The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 25

M. DE CALONNE TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.

Translation.

Versailles, January 9th, 1784.

Sir,

I have communicated to the King the observations contained in the memoir, which you transmitted to me relative to the commerce of America, and those, which you made at our last conference.

I am authorised to announce to you, that it is the intention of his Majesty, to grant to the United States the ports of L'Orient and Bayonne as free ports; and besides these, that of Dunkirk and that of Ma.r.s.eilles, the first of which enjoys absolute freedom, and the other is restrained in the exercise of that freedom only with regard to tobacco, which is there subjected to a duty. The Americans may from this moment send their vessels to those four ports, where they will not meet with any kind of difficulty.

You may, if necessary, explain what is meant by _free ports_, agreeably to the signification thereof given by M. de Vergennes, in his letter of the 29th of June last.[17] The Americans will find, above all at Dunkirk, all the facilities they can desire for the sale of their leaf tobacco, their rice, their timber, and other merchandise, as well as for the purchase of what they want; such as linens, woollens, brandy, &c. It is proposed to establish stores and magazines there, which shall be well supplied, on terms very advantageous for their commerce.

I have given orders to the Farmers-General to treat in preference, and at a reasonable price, for the purchase of the tobaccoes of North America. And, moreover, the United States will be as much favored in France, in matters of commerce, as any other nation. The complaints, which they may make to you, or which Dr Franklin and the other American Ministers, whom I should be very glad to see, may transmit to me on their behalf, shall be examined with great attention; and government will not suffer them to experience any kind of vexations.

Every possible precaution will also be taken to prevent the sending out bad merchandise, which if it has. .h.i.therto taken place, can only be attributed to the avarice of some merchants of the lowest order.

I am going immediately to examine what relates to the customs and duties, which hurt commerce. This is an important subject, and requires great attention. In fine, Sir, you may rely, that I shall be always disposed, as well as the Marshal de Castries, and the Count de Vergennes, to receive and listen with attention to the demands and further representations, which you shall think proper to make in favor of the commerce of America.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DE CALONNE.

_P. S._ The ports of Bayonne and L'Orient will be made similar to that of Dunkirk with regard to entire freedom.

FOOTNOTES:

[17] See above, p. 170.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, January 29th, 1784.

Sir,

I have the last year presented to Congress several notes, respecting which no answer has been given me. I have reason to believe, however, that it has taken resolutions on many of these notes. Not to importune Congress by reiterations, I pray you to be pleased to inform me of what has pa.s.sed on this subject, and especially with regard to the ratification of the contract entered into between the King and the United States, for the various loans, which his Majesty has made them, and concerning the measures taken for the payment of the interest on the sums lent to the United States by his Majesty, or for which he has become responsible.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, January 30th, 1784.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor to inform Congress, that his Majesty desiring to favor the progress of commerce between his kingdom and the United States, has appointed four Consuls and five Vice Consuls, to reside in those cities of this continent, where he has judged that the presence of these officers would be useful to his commercial and sea-faring subjects. He has also appointed a Consul-General, whose duty shall be more particularly to attend to the general objects of commerce. M. de Marbois has been appointed to fill this office. His Majesty hopes, that this choice will be the more agreeable to Congress, as he has resided many years in America, and especially as he has the honor of being known to that body. The new distribution, which has just been made of Consulates and Vice Consulates requiring a particular attention, the undersigned desires Congress to be pleased to appoint a committee, empowered to treat with M. de Marbois on every subject relative to the recognition of the character of these new officers.

LUZERNE.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, February 18th, 1784.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor to inform Congress, that the family of the Sieur de la Radiere, who died about four years ago, in the service of the United States, is desirous of receiving the benefits, which Congress grants to the other heirs of the officers, who have served in the armies of the United States. The Sieur de la Radiere was attached to the corps of engineers. The undersigned begs Congress to enable him to give an answer to the family of this officer, as well as to those who may be in the same situation.

LUZERNE.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, April 6th, 1784.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister of France, has the honor to inform Congress, that the portraits of the King and Queen have arrived at Philadelphia, and that he has orders to present them to that body.

The undersigned Minister has had the honor to transmit to his Excellency, the President, his Majesty's letter, in answer to that of the 14th of June, 1779, in which Congress have expressed their desire to have the portraits of their Majesties. This letter expresses to Congress the pleasure, with which the King gives the United States this testimony of his affection and friendship for them. The undersigned has made the necessary arrangements for the safe keeping of these two portraits, until Congress can receive them.

LUZERNE.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, April 9th, 1784.