my obligations to your Excellency for the communications from your
Court, which, though not decisive, are nevertheless important. The
late instance of their generous aid, hinted at by your Excellency and
particularised by Mr Morris, is one among a variety of important
considerations, which ought to bind America to France in bonds of
indelible friendship and gratitude, never I hope to be sundered.
Induced by that entire confidence, which I repose in your Excellency,
and a full conviction, that a nation, who combines her force with
ours, for purposes of all others most interesting to humanity, ought
not to be deficient in any information I can give to point objects to
means, that an accordance with them may be inseparable, I shall,
without hesitation, give you the state of our present force, and my
ideas of the increase of it by recruits, from the best view of it
which is before me.
It can scarcely be necessary to inform your Excellency, that our
military establishment for the present year consists of one regiment
of artillery, four legionary, and two partisan corps, and fifty
regiments of infantry, beside the corps of invalids; or that Congress
have called in pointed terms upon each State to complete its regiments
to the establishment, the aggregate of which, if complied with, would
amount to thirtyfour thousand three hundred and eight men, exclusive
of commissioned officers, sergeants, and music, Hazen's regiment, and
the corps of invalids. Of this force, one legionary corps, two
regiments of artillery, and twentytwo of infantry, besides Hazen's
regiment and the invalids, compose the northern army; but as Hazen's
regiment is fostered by no State, discouraged from recruiting by all,
and without funds if the case were otherwise, it must soon dwindle to
nothing, being now very weak.
The present totality of the rank and file, exclusive of sergeants, of
those regiments which compose the northern army, amounts to nine
thousand one hundred and fortysix. From this number the sick men, in
different branches of the staff department, and such as are employed
on other extra duties, which the peculiarity of our circumstances
compels me to furnish from the army, being deducted, will reduce the
efficient operating force of these corps to seven thousand five
hundred and fiftythree rank and file, and I should be uncandid if I
were not to acknowledge, that I do not expect it will be increased by
recruits in the course of the campaign, to more than ten thousand fit
for duty in the field. This, Sir, in my opinion will be the full
amount of the established regiments of the States east of
Pennsylvania. To ascertain the number of militia, who may be assembled
for occasional offensive operations, is more than I can do. The
general opinion is, that there will be no want of militia for my
enterprise we can have in view. Be this as it may, this one thing is
certain, that this class of men are not only slow in their movements,
but undertaking to judge also of the propriety of them in point of
amount, will wait till the necessity for it strikes them, which, in
most cases, is as injurious to the service as inability or want of
inclination; disappointment being the consequence of delay. This
observation I could not refrain from making, because in all combined
operations, especially those which may depend upon the season or a
limited period for their execution, it is of the utmost importance to
be known.
The enclosed return, which is a copy of the last state of the force
under the order of Major General Greene, which has come to my hands,
will give your Excellency every information in my power, respecting
the state and condition of that army; which was to be augmented by the
partisan corps of Colonel Armand, consisting of about two hundred
horse and foot. Independent of those, there are two small regiments at
Fort Pitt. One from the State of Pennsylvania, the other from
Virginia, which are included in the general establishment of the army;
but no particular return is here given of them.
What measures are adopted by the States of Georgia and North and South
Carolina, to recruit their battalions, I know not. Virginia marched
about four hundred men the latter end of February for the southern
army; and by an act of the legislature, passed at their last session,
resolved to raise more; but in what forwardness they are, or what is
to be expected from the act, I am equally uninformed. Maryland and
Pennsylvania depend upon voluntary enlistments, and are proceeding
very slowly in the business of recruiting.
This, Sir, is an accurate state of the force we have at present, and
my expectation of what it may be, independent of militia.
The enemy's force, from the best information I have been able to
obtain of it, may stand thus at New York;
Rank and File.
Regulars, including their established corps of
Provincials, 9,000
Militia of the city, refugees, and independent
companies, 4,000
Sailors and marines, according to the number of
ships which may be in the harbor;--this being
uncertain no number is given,
Now in New York, 13,000
Charleston, about 3,300
Savannah, about 700
In Canada, including British, German, and
established Provincials, 3,000
Penobscot, about 500
Halifax and its dependencies, uncertain, but say, 3,500
------
In all, 26,000
The above estimate, so far as it respects New York, Charleston, and
Savannah, is, I believe, to be depended upon. The force of Canada by
some accounts is more, by others less, than five thousand. The regular
British and German troops in that country cannot exceed four thousand;
but in addition to these, are the corps of Sir John Johnson and
others, which I am told have been considerably increased by the
disaffected of this, and other States, who have fled to Canada. But it
is to be observed, that this force, be it what it may, is employed in
the occupation of posts from Quebec to Michillimackinac, and on Lake
Champlain, through an extent of not less than seven or eight hundred
miles, and that all these posts are dependent upon the former for
provisions and supplies of every kind. I am less certain of the
enemy's force in Nova Scotia than elsewhere. The number here given is
not from recent intelligence, or strengthened according to
circumstances. Cumberland, Windsor, Annapolis, St John's River, &c,
are posts dependent upon Halifax, and included in the three thousand
and five hundred men here mentioned.
If this state of matters can be satisfactory to your Excellency, or
useful in the formation of any plans against the common enemy, I shall
be happy in having given it.
Permit me now, Sir, to express the high sense I have of the honor you
have done me, in communicating the favorable opinion entertained of my
conduct by the Court and nation of France, and to acknowledge my
obligations to those officers who have inspired these sentiments. To
stand well in the eyes of a nation, which I view as one of the first
in the world, and in the opinion of a Monarch, whom I consider as the
supporter of the rights of humanity, and to whom I am personally
indebted for the command he has been pleased to honor me with, is
highly flattering to my vanity, at the same time it has a first claim
to all my gratitude.
It is unnecessary I hope to add fresh assurances of the respect and
esteem, with which I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
COMMUNICATION OF THE FRENCH MINISTER TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS.
In Congress, May 1st, 1782.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs having laid before Congress the
following minutes of a communication, made to him the 28th of April,
by the Minister of France, from letters of the Count de Vergennes,
dated the 24th of December and the 22d of January last, viz.
"After expressing his satisfaction in the success of our arms in
Virginia, he laments the weakness of our army, and the incapacity in
which it leaves us of pursuing so important a blow, before England can
recover from it, he says, though the plan of the ensuing campaign is
not yet determined on, he has reason to believe, that means will be
used to aid us in the exertions we shall make to expel the enemy from
this continent; and he wishes that this consideration, and the
obstinate adherence of the British to their plan of subduing this
country, evidenced by their answer to the mediators, may rouse the
United States to an early and animated exertion. He observes, that the
British are much embarrassed with respect to the measures they ought
to pursue; that they still continue to represent us as a weak and
divided people, in the hope, that this may have some effect upon the
powers of Europe, more particularly upon the mediators. He is of
opinion, that England will endeavor to make proposals to the several
States separately; and though he does not apprehend, that they will
succeed in their attempt to detach them from the alliance, yet he
presumes, while the issue is unknown, that they will avail themselves
of it to induce a belief, that they have a considerable interest in
this country, and that the people at large wish to be connected with
them. He hopes the wisdom of Congress will devise some means to
frustrate this design. He expresses in strong terms the resolution of
his Majesty to adhere to the principles of the alliance, and to form
no treaty of peace, which does not secure to the United States the
objects of it."
And this communication having been referred to a committee, and the
committee having reported thereon, it was
Resolved, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs be, and he is hereby
directed to make a confidential communication to the several States of
the intelligence received by Congress on the 29th of April last
through his department, in order that the States may be more fully
impressed with the necessity of such united and determined exertions,
as, with the co-operation of our generous ally, will expel the enemy
from their remaining posts within the United States, and display to
the world the falsehood of the assertions of the British Court, that
the people of these States are neither united nor determined in
support of their national independence.
* * * * *
DECREE OF THE KING'S COUNCIL IN FRANCE.
Translation.
Decree of the King's Council of State, prescribing the formalities to
be observed on the exportation, from the ports of the kingdom, of
merchandise obtained from prizes.
Extract from the records, of the Council of State.
"The King having been informed, that the facility granted by the
Fourteenth Article of the decree of his Council of the 27th of
August, 1778, concerning merchandise obtained from prizes, has been
abused, so that merchandise of English origin is taken on board, when
under sail, or in foreign countries, and is imported under the
character of merchandise taken as prize, into nations in alliance with
his Majesty, he has thought proper to explain his intentions. Wishing
to remedy this evil, and having heard the report of M. Joly de Fleury,
one of the Common Council of State, and of the Royal Council of
Finance, _the King in Council_ has commanded and commands, that all
the merchandise named in the said Fourteenth Article of the regulation
of August 27th, 1778, and the adjudication of which is made only upon
condition of its re-exportation to a foreign country, cannot be
exported from the ports of his kingdom, unless it be accompanied with
the copy of the _procés-verbal_ of the sale made by the Admiralty, or
by the Intendant or the Director of the Marine, duly certified by the
register, or by the Controller of the Marine, and examined by the
Receiver and Controller of the _Bureau des Fermes_, which, conformably
to the Eighteenth Article of the same decree, must mention, that the
goods have actually been taken from the mart, and embarked on board of
the vessel designated. His Majesty forbids the clerks and overseers of
the _Adjudicataire de ses Fermes_, under penalty of being deprived of
their offices, and subjected to the severest punishment if it should
be done, to allow any of the merchandise in question to be exported,
without the previous formalities having been observed.
