world by the example of the new to get rid of a clog, which too often
fetters the most important transactions. I take the liberty to submit
to Congress the propriety of directing in the next vote, which they
shall have occasion to pass, in which France and America, or their
Sovereigns, are mentioned, the preference to be given to the first,
and so that we may seem to have established no rule on a subject of so
little moment as rank or precedence.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, November 21st, 1781.
Sir,
Finding by frequent applications from the French Islands, that their
Courts of Admiralty are not fully acquainted with the resolutions of
Congress, passed the 14th of October, 1777, which vest in the captors
the property of such of the enemy's vessels as are taken by their
mariners; and being called by the letter, a copy of which I do myself
the honor to enclose, to attend particularly to the case of Captain
Jones and his crew, I must beg, Sir, that you will do me the favor to
recommend it to the notice of the General and Commander in Chief of
the French Leeward Islands, for whose use I enclose a certified copy
of the above mentioned resolutions of Congress, presuming that the
Court of Admiralty will pay some respect to them in their decisions,
though they may not be strictly agreeable to the rules they have
adopted, since it would be highly disadvantageous to both nations to
have that considered as lawful prize in one port, which is not so in
another. But should the Court think they are not warranted in
condemning the vessel, she should at least be restored to Captain
Jones or his agent, that she might, by being brought to a port of the
United States, become lawful prize.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
HEADS OF A VERBAL COMMUNICATION MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS BY THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.
In Congress, November 23d, 1781.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs laid before Congress the following
heads of a verbal communication made to him by the Minister of France.
The Minister of France informed the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, that
the Count de Vergennes, in a letter to him of the 7th of September,
1781, assured him that the King of France had received with great
pleasure, an account of Mr Adams, Mr Franklin, and Mr Jay's
appointment to the place of Ministers for the negotiation of peace;
and after expressing favorable sentiments of them and of Mr Jefferson,
from his general reputation, adds, that they have little reason to
hope for the assistance of Mr Laurens, since the enemy will probably
continue his captivity during the war. That the King accepted with
pleasure the proofs, which Congress have given him of their
confidence, when they intrusted to his care the interests of the
United States. That he would use his influence and credit for the
advantage of his allies, whenever a negotiation should render their
interests a subject of discussion. That if he did not obtain for every
State all they wished, they must attribute the sacrifice he might be
compelled to make of his inclinations, to the tyrannic rule of
necessity. That, however, he had no reason to believe, that the events
of the campaign would make an unfavorable change in the situation of
affairs; and that from the present view of them, he had no cause to
dread a disadvantageous peace.
The Count adds, that he presumes Mr Adams has communicated to
Congress his Majesty's refusal to accede to the terms of the mediation
of the Imperial Courts, until they should agree to acknowledge the
American Plenipotentiaries in the manner most conformable to the
dignity of the United States; and observes thereon, that if the King
was so attentive to a matter of form, though it might indeed in our
present situation be considered as important, he would not be less
tenacious of our more essential interests, which he will be zealous to
promote, as far as circumstances will allow. But that if
notwithstanding this, Congress, or even a considerable part of its
members, should regret the confidence they had placed in his Majesty,
or wish to free their Ministers from this restraint, his Majesty would
not disapprove the measure; provided they made their Ministers
answerable, as in justice they should be, in proportion to the powers,
with which they invested them. He expresses his satisfaction at the
extensive powers, with which the Ministers are invested as to the
matter of boundary, and the truce, which he says, the interests of
France as well as of us, require to be as long as possible.