Congress of the United States, the passages underscored in the two
gazettes annexed, under date of the 3d and 5th of this month. He has
no doubt of the indignation of Congress at the indiscreet assertions
contained in these passages, which equally bring into question the
dignity and reputation of the King my master, and that of the United
States. These assertions will become, in the hands of the enemies of
the common cause, a weapon the more powerful and dangerous, as the
author is an officer of Congress, and as he takes advantage of his
situation to give credit to his opinions and to his affirmations.
The aforesaid Minister relies entirely on the wisdom of Congress to
take measures suitable to the circumstance. It has not been owing to
him, that the author has not himself repaired the injury which he has
done, the Minister Plenipotentiary having hastened to convince him of
the wrongs of which he was guilty, when the first of these gazettes
appeared in public.
GERARD.
* * * * *
The passages referred to in the above were contained in a piece
published in the Pennsylvania Packet, under the title, "Common Sense
to the Public on Mr Deane's Affair," written by Thomas Paine, then
Secretary to the Committee of Foreign Affairs; and are as follows;
"If Mr Deane, or any other gentleman, will procure an order from
Congress to inspect an account in my office, or any of Mr Deane's
friends in Congress will take the trouble of coming themselves, I will
give him or them my attendance, and show them in a hand-writing, which
Mr Deane is well acquainted with, that the supplies he so pompously
plumes himself upon (namely, those which were sent from France in the
Amphitrite, Seine, and Mercury) were promised and engaged, and that
_as a present_, before he even arrived in France, and that the part
which fell to Mr Deane was only to see it done, and how he has
performed that service, the public are now acquainted with." The last
paragraph in the account, is "upon Mr Deane's arrival in France, the
business went into his hands, and the aids were at length embarked in
the Amphitrite, Mercury, and Seine." "I have been the more explicit on
this subject, not so much on Mr Deane's account, as from a principle
of public justice. It shows, in the first instance, that the greatness
of the American cause drew at its first beginning the attention of
Europe, and that the justness of it was such as appeared to merit
support; and in the second instance, _that those who are now her
allies prefaced that alliance by an early and generous friendship_;
yet, that we might not attribute too much to human or auxiliary aid,
so unfortunate were those supplies, that only one ship out of the
three arrived; the Mercury and the Seine fell into the enemy's
hands."
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 10th, 1779.
Sir,
I cannot forbear to present to Congress the striking observations
occasioned by the delay, which the answer to my representation of the
beginning of the past month meets with. Already the enemies of the
common cause represent it as a proof of the diversity of the opinions
which prevail in Congress, as if there could exist a contrariety of
sentiments upon a subject so simple, and a matter so clear, that to
call it in question would be at the same time to call in question the
solidity, and even the existence of the alliance. Certainly, Sir, no
one is farther than myself from adopting suspicions, which would be so
fatal to the common cause; but I have had the honor to explain the
motives, which should induce Congress to give to this subject a ready,
formal, and explicit declaration. They know that erroneous opinions
become more difficult to destroy when they have had time to take root
in men's minds; it is then wished to remedy the evil, but it is found
irremediable. The greater part of these reflections is applicable in
an equal degree to the declaration, which I had the honor to make to
Congress on the 5th of this month, and I wait impatiently for answers,
which may quiet my Court against the efforts made by the enemies to
draw from the facts in question, inferences injurious to the allies
and the alliance, efforts of which Congress alone can avoid the
dangers. My zeal and my respect do not allow me to conceal from them
apprehensions, which seem to me but too well founded and worthy of all
their attention.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GERARD.
* * * * *
On the 12th of January, Congress taking into consideration the
publication in the Pennsylvania Packet of the 2d and 5th instant,
under the title of "Common Sense to the Public on Mr Deane's Affair,"
of which Mr Thomas Paine, Secretary of the Committee of Foreign
Affairs, has acknowledged himself to be the author, and also the
memorials of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, of the 5th and
10th instant, respecting the said publication; "Resolved, unanimously,
that in answer to the memorials of the Plenipotentiary of his Most
Christian Majesty, of the 5th and 10th instant, the President be
directed to assure the said Minister, that Congress do fully, in the
clearest and most explicit manner, disavow the publications referred
to in his said memorials, and, as they are convinced by indisputable
evidence, that the supplies shipped in the Amphitrite, Seine, and
Mercury, were not a present, and that his Most Christian Majesty, the
great and generous ally of these United States, did not preface his
alliance with any supplies whatever sent to America, so they have not
authorised the writer of the said publication to make any such
assertions as are contained therein, but, on the contrary, do highly
disapprove of the same."
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 14th, 1779.
Sir,
I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 13th of
this month, on sending me the resolution of Congress in answer to the
representations, which I had the honor to make to it on the 5th and
10th.
