Chapter 15

I beg your Excellency to receive my sincere congratulations upon the evacuation of New York; this grand event completes your glory. I hope to be at New York the 28th of this month, to be witness of the rejoicings you have ordered, and to renew to you the assurances of attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

M. DE CALONNE TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

Translation.

Versailles, January 9th, 1784.

Sir,

I have communicated to the King the observations contained in the memoir, which you transmitted to me relative to the commerce of America, and those, which you made at our last conference.

I am authorised to announce to you, that it is the intention of his Majesty, to grant to the United States the ports of L'Orient and Bayonne as free ports; and besides these, that of Dunkirk and that of Marseilles, the first of which enjoys absolute freedom, and the other is restrained in the exercise of that freedom only with regard to tobacco, which is there subjected to a duty. The Americans may from this moment send their vessels to those four ports, where they will not meet with any kind of difficulty.

You may, if necessary, explain what is meant by _free ports_, agreeably to the signification thereof given by M. de Vergennes, in his letter of the 29th of June last.[17] The Americans will find, above all at Dunkirk, all the facilities they can desire for the sale of their leaf tobacco, their rice, their timber, and other merchandise, as well as for the purchase of what they want; such as linens, woollens, brandy, &c. It is proposed to establish stores and magazines there, which shall be well supplied, on terms very advantageous for their commerce.

I have given orders to the Farmers-General to treat in preference, and at a reasonable price, for the purchase of the tobaccoes of North America. And, moreover, the United States will be as much favored in France, in matters of commerce, as any other nation. The complaints, which they may make to you, or which Dr Franklin and the other American Ministers, whom I should be very glad to see, may transmit to me on their behalf, shall be examined with great attention; and government will not suffer them to experience any kind of vexations. Every possible precaution will also be taken to prevent the sending out bad merchandise, which if it has hitherto taken place, can only be attributed to the avarice of some merchants of the lowest order.

I am going immediately to examine what relates to the customs and duties, which hurt commerce. This is an important subject, and requires great attention. In fine, Sir, you may rely, that I shall be always disposed, as well as the Marshal de Castries, and the Count de Vergennes, to receive and listen with attention to the demands and further representations, which you shall think proper to make in favor of the commerce of America.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DE CALONNE.

_P. S._ The ports of Bayonne and L'Orient will be made similar to that of Dunkirk with regard to entire freedom.

FOOTNOTES:

[17] See above, p. 170.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, January 29th, 1784.

Sir,

I have the last year presented to Congress several notes, respecting which no answer has been given me. I have reason to believe, however, that it has taken resolutions on many of these notes. Not to importune Congress by reiterations, I pray you to be pleased to inform me of what has passed on this subject, and especially with regard to the ratification of the contract entered into between the King and the United States, for the various loans, which his Majesty has made them, and concerning the measures taken for the payment of the interest on the sums lent to the United States by his Majesty, or for which he has become responsible.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, January 30th, 1784.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor to inform Congress, that his Majesty desiring to favor the progress of commerce between his kingdom and the United States, has appointed four Consuls and five Vice Consuls, to reside in those cities of this continent, where he has judged that the presence of these officers would be useful to his commercial and sea-faring subjects. He has also appointed a Consul-General, whose duty shall be more particularly to attend to the general objects of commerce. M. de Marbois has been appointed to fill this office. His Majesty hopes, that this choice will be the more agreeable to Congress, as he has resided many years in America, and especially as he has the honor of being known to that body. The new distribution, which has just been made of Consulates and Vice Consulates requiring a particular attention, the undersigned desires Congress to be pleased to appoint a committee, empowered to treat with M. de Marbois on every subject relative to the recognition of the character of these new officers.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, February 18th, 1784.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor to inform Congress, that the family of the Sieur de la Radiere, who died about four years ago, in the service of the United States, is desirous of receiving the benefits, which Congress grants to the other heirs of the officers, who have served in the armies of the United States. The Sieur de la Radiere was attached to the corps of engineers. The undersigned begs Congress to enable him to give an answer to the family of this officer, as well as to those who may be in the same situation.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, April 6th, 1784.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister of France, has the honor to inform Congress, that the portraits of the King and Queen have arrived at Philadelphia, and that he has orders to present them to that body.

