Chapter M: De Calonne to M. De Lafayette (3)

Congress were pleased to order by their resolution of the 2d of January last, that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs should lay before them an estimate of the expenses, which will probably be incurred by the foreign Ministers of the United States respectively, and their secretaries. I find myself under great embarrassments in preparing a report agreeably to their order, from not being able to enter fully into their views. I should presume, that the expense of foreign Ministers ought to be regulated by their salaries, though I feel that the desire of supporting the dignity of an office, to which the salary is incompetent, often urges men to quit the line, how much soever they may be embarrassed thereby. Justice and policy suggest, that the salaries of officers, who are engaged in so delicate and difficult a department as that of Foreign Affairs, should have such appointments as to free them from embarrassments with respect to their private affairs. I believe Congress had this in view when they settled those of their foreign Ministers, none of whom complain of their being inadequate, unless it be Mr Jay, who has given us some reason to think his salary, in his opinion, is barely sufficient for his support, and that his manner of living is not equal to what he conceives the dignity of the United States requires. With respect to the salaries of the secretaries to the Embassies, it is in my opinion, (founded upon the practice of other nations) at least the double of what it ought to be.

If, as I presume, Congress intended by their resolution, that I should lay before them an account of the manner in which our foreign Ministers live at present, that they might themselves be enabled to judge of the proportion it bore to their appointments, I can only say, that the result of inquiries on this head must necessarily be extremely uncertain. I submit them as far as they have come to my knowledge.

Dr Franklin has a part of M. Chaumont's house at Passy; he keeps a chariot and pair, and three or four servants, and gives a dinner occasionally to the Americans and others; his whole expense is, as far as I can learn, very much within his income.

Mr Adams lives in lodgings, keeps a chariot and pair, and two men servants; he has hitherto retained a private secretary in the absence of Mr Dana, who will, if is to be presumed, be paid by Congress. I have lately heard that Mr Adams was about to take a house.

Mr Dana's salary, even if he should assume a public character, in a country where the relative value of money is so high, that, if I am well informed, an elegant house may be had for fifteen guineas a year, is very ample.

Of Mr Jay's manner of living, I have been able to obtain no account, but should conclude from the price of the necessaries of life, in the part of Spain in which he lives, from the port the Court and the people about it maintain, and above all, from its sitting in different parts of the kingdom, that to live in the same style with Dr Franklin or Mr Adams, his expenses must amount to nearly double of theirs.

But as every conjecture of this kind must be very uncertain, all I can do is to lay before Congress the relative expense, as far as I can learn it, between the different places at which our Ministers reside, taking Philadelphia for the common standard.

Paris, if wine, clothing, and the wages of servants are included, is about twenty per cent cheaper than Philadelphia; Amsterdam ten, and at Madrid the expenses of a family are somewhat higher than at this place. But the unsettled state of those who follow the Court, their travelling equipage and charges must greatly enhance this expense.

Congress will make their own deductions from these facts, after allowing for their inaccuracy. I would, however, take the liberty to submit the enclosed resolutions to Congress; the first is founded upon the propriety of supplying Dr Franklin with a secretary, which his age and the dignity of his employment render necessary. As Mr Jay is not yet acknowledged, Mr Carmichael's services in Spain may be dispensed with.

The second, third, fifth, and sixth, are designed to make a reform in the article of expense.

The fourth to prevent the claim which any gentlemen, who may be appointed to any of the Northern Courts, may have to the salary settled by Congress on the 5th of October, and to adapt the character to the allowance.

The sixth to enable Congress, without injuring the dignity of their Ministers, to proportion the allowance to the expense of the Court they reside at, as well us to the port which they would wish them to maintain.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

Office of Foreign Affairs, May 9th, 1782.

The Secretary of Foreign Affairs humbly submits the following resolutions to the consideration of Congress.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Resolved, That Mr Carmichael be appointed Secretary to the Embassy from the United States to the Court of Versailles, with a salary of four thousand dollars per annum.

Resolved, That Mr Jay be empowered to appoint a private secretary, with a salary of one thousand dollars per annum.

Resolved, That Mr Laurens, when he enters upon his mission to the United Provinces of the Low Countries, be empowered to appoint a Secretary with a salary of one thousand dollars per annum.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for negotiating a peace, in case Mr Dana shall not return, appoint a Secretary to the Commission, with a salary of one thousand dollars per annum.

Resolved, That the commission of Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Petersburg be revoked, and that a commission issue to Francis Dana, constituting him Resident at the said Court.

Resolved, That when he shall have been received in that character, he be empowered to appoint a private secretary, with a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum, who shall remain in office till Congress think it proper to make another appointment.

