The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 24

I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 17th of this month. You desire to know what is meant by _free port_.

By this term, Sir, we mean a place to which all merchandises, as well foreign as domestic, may be imported, and from which they may be freely exported. You will judge, Sir, by this definition, that all the merchandises of the north, without exception, may be imported into L'Orient, and exported from it by the Americans. In a word, L'Orient will be reputed foreign with regard to France, as far as it respects commerce. The prohibitions and duties upon foreign merchandises will take effect only in case any person desires to introduce into the interior parts of the realm the merchandises subjected to the one or the other.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, September 17th, 1783.

Sir,

The undersigned Minister Plenipotentiary has the honor of communicating to Congress an extract from a letter of the Count de Vergennes, and a copy of a contract between the King and the Thirteen United States. He requests Congress to be pleased to send the ratification of it to their Minister at his Majesty's Court, in order that he may settle this business with the Count de Vergennes.

The undersigned received the papers, of which a copy is annexed, nearly four months ago. He had received orders, at the same time, to inform his Court of the measures, which the United States might have taken, for the accomplishment of the different articles of the contract of the 16th of July, of last year. The undersigned has deferred till this time, the communications in question, in the hope that circ.u.mstances might become more favorable. As the peace has made these stipulations, which were only eventual, executory, he can refrain no longer from requesting Congress to acquaint him with the arrangements which may have been made by the United States, or those which they propose to make, for the execution of the contract of the 16th of July, of last year, as well as with those to be made for the execution of the contract, of which a copy is annexed.

LUZERNE.

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

(Annexed to the note, sent on the 17th of September, 1783.)

Translation.

Versailles, March 10th, 1783.

Sir,

Dr Franklin, in the month of February last, communicated to me different decrees of the Congress of the United States of North America, pa.s.sed on the 14th and 23d of September, and several letters from Messrs Morris and Livingston, which not only authorised that Minister, but even expressly ordered him to negotiate in Europe a loan of four millions of dollars, amounting to about twenty millions of livres tournois, for the service of the United States during the present year, and under their warranty. It was at the same time enjoined on Dr Franklin, earnestly to solicit the continuance of the favors of the King, in the crisis in which Congress was then placed.

In the enumeration of the motives, which the Superintendent of the finances alleged, in order to obtain a new loan of money from his Majesty, he did not deny, that the Minister of France might a.s.sign good reasons for declining to comply with this request, but he added, that, as it was the last of this kind, which Congress would have occasion to make, he hoped that it would not be rejected.

Dr Franklin, on his part, in obedience to the orders of Congress, implored, in favor of the United States, the a.s.sistance of the King, and added to the reasons previously given, that, without this a.s.sistance the continental army could no longer be kept together, nor disbanded without danger.

After having conferred on this subject with M. Joly de Fleury, I made a report upon it to the King. I informed his Majesty of the embarra.s.sments of Congress, and of their inability to provide for their necessities by means of taxes, which the imperfections or the weakness of a rising Administration did not permit them to levy. The King had already, by great sacrifices, fulfilled in their behalf, the duties of a most tender father, during the continuance of their moral infancy. Since the nation reached the period of maturity, consecrated by its emanc.i.p.ation and political independence, it seemed that it ought to be sufficient for itself, and not to require new efforts of the generosity of its ally; but without being prevented by these considerations, the King, faithful to his attachment to the United States, was pleased, under these circ.u.mstances, to give a new proof of it, and notwithstanding the difficulties, which his Majesty experienced in his own finances, he determined, according to my report of the 20th of December last, to grant to Congress a new loan of _six millions of livres tournois_, for the service of the United States, during the course of the present year. He also authorised the advancing of a sum of money previously granted, which Dr Franklin earnestly solicited. I informed that Minister of it, who, in his answer of January 25th, gratefully accepted these new favors in the name of the United States. I informed him, moreover, that they could not be increased, and that his Majesty would in no case be a guarantee for other loans, which he might procure in Holland or elsewhere.

I have thought proper to enter into these details with you, Sir, in order that you may be able to communicate them to Congress, and that that body may be informed by you of the last financial arrangements, which his Majesty has been pleased to decide upon, in favor of the United States. I have since concerted with Dr Franklin, those measures, which were necessary for fixing the conditions and the terms of payment of the loan of six millions of livres, of which I have been speaking. They were stipulated in a contract made on the 25th of February last, which we signed by virtue of our respective full powers, as we had done with regard to preceding advances, by a contract previously made on the 16th of July, of last year, of which I informed you at the time, and of which we are now expecting the ratification on the part of Congress. Although I do not doubt that Dr Franklin has transmitted this new act to Congress, I have still thought it proper to send the annexed copy of it to you.

By the first article, you will see, Sir, that the King lends Congress the sum of _six millions of livres_, payable at the rate of five hundred thousand livres in each of the twelve months of the current year, on condition of the repayment of the capital with interest at five per cent per annum.

The second article recapitulates and verifies the preceding aids furnished by his Majesty, and divides them into three distinct cla.s.ses. The first consisting of the sums loaned, amounting to eighteen millions of livres. The second, of a fund of ten millions, arising from a loan obtained in Holland for the service of the United States, and guaranteed by his Majesty. The third, of subsidies, gratuitously furnished, amounting to nine millions of livres, the gift of which to the United States is confirmed by his Majesty.

The third Article fixes the repayment to the royal treasury, of the new loan of six millions, with the interest thereon, at six periods, fixed at the times most convenient for the financial operations of Congress.

By the fourth Article, it has been agreed, that the interest on the last loan of six millions, shall not commence till the 1st of January, 1784. The King being pleased to give and remit to Congress the partial interest on the capital for the present year.

The fifth and sixth Articles contain stipulations of usage and form.

All attesting the sentiments of affection entertained by the King for the United States, and his tender anxiety to contribute to their prosperity.

I desire you, Sir, to a.s.sure Congress, that these sentiments are deeply engraven on the heart of the King, that his Council feel them no less deeply; and that his Majesty will never cease to take the most lively interest in the welfare of the United States, his allies.

You will be pleased to inform me of the reception of this letter, and of the annexed paper.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, November 2d, 1783.

Sir,

I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to write to me on the 27th ultimo, and the resolutions of Congress, which were annexed to it, and which express the sentiments of Congress with relation to the dispositions of his Majesty, and the other belligerent powers, not to sign the definitive treaty, except in concert with the United States. It appeared by the last news received, that this conduct has produced the desired effect, and that it has in fine, been followed by a general peace.

The United States may be a.s.sured, that his Majesty will adopt with pleasure all commercial arrangements, which may be advantageous to them, and which will not be prejudicial to his subjects. I also know, that it is his Majesty's intention, that the United States should enjoy, in the ports of his kingdom, not only all the advantages, which they enjoyed before their independence, but even some favors, which have not heretofore been granted to them.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, November 21st, 1783.

Sir,

I have received the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write me by Messrs Villefranche and Rochefontaine, the testimony you have been pleased to give in favor of these two officers will have the greatest weight with those persons who can contribute to their advancement, and it gives me the greatest pleasure to receive these testimonies, from Congress and from your Excellency, of the satisfaction the French officers have given in the service of the United States.

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 a.s.surances of attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.