Chapter 1

Produced by Frank van Drogen, Chris Logan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliotheque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr)

THE

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

VOL. XI.

THE

DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION;

BEING

THE LETTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, JOHN ADAMS, JOHN JAY, ARTHUR LEE, WILLIAM LEE, RALPH IZARD, FRANCIS DANA, WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, HENRY LAURENS, JOHN LAURENS, M. DE LAFAYETTE, M. DUMAS, AND OTHERS, CONCERNING THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WHOLE REVOLUTION;

TOGETHER WITH

THE LETTERS IN REPLY FROM THE SECRET COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, AND THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

ALSO,

THE ENTIRE CORRESPONDENCE OF THE FRENCH MINISTERS, GERARD AND LUZERNE, WITH CONGRESS.

Published under the Direction of the President of the United States, from the original Manuscripts in the Department of State, conformably to a Resolution of Congress, of March 27th, 1818.

EDITED

BY JARED SPARKS.

VOL. XI.

BOSTON:

NATHAN HALE AND GRAY & BOWEN;

G. & C. & H. CARVILL, NEW YORK; P. THOMPSON, WASHINGTON.

1830.

Steam Power Press--W. L. Lewis' Print.

No. 6, Congress Street, Boston.

CONTENTS

OF THE

ELEVENTH VOLUME.

LUZERNE'S CORRESPONDENCE,

CONTINUED.

Page.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, September 10th, 1781, 3

Communicating the commission of M. Holker, as Consul General of France.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, September 18th, 1781, 4

Desires the appointment of a committee, to whom he may communicate his despatches.

Communications of the French Minister to Congress. In Congress, September 21st, 1781, 4

Proposed mediation of the Imperial Courts.--The French Court requires the establishing of some preliminaries, as to the admission of an American Minister to the proposed Congress, and the character in which England will treat the United States.--The British Court requires the submission of its revolted subjects in America.--Necessity of vigorous operations in America.--Mr Dana's mission to St Petersburg.--The accession of Maryland to the confederacy should be followed by vigorous measures.--Mr Adams in Holland.--Aids to America.--No further pecuniary assistance can be furnished by the French Court.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, September 24th, 1781, 17

Transmitting the memorial of a Spanish subject.

Memorial of Don Francisco Rendon to the Minister of France, 17

Requesting the release of certain prisoners taken at Pensacola by the Spanish forces, and afterwards captured by an American vessel.

Congress to the Minister of France. Philadelphia, September 25th, 1781, 19

Relative to the preceding memorial.

From Congress to the King of France, 20

Returning thanks for aid.

The King of France to Congress, 21

Birth of the Dauphin.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Philadelphia, October 24th, 1781, 21

Announces his appointment to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

To Robert R. Livingston, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Philadelphia, October 25th, 1781, 22

Expressing his pleasure at Mr Livingston's appointment.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, November 2d, 1781, 23

Congress request permission to present to the Count de Grasse two pieces of ordnance taken at York.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, November 4th, 1781, 24

Acknowledging the receipt of certain papers.

To the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Philadelphia, November 4th, 1781, 25

Erection of a triumphal column at Yorktown.--The United States are named before the King in the resolutions.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, November 6th, 1781, 26

The order in which the United States and France were named, was accidental.

Robert R. Livingston to the President of Congress. Office of Foreign Affairs, November 6th, 1781, 28

Proposes the giving France the precedence in any subsequent acts, where the two countries are named.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, November 21st, 1781, 29

Complains of the proceedings of the Court of Admiralty in the French islands.

Heads of a verbal Communication made to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs by the Minister of France. In Congress, November 23d, 1781, 30

Satisfaction of the King with the appointment of Ministers for negotiating a peace.--Refusal to accede to the mediation, unless the American Ministers were acknowledged.--Necessity of exertion in America to compel Britain to a peace.

The Answer of his Most Christian Majesty to the Articles proposed by the two Mediating Courts, 33

The Answer of the Court of London to the Preliminary Articles proposed by the Mediating Courts, 40

The verbal Answer of the King of Great Britain to the verbal Observations made by the Count de Belgiojoso, Austrian Ambassador in London, 43

Reply of the Mediators to the Belligerent Powers, 45

Answer of the Court of France to the Reply of the Mediators, 48

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, November 23d, 1781, 51

Congress to the King of France, 51

Congratulations on the successes of the French arms in America.--Services of de Grasse, de Rochambeau, and de Lafayette.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, December 11th, 1781, 53

Enclosing papers.

To Count du Durat, Governor of Grenada. Philadelphia, December 11th, 1781, 54

Relative to an English ship carried into Grenada by American sailors.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, December 21st, 1781, 55

Relative to captures.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, January 19th, 1782, 55

Enclosing suspicious letters of Mr Deane.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, January 20th, 1782, 56

Complains of the process in Massachusetts in regard to effects libelled.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, January 24th, 1782, 57

Communicating certain resolutions.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, January 25th, 1782, 57

Thanking him for the preceding.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, January 28th, 1782, 58

Propriety of instructing Mr Franklin, in relation to the acts necessary to bind the United States in their engagements with France on account of the loan raised in Holland.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs to the President of Congress. Philadelphia, January 29th, 1782, 59

Communicating extracts from letters of Count de Vergennes to the French Minister, expressing the desire of France to procure the most advantageous terms for America.--Indisposition of Great Britain to a peace.--Neither Holland nor Russia are disposed to an alliance with the United States.--France cannot furnish additional supplies.

