The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume X Part 25

That will be the happiest moment of my life, in which I shall be able to contribute to it in anything. I shall, at the same time fulfil my duty, as an officer charged with the orders of his Majesty, and I shall satisfy my principles and my inclination as an individual.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ESTAING.

_P. S._ Permit me to recommend to the favor of Congress, Messrs John Nicholson, Elias Johnson, and Henry Johnson. Mr Nicholson preserved the ship Tonnant, which is the second in the squadron, and Mr Elias Johnson conducted himself with the greatest zeal and the greatest bravery on board the frigate Engageante, in the engagement in which she took the privateer Rose, in the Chesapeake Bay.

RESOLVES OF CONGRESS RESPECTING THE COUNT D'ESTAING'S LETTER, AND THE RECEPTION OF M. GERARD.

In Congress, July 11th, 1778.

Resolved, that General Washington be informed by the President, that it is the desire of Congress, that he co-operate with the Count d'Estaing, commander of a French squadron now on the coast of North America, and proceeding to New York, in the execution of such offensive operations against the enemy as they shall mutually approve.

His Most Christian Majesty, the King of France, having thought proper to send on the coasts a powerful fleet, in order to co-operate with the forces of these States in the reduction of the British army and navy, Resolved, that General Washington be impowered to call on the States of New Hampshire, Ma.s.sachusetts Bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, or such of them as he shall judge proper, for such aids of their militia as he shall think requisite for carrying on his operations, in concert with Count d'Estaing, commander of the French fleet; and that it be earnestly recommended to the abovementioned, to exert themselves in forwarding the force, which may be required of them with the utmost despatch.

Resolved, that the Marine Committee be directed to order the Commissioners of the navy to the eastward, to fit out as many continental frigates and armed vessels as possible, with the utmost despatch, to join the French squadron in their operations against the enemy.

Ordered, that the Board of War take measures for providing a suitable house for the accommodation of M. Gerard; and that they give the necessary orders for receiving M. Gerard with proper honor on his arrival.

Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed to wait on M. Gerard on his arrival, and conduct him to his lodgings.

The members chosen, Mr Hanc.o.c.k, Mr Lee, Mr Drayton, Mr Roberdeau, and Mr Duer.

Next morning the committee went to Chester to meet M. Gerard, who received them on board the frigate. In going on board they were saluted with fifteen guns. They then went on sh.o.r.e and waited on him to Philadelphia, and conducted him to General Arnold's head quarters, where a dinner was provided for him and his suit, and a number of the members of Congress. Before dinner he waited on the President.

On Tuesday he delivered to the President sundry papers to be laid before Congress,[23] desiring to know in what capacity Congress were willing to receive him; whether as Minister Plenipotentiary or resident, intimating, that in whatever quality he was received, it would be expected, that the Commissioners from the States at the Court of France should be vested with the same.

FOOTNOTE:

[23] Letters from the King, and notes of M. Gerard.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 14th, 1778.

Sir,

His Excellency, the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, commander of the squadron of the King, being desirous to procure for the armed vessels, whether public or private, of the United States, the means of availing themselves of the operations of this squadron, in order to take prizes from the common enemy, the undersigned has the honor to inform Congress, that all their armed vessels will enjoy the most extended protection of the squadron of his Most Christian Majesty, and that the prizes which they may be able to take will belong entirely to them. He leaves it to the wisdom of Congress to fix upon the means of deriving from this arrangement, the advantage of which it is susceptible. The American vessels, which shall apply to his Excellency the Vice-Admiral, will receive the signals which will be necessary; and the undersigned will successively communicate them to Congress, that information of them may be given to those who shall sail from the ports. He relies on the prudence of Congress in relation to the measures necessary to ensure success in this matter.

GERARD.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 14th, 1778.

Sir,

The squadron which the King, my master, has sent, in order to act in concert with the United States, against the common enemy, having taken some prisoners during its pa.s.sage, the keeping of whom on board of the vessels would be embarra.s.sing and even dangerous, the undersigned requests the Congress of the said United States to have the goodness to cause these prisoners, as well as those whom the King's squadron shall be able to take in the course of its operations, to be received, to cause provision to be made for their safe keeping and subsistence, in the same manner as that which it makes use of for its own prisoners, and to hold them at the disposal of the King, and subject to the orders of his Excellency, the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, and commander of his Majesty's squadron.

The undersigned will take care to cause all the expenses incurred on this occasion to be reimbursed at certain periods, in such manner as the Congress shall be pleased to point out.[24]

GERARD.

FOOTNOTE:

[24] Congress took into consideration the Memorial respecting prisoners, and thereupon

"Resolved, that all prisoners taken, or which may be taken, by the squadron of his Most Christian Majesty, under the command of the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, be received by the Commissary-General of prisoners, and that he provide for their safe custody and subsistence in like manner as has been usual for the prisoners of these States. That he make monthly returns of all prisoners, which shall be by him so received, to the Board of War. That he make monthly returns to the treasury, of the accounts of all moneys expended for the purposes aforesaid, and that the prisoners be held at the disposal of his Most Christian Majesty, and subject to the orders of his Excellency Count d'Estaing.

"Ordered, that the paper relative to the encouragement given by the Count d'Estaing to American armed vessels, whether public or private, be published."

CEREMONIAL OF ADMITTING THE FRENCH MINISTER TO CONGRESS.

In Congress, July 20th, 1781.

Resolved, That the ceremonial for a Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy, shall be as follows;

When a Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy, shall arrive within any of the United States, he shall receive at all places where there are guards, sentries, or the like, such military honors as are paid to a general officer of the second rank in the armies of the United States.

When he shall arrive at a place in which Congress shall be, he shall wait upon the President and deliver his credentials, or a copy thereof. Two members of Congress shall then be deputed to wait upon him, and inform him where and when he shall receive audience of Congress.

At the time he is to receive his audience, the two members shall again wait upon him in a coach belonging to the States, and the person first named of two, shall return with the Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy, in the coach, giving the Minister the right hand, and placing himself on the left, with the other member on the front seat.

When the Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy, is arrived at the door of the Congress Hall, he shall be introduced to his chair by the two members, who shall stand at his left hand. Then the member first named shall present and announce him to the President and the House, whereupon he shall bow to the President and Congress, and they to him.

He and the President shall then again bow to each other and be seated, after which the House shall sit down.

Having spoken and being answered, the Minister and the President shall bow to each other, at which time the House shall bow, and then he shall be conducted home in the manner in which he was brought to the House.

Those who shall wait upon the Minister shall inform him, that if in any audience he shall choose to speak on matters of business, it will be necessary previously to deliver in writing to the President what he intends to say at the audience, and if he shall not incline thereto, it will, from the const.i.tution of Congress, be impracticable for him to receive an immediate answer.

The style of address to Congress shall be, "Gentlemen of the Congress."

All speeches or communications in writing may, if the public Minister choose it, be in the language of their respective countries, and all replies or answers shall be in the language of the United States.

After the audience, the members of Congress shall be first visited by the Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy.