moment of peace may soon arrive, when the reciprocation of mutual good
offices shall amply recompence our mutual labors and cares, and we
doubt not but in that moment the commerce between the allied nations,
now struggling under great inconveniences, will shoot forth with vigor
and advantage, and happily demonstrate the injuries we once suffered
from the restraints of our enemies.
"While we lament, Sir, the loss of your worthy predecessor, we are led
from your personal character to the pleasing expectation, that you
will possess that confidence and esteem which he enjoyed. They are due
to the servant of our benefactor; we are happy in his choice, and
being thoroughly convinced of the intimate connexion between the
interests and views of the allied nations, we cannot but persuade
ourselves, that the more attentively you shall perform your duty to
your Sovereign, and the more sedulously you shall guard and promote
the welfare of your country, the more agreeable and respectable you
will render yourself to the citizens of America.[30]
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_."
FOOTNOTES:
[29] The ceremonial of the introduction of M. de la Luzerne to
Congress was the same, as had been adopted in the case of M. Gerard.
See the _Correspondence of M. Gerard_, above, p. 245.
[30] Mr John Adams came over from France in the same ship with M. de
la Luzerne, and the Secretary of Legation, M. de Marbois. See his
account of these gentlemen in _John Adams's Correspondence_, Vol. IV
p. 310.
* * * * *
DON JUAN MIRALLES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 25th, 1779.
Sir,
I had the honor of communicating to you on the 22d instant two
letters, which I received from the Governor-General of the Island of
Cuba, dated the 13th and the 22d of July last. He informs me by order
of the King, my master, that the declaration of war against the King
of Great Britain, made by his Majesty, was solemnly published at
Havana, on the 22d of the said month of July, and he requests me to
ask for the co-operation of the United States of America in the
measures, the substance of which I am now to have the honor of
recalling to your recollection.
The Honorable Congress having formerly proposed to lay siege to the
town of St Augustine in East Florida, in order to restore it, in case
of success, to the troops of his Catholic Majesty, I am ordered to
urge the said Congress to direct the arms of the United States against
that place, in the hope that this diversion will give powerful
assistance to those, which the forces of the King have made by their
attack on Pensacola; and that consequently, the English troops may be
more readily driven from the territory of the American Republics. I am
to inform the Governor-General of Havana, at what time the Honorable
Congress will be able to undertake this conquest, as well as what land
and naval forces that body will be able to employ in effecting it; in
order that the Spanish Generals may arrange their operations agreeably
to the information, which I shall transmit to them.
I am also ordered to invite the Honorable Congress to undertake the
conquest of the territory and the possessions held by the English to
the northeast of Louisiana; and as the Governor of that province may
by his experience contribute greatly to the success of such an
enterprise, he is desirous of knowing the plan of operations, which
Congress will adopt in this affair, in order that on his part he may
second it by every effort in his power.
The Governor-General of Havana is desirous of knowing the quantity and
kind of provisions, productions, and supplies, with which the United
States of America will be able to assist Havana, and the Island of
Cuba, as well as the other possessions of his Majesty in America, in
order that he may decide according to such information, upon the
measures to be adopted for procuring his supplies of provisions.
I had yesterday the honor of communicating these various requests to
the Honorable Congress, which body was pleased to appoint three of
its members to confer with me upon them. They declared, Sir, that they
should be much gratified to see my proposals supported by you; and I
entreat you to be pleased by your intervention to give all requisite
weight to the importance of these great objects.
The sending as soon as possible, of such forces and stores as Congress
shall think proper, is of the greatest consequence. Of equal
importance are the means of securing their arrival at their place of
destination, with all the security which circumstances will allow. It
is then desirable, Sir, that you would have the kindness to persuade
the Count de Grasse to be pleased to take them on board of his
squadron, and to conduct them under his convoy to South Carolina or
Georgia; and the deputies of Congress have desired me to make this
request of you. I have answered them, in consequence of the
communications, which you have been pleased to make to me, that you
had already made some overtures to that commander, in relation to the
operations in which he might engage, and that you were now expecting
his answer.
The interests of our Sovereigns, Sir, are so closely connected, the
independence and welfare of United America are objects so dear and so
important to you, that I have no doubt you will use all efforts to
secure a compliance with the requests, which I have the honor to make
of you in the name of the King, my master, and on the success of which
depends, in a great degree, the success of the general operations of
the allied powers.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DON JUAN DE MIRALLES.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 26th, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor of communicating
to the Congress of the United States, a letter of Don Juan de
Miralles, containing sundry propositions, which appear to him to
deserve the most serious attention. Although the Chevalier de la
Luzerne has no instructions from his Catholic Majesty, he is too
sensible of the good understanding and intimate connexion subsisting
between the Courts of Versailles and Madrid, not to recommend these
overtures in the most pressing manner to the consideration of
Congress.