Count de Vergennes to Robert R. Livingston. Versailles, January 31st, 1782, 62

On his appointment to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, February 1st, 1782, 62

Instructions to Dr Franklin. In Congress, February 5th, 1782, 63

Empowering him to enter into engagements on the part of the United States to discharge the loan raised in Holland.

Resolves of Congress respecting the Communications made by the Minister of France. In Congress, February 8th, 1782, 64

Urging the necessity of further supplies from France.--Empowering Dr Franklin to raise a loan of twelve millions of livres.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, February 18th, 1782, 66

Requesting the revision of a sentence of condemnation against certain prizes.

The Marquis de Bouille to M. de la Luzerne. Without date, 67

Relative to the recapture of neutral ships trading to Dominica by American privateers.

Memorial of the Council of Dominica, 69

Same subject.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, February 20th, 1782, 71

Case of the capture of the neutral ships trading to Dominica.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, March 8th, 1782, 73

M. de Marbois will remain as _Charge d'Affaires_ during his absence.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, April 7th, 1782, 73

Requesting the settlement of the accounts of Baron de Kalb and others.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, April 13th, 1782, 74

Warlike appearances in Europe.--Want of preparation in America.--Requests information of the strength of the forces.

Count de Rochambeau to M. de la Luzerne. Williamsburgh, April 16th, 1782, 77

Plans and operations of the enemy.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, April 18th, 1782, 78

Recommending Count Beniowsky.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Newburgh, April 28th, 1782, 79

Statement of his forces.--Enemy's force.

Communication of the French Minister to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. In Congress, May 1st, 1782, 84

Representing the necessity of vigorous exertion.--The English intend to push operations with vigor.

Decree of the King's Council in France, 85

Relative to the exportation of merchandise taken from prizes.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, May 7th, 1782, 87

Appointment of M. d'Annemours, as French Consul for the five Southern States.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, May 8th, 1782, 87

Accounts of Baron de Kalb and others.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, May 9th, 1782, 88

Applications of bearers of loan certificates for the repayment of their capital, or the payment of the interest.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, May 9th, 1782, 89

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, May 12th, 1782, 89

The address of Congress is, Gentlemen of the Congress.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, May 17th, 1782, 90

Reported actions in the West Indies.

Congress to the King of France, 90

Congratulations on the birth of the Dauphin.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, May 25th, 1782, 92

Requests the execution of certain resolutions of Congress in relation to Baron de Holzendorff.

Verbal Communication of the French Minister to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. In Congress, May 28th, 1782, 93

Attempts by the English to effect a partial peace with America and with France.--The French Court refuse to treat separately.--Vigorous preparations necessary to secure a peace.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, June 5th, 1782, 96

Enclosing the congratulations of the army, and offering his own on the birth of the Dauphin.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, June 7th, 1782, 97

Accounts of Baron de Kalb, Baron de Holzendorff and others.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, June 9th, 1782, 98

Answer to the applications of holders of the loan office certificates.

To George Washington, Commander in Chief, and other Officers of the American Army, on Hudson's River. Philadelphia, June 10th, 1782, 98

Birth of the Dauphin.

Congress to the King of France, 99

Condolence on the death of the Princess Sophia of France.

To Count de Rochambeau. Philadelphia, June 14th, 1782, 100

Movements of the English forces.--Plan of counter operations.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 24th, 1782, 102

Impracticability of the plan of operations abovementioned.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, July 3d, 1782, 103

Plans of Count de Rochambeau.--Disposition of Holland to form an alliance with America.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, July 8th, 1782, 104

Inviting him to attend the rejoicings on the birth of the Dauphin.

Count de Vergennes to George Washington. Versailles, July 29th, 1782, 105

Interceding in favor of Captain Asgill.

Lady Asgill to Count de Vergennes. London, July 18th, 1782, 107

Imploring his interference on behalf of her son.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, August 5th, 1782, 108

Requesting him to communicate with M. de Vaudreuil.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, August 14th, 1782, 110

Liberation of American prisoners in England.--Indisposition of England to peace.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, September 1st, 1782, 111

Relative to the America, presented by Congress to the King of France.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, September 5th, 1782, 112

Enclosing the preceding.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, September 12th, 1782, 112

The Marquis de Vaudreuil to M. de la Luzerne. Boston, September 20th, 1782, 113

Expressing his gratification at the offer of the America.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, September 23d, 1782, 114

Desires the appointment of a committee with whom he may communicate.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, September 24th, 1782, 114

The British meditate an attack on the squadron of M. de Vaudreuil.--Has taken measures to counteract their schemes.