I request you to receive, and to offer to Congress, all the
sensibility with which I have seen the frank, noble, and explicit
manner in which they have destroyed false and dangerous insinuations,
which might deceive the misinformed people, and give arms to the
enemies of the common cause.
The King, my master, Sir, does not need these proofs, in order to
place his confidence in the disposition of firmness and constancy,
which is exhibited by Congress in the principles of the alliance; but
his Majesty will always see with pleasure the measures that Congress
shall take to maintain its reputation inviolate, and it is from this
same consideration, that I flatter myself he will have found my
representation of the 7th of December last, equally worthy of his
attention.
I am, with respect and esteem, &c.
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 15th, 1779.
Sir,
With all my eagerness for whatever can be agreeable to Congress, I
have made use of their resolution relative to M. Duportail, and the
officers who accompany him. They feel much honored by the praises,
which their services and conduct have merited, as well as by the
confidence which Congress shows in them, by desiring them to pass
another campaign in the service of the United States. Their letter, a
copy of which is annexed, expresses their resolution to accept this
invitation, and moreover contains proofs of an unlimited confidence in
the justice and goodness of Congress.
I do not doubt, Sir, that these sentiments will increase the degree of
esteem and good will, which they already deserve on account of their
distinguished services. This affair being thus settled, I shall lose
no time in asking of the King the consent, which the officers of
engineers need. My knowledge of the dispositions of the King and his
Ministry, in relation to whatever may be useful to the United States,
does not allow me to doubt, that my conduct, and the attachment of
these officers to the American service, will be approved.
I am, with respectful esteem, &c.
GERARD.
* * * * *
MESSRS DUPORTAIL, LA RADIERE, AND LAUMOY TO M. GERARD.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 15th, 1779.
Sir,
We have been penetrated with gratitude on seeing in the resolution of
Congress, annexed to your Excellency's letter, proofs of esteem with
which we are honored by our illustrious General, and which gives
occasion to the proposition which is made to us, of continuing in the
service of the United States through the next campaign. We willingly
consent to it, since your Excellency thinks, that we shall thereby
fulfil the intentions of the Court, and since you are so kind as to
take upon yourself the trouble of asking from it the necessary
permission. Relying also on the justice of Congress for the favors
which we may merit from longer services, we affix no conditions to the
continuance of our residence in America. But we deem it our duty to
state, that being determined to remain here by our desire of serving,
and of being useful to the United States, if the means of usefulness
should disappear on any account whatsoever, we shall be desirous of
preserving the liberty of returning into our country. Sensible of the
interest which your Excellency is so kind as to take in this affair,
we beg you to accept our most humble thanks.
We are, respectfully, your Excellency's most obedient humble servants,
DUPORTAIL,
LA RADIERE,
LAUMOY.
_P. S._ M. de Goudion has said, that he would agree to whatever we
should do.
* * * * *
_January 21st._ A Memorial from M. Gerard, Minister Plenipotentiary of
France, and Consul-General, was read, enclosing a commission of Consul
in the port of Boston, and other ports in Massachusetts Bay, to the
Sieur Valnais. The commission was referred to the Marine Committee,
and they were instructed to register it and to return the original to
M. Valnais, and to take measures for making him known to all whom it
may concern, as Consul of France in the State of Massachusetts.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, February 3d, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor to represent to
the Congress of the United States, that it is of infinite importance
to the safety of the King's squadron, stationed in the Gulf of Mexico,
to determine the supply of provisions on which it may rely. And
several vessels being ready to sail for Martinique, the wisdom of
Congress will show to that body the necessity of informing the
commander of this squadron of it without delay.
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, February 8th, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, being ordered to communicate
to Congress subjects of the highest importance, has the honor to
inform the President of it, and requests him to inform him, whether he
wishes him to execute his orders through him, or if he prefers that he
should communicate them to Congress in an audience.
GERARD.
"Ordered, that the President acquaint M. Gerard, Minister
Plenipotentiary of France, that Congress will admit him to a
private audience, when he shall present himself, to make the
communication he is instructed to make to Congress."
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, February 9th, 1779.
Sir,
By instructions addressed to the undersigned on the 29th of October
last, he is ordered to transmit to Congress the answer of the King to
certain communications made to his Majesty by the Commissioners of the
United States.
1st. These Commissioners having desired his Majesty to continue the
subsidy which he had granted them, he gave them to understand, that
his affairs did not permit him to make this engagement, since the war
which he is carrying on against England, and the general situation of
Europe, require expenses which absorb all his resources, yet in
consequence of the representations made by the deputies, of the
difficulty which they found in honoring the bills of exchange which
Congress had drawn upon them, for the interest due upon money which
had been borrowed, his Majesty has been pleased to grant a sum of
seven hundred and fifty thousand livres, as a new proof of his
friendship for the United States.