The great design is to act against the common enemy, and the more
pains that are taken to unite the strokes aimed against them, the more
certain will be their effects. As to what regards the concurrence of
the royal fleet in the operations proposed, the underwritten has the
honor to observe, that he is entirely uninformed touching the part it
will be able to take. He has, however, written a letter to the Count
de Grasse, which that commander will receive on his arrival at
Hampton. As soon as the underwritten shall have received an answer,
and the necessary information, he will take the earliest opportunity
of communicating them to such of the delegates as Congress shall be
pleased to appoint.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, December 6th, 1779.
Sir,
The undersigned Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor of
informing Congress, that he has received from St Domingo intelligence
of the capture of the Greyhound, by eight American sailors. He annexes
a summary of some facts relative to this capture.
In the terms of the intelligence, given on the 4th of August, of the
present year, by the officers of the Admiralty of Port Paix, "the
eight American sailors, having taken the said schooner, without being
provided with any commission, have been sent back before Congress, in
order that this affair may be decided in conformity with the laws of
their country."
The undersigned Minister is then desirous, that Congress would be
pleased to inform him, what use they shall judge proper to make of the
thirteen thousand nine hundred and eighty nine livres, ten sols, which
remain in the registry of the Admiralty of Port Paix; whether it be
thought proper that this sum should be remitted to the agent of
Congress at St Domingo, in order that he may transmit it to the eight
men interested, in such manner as he shall think fit, or whether
Congress shall adopt an entirely different mode of proceeding. The
Chevalier de la Luzerne will hasten to communicate to the commandants
of the Island of St Domingo, whatever resolution may have been
adopted, in order that they may without delay make arrangements
accordingly. The undersigned would have wished to spare Congress the
detail of this affair, by addressing himself directly to the States
of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, in order to ascertain their
intentions, but the intelligence upon which the order of the General
and Intendant of St Domingo has intervened, obliges the parties to
come before Congress; besides, this form is the best adapted to
prevent all delays, and to cause this money to arrive promptly at the
destination, which shall be determined upon.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
In Congress, December 16th, 1779.
Sir,
I am directed to inform you, that Congress in order to testify their
attention to the interest of his Catholic Majesty, appointed a
commissioner to confer with General Washington on the subject of your
letter, accompanying the representation of Don Juan de Miralles;[31]
and though from the result of their conference, they have reason to
believe that our grand army cannot be weakened while the enemy retain
their present force at New York, without considerable danger, yet they
have upon mature deliberation determined rather to incur that danger,
than not to comply, as far as is consistent with our circumstances,
with the views of his Catholic Majesty, to whom they feel themselves
bound by that union of interest, which a common enemy creates, by the
favorable disposition manifested by his Catholic Majesty to these
United States, and by those ties, which connect the House of Bourbon
with the happiness of mankind.
Under these impressions they have ordered a considerable detachment
from the grand army to join the troops in Carolina, which, together
with the forces already there or on the way, will amount to about four
thousand men, exclusive of the militia of the Southern States, whom
Congress have called for upon this occasion. Congress have also
ordered three of their frigates to Charleston, to be put under the
direction of the commanding officer in that department.
This force they conceive will make so powerful a diversion in favor of
his Catholic Majesty's army, as to afford probable hopes of their
being crowned with success. You will perceive, Sir, that any other
co-operation with the troops of Spain is impossible, while Savannah
opposes a barrier to a junction of our force. This, from its present
strength, it will not be easy for us to remove, till a more decided
superiority in this quarter enables us to transfer a greater
proportion of our army thither. Unless, in the meantime, the Governor
of Havana shall think proper to furnish such aid, as when joined with
the forces of the United States in that quarter, will be sufficient to
effect the purposes before mentioned. But as Congress were desirous of
extending their views still further, and conceiving the conquest of
East Florida to be an object of great importance, as well to his
Catholic Majesty, as to these States, they have therefore directed me
to inform you, and through you Don Juan de Miralles, by whom the
intentions of his Catholic Majesty are communicated, that they have
given full power to their General commanding in the Southern
department to correspond and concert with the Governor of Havana, or
any other person or persons, authorised by his Catholic Majesty for
that purpose, such plan as can be agreed upon between them for
carrying our views into execution.
I am, Sir, directed further to inform you, that though Congress cannot
promise any considerable quantity of provisions until the army of the
United States are supplied, yet as soon as that can be done, every
means will be used to furnish provisions for his Catholic Majesty's
Islands and fleet. But in the meantime they conceive, that a large
supply of rice may be afforded by the State of South Carolina, while
Congress will readily aid the agents of Spain in procuring the same.
