Part 26

Resolved, That frauds by masters and shippers are offences against the municipal laws, and are to be investigated by the magistrates of the States respectively.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 5th, 1779.

Sir,

I have received with gratitude the resolution of Congress, which you were so kind as to send me yesterday. I express my sentiments on this subject in the annexed Memorial, which I request you to be pleased to lay before Congress.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

GERARD.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 5th, 1779.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France is eager to thank Congress for the readiness with which they have been pleased to yield to his representations of the 26th of last month.

The resolutions, which have been communicated to the undersigned in the name of Congress, appear to him to leave nothing to be desired; he only hopes that the public will be informed of the opinions of Congress, in whatever form they shall think the most suitable; and the Minister Plenipotentiary is persuaded, that his Court will regard the said resolutions as a suitable and sufficient satisfaction for the proceedings which they condemn, and the offence which has resulted from them.

It is under this impression, that the undersigned Minister takes the liberty to request Congress not to carry into execution that one of their resolutions which orders, that those who on this occasion may have violated the laws of nations shall be prosecuted. The King's greatness of mind forbids his Minister to insist upon such a measure. Between nations closely connected by the most powerful motives of friendship and interest, even the most lawful reparations ought always to stop short of revenge. It is sufficient to undeceive the public, and to restrain the evil-disposed men, who sometimes conceal themselves under the pretence of the common good. The said Minister, consequently, earnestly requests Congress to stop the said prosecutions, and he dares hope this from the moderation of Congress, provided that motives foreign to France and independent of the present affair do not cause this august body, or the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, to see in this indulgence inconveniences, which are out of the sphere of the undersigned Minister.

GERARD.

* * *

In Congress, August 9th, 1779.

Resolved, that the Minister of France be informed, that the resolutions alluded to in his Memorial of the 5th instant will be published in the journals of Congress, and that in the meantime he consider himself at liberty to make such use of the copies transmitted to him, as he may think expedient.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 11th, 1779.

Sir,

It is with the greatest regret that I learn, that the attempt made at Martinique to obtain military stores has been fruitless. You will see the reasons of it in the letter of the Marquis de Bouillé, which I have the honor to send you. Nothing but the impossibility of the thing could prevent the servants of the King from rendering all possible services to the American cause, and compel them to delay complying with the requests of Congress.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most humble and most obedient servant.

GERARD.

* * * * *

THE MARQUIS DE BOUILLÉ TO M. GERARD.

Translation.

Martinique, July 11, 1779.

Sir,

I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 8th of June, in which you inform me of Congress' want of powder. I am very sorry that the supplies for this colony, which are much less than they ought to be, will not permit me to furnish any to the United States of America. The immense and unforeseen consumption occasioned by Count d'Estaing's fleet, and his unhappy expedition against St Lucia, have laid me under the necessity of purchasing up all the powder in the hands of merchants to the amount of fifty thousand pounds, and you must be sensible, that nothing but the most urgent necessity could have induced me to go to such expense on account of the King, at a time when I am in so much want of money. Mr Bingham who is here, an agent of Congress, will be able to purchase lead of the merchants. As to arms, they are become scarce.

I have the honor to be, &c.

BOUILLÉ.

_P. S._ I beg of you, Sir, to use all your efforts, that we may receive as much provisions as possible before the month of November next at farthest, and cause them to be addressed to me either at Fort Royal, at St Pierre, or at Trinité in this Island, and that you would not let the price of freight prevent you. You will thereby do us the most essential service.

* * * * *

In Congress, August 23d, 1779.

Resolved unanimously, that a committee consisting of one member from each State be appointed to congratulate the Minister of France on the anniversary of the birth of his Most Christian Majesty, and to assure him that the pleasure, which we feel on this occasion, can be estimated by those only who have a just sense of the extensive blessings, which many nations have already derived from his wisdom, justice, and magnanimity, and of the prospect of general happiness to mankind through the influence of his Majesty's virtuous exertions and glorious example.

* * * * *

M. GERARD TO THE COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 23d, 1779.

Gentlemen,

The manner in which Congress are pleased to express their sentiments on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of the King, my master, is a mark of their friendship and respect for his Majesty. Your expressions are truly worthy of a faithful ally, and I dare assure you, that the account, which I shall render to his Majesty of them, will be in the highest degree agreeable to him.

GERARD.

* * * * *

THE COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. GERARD.

_In Congress, September 7th._ The President laid before Congress a paper of intelligence, which he received from the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, and which is as follows, being an extract of a letter from Count de Vergennes to M. Gerard, dated Versailles, June 29th, 1779.

Translation.

"Sir,

"The decision of Spain is public. Her Ambassador quitted London on the 18th of this month; he is now at Paris. Her forces are on their march to join with ours. The junction made, they will endeavor to inflict on England a blow sufficiently heavy to force her to acknowledge the independence of America. To free herself if possible from this hard necessity, and to procure herself the power of opposing at some future time a nation, which she will not without great reluctance consent to free from the servitude, which she wished to impose upon them, it seems that she has sent two emissaries to Congress with the offer of a truce, and even with power to withdraw all the English forces, if America will determine to give up our alliance, and to separate herself from us.