Resolved, That the appointment of no Secretary to any of the Northern Courts in future, shall exceed a thousand dollars per annum, and that the appointments of a Secretary to the Embassy in France, Spain and Holland, shall in future be twelve hundred dollars, excepting such Secretaries have been heretofore appointed.

Resolved, That the salary of a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States, from the 1st day of January next, shall not exceed five thousand dollars, or that of a Resident three thousand, but that an allowance be made for household expenses, at and after the following manner;

To the Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles,

To the Minister in Spain,

To the Resident in the United Provinces, (a Minister being unnecessary,)

To the Resident at the Court of Petersburg, and each of the other Northern Courts.

* * * * *

CHARLES THOMSON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

May 9th, 1782.

Sir,

The United States in Congress assembled, having appointed Monday, the 13th instant, at twelve o'clock, for giving a public audience to the Minister of France, and having resolved, that a place be assigned to the principals in the three Executive Departments under Congress,

I have the honor to inform you, that the place assigned to those gentlemen, is within the bar to the right, and next to the members of Congress on the left of the chair.

The United States in Congress assembled have further resolved, That the assistants and principal secretaries in each of the departments, be admitted without the bar of the house. The Messenger of Congress has orders to furnish you with tickets for such of the gentlemen in your department, as come within the above description.

I have the honor to be, &c.

CHARLES THOMSON, _Secretary_.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, AND MAJOR GENERAL GREENE.

Philadelphia, May 13th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to inform you, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France this day announced to the United States in Congress assembled, at a public audience, the birth of a Dauphin, and that Congress received this annunciation of an event, in which the happiness of their ally was so deeply engaged, with the most lively marks of satisfaction. It is their wish, that your Excellency, and the troops under your command should partake in this pleasure. I have their orders to inform you of this event, to the end, that you may cause the same to be published in the army, until such demonstrations of joy as you shall direct.[24]

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

FOOTNOTES:

[24] The same intelligence was communicated in the same formal way to the Governors of the States.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 13th, 1782.

Sir,

The late change in the measures and in the administration of Great Britain, and the arts that are daily practised to infuse a belief in Europe, that the most perfect harmony does not subsist between the United States and their ally, induce me to wish that Congress would embrace the opportunity, which this day's audience affords, to declare their attachment to the alliance in such terms, as will serve fully to defeat every expectation of sowing the seeds of division between the United States and France.

For which purpose I humbly submit the following addition to the answer proposed to be given to the address of the Ministry Plenipotentiary of France.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect,

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

Office of Foreign Affairs, May 13th, 1782.

The following addition to the answer to the address proposed to be made by the Minister of France, is humbly submitted to the approbation of Congress, by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

"A union, the mutual advantages of which become daily more conspicuous, and which has derived new lustre and additional force from every effort of the common enemy to dissolve it; Congress do not enlarge upon the subject, but satisfy themselves with the representations, which your own observations will enable, and your regard to the interests of both countries will induce you to make of the affectionate attachment, which every rank of people within these United States manifest to your Sovereign, and of their inviolable fidelity to the principles of the alliance."

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 15th, 1782.

Sir,

In order to have the sense of Congress upon Mr Jay's request, contained in his letter of the 6th of February last, I do myself the honor to submit the enclosed resolve; for though I do not see any advantage, which would at present result from his leaving Madrid, yet as cases may arise, which would render it proper, it may safely be left to his discretion.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

Office of Foreign Affairs, May 15th, 1782.

The following resolution is humbly submitted to the consideration of the United States in Congress, by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

It having been represented to the United States in Congress, that certain circumstances might render it expedient to permit Mr Jay to leave the Court of Madrid, and repair either to the United Provinces or to Versailles,

Resolved, that such permission be granted him, provided he shall conceive, that such absence will be attended with important advantages to the United States, and that it does not exceed three months.

* * * * *

TO RICHARD HARRISON OF CADIZ.

Philadelphia, May 21st, 1782.

Sir,

You have probably heard of Colonel Livingston's misfortune, which deprived me of the pleasure of bearing from you by him. Our ports have been so closely blocked up for some time past, that it is with great difficulty we can get any vessels in or out. He shared the common fate, and was carried into New York, from whence he is come out with Mr Vaughan upon parole. He destroyed all his letters, and his parole closing this month, we have been able to learn nothing of importance from him.