I have the honor to be, &c.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_.
FOOTNOTE:
[31] See above pp. 373, 375.
* * * * *
M. HOLKER TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 10th, 1780.
Sir,
I have the honor of transmitting to you the annexed letter, and copy
of a late law of the State of Maryland, which I have this moment
received from Mr William Smith, a merchant at Baltimore. As it is of a
nature to alarm us in relation to all the operations, which have been
concerted in the Islands, or contemplated with respect to other places
during the course of the ensuing summer; as, moreover, the vessels and
store-ships, which I expect from Martinique, to supply the place of
those which were destined by the Count d'Estaing for the Chesapeake
Bay, and which the officers of the King have thought it their duty to
sacrifice and sell to the State of Carolina, with a view to
contribute, as far as lay in their power, to the security and defence
of that place; as, I say, these store-ships might arrive immediately,
and I might be obliged to send them back in ballast, if the corn and
wheat, which I have purchased in Maryland, should be seized, and as,
thereby, all my transactions and engagements would not only become
uncertain, but might terminate in a manner disgraceful to me, and in
the failure of the naval operations of the King in America, I cannot
forbear to claim, in the most urgent manner, the influence of your
character with the Congress of the United States upon this occasion,
while I observe to you, that if the law of Maryland is put in
execution in relation to the provisions, which I have collected at a
great expense and with every possible precaution, I shall, for the
future, be unable to take a single step in the service of the King,
and shall be obliged to pay large sums to indemnify those with whom I
have made engagements.
Your Excellency is aware of the innumerable difficulties, which I have
experienced since I have been engaged in this country, in the naval
service of the King. They seem to multiply every moment, and have
become so great that I am compelled to declare to you, that I cannot
guaranty or be answerable for the success of the least operation,
unless you shall be able most speedily to persuade Congress to take
with each and every State in the Union, decisive and effectual
measures to cause respect to be shown to my transactions, carried on
in the name and on the account of his Majesty; while I repeat my
offers to oblige my agents and correspondents to conform to such
suitable formalities, as your Excellency shall think proper to
prescribe for the general tranquillity and satisfaction.
I am, Sir, &c.
HOLKER.
* * * * *
WILLIAM SMITH TO M. HOLKER.
Baltimore, January 7th, 1780.
Sir,
By express I send enclosed a copy of a letter I received yesterday
from the Governor and Council of this State, in answer to my
application for permission to load the brig Hawk with flour for Cape
Francois, on account of his Most Christian Majesty. You will perceive
by this letter, that I am not permitted to proceed in loading this
vessel as you direct, nor will any permission for that purpose be
granted until the army is supplied.
That the army ought to be supplied, I doubt not you will think right;
but that the wheat and flour collected in this port should be taken
for that purpose, when I presume a sufficient quantity may be had much
more convenient to the army and less prejudicial to your interest, you
will, probably, conclude is not so convenient, and might, if duly
considered, have been avoided. I am well informed that the public
purchasers in Harford county have now on hand upwards of three
thousand barrels, which, for a wagon at this season of the year, are
at least three days nearer camp than this place. Besides, very
considerable magazines must be provided on the eastern shore of this
State; and it seems to me, that the distresses of our army have arisen
more from the want of carriages to convey a sufficient quantity of
flour to camp, than from any other cause.
Be that as it may, I find that the Commissioners for this county are
determined to lay their hands on all your wheat and flour, and have
already seized some of your wheat, and I doubt not but the whole on
the eastern and western shores will be taken as soon as they
conveniently can do it. Therefore, I thought it my duty to despatch
this information to you by express, that you may take such measures in
the premises as you judge best. You will see by the enclosed letter,
that no relief is to be expected from our Governor and Council.
Perhaps an application to Congress may procure a resolve directing
your magazines to be spared, by lending some for the present
emergency. But that ought to be taken when most convenient for the
army, and least prejudicial to you.
You will please to favor me with a line by return of the bearer,
directing whatever steps you may think will be most conducive to the
interest of his Most Christian Majesty.
I have the honor to be, &c.
WILLIAM SMITH.
* * * * *
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF MARYLAND TO WILLIAM SMITH.
In Council, Annapolis, January 6th, 1780.
Sir,
We received your favor of the 3d instant by express. As the grand
object of the "Acts for the immediate supply of the army, &c." is to
procure an immediate and full supply of provisions for _our_ army, it
was necessary that the Commissioners should be vested with
extraordinary powers, that those powers should be accurately defined,
and that the mode to be pursued by them should be plainly delineated;
which is done. We do not think that flour or wheat purchased for the
Marine of France, privileged or exempted from seizure, and we are
certain it was not the intention of the Legislature that those
articles should be, because such exemption would, in a great degree,
if not wholly, frustrate the design of the law.