"I do not imagine that this treachery can even enter into the mind of Congress, but if they should be enticed by the love of peace, a single reflection ought to stop it. As soon as England shall have proved the defection, she can settle her affairs with us, and we shall have no reason to refuse to do it; she will then fall upon America with the whole mass of her power, very certain that no nation in Europe will afterwards take any interest in a nation, which shall have signalized its birth by the most unworthy cowardice of which a government can be guilty. I am persuaded, Sir, that this reflection seasonably presented, will be of great effect. There are many other reflections, which certainly will not escape your wisdom."

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, September 15th, 1779.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor to inform the Congress of the United States of America, that he has appointed Mr James Wilson Attorney-General of the French nation, in order that he may be intrusted with all causes and matters relative to navigation and commerce. The said Minister thought it proper to communicate this proceeding to Congress.

GERARD.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, September 15th, 1779.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, who is preparing to depart immediately, has the honor to request the Congress of the United States to be pleased, in the course of the week, if it be not inconvenient, to grant him an audience for the purpose of taking leave of Congress.

GERARD.

* * * * *

In Congress, September 15th, 1779.

Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for granting a private audience to M. Gerard, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, in order to his taking leave.

Resolved, That this private audience be in full Congress.

_Friday, September 17th._ Resolved, That two members be appointed to introduce the Minister to the private audience.

The Minister being introduced, took his leave in the following speech.

M. GERARD'S SPEECH ON TAKING LEAVE OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

"Gentlemen,

"The King, my master, having been pleased to accept the representations, which my bad state of health compelled me to make to him, has permitted me to return. At the same time he has been in haste to send another Minister Plenipotentiary to America, in order that there may be no interruption in the care of cultivating the mutual friendship. I must leave it to the talents of the Chevalier de la Luzerne to explain to you his Majesty's sentiments, and will confine myself here, Gentlemen, to expressing to you the satisfaction I shall experience in giving an account to him of the events, of which I have been a witness during more than a year's residence with you. He will perceive in them the sentiments, which animate and direct your counsels, your wisdom, your firmness, your attachment to the alliance, and your zeal for the prosperity of the common cause and of the two respective nations. He will see, with pleasure, the valuable union, which constitutes the principal force and power of confederated America, that not only the citizens are in no want of zeal or vigor to repel the incursions, which henceforth can have no other object than a barbarous devastation, but also that there is no American, who does not perceive the necessity of uniting to humble the common enemy more and more, and to weaken him by efforts proportionate to the importance of putting a happy end to a glorious revolution, and also of securing to confederated America, by a firm and honorable peace, as quickly as possible, the inestimable advantages of liberty and independence, which form the essential and fundamental object of the alliance, and of the war provoked and made necessary by England.

"It remains to me, Gentlemen, to offer you in general and individually, the tribute of my gratitude for the marks of confidence and esteem, and for the attentions which I have received from you. I have always endeavored to deserve them by the most sincere and lively attachment to the interests and to the dignity of the United States, as well as to the principles and sentiments resulting from the alliance. I have not lacked zeal for everything that might relate to them, and cement more and more the connexions, whether political or personal, between the two nations. The most flattering recompense of my labors would be the expression of your satisfaction.

GERARD."

REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO M. GERARD'S SPEECH ON HIS TAKING LEAVE.

"Sir,

"We receive with much concern the intimation you have given us, that the bad state of your health obliges you to leave America; though, at the same time, we are sensible of the continued friendly care of his Most Christian Majesty in sending a new Minister Plenipotentiary to these States.

"Great as our regret is in thus parting with you, yet it affords us pleasure to think how well disposed you are to improve the favorable opportunities you will have on your return to France, of evincing to his Majesty the reality of those sentiments on our part, which may justly be termed the animating principles of the United States.

"By such representations, the King will be assured that the citizens of these States observe with the most lively satisfaction the repeated instances of his amity for them; that they regard the alliance as an inestimable connexion, endeared to them by the purity of the motives on which it was founded, the advantages derived from it, and the blessings it promises to both nations; that their resolution of securing its essential objects, liberty and independence, is unalterable; that they are determined, by all the exertions in their power, to advance the common cause, and to demonstrate, that while they are attentive to their own interests, they as ardently desire to approve themselves not only faithful, but affectionate allies.

"By a residence of more than a year near Congress, you are enabled to form a competent judgment of the difficulties we have had to encounter, as well as of our efforts to remove them.

"Sir, we should be deficient in the respect due to distinguished merit, if we should fail to embrace this opportunity of testifying the high esteem, which you have obtained throughout this country by your public and private conduct. You have happily combined a vigilant devotion to the dignity and interest of our most excellent and illustrious ally, with a zealous attachment to the honor and welfare of these States.

"Your prudence, integrity, ability, and diligence in discharging the 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. Barbé Marbois, who had been the Secretary of Legation during the whole of M. de la Luzerne's residence in America, succeeded him as _Chargé 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.

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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.