Chapter M: De Lafayette to the Commissioners

Paris, May 12th, 1783.

Gentlemen,

Having yesterday conferred with Count de Vergennes upon some public concerns, he requested I would tell you what, instead of troubling you with the demand of a meeting, I think better to mention in this note.

The several powers, said he, are going to make up their treaties, and when ready to sign, they will, of course, meet to do it all together. The mediation of the Emperor and that of Russia have been required, and under that mediation the French treaty will be signed; it now rests with America to know, if she will conclude her treaty under the mediation, or chooses to let it alone. There is no necessity for it. But, in case you prefer to have it, Count de Vergennes thinks it is time to join with England in making a combined application to the Court of Vienna and that of Petersburg.

So far, Gentlemen, I have been requested to speak to you. I will add, that from my last conferences on the subject, I hope we may get the harbor of L'Orient, as we have wished, for the American trade.

Be pleased to accept the assurances of my great and affectionate respect.

LAFAYETTE.

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DAVID HARTLEY'S COMMISSION.

George R.

George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg, Arch Treasurer and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, and so forth, to all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting.

Whereas, for the perfecting and establishing the peace, friendship, and good understanding so happily commenced by the Provisional Articles signed at Paris, the thirtieth day of November last, by the Commissioners of us, and our good friends, the United States of America, viz; New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower Counties on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, in North America, and for opening, promoting, and rendering perpetual, the mutual intercourse of trade and commerce, between our kingdoms and the dominions of the said United States, we have thought proper to invest some fit person with full powers on our part to meet and confer with the Ministers of the said United States, now residing at Paris, duly authorised for the accomplishing of such laudable and salutary purposes.

Now know ye, that we, reposing special trust and confidence in the wisdom, loyalty, diligence, and circumspection of our trusty and well beloved David Hartley, (on whom we have heretofore conferred the rank of our Minister Plenipotentiary,) have nominated, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do nominate, constitute and appoint him, our true, certain, and undoubted Commissioner, Procurator, and Plenipotentiary; giving and granting to him all, and all manner of faculty, power, and authority, together with general, as well as special order (so as the general do not derogate from the special, nor on the contrary,) for us, and in our name, to meet, confer, treat, and conclude with the Minister or Ministers, furnished with sufficient powers, on the part of our said good friends, the United States of America, of and concerning all such matters and things as may be requisite and necessary for accomplishing and completing the several ends and purposes herein before mentioned, and also for us, and in our name to sign such treaty or treaties, convention or conventions, or other instruments whatsoever, as may be agreed upon in the premises; and mutually to deliver and receive the same in exchange, and to do and perform all such other acts, matters, and things, as may be anyways proper and conducive to the purposes abovementioned, in as full and ample form and manner, and with the like validity and effect, as we ourself, if we were present, could do and perform the same; engaging and promising, on our royal word, that we will accept, ratify, and confirm in the most effectual manner all such acts, matters, and things, as shall be so transacted and concluded by our aforesaid Commissioner, Procurator, and Plenipotentiary, and that we will never suffer any person to violate the same, in the whole, or in part, or to act contrary thereto.

In testimony and confirmation of all which, we have caused our great seal of Great Britain to be affixed to these presents, signed with our royal hand.

Given at our palace at St James, the fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eightythree, and the twentythird year of our reign.

I, David Hartley, the Minister abovementioned, certify the foregoing to be a true copy from my original commission, delivered to the American Ministers this 19th day of May, 1783.