The new system, which England seems to be about to adopt, with respect to America, has not yet discovered itself here, except in general professions, which the present Commander in Chief, Sir Guy Carleton, is continually making of his kindness and the affection, that still subsists in England towards the people of this country. This has produced not the least effect here; all ranks of people consider it rather a proof of their imbecility, than of their good will, and the Legislatures of the several States will I imagine enter into resolutions, similar to those passed by Maryland, which you will find in the enclosed papers. I direct them to you; after you have read them, I wish you to enclose and send them to Mr Jay as soon as possible, I commit to your particular care the several packets, that go with this; trusting that you will send them in such way as to escape inspection. They contain very important papers, as well those that go to Mr Adams as to Mr Jay.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 21st, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose for the inspection of Congress, the draft of a letter to Mr Dana, together with a quadruplicate copy of one written the 2d of March, that Congress by seeing both may judge whether any further directions are necessary. I must take the liberty, Sir, to request you to turn their attention to this subject, and to the draft, which I had the honor to lay before them, of a letter to the King, as soon as possible. Unless Congress decide upon them today, I shall lose a favorable opportunity of transmitting them to Europe.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Head Quarters, May 22d, 1782.

Sir,

I have been honored with your favor of the 13th, communicating to me the formal annunciation to Congress, by the Minister of France, of the birth of a Dauphin.

Measures are ordered to convey to the army the news of this happy event, which will be celebrated with such demonstrations of joy as the occasion requires, and our circumstances will admit.

This information will be transmitted to General Greene, that the army under his command may participate in the general joy.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

* * * * *

GOVERNOR TRUMBULL TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Hartford, May 23d, 1782.

Sir,

I do myself the honor to enclose you copies of a letter, which I received some time since from Mr Deane; as he appears to be somewhat knowing in the counsels of Great Britain, I thought it not improper to return him an answer; you will find copies of what I have written likewise enclosed, and it is my duty to acquaint you, that upon being laid before the General Assembly of the State, this answer was approved by both houses _nemine contradicente_.

You will be pleased to lay both papers before Congress and the Minister of France, and you will judge of the propriety of sending a copy likewise to Dr Franklin, or our other Ministers in Europe.

I beg leave also to recommend to your care for conveyance, the letter covered for Mr Deane, and am, Sir, with the sincerest sentiments of esteem, &c.

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 5th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to submit to Congress, the enclosed letter from Mr Lee with his accounts. As Congress were pleased to give no directions relative to the brigantine Berkenbosch, I presume it was their intention, that I should transmit to Dr Franklin a state of the information I had collected on that subject, which I have accordingly done. If Congress have any further commands, I wish to be honored with them as soon as convenient.

I am, Sir, with the highest respect, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 6th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose the translation of a letter from the Minister of France to me, on the subject of an interest due on Loan Office certificates, as this relates peculiarly to your department, you will do me the honor to enable me to return some answer to this application, which has been several times reiterated.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 6th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose the translation of a correspondence between the Count de Vergennes and Dr Franklin, on the subject of complaints contained in the Memorial accompanying the letter from the Count, a translation of which is also enclosed. You will be pleased to cause an inquiry to be made into the facts, and to favor me with such information, as will enable me either to show, that the complaint is ill founded, or that it will be treated with the attention it merits.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 7th, 1782.

Sir,

I received this morning the letter you did me the honor to write on the 6th. Congress have asked from the several States a five per cent duty on goods imported, and on prizes and prize goods, as a fund for paying the principal and interest of their debts, this fund when granted will not be sufficient, and it is not yet granted by all. I expect, however, the requisition will speedily be complied with. I shall not cease urging it, and also such further revenues as may be sufficient for the purpose. When they shall have been obtained, they will be duly applied in liquidation of the public debts; but until that period arrives, neither the principal nor the interest of such debts can be paid.

I have the honor to be, with very great respect,

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.

Office of Foreign Affairs, June 12th, 1782.

Sir,

I was honored with your letter of the 23d of May, with both the enclosures, which I laid before Congress, and furnished copies to the Minister of France. The spirit in which your answer to Mr Deane's letter is written, is such as must bring him to some sense of the disgraceful and contemptible part he is acting, and awake in him that remorse, which is the severest punishment of guilt. I shall avail myself of the permission you give me to transmit it to Dr Franklin, since I see that important advantages may result from declaring to Europe your sense, and that of so reputable a body as the Legislature of Connecticut, upon the important points it discusses.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

GOVERNOR GREENE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Newport, June 15th, 1782.

Sir,

I had the honor of receiving your address of the 14th of May past, informing me, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, had announced to the United States in Congress assembled, at a public audience, the birth of a Dauphin of France, which I laid before the General Assembly, who were pleased to request me to transmit the enclosed letter of congratulation upon that happy event to his Excellency the Minister of France, which I request may be delivered to him in the name of the Governor, Council, and Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in General Assembly convened.

