The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume X Part 46

I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

9 o'clock, A. M.

_P. S._ I have this instant received a letter from my much esteemed and amiable friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, dated in Boston harbor, the 29th of last month. In the course of a day or two I shall expect to see him.

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Morristown, May 11th, 1780.

Sir,

The attentions and honors paid to M. de Miralles[35] after his death were a tribute due to his character and merit, and dictated by the sincere esteem, which I always felt for him.

I am much obliged to your Excellency for your intention of sending me a detail of the land and sea forces arrived at Martinique, which I beg leave to inform you was forgotten to be enclosed in your letter.

You will partic.i.p.ate in the joy I feel at the arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette. No event could have given me greater pleasure, on a personal account, and motives of public utility conspire to make it agreeable. He will shortly have the honor to wait upon your Excellency, and impart matters of the greatest moment to these States.

He announces a fresh and striking instance of the friendship of your Court, and which cannot fail to contribute greatly to perpetuate the grat.i.tude of this country.

I am always happy to repeat to you the sentiments of respect and inviolable attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

FOOTNOTE:

[35] M. de Miralles, Agent for the Spanish Government in this country, died in General Washington's camp, and was buried with military honors.

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Head Quarters, Morristown, May 14th, 1780.

Sir,

Since my last I have had the honor to receive the detail of his Most Christian Majesty's fleet in the West Indies, which your Excellency has had the goodness to send me. I congratulate you very sincerely, Sir, on this very respectable armament, which I found to surpa.s.s my expectation, and I would willingly hope that an occasion will be afforded the Count de Guichen to strike some important blow with it, which shall advance the honor and interest of his Majesty, and of course the interest of these United States.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 16th, 1780.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor of informing Congress, that the King, in consequence of his affection, and friendship for the United States, and of his desire to put an end by effectual measures to the calamities of the present war, has resolved to send to this continent a reinforcement of troops, intended to act against the common enemy, and of vessels, which will be employed in a.s.sisting the operations of the land troops. As soon as Congress has decided on the plan of the campaign, the Marquis de Lafayette will receive all communications on this subject; and will on his part make the overtures, which shall be necessary to the success of the operations. But as despatch and secrecy ought to be the very soul of these operations, and as, moreover, Congress will undoubtedly find it indispensable to arrange them in concert with the Commander in Chief, the Chevalier de la Luzerne requests this a.s.sembly to consider, whether the course most proper to be adopted under these circ.u.mstances be not to appoint, without the least delay, a small committee, who shall repair to the army, furnished with instructions, and there fix upon measures, which shall be carried into execution immediately on the arrival of the land forces, under the command of the Count de Rochambeau, Lieutenant General of the armies of the King, and the Chevalier de Ternay, commander of the squadron, at whatever part of the continent they may have had orders to land.

As the measures to be taken, in relation to the supply of necessaries and provisions to the auxiliary troops, will require the concurrence of the Legislatures and Governors of the several States, and particularly of those of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, the undersigned Minister requests Congress to authorise the same committee to render their a.s.sistance to the measures, which the French General, or the Chevalier de la Luzerne, or the Commissioners authorised by them, shall be able to take with the different Legislatures; and with this view, to give to the delegates, who shall compose it, powers as extensive as Congress shall deem expedient.

An object, which next to that just mentioned, requires all the attention of Congress, is the information, which it is important to obtain as to the forces, the situation, and the resources of the enemy, in all the posts in their possession on this continent. The Chevalier de la Luzerne is consequently desirous, that Congress would be pleased to appoint a committee to collect immediately all the intelligence, details, and information, which may exist in their deposits and archives, relative to the ports of North America, now held by the English, from Halifax to St Augustine, including Canada, to the depth of the bays, creeks, and anchorages; to the forces which are stationed there, and the forts and fortresses, which have been erected there, the dispositions and number of the inhabitants, the resources with regard to provisions, and in general, all that information, which may promote the success of the operations. It is equally desirable, that this committee should have authority to carry on a correspondence, as long as may be necessary, in the different parts of the continent, whence this information can be obtained, in order that the intelligence being always fresh, the commanders of the expeditions may be able to establish their plans upon sure bases. The Minister of France requests, that the committee may be authorised to communicate to him this various information, so far as such communication shall not be inconvenient to Congress. Whatever promptness these measures require, the Chevalier de la Luzerne prays Congress not to take them into consideration, till after the subject mentioned at the beginning of this Memorial has been definitively settled.

Dr Franklin has undoubtedly rendered an account to Congress of the measures, which he has taken for sending to this continent arms, stores, and clothing, as well as of the means of facilitating the loan of three millions of livres, which that Minister has procured, as well to meet this expense, as to give effect to the treaties of Congress in relation to it; and the Chevalier de la Luzerne will not go into any detail on this subject.

He will not close this Memorial, without congratulating the American Senate on the zeal and ardor, which are shown on every side to render the ensuing campaign decisive, and to inflict upon the common enemy blows, which shall be most sensibly felt, to expel him from this country without the possibility of return, and to secure forever the liberty of the Thirteen States.

Circ.u.mstances have never been more favorable; the enemy, hard-pressed on every side, is not in a state to oppose an effectual resistance; the American forces are about to become more respectable than they have ever been, those of the King bring with them to this country the most sincere desire to second the brave efforts of their allies, and the two nations closely united for the purpose of bringing their combined enterprises to a successful issue, will seek only to distinguish themselves by their zeal, and their attachment to the common cause.[36]

LUZERNE.

FOOTNOTE:

[36] For the proceedings of Congress on the subject of this letter, see the _Public Journals_, under the date of May 19th, 1780.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 21st, 1780.

Sir,

You will be informed by the Marquis de Lafayette, of the measures adopted by the Congress relative to the operations of the next campaign. I will not enter into a detail with respect to them. I confine myself to a.s.sure your Excellency of the eagerness of my countrymen to share in your success, of the zeal which animates them for the cause which you so gloriously defend, and of the desire I have to receive your advice and orders in everything in which you shall believe, that I may contribute to the success of the combined operations.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS ON A CONFERENCE WITH THE FRENCH MINISTER.

In Congress, May 24th, 1780.

The committee appointed to confer with the Minister of France on the subject of supplies and other matters mentioned in this appointment, report as follows.

That in their first conference with the Minister, he mentioned his solicitude to procure the necessary provisions for the fleet and army of his Most Christian Majesty; that he wished to render every step he should take on this subject conformable to the designs of Congress, and conducive to the support of the combined forces; that he would therefore lay before the committee the measures, that he had already entered into, and was desirous to agree upon any plan for our mutual benefit, which we should think it proper to adopt.

That previous to our appointment, the moments being precious, he had despatched an agent to consult the Commander in Chief and General Greene on the subject of supplies, and would inform us of their sentiments at his return; that lest his purchases might interfere with those, which the States should make on account of the continent, he had thought it most advisable to let the whole business pa.s.s through their hands, and had accordingly written to Governor Trumbull for a limited supply of beef, pork, and mutton, leaving it to his option, either to be paid in bills upon France, specie, or continental bills of credit.