The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 23

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Head Quarters, March 29th, 1783.

Sir,

The news of a general peace, which your Excellency has been so good as to announce to me, has filled my mind with inexpressible satisfaction; and permit me to add, that the joy I feel on this great event is doubly enhanced, by the very obliging manner in which you have been pleased to express your congratulations to me and the army on this happy occasion.

The part your Excellency has acted in the cause of America, and the great and benevolent share you have taken in the establishment of her independence, are deeply impressed on my mind, and will not be effaced from my remembrance, or that of the citizens of America, but with the latest effects of time. You will accept, Sir, my warmest acknowledgements and congratulations, with a.s.surances that I shall always partic.i.p.ate, with the highest pleasure, in every event which may contribute to your happiness and satisfaction.

The articles of a general treaty do not appear so favorable to France, in point of territorial acquisitions, as they do to the other powers; but the magnanimous and disinterested scale of action, which that great nation has exhibited to the world during this war, and at the conclusion of peace, will insure to the King and nation that reputation, which will be of more consequence to them, than every other consideration.

Mrs Washington begs your Excellency to accept her sincerest thanks for the joy you have communicated to her, and to receive a return of her congratulations on this most happy of all events.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, April 10th, 1783.

Sir,

I have to inform your Excellency, that I have just received instructions from the Minister, that in consequence of the peace, the French troops actually here, are to be sent to France without delay.

If you see no cause to defer it, I shall accordingly take immediate measures for their departure. I impatiently wait the arrival of the Duc de Lauzun to give the necessary orders, as no definitive arrangements can be made in his absence.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, April 29th, 1783.

Sir,

I wrote sometime ago to General Washington to know whether he thought proper, that the legion of Lauzun, and the other detachments of the army of Rochambeau, should leave this continent, in order to return to France. According to his answer, dated the 23d inst. he entirely approves this measure; consequently I beg you will have the kindness to inform Congress that the departure will take place immediately.

Permit me to embrace this opportunity of a.s.suring you, in concert with the Duc de Lauzun, that the officers and soldiers of this army will always recollect with pleasure the three years which they pa.s.sed in this continent, the union which has existed between the two nations, and the hospitality with which they have been treated by the inhabitants.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Head Quarters, May 13th, 1783.

Sir,

We are making some preparations in the army for a display of our joy on the happy event of a general peace. The exhibition will be delayed till the arrival of the definitive treaty. If your Excellency can make it convenient to honor us with your company on the occasion, it will be a great addition to our happiness.

I take the liberty to put under cover to your Excellency, several letters, which I wish to convey to some gentlemen of your army, late in America. If the Duc de Lauzun should have sailed before their arrival, I shall be much obliged by your care of their conveyance by some other good opportunity.

With great regard and respect,

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 19th, 1783.

Sir,

I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 4th of this month, and the Memorial of Mr Durham, which accompanied it. I cannot form any opinion upon such a statement, and I shall be unable to know whether the complaints are just, before I learn the motives of the conduct, which he professes to have observed on his part. I have the honor of sending you a letter for the Marquis de Bouille, in relation to this affair, and I entreat you to have the kindness to send it to that individual, who will take care to send it to the commander.

You have been informed, Sir, of the affair of Mr Gillon, or rather of the many affairs, which have been the subject of controversy between him and the subjects of the King. You will find a statement of it in a Memorial which I annex, requesting you to be pleased to return it when read; I have addressed it to the State of South Carolina; I request you to be pleased to read the resolutions taken in consequence of it by the a.s.sembly of that State, and the annexed copies of which you may keep. I have also the honor of sending you, Sir, some new demands against that officer, which I have lately received. I shall make no reflection respecting the resolutions of Carolina; but I entreat you to be pleased to point out the most proper course for obtaining justice, and to inform me whether it would seem to you proper, that I should lay this matter before Congress.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

Translation.

Versailles, June 29th, 1783.

Sir,