2dly. The same Commissioners made known to the King, that Congress had
reason to presume, that a part of the articles furnished to the United
States, was a present on the part of his Majesty. The undersigned is
authorised to declare, that this intention never existed, that it was
an affair entirely commercial, in which the Ministry had no other
part, than that of permitting M. de Beaumarchais to take from the
magazines and arsenals of the King, on condition of replacing them,
the articles with which commerce could not supply him, that
consequently the Ministry had no other power in this affair, than
that of preventing Congress from being pressed too soon for payment
for the articles taken from the magazines and arsenals of the King. As
to the contract made with Roderique Hortalez & Co, the Ministry has
declared to the American deputies, who asked their advice, upon the
ratification or rejection of this contract, that they did not know the
house of Roderique Hortalez & Co. and that they could not answer for
it, nor express an opinion as to its stability and fidelity in the
performance of its engagements.
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, February 9th, 1779.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has received a
formal order from the King, his master, to make known to Congress,
that the King of Spain, in order to put an end to the tergiversations
of England, has determined upon a decisive and peremptory proceeding.
His Catholic Majesty has, consequently, made to the King of England a
final offer of his mediation; but with the declaration that it was the
last, and that if it was as fruitless as those which preceded, it
would only remain to him to perform the duties, which his alliance
with the King imposes upon him.
The King of Spain, by taking this proceeding upon himself in a
friendly manner, has shown a disposition most favorable to the
alliance. The King, my master, on his side, persists in the invariable
resolution not to separate his interests from those of America, and
to support the cause of the United States, as if it were his own
personal cause.
His Majesty thinks, while fulfilling the duties of the alliance by
this confidential communication, that he ought to invite and urge
Congress to furnish immediately with the necessary powers and
instructions the person or persons whom they shall think proper to
authorise to assist in the deliberations, and in the conclusion and
signing of the treaty. His Majesty trusts that Congress will perceive
the inestimable value of time in a juncture so critical and so
important; and that the injuries caused by any delay would be
irreparable both to the alliance and the allies. In complying with the
invitations of the King, the United States would regard equally their
dignity and their interests. The place of the negotiation is fixed at
Madrid.
His Majesty, while engaging in everything that can hasten the happy
moment in which America can enjoy, peaceably, internal and external
prosperity, which is the object of the revolution and the limit of his
Majesty's wishes, has instructed the undersigned to suggest to
Congress, that at a time in which they are employed in fixing their
political existence, it seems to belong to their foresight to consider
the sentiments of the States as to the peace in relation to Spain, and
they will perhaps think, that the means of preventing all future
discontents merits their attention, and ought to be one of the
subjects of the positive and definite instructions, which the States
will give for the conclusion of the peace.
GERARD.
_February 13th._ The President was directed to inform the Minister,
that Congress will take the subject of his memorials of the 9th into
immediate consideration, and that if he wishes to communicate anything
farther to them, Congress will receive the same from him in a private
audience. And it was at the same time resolved, that all private
audiences given to foreign Ministers be held in a committee of the
whole.
_February 15th._ The President acquainted the House, that pursuant to
their order, he had informed the Minister of France, that Congress
will take his memorials of the 9th into immediate consideration, and
that if he wishes to communicate anything farther to them, Congress
will receive the same in a private audience; that the Minister wished
to make further communications to Congress, and would attend the House
at twelve o'clock this day.
The Minister, agreeably to his appointment, was introduced, and had a
free conference with Congress, in which he represented the present
state of affairs in Europe, the dispositions of the Spanish Court, and
the measures it was about to take in order to restore peace; from
thence he took occasion to press upon Congress the necessity of having
a Minister in Europe properly empowered and instructed. He further
signified, that it was the desire of his Most Christian Majesty, that
the United States would speedily put themselves in a condition to take
that part in the negotiation for peace apparently about to take place,
which their dignity and interest required; and that they should lay a
solid foundation for obtaining a speedy peace agreeably to the terms
of the treaty, by giving their Plenipotentiary the most ample
instructions and full powers. This he enforced by sundry arguments,
and pressed the utmost despatch.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, March 14th, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, undersigned, does not doubt
that the committee, charged on the part of Congress to persuade the
undersigned to keep the rate of exchange at nine hundred per cent, in
order to stop the farther depreciation which circumstances threatened,
has reported the answer which the said Minister gave on this subject;
but as the undersigned is still ignorant of the manner in which
Congress has received this answer, he is the more desirous of being
informed of it, as he must give an account to his Court of the success
of the course which he has adopted, and as the agent of the royal navy
has, till this time, confined himself to the rule proposed on the part
of Congress, without any return to the interests of his Majesty.
