de notre ministre plénipotentiaire. | quainted with our sentiments to

The Minister was then announced to the President and the house: and having bowed and being bowed to accord ing to the ceremonial, delivered the following speech: whereupon he arose and addressed Congress in a speech, which, when he had finished, his secretary delivered in writing to the President, and is as follows:

Sa majesté apprendra avec satis- | pose of cementing it. It will give faction que les sentimens, qui se sont manifestés à cette occasion, justifient la confiance que lui avoient inspiré le zèle et le caractère des députés des États-Unis en France; la sagesse et la fermeté qui ont dirigé vos résolutions ainsi que la constance et le courage, que les peuples ont fait éclater. Vous savez, messieurs, que cette confiance a fait la base du plan vrayment amical et désintéressé sur lequel sa majesté a traité avec les Etats-Unis.

his majesty great satisfaction to learn, that the sentiments which have shone forth on this occasion justify that confidence with which he hath been inspired by the zeal and character of the commissioners of the United States in France, the wisdom and fortitude which have directed the resolutions of Congress, and the courage and perseverance of the people they represent; a confidence which you know, gentlemen, has been the basis of that truly amicable and disinterested system on which he hath treated with the United States.

It is not his majesty's fault that the engagements he hath entered into did not establish your independence and repose, without the further effusion of blood, and with

mankind, whose happiness it is his highest ambition to promote and secure. But, since the hostile meas

Il n'a pas dépendu d'elle, que ses engagemens n'assurassent votre indépendence et votre repos sans effusion ultérieur de sang et sans aggraver les maux de l'humanité dont tout son ambition est d'as-out aggravating the calamities of surer le bonheur; mais les dispositions et les résolutions hostiles de l'ennemi commun ayant donné à des engagemens purement éven-ures and designs of the common tuels une force, actuelle, positive, permanente et indissoluble, le roi mon maître a pensé que les deux alliés ne doivent plus s'occuper que du moyens de les remplir de la manière la plus utile à la cause commune, et la plus efficace pour parvenir à la paix, qui est l'objet d'alliance. C'est d'après ce principe, que sa majesté s'est hâtée de vous envoyer un secours puissant: vous ne le devez, messieurs, qu'á son amitié, a l'intérest sincère,

enemy have given to engagements purely eventual, an immediate, positive, permanent, and indissoluble force, it is the opinion of the king my master, that the allies should turn their whole attention to fulfil those engagements in the manner most useful to the common cause, and best calculated to obtain that peace which is the object of the alliance.

It is upon this principle, gentlemen, his majesty hath hastened to

send you a powerful assistance, which you owe only to his friendship, to the sincere regard he has for every thing which relates to the advantage of the United States, and to his desire of contributing with efficacy to establish your repose and prosperity upon an honorable and solid foundation. And fur

qu'elle prend aux avantages des Etats-Unis, et au désir qu'elle a de concourir efficacement à affirmir, votre repos et votre prospérité sur des bases honorables et solids elle espère d'ailleurs, que les principes adoptés par les gouvernemens contribueront à étendre les liaisons, que l'intéret mutuel des peuples respectifs avoit déjà commencé àther, it is his expectation that the établir entre eux. La principale pointe de mes instructions est de faire marcher sur la même ligne les intérets de la France et ceux des États-Unis. Je me flatte, messieurs, que ma conduite passe dans les affaires, qui les interressent, vous aura déjà convaincu, que je n'ai point de désir plus cher que celui d'exécuter mes instructions de manière à mériter la confiance du Congrès, l'amitié de ses membres et l'estime de tous les citoyens.

GÉRARD.

principles which may be adopted by the respective governments, will tend to strengthen those bonds of union which have originated in the mutual interests of the two nations.

The principal object of my instructions is, to connect the interests of France with those of the United States. I flatter myself, gentlemen, that my past conduct in the affairs which concern them, hath already convinced you of the determination I feel to endeavor to obey my instructions in such manner as to deserve the confidence of Congress, the friendship of its members, and the esteem of the citizens of America. (Signed,)

GÉRARD.

To which the president returned the following answer: SIR: The treaties between his most Christian majesty and the United States of America, so fully demonstrate his wisdom and magnanimity as to command the reverence of all nations. The virtuous citizens of America, in particular, can never forget his beneficent attention to their violated rights, nor cease to acknowledge the hand of a gracious Providence in raising them up so powerful and illustrious a friend. It is the hope and opinion of Congress that the confidence his majesty

reposes in the firmness of these states, will receive additional strength from every day's experience.

This assembly are convinced, sir, that had it rested solely with the most Christian king, not only the independence of these states would have been universally acknowledged, but their tranquillity fully established. We lament that lust of domination which gave birth to the present war, and hath prolonged and extended the miseries of mankind. We ardently wish to sheath the sword, and spare the further effusion of blood; but we are determined, by every means in our power, to fulfil those eventual engagements which have acquired positive and permanent force from the hostile designs and measures of the common enemy.

Congress have reason to believe that the assistance so wisely and generously sent, will bring Great Britain to a sense of justice and moderation, promote the interests of France and America, and secure peace and tranquillity on the most firm and honorable foundation. Neither can it be doubted that those who administer the powers of government within the several states of this union will cement that connection with the subjects of France, the beneficial effects of which have already been so sensibly felt.

SIR: From the experience we have had of your exertions to promote the true interests of our country as well as your own, it is with the highest satisfaction Congress receive as the first minister from his most Christian majesty, a gentleman whose past conduct affords a happy presage, that he will merit the confidence of this body, the friendship of its members, and the esteem of the citizens of America. In Congress August 6, 1778.

The secretary of Congress then delivered to the Minister a copy of the foregoing reply, signed as above.

Whereupon the Minister withdrew, and was conducted home in the manner in which he was brought to the house.

Adjourned to 9 o'Clock to Morrow.

'This reply, in the writing of Charles Thomson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, I, folio 53.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 1778

A letter, of 1, from Mr. Matthew Clarkson, auditor of accounts in the main army, was read, informing, "that when he was appointed to that office he was possessed of the commission of marshal of the court of admiralty for the State of Pennsylvania, which he still holds," and representing, "that his duty in that office now claims his attention, and that, therefore, he is constrained to tender a resignation of his office as auditor;" and begging "Congress will be pleased to accept it:" Whereupon,

Resolved, That his resignation be accepted.1

The Board of War, to whom the petition of Captain Stoddard, of the 2d regiment of light dragoons, was referred, having made report, the same was read,

Ordered, To lie on the table.

A motion was made to amend the journal of yesterday, by inserting the names of the members of Congress who introduced the Minister; Whereupon, a question was moved whether, as the journal has been read, and other matters entered upon, such a motion was in order, unless by general consent.

Question put,

Resolved, That the motion to amend is not now in order. The committee to whom was referred the letter of General Heath, to the Board of Treasury dated November 27, 1777, report,

That they have carefully examined the files and journals of Congress, so far as they respect the defence of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the rise of the expedition against the island of Rhode Island, and find: that at a meeting of the committees appointed 'This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 185.