The undersigned Minister has had the honor to transmit to his Excellency, the President, his Majesty's letter, in answer to that of the 14th of June, 1779, in which Congress have expressed their desire to have the portraits of their Majesties. This letter expresses to Congress the pleasure, with which the King gives the United States this testimony of his affection and friendship for them. The undersigned has made the necessary arrangements for the safe keeping of these two portraits, until Congress can receive them.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, April 9th, 1784.

Sir,

I have the honor to communicate to your Excellency an extract from a letter, which I received from Count de Vergennes, dated the 24th of December last.

I received orders at the same time to inform his Majesty's Minister of the measures, which have been taken by the United States, relative to the payment of portions of the principal, and of the interest of the sums, which have been loaned them by the King. I make mention, Sir, of portions of the capital, because, by the terms of the contract of the 16th of July, 1784, the reimbursement of the first loan of eight millions is to begin three years after the peace, and it is expedient to take seasonable measures with regard to this subject.

I am also to inform my Court of the arrangements, which have been made for the payment of interest on the loan of five millions of florins, made in Holland, the 5th of November, 1781, and for which his Majesty became guarantee. I know the efforts of Congress to effect the discharge of the public debt, and their wish to fulfil their engagements; and I consider it superfluous to recall to your Excellency all the motives, which combine to induce the United States to fulfil faithfully those, which they have contracted with the King. I confine myself to desiring you to enable me to dissipate the uneasiness, which may have been excited at my Court, by the delay in proceeding to raise funds to effect the payment of this debt.

I am with respect, Sir, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Translation.

Versailles, December 24th, 1783.

Sir,

His Majesty has decided irrevocably, that the port of L'Orient shall be free, and American sailors may actually consider it so. The edict of the King has not yet been published, however, because his Majesty's intention being to give this arrangement as wide an extent as possible, the regulations should be drawn up after a careful deliberation, and conceived in such terms, that the advantages allowed to the merchants of the United States, may not be essentially prejudicial to our own commerce, and the revenues of the State.

The merchants of the United States enjoy equally the liberty of frequenting the ports of Marseilles and Dunkirk, and they partake, like other nations, in the immunities and privileges of these two places.

DE VERGENNES.

* * * * *

CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.

The United States 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,

Your Majesty's letter of the 13th of August last, has been received by the United States in Congress assembled, with a degree of satisfaction and pleasure, which those only can conceive, who, to the highest sentiments of respect, unite feelings of the most affectionate friendship.

The portraits of your Majesty and of your royal consort having arrived at Philadelphia, have been carefully preserved by your faithful Minister, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, whose attention on this, as on all other occasions, merits the acknowledgements of Congress.

These lively representations of our august and most beloved friends will be placed in our council chamber; and can never fail of exciting in the mind of every American, an admiration of the distinguished virtues and accomplishments of the royal originals.

We beseech the Supreme Ruler of the universe constantly to keep your Majesty and your royal consort in his holy protection, and to render the blessings of your administration as extensive as the objects of your Majesty's benevolent principles.

Done at Annapolis, in the State of Maryland, this 16th day of April, 1784, by the United States in Congress assembled.

Your faithful Friends and Allies,

THOMAS MIFFLIN, _President_.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Finance, April 16th, 1784.

Sir,

I do myself the honor to enclose to Congress the duplicate of a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette, dated the 26th of December, together with the copy of his letter of the 18th of June last, to the Count de Vergennes; the Count's answer of the 29th of the same month; a letter to him from M. de Calonne of the 18th, and another of the 25th of December, all which were enclosed in that duplicate to me, as were also the observations on the commerce between France and the United States, which I have also the honor of transmitting. With respect to this paper, I must pray leave to refer Congress to the caution contained in the letter to me, and pray their compliance with his intention. The masterly manner in which the Marquis has treated a subject, certainly foreign to his former habits and views, merits great applause, and will I doubt not, procure that approbation from Congress, which will be to him a grateful reward for his zealous and dexterous exertions to promote the interests of America.[18]

I pray leave also to submit to Congress the enclosed extract from another letter of the Marquis de Lafayette, of the 10th of January, together with the copy of M. de la Calonne's letter therein mentioned. This last, which shows the labors of that young nobleman to have been crowned with the wished for success, will I doubt not be pleasing to Congress, as it is certainly very interesting to the commerce of the United States.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[18] This paper on commerce, as well as the letters above referred to, are missing.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, April 21st, 1784.

