receive your Excellency's request, that I would send instructions for
the second division coming from France, with respect to the measures,
which it should pursue for forming a junction with the first. I beg
leave to inform your Excellency, that I wrote to the Count de
Rochambeau, agreeably to my letter to you of the 27th ultimo, and
requested that he, in concert with the Chevalier de Ternay, would
communicate to me, that it might be transmitted to your Excellency,
the line of conduct which they should judge proper to be pursued by
this division.
As the Marine are concerned, and the junction in present circumstances
is a matter of peculiar delicacy, I did not think myself qualified to
decide on the point. I have not received their answer yet, and
therefore I cannot pretend to determine what should be done; I will,
however, take the liberty to observe, that if the ships of war with
this division are superior, or even fully equal to those of the enemy,
off Rhode Island, I should suppose it would be eligible for them to
proceed there at once, should they be met by the cruisers your
Excellency has sent out on the Southern coast. If this is not the
case, they ought to make the Delaware as soon as possible. In this
event the troops might be forwarded to Trenton in the first instance,
and the ships might remain until ulterior measures, with respect to
them, should be determined. These, however, I would not offer but as
mere suggestions, and much it would seem must depend on circumstances
and the discretion of the officer commanding the division.
Perhaps if the ships of war should proceed directly to Rhode Island,
it will be best for them to disembarrass themselves of their
transports, and send them into the Delaware as in the other case. I
take it for granted, that signals of recognisance have been
preconcerted between the two divisions.
On the 31st ultimo, the enemy's fleet in the Sound returned from
Huntington Bay to New York. From every information the Count de
Rochambeau and his army were certainly their object, and they had
embarked in considerable force, with a view of attacking him. I cannot
determine with precision the reasons, which induced the enemy to
relinquish their plan; but it is not improbable that the movements of
our army, and the ulterior measures I was about to prosecute, operated
in some measure to produce it.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Peekskill, August 6th, 1780.
Sir,
I had this morning the honor to receive your Excellency's letter of
the 30th of July, with the one addressed to the Chevalier de Ternay,
which I have sealed and forwarded by an express.
With respect to the Continental frigates, I beg leave to inform your
Excellency, that I did not apprehend, from the resolution of Congress
concerning them, that they were to be under my orders, or to receive
any instructions from me, until they had joined the Chevalier de
Ternay, after assembling in the Delaware. This being the case, I
cannot give any directions about them at present, and would take the
liberty to recommend to your Excellency to apply to Congress or the
Board of Admiralty; to the latter of whom I have written to give their
orders to the captains of the frigates, on the conduct they are to
pursue. The employment for them, or at least for one which your
Excellency has suggested, appears to me to be proper, and that it will
answer the double purposes you mention.
I have, by my letter of today to the Chevalier de Ternay, requested
him to advise me in what manner he thinks the frigates can be most
usefully employed to assist his fleet, and that there might be no
further delay, when matters with respect to them are ultimately fixed,
I requested him also to communicate to the Captains of the frigates at
Boston, as well as to myself, the signals of recognisance.
When I receive his answer I will embrace the earliest occasion to
transmit the signals.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, August 15th, 1780.
Sir,
I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 12th
instant, with the resolutions of the 5th and 12th instants, which
accompany it. Be pleased to assure Congress, that I will neglect no
means in my power for securing the success of the prudent and
patriotic measures, which are about to be taken, and I can assure you
of the eagerness, with which the King will second those measures and
of his resolution to assist the Thirteen States, to the utmost of his
power. I shall transmit to his Majesty the resolution, which you have
been pleased to communicate to me, and I have reason to believe, that
he will entirely approve of everything, that may contribute to the
immediate deliverance of the States invaded by the enemy.
With regard to the concurrence of the forces of his Catholic Majesty,
I am entirely uninformed, and although the good dispositions of the
Court of Madrid towards the Thirteen States are undoubted, I do not
know in what points the Spanish troops can assist the American armies.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, August 15th, 1780.
Sir,
I have received the letter, which you did me the honor of writing to
me on the 12th instant, with an act of Congress relative to the
petition of George Basden. I shall transmit the whole to the Governors
of St Domingo, in order to know their opinion on a subject of this
nature, but I can inform you beforehand, that it seems to me doubtful,
whether their opinion will be favorable to the petitioner, as the
Bermudians, living under the English government, are not excepted from
the number of our enemies, by any public act, which has come to my
knowledge.
Allow me, Sir, to have the honor to remind you on this occasion, that
several notes, which I had the honor of sending to the Committee of
Commerce, in relation to merchandise deposited in the hands of the
Sieur Caraburse, at St Domingo, have remained unanswered.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, September 1st, 1780.
