THE

CORRESPONDENCE

OF

ONRAD ALEXANDER GERARD;

NISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM THE COURT OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES.

For

we will never suffer it to be violated by any one, or transgressed in any manner, as far as it lies in our power. the greater testimony and validity of all which, we have caused our great seal of Great Britain to be affixed to these presents, which we have signed with our royal hand.

Given at the Court of St James, the ninth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and eightyfour, in the twentyfourth year of our reign.

GEORGE R.

THE

CORRESPONDENCE

OF

CONRAD ALEXANDER GERARD;

MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM THE COURT OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES.

CONRAD ALEXANDER GERARD was the first Minister from any foreign Court to the United States. When the American Commissioners went to Paris, in the year 1776, he was principal Secretary to the Council of State, and on terms of the strictest intimacy and confidence with Count de Vergennes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Under the auspices of that Minister, and in concert with him, M. Gerard early took a strong interest in the concerns of the United States, and abetted the cause of their independence. He negotiated, on the part of the French government, the first treaties of alliance and commerce with the United States, signed on the 6th of February, 1778, by him for one of the contracting parties, and by Franklin, Deane, and Lee for the other.

His knowledge of American affairs, and his general ability, pointed him out as the most suitable person to. represent the French Court as Minister to Congress. He came over to this country in the fleet with Count d'Estaing, and arrived in Philadelphia about the middle of July, 1778. After discharging the duties of a Minister Plenipotentiary for more than a year, in a manner highly acceptable to Congress and the whole country, as well as to his own government, he asked his recall, and took his final leave of Congress on the 17th of September, 1779. He returned to Europe in the same vessel, which took out Mr Jay as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Spain.

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