I have the honor to be, &c.

W. GREENE.

* * * * *

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 20th, 1782.

Sir,

I do myself the honor to request that you will be pleased to make out accurate estimates for your Department during the year 1783, that I may form those general estimates for the service, which it is my duty to lay before the United States in Congress.

I am, with perfect esteem and respect, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Office of Finance, June 20th, 1782.

Sir,

The copy of a Memorial from the Minister of France, of the 25th of last month, which you handed me, has been laid before the Controller of the treasury, who has examined the resolutions of Congress, and reported to me. I am now, therefore, to observe, that if the gentlemen mentioned in that Memorial, or their representatives, have any claims against the United States, they must form accounts thereof, and state them in the usual manner to the Controller of the treasury, with the vouchers, who will cause them to be examined, according to the rules and regulations in that behalf established, and any balances which may appear due will be by him certified to me, at which time, and not before, I can decide on the subject.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

* * * * *

THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

North Carolina, June 24th, 1782.

Sir,

Your letters of the 18th and 19th of February, covered the resolutions of Congress, dated November 28th, January 25th, and February 11th, I was favored with in May last, which I did myself the honor to lay before the General Assembly.

The important observations you are pleased to make relative to our affairs, our friends, allies, and enemies, have their just weight, which the Legislature are very sensible of. To be prepared, therefore, for whatever measures the enemy may take, they have passed a law to draft every twentieth man in the State, to serve in our Continental battalions eighteen months; as enlistments during the war cannot be obtained in this State, so as to answer any general purpose. I flatter myself, we shall have a respectable body of men soon in the field, under Major General Greene. In August they are to rendezvous. One hundred wagons, for the Continental service, the State is also to furnish, in lieu of one hundred men.

I have given directions for the damages, which the inhabitants of this State have received from the British, to be ascertained as nearly as may be, agreeably to your request.

The records of our Secretary's office being scattered in different parts, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, during their incursions and marches through the State, I have been prevented from procuring you copies of the papers you mention; but I have sent by Mr Blount, the bearer, and one of our Delegates, a map, or short sketch of the outlines of the State; extending to the westward as far as Mississippi, the boundary formed by the treaty of Paris in 1763, which we consider ourselves not absolutely bound by, having a previous right by the charter of Charles the Second, which I shall shortly transmit to you. By this our territory extends from sea to sea, that is from the Atlantic to the Western ocean.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ALEXANDER MARTIN.

* * * * *

TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.

Philadelphia, July 3d, 1782.

Sir,

The undersigned, Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs, has the honor to deliver the enclosed letter of congratulation, on the birth of the Dauphin, in the name and behalf of the Governor, Council and Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in General Assembly convened, agreeably to the request of his Excellency, Governor Greene. The undersigned will do himself the honor to transmit to them any reply, which the Minister of France shall think it proper to make thereto.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO WILLIAM LEE, AT BRUSSELS.

Philadelphia July 18th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose a resolution of Congress, directing Dr Franklin to discharge the balance of your account against the United States. I have written to him upon the subject, and doubt not that the money will be paid immediately upon your application.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

GOVERNOR MARTIN TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

North Carolina, August 20th, 1782.

Sir,

Only a few days ago I was favored with your letter, of the 2d of May, 1782, covering a resolution of Congress of the 1st, on a report of a committee to whom was referred a communication of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

However insidious the designs of the Court of Britain may be in representing us as a divided people to the several mediating European powers, the several great exertions making by the Continental Union, to prosecute the war with vigor against her, I make no doubt, will shortly undeceive them, and expose our enemy to the just contempt and ridicule he will draw upon himself by such false and illusive insinuations.

Whilst the enemy held the important post of Wilmington, the above suggestion might be too true respecting its environs, and the disaffected settlements of this State, but since they have abandoned the same, our late revolted citizens, conscious of their delusion, return with cheerfulness to their allegiance and duty in support of the common cause, and I flatter myself we shall soon be a reunited people, and join our efforts with more efficacy to those of our sister States, in terminating the war with honor to our arms.

Sensible of the great attention paid to the several States by the Congress in this resolution, and the pertinent observations you have made thereon, with a zeal becoming its importance, in putting our Legislature on their guard against any separate overtures that may be made to them by Britain, without the intervention of Congress, I shall with pleasure do myself the honor to lay the same before them at their earliest meeting, which will be on the 1st of November next, at Hillsborough. In the meanwhile, Sir, I can venture to pledge the faith of the State, that the General Assembly will listen to no negotiation, however flattering, and apparently advantageous, but what is made through the great Council of the Continent.