"Done, at the King's Council of State, his Majesty being there
present, held at Versailles, the 4th of May, 1782.
LA CROIX CASTRIES."
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, May 7th, 1782.
Sir,
I have the honor of sending you the commission, by which the Chevalier
d'Annemours has been appointed his Majesty's Consul in the five
southern States. Be pleased to have the kindness to lay it before
Congress, that they may pass an act for the recognition of his
character, and that the necessary letters may in consequence be
despatched to the different legislatures. I will myself see that they
are forwarded, if you will send them to me. The representatives of
Maryland and Virginia being now assembled, you will confer a
particular favor on me, by bringing this affair to a termination as
soon as possible.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, May 8th, 1782.
Sir,
I was yesterday honored with yours of that date. I have this day
presented the commission, with a draft of the necessary resolutions
thereon to Congress, and I doubt not that they will immediately pass,
when the letters and papers you request will be put into your hands.
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter from Mr Morris to me in
answer to one I had written him on the subject of the volunteers, who
served on board the Ariel. You will see by that a state of the
accounts, and that the balance is ready to be paid to their order. I
have requested the Paymaster General to make up the accounts of the
late Baron de Kalb, and M. de la Radière, and shall endeavor as soon
as possible to enable you to give a satisfactory answer to their
representatives on that subject. You will be pleased to return me the
enclosed letter, after having made such use of it as you may think
proper.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, May 9th, 1782.
Sir,
Several different bearers of certificates of the different loans
obtained by the United States, have applied to me to induce Congress
to pay them back their capitals, or to pay the interest stipulated.
Their claims are supported by recommendations from his Majesty's
Ministers. I entreat you to be pleased to enable me to inform them of
the measures taken on this subject. They have now suffered for a long
time on account of the suspension of the payments, and it is a long
time since I asked for the information, which has been successively
promised to me.
I am, Sir, respectfully, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, May 9th, 1782.
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose resolutions of Congress, settling the
ceremonial for the public audience on Monday.[6]
Mr Morris will deliver you the commission of the Chevalier
d'Annemours; when you shall have made the alterations and returned it,
I will immediately lay it before Congress.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
FOOTNOTES:
[6] See the result of this audience in the _Secret Journal of
Congress_, Vol. III. p. 107.
* * * * *
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Office of Foreign Affairs, May 12th, 1782.
Sir,
The undersigned, Secretary to the United States of America for the
Department of Foreign Affairs, has the honor to notify to the Minister
Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, that Congress have
determined, by a resolution of the 20th of July, 1778, that the style
of address to them should be in future "Gentlemen of the Congress."
The undersigned hopes, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France
will be pleased to make use of this form, in the address which he
proposes to make to Congress tomorrow, as well as on every future
occasion.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
* * * * *
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, May 17th, 1782.
Sir,
I write only to acknowledge the receipt of the letter your Excellency
did me the honor to write on the 28th ultimo. I feel myself extremely
obliged by the freedom, with which you have been pleased to furnish me
with the information I requested, and I beg you to be persuaded, that
I shall make use of it only to contribute to the success of our common
operations.
The reports of the action between the fleets in the West Indies are so
vague, that I can form no certain judgment thereon. I presume,
however, that the handbill published at New York, the 12th of this
month, is at least partly false. They write me from Martinique the
13th of April, that Count de Grasse has beaten the English.
I am, with the most respectful attachment, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.[7]
The United States in Congress assembled, to their Great, Faithful
Friend and Ally, Louis the Sixteenth, King of France and Navarre.