Communication of the French Minister to a Committee of Congress. In Congress, September 24th, 1782, 115

The British Court indulge the idea of separating France and America.--Congress should take measures to destroy any hopes of such a result.--It is desirable that the negotiations should be conducted in Europe.--State of the negotiation.--The French cabinet refuse to treat except in conjunction with their allies.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, September 27th, 1782, 123

Communicating a decree of the French Council, relative to the fraudulent importation of English goods into America.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, September 29th, 1782, 124

State of the negotiations for peace.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, October 1st, 1782, 124

Requesting him to facilitate the entrance of M. Barbe into New York.

Report of a Committee of Congress on Communications made by the French Minister. In Congress, October 3d, 1782, 125

Congress will listen to no propositions for a separate peace.--They rely on the support of France to their demands in regard to boundaries, the fisheries, and the navigation of the Mississippi.--Difficulties attending any restitution of, or compensation for confiscated property.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, October 16th, 1782, 127

Desiring an interview with a committee of Congress.

George Washington to the President of Congress. Head Quarters, October 25th, 1782, 128

Receives the letters relative to Captain Asgill, and transmits them to Congress.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, October 25th, 1782, 128

Repayment of sums expended for French service.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, October 25th, 1782, 129

Case of Captain Asgill.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, October 28th, 1782, 130

Complains that the English fleet is supplied with provisions by citizens of the United States.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne. Office of Foreign Affairs, October 30th, 1782, 131

Case of the seizure of an American prize by the French authorities at St Domingo.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, November 4th, 1782, 133

Desires the passing of laws corresponding to the thirteenth Article of the treaty of commerce.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, November 6th, 1782, 134

The enemy are supplied with provisions by Americans.

To Count de Dillon, Governor of St Christopher's. Philadelphia, November 8th, 1782, 135

Affair of the Laetitia.

To Sir Guy Carleton. Philadelphia, November 9th, 1782, 135

Enclosing resolutions of Congress relative to Captain Asgill.

To Sir Guy Carleton. Philadelphia, November 9th, 1782, 137

Requesting him to permit the exchange of M. de la Touche.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, November 12th, 1782, 137

Apology for corresponding with General Carleton.

George Washington to Captain Asgill. Head Quarters, November 13th, 1782, 138

Enclosing the resolution of Congress relative to him.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, November 13th, 1782, 139

Regrets that he is unable to prevent the supplying of the enemy with provisions.

George Washington to Count de Vergennes. Head Quarters, Newburgh, State of New York, November 21st, 1782, 140

Affair of Captain Asgill.

Robert R. Livingston to M. de la Luzerne, Office of Foreign Affairs, November 26th, 1782, 141

Mr Jefferson appointed Minister for negotiating a peace.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia November 29th, 1782, 142

Expresses his satisfaction with Mr Jefferson's appointment.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, November 30th, 1782, 142

Relative to the supplying the enemy with provision.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, December 11th, 1782, 143

To George Washington. Philadelphia, December 18th, 1782, 144

Enclosing a letter for his perusal.

To the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Philadelphia, December 18th, 1782, 144

The Danae aground in the Chesapeake.

To the President of Congress. Philadelphia, December 26th, 1782, 145

Expressing his Majesty's gratification with the proceedings of Congress relative to the birth of the Dauphin.

Substance of a verbal Communication from the French Minister. Office of Foreign Affairs, December 30th, 1782, 146

State of the negotiations.--Lord Shelburne's policy deceitful.--Proposed mediation.

To the President of Congress. December 31st, 1782, 150

Satisfaction of the King with the conduct of Congress, in regard to the overtures of the English in America, and the unanimity with which the States determine not to treat separately.

Resolves of Congress on the departure of the French Army. In Congress, January 1st, 1783, 152

Recommending the army to his Majesty's favorable notice.--Declaring their high sense of the merits and services of the Count de Rochambeau.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, January 10th, 1783, 154

The capitulations permitting exportations from the islands captured by the French to British ports will not be renewed.

To Robert Morris. Philadelphia, March 15th, 1783, 155

Loan of six millions procured by France for America.--Conditions of the loan.--It will be impossible to furnish further supplies.--Necessity of establishing a public revenue in the United States.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, March 15th, 1783, 158

Conclusion of preliminaries of peace.--Necessity of continuing preparations with vigor to secure favorable terms definitively.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, March 18th, 1783, 161

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, March 19th, 1783, 161

Agrees that the articles of the treaty are so inconclusive as to render a hostile attitude still necessary.--Will endeavor to prevent the supplying of the enemy with provisions.

Minutes of a verbal Communication from the Minister of France. Office of Foreign Affairs, March 22d, 1783, 162

No essential difference exists between England and France, but the latter will act only in conjunction with her allies.--If military operations in America should cease, and the war be continued elsewhere, the United States may exclude the English from intercourse with them.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, March 29th, 1783, 166

Congratulations on the peace.

To George Washington. Philadelphia, April 10th, 1783, 167

The French troops in America will return immediately.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, April 29th, 1783, 167

Requests him to inform Congress of the intended departure of the French forces.

George Washington to M. de la Luzerne. Head Quarters, May 13th, 1783, 168

Inviting him to be present at the rejoicings on account of peace.

To Robert R. Livingston. Philadelphia, May 19th, 1783, 169

Affair of Mr Durham.--Complaints against Commodore Gillon.