eminent trust reposed in you, have secured our entire confidence, and
now solicit from us the strongest declarations of our satisfaction
with your behavior.
"That you may be blessed with a favorable voyage, the approbation of
your sovereign, the perfect recovery of your health, and all
happiness, is among the warmest wishes of every member of this body.
"By order of Congress,
JOHN JAY, _President_."
* * * * *
CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.
Great, Faithful, and Beloved Friend and Ally,
The conduct of your Majesty's Minister, M. Gerard, during his
residence in America, has been in every respect so commendable, that
we cannot forbear testifying to your Majesty our sense of his merit,
without feeling that uneasiness which arises from a neglect of the
obligations of justice.
His behavior appears to us to have been uniformly regulated by a
devotion to your Majesty's dignity and interest, and an adherence to
the terms and principles of the alliance, while, at the same time, he
demonstrated his attachment to the honor and prosperity of these
States.
Thus serving his sovereign, he acquired our entire confidence and
esteem, and has evinced your royal wisdom in selecting a person so
properly qualified to be the first Minister sent to the United States
of America.
That the Supreme Ruler of the universe may bestow all happiness on
your Majesty, is the prayer of your faithful and affectionate friends
and allies.
Done at Philadelphia, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventynine, by the Congress
of the United States of America.
JOHN JAY, _President_.
* * * * *
In Congress, September 25th, 1779.
The committee to whom was referred the paper of intelligence
communicated by M. Gerard, on the 7th instant,[27] reported the
draft of a letter in answer to the said communication, which was
read as follows;
"Sir,
"The sentiments contained in the paper laid before Congress on the 7th
instant have given us great uneasiness, as they admitted the
possibility of an event, which we cannot contemplate without pain and
regret. Nevertheless, as they demonstrate the anxieties of a faithful
friend, Congress are willing again to testify their unalterable
attachment to the terms and principles of the alliance, more
especially as we wish you on leaving America to take with you a solemn
assurance of our fixed dispositions.
"Reposing ourselves upon that Almighty power, whose interposition in
our behalf we have often seen and adored, confident of the unanimity
and zeal of our fellow-citizens throughout these States, assured of
the assistance and support of our great ally, relying that the good
and brave everywhere regard our cause with interested attention, we
firmly repeat what we have already declared, that no offer of
advantage, however great and alluring, no extremes of danger, however
alarming, shall induce us to violate the faith we have given and the
resolutions we have adopted, for the observance of which we have
solemnly pledged our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
After debate, Ordered, that the President return the following answer;
"Sir,
"Congress feel themselves obliged by your communication of the 7th
instant, and are happy that M. Gerard will be able to contradict from
the fullest evidence every insinuation, which may be made prejudicial
to the faith and honor of the United States."
FOOTNOTE:
[27] See this paper above, p. 349.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
C. A. DE LA LUZERNE;
MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES.
Caesar Anne de la Luzerne succeeded M. Gerard as Minister
Plenipotentiary from France to the United States. He had previously
been employed in a diplomatic capacity, and with much success, in
Bavaria, which he left in July, 1778. He was soon after appointed to
supply the place of M. Gerard, and arrived in Philadelphia on the 21st
of September, 1779. As his predecessor was still discharging the
functions of his office, the Chevalier de la Luzerne did not receive
his first audience of Congress till the 17th of November.
From that time to the end of the war he applied himself sedulously to
the duties of his station, and by the suavity of his manners, as well
as by the uniform discretion of his official conduct, he won the
esteem and confidence of the American people. His efforts were all
directed to the support of the alliance, on the principles of equity,
and the broad basis of reciprocal interests established in the
treaties.
After remaining in the United States more than five years, he obtained
permission to visit France, although he did not then resign his
commission as Minister. A few months afterwards, however, he wrote to
Mr Jay, then Secretary of Foreign Affairs, that, being designed by the
King for another appointment, his character as Plenipotentiary to the
United States had ceased. M. Barbe Marbois, who had been the Secretary
of Legation during the whole of M. de la Luzerne's residence in
America, succeeded him as _Charge d'Affaires_.
The Chevalier de la Luzerne accepted the appointment of Ambassador
from France to the Court of London, in January, 1788. He remained
there till his death, which happened on the 14th of September, 1791,
at the age of fifty years.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
C. A. DE LA LUZERNE.
* * * * *
SUBSTANCE OF A CONFERENCE BETWEEN M. DE LA LUZERNE AND GENERAL
WASHINGTON AT HEAD QUARTERS, WEST POINT.[28]
September 16th, 1779.