Sir,
I have received the letter, with which you yesterday honored me, and
the account of the bills of exchange drawn on Dr Franklin. I deeply
feel the confidence, which Congress repose in me, in confiding to me
the details of this affair, and I have no doubt, that Congress are
persuaded of the zeal and interest with which I shall lay before his
Majesty's Minister, the actual state of the finances of the Thirteen
United States. Their representatives are not ignorant how desirous the
King is to render them effectual assistance, and the measures lately
taken are new proofs of his friendship and kindness for them.
As to the bills of exchange in question, I have said with freedom to
the committee, with which I had the honor of conferring, that I was in
no way authorised to give any hopes, that they would be accepted. I
confided to that committee, with equal sincerity, my reasons for
fearing, that great difficulties would be experienced in the payment
of them, unless Congress themselves succeed in placing funds in the
hands of their Plenipotentiary. I am persuaded, Sir, that the
explanations, which I have had the honor of transmitting to Congress,
by the committee appointed to confer with me, are conformable to the
system of sincerity and frankness, which ought to exist between
allies whose interests are so closely connected.[40]
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
FOOTNOTE:
[40] See the resolutions of Congress, respecting the bills of exchange
here mentioned, in the _Public Journal of Congress_, for August 9th
and 15th, 1780.
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Head Quarters, Bergen County, }
September 12th, 1780. }
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose you a letter, which upon the whole I have
thought it advisable to write to the Count de Guichen. As its contents
are of a nature to make its falling into the enemy's hands in its
present form dangerous, and as I have no cypher of communication with
the Count, I take the liberty to request your Excellency's assistance,
in making use of yours, and forwarding it by triplicates with your
despatches by the first opportunities.
I make no mention of a land force, because though it would be useful,
it may be dispensed with. But if a body of troops could conveniently
accompany the fleets, it would give greater energy and certainty of
success to our operations. I am the more induced to desire it, as the
composition of a considerable part of our army is temporary, and I am
not informed what measures may be taken to replace the men whose times
of service will expire.
I need use no arguments to convince your Excellency of the extremity,
to which our affairs are tending, and the necessity of support. You
are an eye witness to all our perplexities and all our wants. You know
the dangerous consequences of leaving the enemy in quiet possession
of their southern conquests; either for negotiation this winter, or a
continuance of the war. You know our inability alone to expel them, or
perhaps even to stop their career.
I have the honor to be, with the sincerest sentiments of respect and
attachment,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, September 15th, 1780.
Sir,
I have received the annexed Declaration,[41] with orders to
communicate it to Congress. Some American merchants, not knowing that
Articles 11th and 12th, therein mentioned, had been annulled, have
made use of them in the French Islands, to demand an exemption from
the duties paid on the exportation of molasses.
An authentic publication of the treaty will remove all remaining
doubts as to the payment of this duty, to which the subjects of his
Majesty are themselves subjected.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
FOOTNOTE:
[41] See this _Declaration_, annulling the 11th and 12th Articles of
the Treaty, in the _Correspondence of the Commissioners in France_,
Vol. I. p. 432.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, September 16th, 1780.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, being about to
leave Philadelphia for some weeks, and being desirous that in the
present state of things, there should be no interruption to the
communications between Congress and the French Embassy, has the honor
of informing this body, that M. de Marbois will remain here as _Charge
d'Affaires_ of his Majesty. As the President and Delegates are aware
of the attention, which he has paid to the affairs relative to them,
the undersigned hopes that they will be pleased to grant him their
confidence.[42]
LUZERNE.
FOOTNOTE:
[42] _In Congress, September 19th._ "A letter of the 16th, from the
Honorable the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, was read, informing
Congress that he is about to leave Philadelphia, and to be absent for
some weeks; but that M. de Marbois will remain here in quality of his
Majesty's _Charge d'Affaires_; and hoping, that from his known
attention to matters relative to the embassy, Congress will grant him
their confidence; whereupon,
"_Resolved_, That the President inform the Minister of France, that in
his absence they will readily continue their intercourse with the
embassy of his Most Christian Majesty, through M. de Marbois, as his
Majesty's _Charge d'Affaires_, in whose abilities and attention to the
interests of the Court of France and those of the United States they
have just confidence."
* * * * *
M. DE MARBOIS TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, October 8th, 1780.
Sir,
I have received the letter, with which your Excellency honored me on
the 7th instant, and the accompanying resolution of Congress. I shall,
in compliance with the wishes of Congress, send it in three despatches
to his Majesty's Minister, and shall make use of three different
vessels, which will sail for France in the course of this week. I have
no doubt that my Court is sensible of the attention, which Congress
shows in communicating to it these measures, and that they will appear
equally just, moderate, and prudent.
I have the honor to be, &c.
MARBOIS.
