Chapter M: Gerard to the Committee of Congress

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 23d, 1779.

Gentlemen,

The manner in which Congress are pleased to express their sentiments on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of the King, my master, is a mark of their friendship and respect for his Majesty. Your expressions are truly worthy of a faithful ally, and I dare assure you, that the account, which I shall render to his Majesty of them, will be in the highest degree agreeable to him.

GERARD.

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THE COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. GERARD.

_In Congress, September 7th._ The President laid before Congress a
paper of intelligence, which he received from the Minister
Plenipotentiary of France, and which is as follows, being an
extract of a letter from Count de Vergennes to M. Gerard, dated
Versailles, June 29th, 1779.

Translation.

"Sir,

"The decision of Spain is public. Her Ambassador quitted London on the 18th of this month; he is now at Paris. Her forces are on their march to join with ours. The junction made, they will endeavor to inflict on England a blow sufficiently heavy to force her to acknowledge the independence of America. To free herself if possible from this hard necessity, and to procure herself the power of opposing at some future time a nation, which she will not without great reluctance consent to free from the servitude, which she wished to impose upon them, it seems that she has sent two emissaries to Congress with the offer of a truce, and even with power to withdraw all the English forces, if America will determine to give up our alliance, and to separate herself from us.

"I do not imagine that this treachery can even enter into the mind of Congress, but if they should be enticed by the love of peace, a single reflection ought to stop it. As soon as England shall have proved the defection, she can settle her affairs with us, and we shall have no reason to refuse to do it; she will then fall upon America with the whole mass of her power, very certain that no nation in Europe will afterwards take any interest in a nation, which shall have signalized its birth by the most unworthy cowardice of which a government can be guilty. I am persuaded, Sir, that this reflection seasonably presented, will be of great effect. There are many other reflections, which certainly will not escape your wisdom."

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, September 15th, 1779.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor to inform the Congress of the United States of America, that he has appointed Mr James Wilson Attorney-General of the French nation, in order that he may be intrusted with all causes and matters relative to navigation and commerce. The said Minister thought it proper to communicate this proceeding to Congress.

GERARD.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, September 15th, 1779.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, who is preparing to depart immediately, has the honor to request the Congress of the United States to be pleased, in the course of the week, if it be not inconvenient, to grant him an audience for the purpose of taking leave of Congress.

GERARD.

* * * * *

In Congress, September 15th, 1779.

Resolved, That Friday next be assigned for granting a private audience to M. Gerard, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, in order to his taking leave.

Resolved, That this private audience be in full Congress.

_Friday, September 17th._ Resolved, That two members be appointed to introduce the Minister to the private audience.

The Minister being introduced, took his leave in the following speech.