Yours of the 14th of May, announcing the birth of the Dauphin of France, I have had the honor to receive, which joyful event as it concerns the happiness of our great and illustrious ally, and future welfare of his kingdom, I have communicated to the good citizens of this State.

Enclosed you have a copy of the acts of our last General Assembly, agreeably to your request, which by the delay of the printer could not reach you sooner. I hope my letter, accompanied with a map, has safely come to hand.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ALEXANDER MARTIN.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, August 23d, 1782.

Sir,

By a late arrangement of the Superintendent of Finance, he has directed that the salaries of the Ministers and their Secretaries be paid here, and only one account opened with the office of Foreign Affairs; in consequence of which I have, at his request, stated their accounts quarterly, and laid out the proceeds in the purchase of bills, which I have remitted to Dr Franklin, with direction to answer their several drafts to the amount of the money so remitted. But as these bills are endorsed by me, I by that means render myself responsible for their payment in my private character; and as I am not authorised by Congress, or by the gentlemen in whose behalf the money is remitted, to act as their agent, I am liable to answer to them for the money received here, if they should disapprove of its having been laid out in the purchase of bills. I also render myself accountable to them severally, if the money remitted to Dr Franklin should, by neglect or other cause, be applied to some other use than that for which it was remitted.

I have endeavored to obviate these inconveniences by writing to the Ministers and their Secretaries, informing them of this arrangement, and requesting them to appoint agents, who shall manage their business here. In the meanwhile, I must request, for my justification, some resolutions of Congress, authorising me to act as their agent till they shall make such appointments. I have thought it reasonable to charge them the usual commission upon the purchase of bills, and shall continue to do so, till they appoint other agents.

I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO WILLIAM MOORE, PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 8th, 1782.

Sir,

The State of Pennsylvania not having as yet passed laws conformably to the eleventh Article of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between his Most Christian Majesty and these United States, agreeably to the requisition of Congress to the several States, passed the 14th day of January, 1780, a copy of which is enclosed, I find myself called upon by the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, in behalf of such of the subjects of France, as in confidence thereof have purchased real property in this State, to solicit for them the security they are entitled to by this article.

I have the honor, therefore, to request your Excellency to take measures for calling the attention of the Legislature to this stipulation in the Treaty, when at their earliest leisure from such business as they conceive requires more immediate despatch. I beg also to be informed, whether any, and what steps, have been taken to carry into effect the several resolutions of the United States in Congress assembled, contained in the letters I did myself the honor to write to your Excellency, of the following dates, 18th and 19th of February, and 2d of May, 1782.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO GOVERNOR WEARE, OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 9th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose copies of letters, which have been received from the Governor of the Island of Granada, in consequence of letters written, on my application, by the Minister of France, and the state of Mr Mc Clintock's case, transmitted by me.

From this answer, I think the justice of Mr Mc Clintock's claim is put out of doubt; but, at the same time, redress will be rendered more difficult, by our being now obliged to seek it in another channel. I shall, however, direct a memorial to be presented on the subject to the Court of France, and send over authentic copies of the documents in my possession. It would greatly facilitate this business, if Mr Mc Clintock had an agent in France, who would prosecute his claim, and to whom I would afford all the facilities in my power. I mention this matter to your Excellency, because the Legislature of New Hampshire, having interested themselves therein, I presumed that it would be agreeable to them to know that it was not neglected.

I beg you to assure them, Sir, that I shall receive with pleasure any further instruction with which they may please to honor me, relative to this or any other subject, in which I may promote the views of the State, or the interest of its members.

Not having been honored with answers to my several letters to your Excellency of the following dates, 18th and 19th of February and 2d of May, 1782, I beg leave to ask, whether they have been received, and what measures have been taken in consequence of them.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 9th, 1782.

Sir,

The situation of my affairs rendering my personal attention necessary, I take the liberty to request your Excellency to communicate to Congress my design, (if it meets their approbation,) to visit the State of New York for a few weeks. I shall take measures to have the earliest communication made to Congress of such intelligence as may be received in my absence, and for the general direction of the business of the department. Your Excellency will do me the honor to obtain the sense of Congress upon this subject, and to believe me, with the highest respect, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO GOVERNOR MARTIN, OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 9th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 24th of June, by Mr Blount, together with the map you were pleased to transmit. I shall expect at your leisure, the other documents you mention as explanatory of your boundaries. Copies of the most westerly grants, that have been made by the Crown within your State, would tend greatly to elucidate your claim, as would also copies of acts of the Legislature laying out the back country into counties or parishes, if any such exist.