We deem it our duty to afford the Commissioners every aid in our power
to facilitate the execution of the law, and, therefore, cannot at this
time grant permission to export flour or wheat purchased by the agents
of France; because we should thereby restrain that extensive operation
of the act, by which alone we can obtain an immediate supply adequate
to our pressing wants. We are sensible, that it is of importance that
the Marine of France should be furnished with flour, and it is with
the utmost regret that we have refused permission, and nothing could
have induced us to do it, but the alarming and distressful situation
of our army; and when we have assurances that their wants are
relieved, we shall with pleasure grant license as heretofore.
The numerous evils, that would result from procrastinating the
supplies when contrasted with the inconveniencies alluded to by you,
will, we trust, evince the propriety of our conduct and justify our
refusal.
We are, with respect, Sir, &c.
J. T. CHASE, _President of the Council_.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 10th, 1780.
Sir,
The undersigned Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has just received
from M. Holker a letter, of which a copy is annexed, in relation to a
law, passed by the State of Maryland, to authorise the Commissioners
therein named to seize the grain, corn, and rice, which may be found
stored in the hands of individuals in that State, and to carry them
away. It is to be presumed, that if the General Assembly of Maryland
had been informed of the measures taken, at a great expense, to
procure supplies for the fleets of his Majesty and for his garrisons
in the French Islands, and of the pressing wants which they suffer,
they would have excepted from this law the provisions found in the
hands of Mr Smith.
The undersigned is about to take suitable measures for inducing the
government to refrain from seizing the said provisions, and to replace
them in case that they are already seized. He earnestly entreats
Congress to be pleased, on its part, to recommend to the Councils and
Assemblies of the Thirteen States to refrain, in circumstances of this
nature, and in all other cases, from all measures which may cause any
uncertainty in the operations of the King's Navy Agents, endanger the
success of the plans of the campaign, and expose to want and to the
greatest inconveniences the garrisons of the French Islands, the
governors of which are previously informed of the measures taken to
procure supplies for them in the United States, and in concert with
Congress and the respective governments of the States.
The present juncture being of a very pressing nature, the undersigned
entreats Congress to be pleased to come to a decision on this subject
as quickly as possible. He, moreover, proposes to the Council of
Maryland to subject the agents and Commissioners, charged with making
purchases on account of his Majesty, to all the legal forms best
adapted to prevent every kind of abuse on their part; and he is
desirous that the States, in which purchases of this nature may be
made, should be pleased to take similar measures.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, January 23d, 1780.
Sir,
Advices recently received from Europe make mention of the efforts,
which the English have made in Germany to procure recruits and new
levies, and of the difficulty they have experienced even on the part
of those Courts with whom they had before treated. The greatest part
of the German Princes, who have sold soldiers to the Court of London,
now blush at these sales, which have excited their subjects against
them, and which besides have drained their States. They are reluctant
to give troops to a power, that is making war against France, with
whom they have always preserved amicable ties, and I am assured, that
it is even doubtful whether the English will be able to procure a few
recruits to complete the corps they have in America.
I am informed, that these circumstances have determined the British
government to make every effort to obtain men in America, whom they
cannot procure in Europe, and that Mr Clinton has received orders to
spare no pains to effect the exchange or deliverance of the troops of
the Convention of Saratoga, and of other prisoners, who are in the
hands of the Americans. It is added, that the want of the Court of
London for soldiers is so pressing, that General Clinton has been
authorised to surmount all the difficulties, which may arise in the
negotiation of this exchange, and that he is even permitted in case of
absolute necessity to treat with Congress, or their Ministers, on
terms of perfect equality, and as with an independent power. He has
also equally full liberty to agree upon the number of private
soldiers, who may be given in exchange for an officer of any rank
whatsoever; and they order him simply to remember in treating of this
matter, that an English soldier transported to America is of an
infinite price to England, and they exhort him to employ all his
efforts to bring about an exchange whatever may be the conditions.
I hasten to communicate these interesting ideas to Congress, and I
have learned, that they were confirmed by the event, and that Major
General Phillips had in effect drawn on a negotiation, the progress of
which had been entirely confided to your Excellency. They prayed me at
the same time to send you a communication of these objects, which the
Congress think ought greatly to influence the measures, which it will
be in your power to take, when you know that the English Commissioners
have orders to pass over all difficulties, and to grant all the
demands, which may be made, rather than to lose the occasion of
reinforcing the army they have upon this continent.