The Minister opened the conference by observing, that the Council of
Massachusetts had represented to him the disadvantages, which their
commerce was likely to suffer from the late misfortune in Penobscot,
and the advantages which would result if his Excellency, Count
d'Estaing, could detach a few ships of the line and frigates to be
stationed upon their coast for protecting their commerce, and
countenancing the operations of their cruisers against that of the
enemy. But before he should propose such a measure to Count d'Estaing,
he wished to know from the General, what purposes the detachment would
answer to his military operations, and whether it would enable him to
prosecute any offensive enterprise against the enemy. That if he could
accompany the request of the Council with assurance of this kind, a
motive of such importance would have the greatest influence in
determining the concurrence of Count d'Estaing, and might the better
justify him in deranging or contracting his plans in the West Indies,
by making a detachment of his force.
The General answered, that if Count d'Estaing could spare a detachment
superior to the enemy's naval force upon this continent, retaining
such a force in the West Indies, as would put it out of the enemy's
power to detach an equal force to this continent without leaving
themselves inferior in the Islands, the measure would have a high
probability of many important and perhaps decisive advantages; but
these would depend upon several contingencies; as the time in which
the detachment can arrive, and the position and force of the enemy
when it arrives. That the season proper for military operations was
now pretty far advanced, and to make a winter campaign would require a
disposition of our magazines peculiar to it, which could not be made
without a large increase of expense, a circumstance not to be desired
in the present posture of our affairs, unless the arrival of a naval
succor was an event of some certainty. That with respect to the
position and force of the enemy, they had now about fourteen thousand
men at New York and its dependencies, and between three and four
thousand at Rhode Island; that to reduce the former, if it should be
concentered on the Island, would require extensive preparations
beforehand, both as to magazines and aids of men, which could not with
propriety be undertaken on a precarious expectation of assistance.
But that if the garrison of Rhode Island should continue there, we
should have every reason to expect its reduction by a combined
operation; it might, however, be withdrawn; he added, that the enemy
appear to be making large detachments from New York, which the present
situation of their affairs seems to exact; that there is a high
probability of their being left so weak as to give us an opportunity,
during the winter, of acting effectually against New York, in case of
the arrival of a fleet to co-operate with us, even with the force we
now have and could suddenly assemble on an emergency; that, at all
events, the French squadron would be able to strike an important
stroke, in the capture and destruction of the enemy's vessels of war,
with a large number of transports and perhaps seamen.
He concluded with observing, that though in the great uncertainty of
the arrival of a squadron, he could not undertake to make expensive
preparations for co-operating, nor pledge himself for doing it
effectually, yet there was the greatest prospect of utility from the
arrival of such a squadron, and he would engage to do everything in
his power for improving its aid, if it should appear upon our coast;
that if the present or future circumstances should permit Count
d'Estaing to concert a combined operation with the troops of these
States against the enemy's fleets and armies within these States, he
would be ready to promote the measure to the utmost of our resources,
and should have the highest hopes of its success; it would, however,
be necessary, to prevent delay and give efficacy to the project, that
he should have some previous notice.
The Minister replied, that the General's delicacy upon the occasion
was very proper, but as he seemed unwilling to give assurances of
effectual co-operation, in conveying the application to the Admiral he
would only make use of the name of the Council, which would, no doubt,
have all the weight due to the application of so respectable a body.
The General assented, observing, that occasional mention might be made
of the military advantages to be expected from the measure.
The Minister next informed the General, that there had been some
negotiations between Congress and M. Gerard, on the subject of the
Floridas and the limits of the Spanish dominions in that quarter,
concerning which, certain resolutions had been taken by Congress,
which he supposed were known to the General. He added, that the
Spaniards had in contemplation an expedition against the Floridas,
which was either already begun or very soon would be begun, and he
wished to know the General's opinion of a co-operation on our part;
that it was probable this expedition would immediately divert the
enemy's force from South Carolina and Georgia, and the question then
would be, whether General Lincoln's army would be necessary elsewhere,
or might be employed in a co-operation with the Spanish forces. That
the motive with the French Court for wishing such a co-operation was,
that it would be a meritorious act on the side of the United States
towards Spain, who, though she had all along been well disposed to the
revolution, had entered reluctantly into the war and had not yet
acknowledged our independence; that a step of this kind would serve to
confirm her good dispositions, and to induce her not only to enter
into a treaty with us, but, perhaps, to assist with a loan of money.
That the forces of Spain in the Islands were so considerable, as would
in all appearance make our aid unnecessary; on which account the
utility of it, only contingent and possible, was but a secondary
consideration with the Court of France; the desire to engage Spain
more firmly in our interests, by a mark of our good will to her, was
the leading and principal one.
The General assured the Minister, that he had the deepest sense of the
friendship of France, but replied to the matter in question, that he
was altogether a stranger to the measures adopted by Congress relative
to the Floridas, and could give no opinion of the propriety of the
co-operation proposed in a civil or political light; but considering
it merely as a military question, he saw no objection to the measure,
on the supposition that the enemy's force in Georgia and South
Carolina be withdrawn, without which it would, of course, be
impossible.
