despatch, of the 19th of February last. After stating some facts
relating to Mr Laurens's capture, and its consequences, which Congress
are already acquainted with, the Minister informed your committee,
that the Empress of Russia had, on the 5th of January, received the
accession of the United Provinces to the association of neutral
powers, and that there was great probability, that her Imperial
Majesty would support the Dutch against the tyranny of England, and
that on every supposition, Congress would do well to take such
measures, as to prepare, without delay, the means of uniting the
interest of the two Republics, by making proper advances to the
States-General. The Minister added, that he was authorised by the King
to offer Congress his interposition for this purpose.
The Minister informed, that according to appearances the Empress of
Russia seemed to be well disposed to the independence of the United
States; and that these dispositions give reason to think, that the
Empress will see with pleasure, that Congress have adopted her
principles as to the neutrality, and that the Count de Vergennes has
sent that resolution to the Marquis Verac, the Minister of France to
the Court of Russia.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, July 26th, 1781.
Sir,
The twentyninth article of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, between
his Most Christian Majesty and the United States, reserves to the two
contracting powers, "the liberty of having, each in the ports of the
other, Consuls, Vice-Consuls, Agents, and Commissaries, whose
functions shall be regulated by a particular agreement." In
consequence of this stipulation, the Court of Versailles has caused a
draft to be made of a convention, relative to the establishment of
Consuls, which the undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France,
has the honor to communicate to Congress. It is the desire of his
Majesty, that this draft should be examined by Congress, and those
points marked which admit of no difficulty; and that the others should
be submitted to the examination of delegates appointed by both
parties, who may make such observations as they shall judge proper,
and propose such alterations as they may think convenient. These
objects will require discussion in repeated conferences, and the
undersigned entreats, that Congress would determine in what manner
these conferences shall be held. The proposed convention requires the
most mature consideration of both parties; while at the same time, it
is equally the interest of both with all speed to introduce
consistency and uniformity into their respective commercial
establishments, and the undersigned is of opinion, that Congress will
think it necessary to prosecute this business with all possible
despatch.[45]
LUZERNE.
FOOTNOTE:
[45] See the draft of this Convention in the _Secret Journal_, Vol.
III. p. 6.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, August 23d, 1781.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor of
informing Congress, that the situation of affairs requires, that M. de
l'Etombe, Consul General of France, in the four States of New England,
should proceed immediately to his destination. This officer being
provided with the commission of his Majesty, in the form made use of
for the other French Consulates, in the different quarters of the
world, it is desirable that his character should be recognized in the
manner and form, which for the future are to take place uniformly
throughout the Thirteen United States. The undersigned, Minister
Plenipotentiary, consequently entreats Congress to determine
provisionally, what this form shall henceforward be, without waiting
till the plan to be agreed upon shall be definitively settled. He is
also desirous, that Congress will be pleased to pass a resolution on
the subject of the recognition of the character of Vice-Consuls.
LUZERNE.
* * * * *
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, September 6th, 1781.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor of
communicating to Congress the commission of M. de l'Etombe, as Consul
General of France in the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut. He requests Congress to be pleased to pass an
act, or four different acts, in order to procure for the said Consul
the _exequatur_ in each of the States, to which his functions are to
extend.
LUZERNE.
END OF THE TENTH VOLUME.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE. |
| |
| Omitted words, shown as blank spaces in the original, have been |
| transcribed as four hyphens ('----'). |
| |
| Every effort was made to match the original text. Spelling |
| variations between letters have been preserved. The following |
| apparent typographical errors were corrected: |
| "Triomphe" for "Trimophe" page 40 |
| "November 5, 1782" for "November 5, 1882" page 94 |
| "and who ought" for "and ho ought" page 308 |
| "each other" for "eachother" page 314 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+