* * * * *
M. DE MARBOIS TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, October 27th, 1780.
Sir,
In obedience to an order, which the Captain of the store-ships in this
port has just received, he will sail for Boston or Rhode Island on
Monday or Tuesday next. Will your Excellency have the kindness to
inform me, if he can be convoyed to the mouth of the Delaware, or to
any other distance, by one of the Continental frigates.
I have the honor to be, &c.
MARBOIS.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 1st, 1780.
Sir,
The Governors of the West India Islands express a wish, that Congress
would be pleased to take into consideration the various inconveniences
resulting from the abuse by the English of the papers, which they find
on board of the American prizes, which fall into their hands. They
make use of these papers to enable themselves to commit the most
daring actions, and it is the more difficult to prevent them, as they
sometimes have subjects of the United States on board, and as the
English language is spoken by them in common with our allies.
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian
Majesty, has the honor to propose to Congress, _that henceforth every
Captain bound to the French Colonies shall sign his own papers in
presence of the Commissioners of the American Admiralty, in order
that, on his arrival in the French Islands, it may be ascertained
whether this signature be the same as that which shall be made by him
as Captain of the American vessel. It would be of equal use to endorse
the signature of the Captain on the papers._ If Congress think of any
other form equally adapted to fulfil the object desired, the
undersigned will endeavor to have it adopted by the Governors of the
French Islands.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
FROM CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.
The United States of America in Congress assembled, to their Great,
Faithful and Beloved Friend and Ally, Louis the Sixteenth, King of
France and Navarre.
Great, Faithful and Beloved Friend and Ally,
Persuaded of your Majesty's friendship, and of your earnest desire to
prosecute the war with glory and advantage to the alliance, we ought
not to conceal from your Majesty the embarrassments, which have
attended our national affairs, and rendered the last campaign
unsuccessful.
A naval superiority in the American seas having enabled the enemy, in
the midst of the last winter, to divide their army, and extend the war
in the Southern States, Charleston was subdued before a sufficient
force could be assembled for its relief.
With unabated ardor, and at a vast expense, we prepared for the
succeeding campaign; a campaign from which, in a dependence on the
co-operation of the squadron and troops generously destined by your
Majesty for our assistance, we had formed the highest expectations.
Again the enemy frustrated our measures. Your Majesty's succors were
confined within the harbor of Newport, while the main body of the
British army took refuge in their fortresses, and under protection of
their marine, declining to hazard a battle in the open field; and
regardless of their rank among civilized nations, they descended to
wage a predatory war. Britons and savages united in sudden irruptions
on our northern and western frontiers, and marked their progress with
blood and desolation.
The acquisition of Charleston, with the advantages gained in Georgia,
and the defeat of a small army composed chiefly of militia, which had
been hastily collected to check their operations, encouraged the
British commander in that quarter to penetrate through South Carolina
into the interior parts of North Carolina. And the ordinary calamities
of war were embittered by implacable vengeance. They did not, however,
long enjoy their triumph. Instead of being depressed, impending danger
served only to rouse our citizens to correspondent exertions; and by a
series of gallant and successful enterprises they compelled the enemy
to retreat with precipitation and disgrace.
They seem, however, resolved by all possible efforts, not only to
retain their posts in Georgia and South Carolina, but to renew their
attempts on North Carolina. To divert the reinforcements destined for
those States, they are now executing an enterprise against the
seacoast of Virginia; and from their preparations at New York and
intelligence from Europe, it is manifest that the four southern States
will now become a principal object of their hostilities.
It is the voice of the people and the resolution of Congress to
prosecute the war with redoubled vigor, and to draw into the field a
permanent and well appointed army of thirtyfive thousand regular
troops. By this decisive effort we trust that we shall be able, under
the divine blessing, so effectually to co-operate with your Majesty's
marine and land forces, as to expel the common enemy from our country,
and render the great object of the alliance perpetual. But to
accomplish an enterprise of such magnitude, and so interesting to both
nations, whatever may be our spirit and our exertions, we know that
our internal resources must prove incompetent. The sincerity of this
declaration will be manifest from a short review of our circumstances.
Unpractised in military arts, and unprepared with the means of
defence, we were suddenly invaded by a formidable and vindictive
nation. We supported the unequal conflict for years with very little
foreign aid, but what was derived from your Majesty's generous
friendship. Exertions uncommon, even among the most wealthy and best
established governments, necessarily exhausted our finances, plunged
us into debt, and anticipated our taxes; while the depredations of an
active enemy by sea and land made deep impressions on our commerce and
our productions. Thus encompassed with difficulties, in our
representation to your Majesty of June 15, 1779, we disclosed our
wants, and requested your Majesty to furnish us with clothing, arms,
and ammunition for the last campaign, on the credit of the United
States. We entertain a lively sense of your Majesty's friendly
disposition, in enabling our Minister to procure a part of those
supplies, of which, through unfortunate events, a very small
proportion has arrived. The sufferings of our army from this
disappointment have been so severe, that we must rely on your
Majesty's attention to our welfare for effectual assistance. The
articles of the estimate transmitted to our Minister are essential to
our army, and we flatter ourselves, that through your Majesty's
interposition they will be supplied.