The Minister then asked, in case the operation by the Spaniards
against the Floridas should not induce the English to abandon the
Southern States, whether it would be agreeable that the forces, either
French or Spanish, employed there, should co-operate with our troops
against those of the enemy in Georgia and South Carolina.
The General replied, that he imagined such a co-operation would be
desirable.
The Minister inquired in the next place, whether in case the Court of
France should find it convenient to send directly from France a
squadron and a few regiments attached to it, to act in conjunction
with us in this quarter, it would be agreeable to the United States.
The General thought it would contribute much to advance the common
cause.
The Minister informed us, that Dr Franklin had purchased a fifty gun
ship, which the King of France intended to equip for the benefit of
the United States, to be sent with two or three frigates to
Newfoundland to act against the enemy's vessels employed in the
fishery, and afterwards to proceed to Boston to cruise from that port.
He concluded the conference with stating, that in Boston several
gentlemen of influence, some of them members of Congress, had
conversed with him on the subject of an expedition against Canada and
Nova Scotia; that his Christian Majesty had a sincere and
disinterested desire to see those two Provinces annexed to the
American Confederacy, and would be disposed to promote a plan for this
purpose; but that he would undertake nothing of the kind unless the
plan was previously approved and digested by the General. He added,
that a letter from the General to Congress some time since, on the
subject of an expedition to Canada, had appeared in France, and had
been submitted to the best military judges, who approved the
reasoning, and thought the objections to the plan, which had been
proposed, very plausible and powerful. That whenever the General
should think the circumstances of this country favorable to such an
undertaking, he should be very glad to recommend the plan he should
propose, and he was assured that the French Court would give it all
the aid in their power.
The General again expressed his sense of the good dispositions of his
Christian Majesty, but observed, that while the enemy remain in force
in these States, the difficulties stated in his letter alluded to by
the Minister would still subsist; but that whenever that force should
be removed, he doubted not it would be a leading object with the
government to wrest the two aforementioned Provinces from the power of
Britain; that in this case, he should esteem himself honored in being
consulted on the plan; and was of opinion, that though we should have
land force enough for the undertaking, without in this respect
intruding upon the generosity of our allies, a naval co-operation
would certainly be very useful and necessary.
The rest of the conference consisted in mutual assurances of
friendship of the two countries, &c. interspersed on the General's
side with occasional remarks on the importance of removing the war
from these States, as it would enable us to afford ample supplies to
the operations in the West Indies, and to act with efficacy in
annoying the commerce of the enemy, and dispossessing them of their
dominions on this continent.
Head Quarters, September 18th, 1779.
The foregoing is, to the best of my recollection, the substance of a
conference at which I was present at the time mentioned, and
interpreted between the Minister and the General.
A. HAMILTON.
FOOTNOTE:
[28] The Chevalier de la Luzerne arrived at Boston on the 2d of
August, and on his way to Philadelphia visited General Washington at
West Point. Hence this conference took place before his public
introduction to Congress as Minister Plenipotentiary.
* * * * *
RECEPTION OF THE FRENCH MINISTER BY CONGRESS.[29]
In Congress, November 17th, 1779.
According to order the Chevalier de la Luzerne was introduced by Mr
Mathews and Mr Morris, the two members appointed for that purpose; and
being seated in his chair, the Secretary of the Embassy delivered to
the President a sealed letter from his Most Christian Majesty, in the
terms following;
THE KING OF FRANCE TO CONGRESS.
"To our dear great Friends and Allies, the President and Members of
the General Congress of the United States of North America.
Very Dear Great Friends and Allies,
"The bad state of health of M. Gerard, our Minister Plenipotentiary to
you, having laid him under the necessity of applying for a recall, we
have made choice of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, a Colonel in our
service, to supply his place. We have no doubt, that he will be
agreeable to you, and that you will repose entire confidence in him.
We pray you to give full credit to all he shall say to you on our
behalf, especially when he shall assure you of the sincerity of our
wishes for your prosperity, as well as the constancy of our affection
and our friendship for the United States in general, and for each one
of them in particular. We pray God to keep you, our very dear great
friends and allies, in his holy protection.
"Done at Versailles, the 31st of May, 1779.
"Your good friend and ally,
LOUIS."
The Minister being announced, he addressed Congress in the following
speech.
Translation.
"Gentlemen,
"The wisdom and courage, which have founded your Republic, the
prudence which presides over your deliberations, your firmness in
execution, the skill and valor displayed by your Generals and
soldiers during the course of the war, have attracted the admiration
and regard of the whole world.