I receive, with great pleasure, the account you give of the exertion of your State in filling their line, though I think we have some reason to hope, that you will not be able to find employment for them near home.

I could wish to have had it in my power to give your Excellency some account of our foreign negotiations, but by an extraordinary neglect, or, which is more probable, by some accident, we have had no official information either from our own Ministers, or through the Minister of France, for a very long time past. As to public news, it is not worth while to trouble you with it, as this letter will probably lay some days before the gentleman, who has promised to charge himself with it, calls. I shall therefore direct, as the best means of giving the news of the day, that the latest papers of this place be sent with it, when he is just about to set out.

I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 11th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to lay before Congress a number of letters received last night by Captain Smedley, from Mr Adams, Mr Dana, and Mr Barclay. I have arranged and numbered them, and translated those of Mr Dumas. The compliment of the merchants of the town of Schiedam being very long, it is not yet translated, when it is, it will be laid before Congress. Mr Dana has by some accident neglected to put up the first sheet of his letter, so that the subject is broken in upon, and we are ignorant of its date.

I take the liberty to recommend that some attention be paid to Mr Adams's request with respect to Mr Dumas, who has certainly been a very assiduous servant of the United States; I could wish at least to be enabled to inform him of the sense of Congress thereon. Perhaps it would be expedient to commit it to the committee appointed to consider the salaries of foreign Ministers, &c. Mr Adams has as yet received no answer to the letter on the subject of his purchase at the Hague. Should Congress approve the form, which Mr Adams proposes for the ratification of his agreement, I presume Mr Thomson will have their orders for endorsing it, and the agreement will be immediately returned to this office, so that Congress may avail themselves of the means, that now offer for transmitting it.

I also lay before Congress a large packet, containing Mr Deane's accounts, which I shall deliver to the Office of Finance, unless Congress would choose to have it disposed of in some other way. I must beg, Sir, that the letters be returned to this office, as soon as Congress have examined them as I wish to avail myself of the present opportunity to answer them.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 12th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to lay before Congress two letters from Messrs de Neufville and Son, under cover of which last I received the enclosed letter, which contains what I suppose to be the first sheet of Mr Dana's letter, probably sent immediately after he had discovered his mistake. I send the other parts with it. I also enclose for the perusal of Congress an act of the British Parliament for the exchange of American prisoners, which, when returned to the office I shall have published.

I find in a Leyden paper some account of Mr Grenville's negotiation, and the alterations proposed by the committee of the States General to the treaty submitted to their consideration by Mr Adams. These may be objects of curiosity, and as such I enclose them. They will be printed on Saturday if the papers are returned in time.

A Dutch paper of the 13th of July, mentions that the Baron Vioménil, the Marquis de Lavall, and other officers, left Paris the beginning of July, in order to sail in the ---- frigate; that the Marquis de Lafayette was not to accompany them, as it was proposed; that he was waiting the issue of the negotiation in Paris.

The Count D'Artois has obtained leave of the King of Spain to serve as a volunteer at the siege of Gibraltar. This may perhaps be concluded as an indication of their hope of success in the attempt to reduce it.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, September 12th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose two reports upon Mr Adams's letters. I would propose in addition to the first to direct the substance of Mr Adams's letter of the 23d of April, containing his note, and the appointment of a committee, to be printed as articles of intelligence, not under the express direction of Congress, since the business is not concluded.

With respect to the second report, I am led to make it by Mr Adams's recommendation, and by my sense of the zeal and diligence, which M. Dumas has so long testified in the cause of America, when it was very far from being a popular one in Holland. Though I must confess I feel some reluctance in seeing any but an American in the line, which ought to serve as a school for future Ministers. But this case has peculiar circumstances by which it must be determined. The commission of _Chargé d'Affaires_ I should conceive too important and too confidential to be placed in any hands, but those of a citizen of the United States. There are other reasons, which will suggest themselves to Congress, against this measure, which it is unnecessary to mention. The salary I have left blank, as that subject is under the consideration of a committee. The second resolution is to take away the necessity of making it greater than our circumstances will allow.

The merits of the other gentlemen mentioned by Mr Adams, together with his recommendation, might justly perhaps induce Congress to show them some marks of their attention, if the situation of their finances would permit, but as neither of those gentlemen are in the service of Congress, it is to be presumed that they will not choose to take any public notice of that part of his letter, till they are in circumstances to satisfy the just claims of those who have demands upon them.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 12th, 1782.

