The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 47

Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } March 24th, 1783. }

Sir,

I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that a vessel arrived here last night from Cadiz, despatched by order of Count d'Estaing to recall the cruisers of his Most Christian Majesty, and to prevent the further effusion of blood at sea. A copy of the order is enclosed, having been certified by the Chevalier de la Luzerne to be a true copy. Though this may not be considered by your Excellency as official, yet your humanity will induce you to think it sufficiently authentic to justify your taking immediate measures to stop the further effusion of blood, on which principle Congress have been pleased to pa.s.s the enclosed resolution.

The vessel which brought these orders did not sail with express design to come to the port of Philadelphia, and has, therefore, brought no official letters, so that I have it not in my power to afford you any further information as to the terms of a general peace, than what are contained in the enclosed extract transmitted to me by the Marquis de Lafayette; with this further addition, that the Bahama Islands are restored to Great Britain.

Mr Morris, one of my Secretaries, will have the honor to deliver this to your Excellency, and may be intrusted with any despatches which you may choose to deliver him, that may contain further information than we have yet received on an event so interesting to us and to humanity as the return of peace.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO REAR ADMIRAL DIGBY.

Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } March 24th, 1783. }

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose for your perusal the copy of a letter, which I have just written to his Excellency General Carleton. If the subject of it should relate more to you than to his Department, I am satisfied that you will find equal pleasure in adopting such measures as humanity dictates, and mutually concur with the United States in the best means of extending, as early as possible, the blessings of peace to the subjects or citizens of the nations at war.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

SIR GUY CARLETON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

New York, March 26th, 1783.

Sir,

I have received your letter of the 24th instant, enclosing a resolution of Congress of the same date, taken in consequence of the arrival of the cutter, Triomphe, commanded by Lieutenant du Quesne, with, orders of the 10th of February last, given at Cadiz by Vice Admiral d'Estaing, for him to put to sea and cruize on such stations as he shall judge most likely to meet with ships of his nation, and inform them of the happy reconciliation of the belligerent powers, and to order all their ships of war to cease hostilities against those of Great Britain; the Preliminary Articles of a general peace being signed the 20th of January. You thereupon are pleased to express your expectation that I would think this information thus conveyed, "sufficiently authentic to justify my taking immediate measures to stop the further effusion of blood."

For my own part, I have hitherto abstained from all hostilities, and this conduct I meant to continue so far as our own security would permit; but how great soever my desire is to put an entire stop to the calamities of war, and whatever respect this information may deserve, yet I do not find myself thereby justified in recommending measures that might give facility to the fleets and armies menacing any part of the King's possessions, to carry their hostilities into execution.

To adopt a measure of this importance, it is necessary I should receive orders from home, which I may reasonably expect every hour, as a cruiser sent out on other purposes is already arrived at Philadelphia; and I a.s.sure you, Sir, I only wait the official certainty of this great event, to a.s.sume the language, and the spirit too, of the most perfect conciliation and peace.

I perceive, Sir, by the resolution enclosed in your letter, that Congress have thought fit to consider this information as authentic, and, thereupon, have taken one considerable step towards carrying the terms of peace into immediate execution.

Another, not less important, I presume, has been taken, or is taking.

With the cessation of hostilities, I perceive, is connected in the seventh Article of the provisional treaty an engagement, that "all prisoners on both sides shall be set at liberty;" of this event, therefore, I hope likewise speedily to receive the very necessary and welcome notice, as I shall find the highest satisfaction in seeing released on all sides, men upon whom the evils and calamities of war have more peculiarly fallen.

I am, Sir, &c.

GUY CARLETON.

ADMIRAL DIGBY TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

New York, March 27th, 1783.

Sir,

I have received your letter, enclosing me the resolve of Congress, with a copy of a letter to his Excellency, Sir Guy Carleton, but, as I have as yet received no official accounts from England, I must wait till you, on your side, relieve our prisoners, before I give that general relief to you, I so much wish. There can be no reason for detaining our prisoners one moment, as Congress must suppose the peace signed. I shall take every precaution in my power consistent with my duty, to stop any further mischief upon the seas, but should recommend the preventing any vessels sailing, as I have not yet received sufficient authority to enable me to withdraw my cruisers.

I am, Sir, &c.

ROBERT DIGBY.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, March 28th, 1783.

Sir,

There remains in my hands the sum of thirtyeight thousand three hundred and thirtytwo livres, equal on exchange at par to about seven thousand three hundred and ten dollars, arising from the excess on the payment of the salaries of the Ministers of the United States in Europe, occasioned by the course of exchange during the last year, which Congress have been pleased to direct that I should pa.s.s to the account of the United States. In this I have not calculated six hundred and eightyeight livres excess upon M. Dumas's account, being too inconsiderable to make a deduction worth attention.

Desirous of settling all my accounts on the 1st of April, previous to my leaving the department, I pray Congress to pa.s.s some order relative to the disposition of the money, so that I may discharge myself of it.

As Congress may be led to suppose, from a pa.s.sage in Mr Laurens's letter, that I have charged a commission on this transaction, I take the liberty to inform them, that though this is an extra service attended with some trouble and risk, I once had it in view, if our Ministers compelled me to be their agent, to charge a commission while the exchange was in their favor, yet not having then done it, I cannot think it would be reasonable to deduct a commission from the reduced sum that is now paid them.

I have honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, April 4th, 1783.

Sir,

I have the honor to inform you, by the direction of Congress, in answer to your letter of the 13th of March, "that they consider the object of your appointment as so far advanced, as to render it unnecessary for you to pursue your voyage; and that Congress are well satisfied with the readiness you have shown in undertaking a service, which from the present situation of affairs, they apprehend can be dispensed with."

I have caused your account to be settled to the 1st of April, and hope to be able to send you the warrant for the amount tomorrow. If you please, I will apply for such further sum as you may think proper to charge for the time that may be necessary to carry you home, as I think that within the spirit of the resolution of Congress.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.