"The King, my master, was the first to acknowledge a liberty acquired
amidst so many perils and with so much glory. Since treaties dictated
by moderation have fixed upon a permanent basis the union of France
with the American Republic, his Majesty's whole conduct must have
demonstrated how dearly he cherishes your prosperity, and his firm
resolution to maintain your independence by every means in his power.
The events, which have successively unfolded themselves, show the
wisdom of those measures. A powerful ally has acknowledged the justice
of those motives, which had compelled the King to take arms, and we
may reasonably hope for the most solid success from the operations of
the united fleets. The naval force of the enemy has been diverted from
your continent, compelled to flee to the defence of their own
possessions. All their efforts have been too feeble to prevent our
troops from conquering a considerable part. Other British Islands
feared the same lot, when the French General stopped the current of
his success to seek new dangers here. In conforming to his Majesty's
intentions, he has acceded to his own inclinations, to the desires of
the French, and to the request of the Americans, who invited him to
join his arms to those of your Republic. Events have not completely
answered his courage and his efforts, but his blood and that of my
countrymen, shed in a cause so dear to us, has cemented the basis on
which the alliance is founded, and impressed on it a character as
indelible as are all those by which it is already consecrated.
"That alliance, Gentlemen, becomes daily more indissoluble, and the
benefits, which the two nations derive from it, have given it the most
perfect consistency.
"The relations of commerce between the subjects of the King, my
master, and the inhabitants of the Thirteen United States, continually
multiply, and we may already perceive, in spite of those obstacles,
which embarrass the reciprocal communication, how natural it is, how
advantageous it will be to the two nations, and all who participate in
it, and how much the monopolising spirit, the jealous attention and
prohibitory edicts of the enemy to your freedom, have been prejudicial
to your happiness. It is under these circumstances, Gentlemen, that
the King has been pleased to appoint me his Minister Plenipotentiary
to your Republic. You have seen in the letter, which I had just now
the honor to deliver from him, fresh assurances of his friendship. I
consider as the happiest circumstance of my life a mission, in the
course of which I am certain of fulfilling my duty, when I labor for
your prosperity, and I felicitate myself upon being sent to a nation,
whose interests are so intimately blended with our own, that I can be
useful neither to France nor the American Republic, without rendering
myself agreeable both to the one and the other.
"It was certainly desirable that the affairs with which I am charged
had remained in the hands of that enlightened Minister, whom I
succeed, and whose health compels him to return to France. I have not
his abilities; but like him, I have an unbounded zeal for the welfare
and success of the common cause. Like him, I am directed to concur in
everything, which can be useful or agreeable to your Republic. I have
the same attachment to the people whom you, Gentlemen, represent, and
the same admiration of their conduct. I have the most fervent wish to
give you the proof of it; and I hope by these different titles to
merit your confidence and your esteem.
LUZERNE."
The translation of the foregoing speech being read to the House by the
Secretary of Congress, the President returned the following answer.
"Sir,
"The early attention of our good friend and ally to these United
States is gratefully felt by all their virtuous citizens, and we
should be unfaithful representatives if we did not warmly acknowledge
every instance of his regard, and take every opportunity of expressing
the attachment of our constituents to treaties formed upon the purest
principles.
"His Most Christian Majesty, in rendering himself a protector of the
rights of mankind, became entitled to assistance from the friends of
man. This title could not but be recognised by a monarch, whose diadem
is adorned with equity and truth. That monarch, by joining his arms to
those of our great ally, has given a fatal blow to the common enemy,
and from the justice of the motives which unite the combined fleets,
we expect the most solid benefits will crown their operations. Nor can
we doubt that other powers will rejoice to see that haughty nation
humbled, in proportion as they have been insulted by her presumptuous
arrogance. We well know, and all the world must acknowledge, the
moderation and friendship of the Most Christian King, in neglecting
conquests which courted his acceptance, for the benevolent pleasure of
succoring his allies. In this, as in every other instance, we
perceive his strict adherence to the principles of our defensive
alliance. We are sensible of the zeal of the French General in
executing his Majesty's orders. We esteem his courage, we lament his
wounds, and we respect that generous valor, which has led your
countrymen to contend with ours in the same common cause in the same
field of glory; a noble emulation, which has poured out the blood of
the two nations and mingled it together as a sacred pledge of
perpetual union.
"The consequences, which have followed from the appearance of the
French fleet upon our coasts, particularly by disconcerting the
enemy's plans of operations, and destroying a considerable part of
their naval force, demonstrate the wisdom of the measure. That they
have not been still more beneficial is to be attributed to those
incidents, which in the hand of Providence determine all human events.
But our disappointment is compensated by reflecting on the perfect
harmony, that subsisted between the Generals and the troops of the two
nations.