At a time when we feel ourselves strongly impressed by the weight of
past obligations, it is with the utmost reluctance that we yield to
the emergency of our affairs in requesting additional favors. An
unreserved confidence in your Majesty, and a well grounded assurance,
that we ask no more than is necessary to enable us effectually to
co-operate with your Majesty, in terminating the war with glory and
success, must be our justification.
It is well known, that when the King of Great Britain found himself
unable to subdue the populous States of North America by force, or to
seduce them by art to relinquish the alliance with your Majesty, he
resolved to protract the war, in expectation that the loss of our
commerce, and the derangement of our finances, must eventually compel
us to submit to his domination. Apprized of the necessity of foreign
aids of money to support us in a contest with a nation so rich and
powerful, we have long since authorised our Minister to borrow a
sufficient sum in your Majesty's dominions, and in Spain, and in
Holland, on the credit of these United States.
We now view the prospect of a disappointment with the deeper concern,
as the late misfortunes in the southern States, and the ravages of the
northern and western frontiers, have, in a very considerable degree,
impaired our internal resources. From a full investigation of our
circumstances it is manifest, that in aid of our utmost exertions a
foreign loan of specie, at least to the amount of twentyfive millions
of livres, will be indispensably necessary for a vigorous prosecution
of the war. On an occasion, in which the independence of these United
States and your Majesty's glory are so intimately connected, we are
constrained to request your Majesty effectually to support the
applications of our Ministers for that loan. So essential is it to
the common cause, that we shall without it be pressed with wants and
distresses, which may render all our efforts languid, precarious, and
indecisive. Whether it shall please your Majesty to stipulate for this
necessary aid as our security, or to advance it from your royal
coffers, we do hereby solemnly pledge the faith of these United States
to indemnify, or reimburse your Majesty, according to the nature of
the case, both for principal and interest, in such manner as shall be
agreed upon with our Minister at your Majesty's Court.
We beseech the Supreme Disposer of events to keep your Majesty in his
holy protection, and long to continue to France the blessings arising
from the administration of a Prince, who nobly asserts the rights of
mankind.
Done at Philadelphia, the 22d day of November, in the year of our
Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty, by the Congress of the
United States of North America, and in the fifth year of our
independence.
Your Faithful Friends and Allies.
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, _President_.
Attest, CHARLES THOMSON, _Secretary_.
* * * * *
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, December 5th, 1780.
Sir,
I flattered myself, that the clothing destined for the army under the
command of your Excellency had at length arrived in the river, in the
vessel of Paul Jones, or in one of those coming under his convoy; but
I regret that you have not yet had that satisfaction. A passenger,
who arrived in one of this convoy, told me, that when this little
squadron, which left France on the 8th of October, should arrive, they
would bring but little clothing, being in great part laden with arms
and ammunition; but he added, that the Serapis is destined to bring
the remainder of the clothing, and that we may hope to see the vessel
arrive soon in our ports. I am anxious to have an opportunity of
giving your Excellency notice of the arrival of these articles.
I have received certain intelligence, that an expedition composed of
four thousand troops, convoyed by eight vessels of war, departed on
the 16th of October from the Havana to attempt an expedition against
Pensacola. But it is thought that the terrible tempests, which they
may have received on the passage, may have retarded the fleet.
Another expedition was to depart in the month of December to attack St
Augustine. It was to be composed of ten thousand men, regulars and
militia, and twelve vessels of war. I wish sincerely that the
operation may meet with success, and thus make an advantageous
diversion in favor of the United States in that quarter.
The Chevalier de Chastellux, and the officers who had the honor of
visiting you at head quarters, desire me to present their respects to
you. They hope to have the honor of seeing you again on their return.
I am, &c.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
New Windsor, December 14th, 1780.
Sir,
Yesterday brought me the honor of your Excellency's favor without
date; but which I suppose to have been written on the 5th instant, as
it accompanied a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette of that date.
Receive, my good Sir, the expressions of gratitude, which are due to
your Excellency for the important intelligence you have communicated,
relative to the designs of the Spanish Court upon the Floridas. I have
transmitted the account of these interesting events to Count de
Rochambeau, and the Chevalier de Ternay, with propositions, which, if
acceded to, I shall do myself the honor of communicating to your
Excellency.
It would have been fortunate for the army, if your Excellency's
feelings for its want of clothing could have been relieved by the
agreeable tidings of the arrival of that article; but, alas! we are so
accustomed to want, that we dare not flatter ourselves with relief.