Sir,

Having carefully examined Mr Laurens's letter,[25] I believe Congress will think with me, that the subjects of it are such as I can in no other way report on, than by recommending it to be submitted to a special committee.

The two great points are his resignation and exchange. The first of these Congress only are competent to decide upon; and the last, not relating in any way to my Department, is intimately connected with a subject already under the consideration of a committee. With respect to his support, I believe that there can be no doubt that Mr Laurens's salary is to be paid, till Congress determine to accept his resignation. I have considered it as a part of the expenses of this Department, and accordingly remitted the amount of two quarters' salary to Dr Franklin, commencing in January last, previous to which, that business was under the direction of Dr Franklin. I shall continue to include his salary in my drafts on Mr Morris, till I receive directions from Congress to discontinue it. Congress having empowered Mr Laurens to appoint a secretary, there can be no doubt about the propriety of discharging his salary.

The enemy having published an account of Mr Laurens's petition for relief, &c. which appears by his letter to have been without foundation, I beg leave to submit to Congress the propriety of printing his own account of this transaction, since it evidences in contradiction to their reports, that he always acted with the dignity and firmness, which became his station and character.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

FOOTNOTES:

[25] See this letter in _Henry Lauren's Correspondence_, Vol. II. p. 463.

* * * * *

CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 12th, 1782.

Sir,

Agreeably to the direction of Congress, contained in the enclosed resolution, I am to solicit your Excellency's attention to the object of it, and to pray that means may be used by the State over which you preside, to furnish the returns they require, sending quadruplicate copies of them, under the seal of the State, to this office. I am sorry to have reason to complain of the little attention that the recommendations of Congress, and my letter of the 12th day of November, 1781, relative to a similar object, has met with from your State, since the want of those returns will, without doubt, be severely felt by our Ministers, whenever they shall commence the negotiations for a general peace.

I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.

Office of Foreign Affairs, September 15th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to inform you, by the direction of Congress, that I have lately received official advices from Mr Adams, of the resolutions of their High Mightinesses the States General, to receive and acknowledge the said Mr Adams in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, and to request your Excellency to cause this interesting event to be made public. I have the honor to enclose copies of the resolutions of their High Mightinesses on this subject, and to inform you that the States General did, on the 23d day of April, appoint a Grand Committee to confer with Mr Adams, to whom, having been introduced in the usual forms by two noblemen, he laid before them the plan of a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, which was immediately printed, and sent to the different members of the sovereignty.

I cannot conclude without congratulating your Excellency upon an event, which widens the basis of our independence, and leads to an immediate connexion with a powerful nation, whose alliance a variety of circumstances in their origin and government render extremely desirable.

I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

GENERAL GREENE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Head Quarters, October 2d, 1782.

Sir,

Your letter of the 13th of May did not come to hand until some time in August, before the receipt of which his Excellency, General Washington, had communicated the agreeable information of the birth of a Dauphin, and directed that some public declaration of our feelings should be had upon the occasion. Accordingly, on the 4th of July, we fired a _feu de joie_, and gave every testimony in our power of the pleasure and happiness we felt upon an event so interesting to our good ally, and so intimately connected with the welfare of America; and I beg you will communicate to the Minister in Philadelphia, how sincerely the officers of this army participate in the general joy, which this public blessing diffuses through France and America.

It is with infinite satisfaction that I inform you, that the enemy is making every preparation for the evacuation of Charleston, the last and only place they hold in any of the Southern United States.

I hope a general peace will follow, and that America may long enjoy, without interruption, the blessings she has been so long contending for.

I have the honor to be, &c.

NATHANIEL GREENE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, October 29th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose, for the inspection of Congress, a letter from Mr Harrison. So much of it as relates to the state of his accounts, has been sent to the Office of Finance. As this subject has before been strongly insisted upon by Mr Jay, I doubt not that Mr Morris will pay every attention to it, which the means in his hands will permit.

Mr Harrison is so well spoken of by Mr Jay, and has manifested, on many occasions, watchful attention to the welfare of the United States, and discovered such disinterestedness in every transaction which related to them, that I cannot but hope that Congress will think him worthy of some public notice. Should they be of opinion, that it would be improper to appoint him consul at a time when he could not be received in his public character, and when an attempt to display it might draw upon the United States new indignities, yet it would give me pleasure to be enabled to assure him from Congress, that they entertain a just sense of his services, that they wish him to continue to act under the authority he has received from Mr Jay, till the politics of Spain shall render it proper to vest him with more ample powers. This earnest of the favor of Congress would stimulate him to merit further marks of their confidence.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Philadelphia, November 13th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit a resolution of Congress, appointing you one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace. I rejoice in this fresh proof of their confidence in your virtue and abilities. The sacrifices you have heretofore made to the interests of your country, induce me to hope that you will suffer no personal consideration to prevent their being employed in its service upon this important occasion.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO GOVERNOR MATTHEWS, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Philadelphia, November 20th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit the copy of a letter from Count de Vergennes to Dr Franklin, accompanied with a memorial from Messrs Le Marque and Fabre, on the subject of debts contracted by Mr Gillon, as is said, in behalf of the State of South Carolina. I wish, Sir, you would enable me to afford such an answer to it as will exculpate the State from any censure which Mr Gillon may have deservedly incurred. If he was vested with such powers as enabled him to bind the State, they will doubtless have the justice to direct that his engagements be made good, notwithstanding any loss they may incur thereby. If he had no such powers, they will embrace the earliest opportunity of disavowing them.

I shall trouble your Excellency to apprize me of the steps, that may be taken in consequence of this information, that I may embrace the earliest opportunity, by placing this matter in its true light, to do that justice to the integrity and good faith of the State, which they will undoubtedly merit.

I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THOMAS BARCLAY.

Philadelphia, November 26th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the pleasure of transmitting a resolution of Congress, by which you are appointed a Commissioner for adjusting their accounts in Europe. I flatter myself, that this fresh mark of their confidence in you will be highly acceptable, and that you will take the earliest opportunity to enter upon the task assigned you, since not only the interest, but the honor of the United States, has greatly suffered by the delay, which this necessary business has heretofore experienced.

I am, Dear Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

THOMAS JEFFERSON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Chesterfield, November 26th, 1782.

Sir,

I received yesterday the letter, with which you have been pleased to honor me, enclosing the resolution of Congress of the 12th instant, renewing my appointment as one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace, and beg leave through you to return my sincere thanks to that august body, for the confidence they are pleased to repose in me, and to tender the same to yourself for the obliging manner in which you have notified it.

I will employ in this arduous charge, with diligence and integrity, the best of my poor talents, which I am conscious are far short of what it requires. This I hope will ensure to me from Congress a kind construction of all my transactions; and it gives me no small pleasure, that my communications will pass through the hands of a gentleman, with whom I have acted in the earlier stages of this contest, and whose discernment and candor I had the good fortune then to approve and esteem.

Your letter finds me at a distance from home, attending on my family under inoculation. This will add to the delay which the arrangement of my particular affairs would necessarily occasion. I shall lose no moment, however, in preparing for my departure, and shall hope to pay my respects to Congress and to yourself some time between the 20th and the last of December.

I have the honor to be, &c.

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, December 2d, 1782.

Sir,

Having lately been informed, that the business of the Court of Chancery in the State of New York has increased so much as to demand more of my attention than is consistent with the duties of the place, which I have the honor to hold under the United States, I must pray your Excellency to lay before Congress my request to be permitted to resign the latter, and to assure them at the same time, of the grateful sense which I shall always retain, not only of the honor done me by the appointment, but of those distinguished marks of confidence, which they have repeatedly shown me in the execution of my trust.

That the business of this office may sustain no injury by my resignation, I shall, if Congress approve, continue to perform its duties till they shall be pleased to appoint a gentleman to succeed me, or direct some other mode for carrying it on, in confidence that they will make their arrangements as early as is consistent with the deliberation they may conceive them to require.

I take the liberty to recommend to the protection of Congress, and the gentleman who is to succeed me, Mr Morris and M. Duponceau, my secretaries, having the greatest reason to confide in their fidelity and attention to the business intrusted to their care. The Reverend Mr Tetard, who is likewise employed in the office, has some claim to their attention; he rendered essential services to our army in Canada, suffered many personal inconveniences there, and finds himself reduced, at an advanced age, to absolute ruin by the enemy and our own army, both having contributed to lay waste his farm, destroy his buildings, and pillage his property. For these facts, I take the liberty to refer Congress to his Memorial.

As Congress in making a new appointment will probably wish to adapt the salary to the necessary expense of the department, of which they have heretofore had no opportunity to be fully informed, it is a duty I owe to them, as well as to my successor, to assure them that my expenses, exclusive of purchase and wear, carriages, horses, and household furniture, have exceeded my allowance from Congress, upwards of three thousand dollars. As I have now no personal interest in mentioning this circumstance, Congress will, I am persuaded, attribute the liberty I have taken, to my desire of seeing a department, in which I have had the honor to preside, supported with dignity.