The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume X Part 39

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 a.s.signed 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 const.i.tutes the princ.i.p.al 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 grat.i.tude 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 a.s.sured 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 ill.u.s.trious 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 a.s.surance 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, a.s.sured of the a.s.sistance 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.