Sir,

In the course of last summer I requested leave of his Majesty to return to France. By letters from my friends, I am informed that it is granted; but the loss of the packet, which conveyed the Minister's letter, lays me under the necessity of writing again on that subject. I should have waited his answer before I took leave of Congress, had I not reason to believe, that it will not reach me till their recess.

I cannot however depart, without entreating your Excellency to communicate to them my warm acknowledgements for the manner, in which they have treated with me during my mission, which has lasted near five years. I have had the satisfaction of agreeing with Congress on all the subjects, which I have had the honor of negotiating with them; and I owe my success to the good fortune I had of being the Representative of a just and generous Monarch, to a wise and virtuous Republic. I shall ever retain a grateful remembrance of this, and shall always consider the time I have spent on this continent, as the most honorable period of my life. My satisfaction would be complete, were it not accompanied with regret, at parting from a Senate composed of members, on whose friendship I flatter myself I have a just claim, by an intimate acquaintance of several years. Your Excellency permits me to rank you among those who honor me with their friendship; and I am persuaded, that the expression of my attachment and respect for Congress will lose nothing of its force, if you will be pleased to convey it.

The letters, by which I have received advice of my having obtained leave to return, inform me also, that M. de Marbois will be his Majesty's _Charge d'Affaires_ with the United States. His zeal, and his attachment for the cause, which unites France and America, are well known to Congress, and I have not the least doubt, but his Majesty's choice will be agreeable to that assembly.

I am, Sir, with great respect, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, April 28th, 1784.

Sir,

You will see by the subjoined letter of Mr Pierce, the situation of the Baron de Kalb with regard to the United States, at the time when he was killed at Camden. The continental money which he had received must have been employed in subsisting the body of troops under his command; or, if any part of these funds remained in his hands, it must have been plundered and taken by the enemy, with all the baggage of this General.

I think, then, that Congress will be pleased to take these circumstances into consideration, and excuse the heirs of the Baron de Kalb from producing vouchers, which circumstances do not allow them to procure. I pray your Excellency to be pleased, also to induce Congress to determine whether the resolutions of the 15th of May, 1778, and the 24th of August, 1780, extend to the widow and orphans of the Baron de Kalb.

A difficulty has also arisen with regard to M. de Fleury, Lieutenant Colonel, and it can be removed only by a resolution, which I request your Excellency to solicit from the goodness of Congress in favor of this officer. He did not quit the American army without leave granted, and Congress, in consideration of his services and good conduct, has been pleased to consider him as always being attached to the American army. It seems, then, right to ask, that he should enjoy the same advantages as the other officers, and the rather, that he was attached to the French army, which served on this continent. General Lincoln, in 1782, did not place him on the list of officers retained in the service; but this omission ought not to be prejudicial to the prior resolutions of Congress. He was, at this very time, detached to the Roanoke, with the troops of the French division, that he might support General Greene, in case the latter were attacked. Thus, ignorant of what was passing in Congress, as well as in the War Department, it was impossible for him to make any representations on this subject. He was born without fortune, and if he did not, like the other officers, enjoy his pay to the 3d of November, 1783, his affairs would be found rather involved than meliorated by his residence in this continent. The payments, which Mr Morris has been authorised to make, have been claimed for the years 1782 and 1783; and M. de Fleury would be found excluded, unless the justice of Congress should allow him the same treatment, which the other officers receive, and the advantages of the commutation. The third resolution of Congress of December 31st, 1781, seems to protect the rights of M. de Fleury, and authorise the demand, which I pray you to present to Congress in his favor.

The different articles subjoined will enable Congress to judge of the justice of the demands, concerning which I beg you, Sir, to inform me of the intentions of that body.[19]

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

FOOTNOTES:

[19] The following is the statement of Baron de Kalb's account. Mr Pierce's letter is missing.

Office of Accounts, April 19th, 1784.

Sir,

I have examined sundry papers relative to the claim of the Baroness de Kalb, for the pay of her husband, (the late Baron de Kalb, deceased) as a Major General in the service of the United States of America, and find,

That from the 31st of July, 1777, the date of his appointment, to the 19th of August, 1780, the day of his death, being thirtysix months and twenty days, his pay, at $166-2/3 per month, amounts to $6,111 10-90

That per certificate of John Pierce, Paymaster General, it appears he received sundry sums, in money of the old emissions, on account of his pay, which are extended to his debit in specie, by the Massachusetts scale, as follows, viz.

1778, February, 830 dollars, at 464 per cent $178 79-90 " May, 664 " " 580 " " 114 43-90 " October, 664 " " 690 " " 96 21-90 1779, January, 664 " " 834 " " 79 55-90 " May, 664 " " 1414 " " 46 86-90 " September, 664 " " 1695 " " 39 15-90 1780, November, 664 " " 2387 " " 27 73-90

That said certificate also includes a charge for $2000 old emissions, advanced him in August, 1777, which at 238 per cent are equal to 840 30-90

That he is also chargeable with the following sums, viz.

Received from Silas Deane, in France, on the 22d of November, 1776, as appears per receipt annexed to his agreement with said Deane, 6000 livres, at 5 livres and 5 sols per dollar, are equal to 1,142 79-90

Six thousand livres paid him in bills of exchange, agreeable to a resolve of Congress of September 14, 1777, at 5 livres 8 sols per dollar, equal to 1,171 10-90

That on this account, there appears a balance of two thousand four hundred and thirtythree dollars and 61-90 due to the estate of the Baron de Kalb 2,433 61-90 ------------ $6,111 10-90

Exclusive of the sums carried to the Baron's debit in the foregoing state, he is charged in the Paymaster General's books with the following, in old emissions, viz.

November 17th, 1777. Fifty dollars paid for transporting his baggage. If he was in actual service at the time, and in such a situation as rendered extra means necessary for this purpose, I am of opinion that he ought not to be charged with this sum.

May, 1780. Two hundred and twentysix thousand dollars, said to be for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Maryland line, on their march to the southward, or for defraying the deficiencies of clothing due to the Maryland line. To oppose to this charge there is nothing yet produced. I therefore submit to consideration, the propriety of admitting to the credit of his estate the balance, which appeals due on account of his pay, as per the foregoing adjustment.

WILLIAM RAMSEY, _Clerk of Accounts_.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 6th, 1784.

Sir,

The King having as yet made no appointment to the Consulate of Charleston, the intention of his Majesty was, that M. de la Forest, Vice-Consul at Savannah, should in the interim perform its duties. I have, consequently, transmitted to him, as well as to M. de Marbois, letters of recommendation, which we thought sufficient to induce the Governor and Council of South Carolina to recognise him in this provisional capacity. Our hopes with regard to this subject were built upon the second article of the draft of a contract for the establishment of Consuls; and we thought that its provisional execution, presenting no inconveniences, would meet with no difficulty, although we are yet ignorant whether this contract has been signed.

As the interests of commerce render the actual establishment of a Vice-Consul at Charleston of very urgent necessity, I pray your Excellency to propose to Congress, to pass a resolution for the provisional execution of this second article of the draft of the contract. This measure is so much the more necessary, as it is the only means of preventing the suspension of the Consular duties, which has often occurred in case of the absence or death of Consuls or Vice-Consuls, and a year might sometimes pass before the arrival of new appointments or commissions, and before resolutions should be passed by Congress. Such an interruption of the office of Consul would be attended with inconveniences, which Congress will easily perceive. Moreover, Sir, we ask nothing on this occasion, but what is customary in the other Consulates, and it is a power which will be readily allowed to Mr Barclay.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 13th, 1784.

Sir,

I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to write to me on the 6th of the present month, and the acts of Congress accompanying it.

I pray you, Sir, to be pleased to inform Congress, that I have received a letter from the Count de Vergennes, which grants me the absence, which I had asked. This minister informs me at the same time, that his Majesty has appointed M. de Marbois, his _Charge d'Affaires_ to the United States. I repeat to your Excellency the request that you will be pleased to express for me to Congress, the regret with which I leave this continent, and the sentiments of respect, which I shall cherish through life towards that body.

Permit me to recall to your mind, Sir, the business of M. de Fleury, and of the widow of the Baron de Kalb. I pray you, also, to be pleased to enable me to make known here the intentions of Congress relative to M. de la Radiere, and to the money which was due to him at the time of his death, as well as with regard to the communication, if it takes place.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

CONGRESS TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

In Congress, May 17th, 1784.

Sir,

The United States in Congress assembled, are informed by the letter, which you were pleased to address to them, the 21st of April, that having the last year requested of his Majesty leave to return to France, you learn it has been granted, but that the official letter of the Minister being lost, you expect a duplicate, which will probably arrive in the recess of Congress.