Great, Faithful, and Beloved Friend and Ally,
Among the many instances that Divine Providence has given us of his
favor, we number the blessings he has bestowed on your Majesty's
family and kingdom. Nothing was wanting to the happiness of the first,
but a son to wear the honors, which the father had earned; or, to the
prosperity of the latter, but the prospect of seeing the Crown
transmitted to an heir, who would find in the example of his parent, a
powerful incitement to promote the happiness of his people. This
example, we presume to hope, will also influence his future conduct
towards these United States. When, in the history of the present day,
he shall read your Majesty's generous interference in their behalf,
their firm and affectionate attachment, and the blessings with which
both were crowned, he will be studious to preserve to his kingdom and
these States, the reciprocal advantages of the alliance, which your
Majesty has formed, and to emulate his ancestor in adding to his
titles the glorious appellation of Protector of Mankind.
We receive with the most lively pleasure your Majesty's renewed
professions of friendship. You will easily believe, that the
attachment, which we have so often and so truly professed for your
Majesty, could suffer no diminution, when every day afforded us new
instances of your magnanimity, and of your affectionate interference
in our behalf.
We pray God, Great, Faithful, and Beloved Friend and Ally, always to
keep you in his holy protection.
Done at Philadelphia, the 20th day of May, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and eightytwo, and in the sixth year of our
independence. By the United States in Congress assembled. Your
Majesty's Faithful Friends and Allies.
JOHN HANSON, _President_.
FOOTNOTES:
[7] See the letter, to which this is an answer, dated October 22d,
1781.
* * * * *
TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, May 25th, 1782.
Sir,
The Baron de Holzendorff, Major in the service of his Majesty, came to
America in 1776, to offer his services to the United States. He was
obliged by circumstances, which it would take too long to mention in
detail, to return to France in 1778. Congress, before his departure,
had adopted the annexed resolutions in relation to him; but the
departure of this officer took place before he could procure the
execution of them, which he now solicits, Dr Franklin having told him
that the settlement of this business belonged to Congress. The
undersigned Minister, requests Mr Livingston to be pleased to take
measures to forward to this officer a decision of Congress, or of the
Department of War.
The Chevalier de la Luzerne takes the liberty of renewing his
solicitations respecting the money to be paid to the heirs of Messrs
De Kalb and De la Radière, and also respecting the reasons, which have
suspended the payment of the interest on different classes of
certificates.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
VERBAL COMMUNICATION OF THE FRENCH MINISTER TO THE SECRETARY OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
In Congress, May 28th, 1782.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs laid before Congress the following
verbal communication made to Mr Livingston.
The Minister of his Most Christian Majesty has the honor to inform Mr
Livingston of several particulars relative to the negotiation, that
the Court of London appeared disposed to open in Europe. The first
steps were taken under the former administration. This remark is
essential, because it is possible that the new Ministers may take
others more decisive; or it is equally possible, that they may
entirely change the system, and continue the war still longer.
Emissaries have been sent to Paris and to the Hague, to sound, on the
one hand, Mr John Adams, in the hope that his connexion with some
independent members might facilitate an accommodation; and, on the
other side, in the hope that very advantageous offers might seduce his
Majesty, and engage him to make a separate peace to abandon his
allies. The Chevalier de la Luzerne is not informed of the steps that
have been taken at Madrid, or by the States General.
The proposition made secretly to France tended to a partial peace. It
offered France the possession of their conquests in the West Indies,
the suppression of an English Commissary at Dunkirk, and advantages in
the East Indies. These offers were certainly satisfactory to his
Majesty; and he would have had no reason to reject them if he had had
no allies. But his engagements marked out another line of conduct. He
replied, that how sincerely soever he was disposed to peace, he would
commence no negotiations to this end without the participation of his
allies. The emissary easily comprehended, that this answer related as
well to the United States as to Spain; and pretended that the
condition was inadmissible; that England, in treating upon this
foundation, would acknowledge the independence of her colonies, which
made no part of her system. The Minister of his Majesty replied, that
their independence was considered by the King as an indispensable
point, and that it made the basis of his system.
The English Agent then demanded, if there were no means to avoid
treating with us of the affairs of America. The Count de Vergennes
replied, by referring him to the answer given to the first overtures
of pacification made by the mediators, and communicated to Mr
Livingston.
It should be observed, that whether England treats of the affairs of
the United States with the Court of Versailles, or whether she opens a
direct communication with the United States, she cannot avoid treating
with the American negotiators sent by Congress. In either case she
will be under the necessity of acknowledging that body.
The conduct of his Majesty on this occasion being strictly conformable
to justice and his engagements, his Minister confines himself to a
simple communication of it to Mr Livingston. He confides also to him,
that the Count de Vergennes, in declaring to the English Agent, that
his Majesty could not listen to any negotiations of peace if the Court
of London did not treat at the same time with his allies, added
verbally, that the King did not attend to his own satisfaction till
that of his allies was procured.