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, March 16th, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, being about to send M. de
Maulcon to New York to effect the exchange of the French prisoners,
who are detained there, takes the liberty to request the Congress of
the United States of America to have the goodness to allow them the
same facilities as heretofore, by charging their Commissioners to
receive them on their landing at Elizabethtown and New London, and
from thence as far as Philadelphia or Boston, and to give them, at the
expense of his Most Christian Majesty, the same treatment which
American prisoners receive.
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, March 17th, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor to remind the
Congress of the United States of North America, that in executing for
five months the instructions with which he has been charged by the
King, his master, in relation to the present state of affairs, the
undersigned has expressed his Majesty's desire, that the United States
should quickly put themselves in a situation to take, in the
negotiation for peace which seems on the point of taking place, the
part which their dignity and their interests require, and that they
should lay firm foundations for obtaining a speedy pacification
conformable to the terms of the alliance, by giving to their
Plenipotentiary instructions the most ample, and powers the most
extensive. It is, in fact, impossible to be too economical of time,
when a correspondence is carried on at so great a distance, upon a
business so important and so liable to be changed by many incidents
impossible to be foreseen. These observations have still greater
force, when the opening of the campaign is approaching, and when the
greatest celerity alone can anticipate the moment of it. Every day's
delay increases the obstacles to the success of the advantageous
plans, which the King has communicated to the United States. To
prolong the deliberation upon peace may be to reject it. His Majesty,
who thinks that he has deserved the confidence of the United States,
believes, moreover, that he has a right, after the assurances which
Congress have so often repeated with regard to the uniformity of
sentiments on the subject of his alliance with the United States, to
hope that this subject will be treated with the promptness which the
juncture requires.
The indulgence with which Congress has received the reflections of the
undersigned authorises him to submit these to their wisdom and
prudence. He adds, that there may be reason to fear that longer delays
may give rise to suspicions, and authorise the assertions which have
been made in Europe, respecting a division of opinions and sentiments
prevailing in Congress, and strengthen the hope which the enemy
continues to entertain of fomenting this domestic discord, and at the
same time of exciting distrust between the allies by pretending to
treat with each of the States singly, in order to take them separately
in the snare of their credulity, and to deprive them of the mutual
support which they derive from their union. It is, moreover, well
known, that the preliminary condition of the Court of London to the
United States would be to renounce the alliance formed with France, to
form an offensive coalition, and to restrain the commerce of America.
The undersigned is very far from believing, that the wisdom and
rectitude of Congress do not protect them from the effects of this
insidious policy; but their glory and interests seem to require, that
they should prevent the farther establishment of an opinion, which,
more than anything else, will contribute to support the false
expectation and the obstinacy of the common enemy.
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, March 31st, 1779.
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you, that the season proper for my
departure for France is coming on, and I take the liberty to request
you to persuade Congress to hasten the time of it as much as possible.
Even if my health did not require this voyage, circumstances would
have induced me to undertake it, because I perceive how important it
is for the common cause, that in the present situation of affairs,
those men alone, who are informed of the actual state of things and
opinions in America, and who enjoy an unlimited confidence, should be
employed in this negotiation.
Besides, Sir, as I must presume from the wisdom of Congress, that they
have made the same reflections, that they have fixed, or will fix the
choice of their Minister or Ministers Plenipotentiary, in consequence
of what they must also have felt, that the only way of proceeding is
to choose persons, who should enjoy the fullest confidence of the
allied or friendly Courts, and to furnish them with the fullest and
most extensive powers. In this case it will, in my opinion, be proper
that I should depart with one or more of your Ministers, and it is an
additional motive for urging this whole arrangement, with which your
own interest inspires me, by increasing my eagerness to go where I
shall think myself happy to announce, that union and unanimity prevail
in America.
Moreover, Sir, I request you to inform me in what manner Congress will
judge proper that I should take my leave, with regard to the secrecy,
which I endeavor to keep as to my speedy departure. I also flatter
myself, that if they shall think proper to give me any commission,
they will rely upon my carrying into France the same zeal for the
interests of the United States and of the common cause, of which I
have sought to give proofs during my residence in America.
I have the honor to be, with respect and esteem, Sir, your most
obedient humble servant,
GERARD.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Mount Pleasant, April 6th, 1779.
Sir,
I have the honor of sending you the abstract of news, which I have
just received from Martinique. It is not very interesting, but it will
at least make known the present state of things. I send at the same
time a paper relative to a financial operation, which has been
performed in France. I request you to send it back to me again, and
to accept the sentiments of respect with which I have the honor to be,
Sir, &c.
GERARD.