consequences of leaving the enemy in quiet possession of their southern conquests; either for negotiation this winter, or a continuance of the war. You know our inability alone to expel them, or perhaps even to stop their career. I have the honor to be, with the sincerest sentiments of respect and attachment, GEORGE WASHINGTON. Sir, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, September 15th, 1780. I have received the annexed Declaration,* with orders to communicate it to Congress. Some American merchants, not knowing that Articles 11th and 12th, therein mentioned, had been annulled, have made use of them in the French Islands, to demand an exemption from the duties paid on the exportation of molasses. An authentic publication of the treaty will remove all remaining doubts as to the payment of this duty, to which the subjects of his Majesty are themselves subjected. I have the honor to be, &c. LUZERNE. * See this Declaration, annulling the 11th and 12th Articles of the Treaty, in the Correspondence of the Commissioners in France, Vol. I. p. 432. and frankness, which ought to exist between allies whose interests are so closely connected.* I have the honor to be, &c. LUZERNE. GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE. Sir, Head Quarters, Bergen County, I have the honor to enclose you a letter, which upon the whole I have thought it advisable to write to the Count de Guichen. As its contents are of a nature to make its falling into the enemy's hands in its present form dangerous, and as I have no cypher of communication with the Count, I take the liberty to request your Excellency's assistance, in making use of yours, and forwarding it by triplicates with your despatches by the first opportunities. I make no mention of a land force, because though it would be useful, it may be dispensed with. But if a body of troops could conveniently accompany the fleets, it would give greater energy and certainty of success to our operations. I am the more induced to desire it, as the composition of a considerable part of our army is temporary, and I am not informed what measures may be taken to replace the men whose times of service will expire. I need use no arguments to convince your Excellency of the extremity, to which our affairs are tending, and the necessity of support. You are an eye witness to all our perplexities and all our wants. You know the dangerous * See the resolutions of Congress, respecting the bills of exchange here mentioned, in the Public Journal of Congress, for August 9th consequences of leaving the enemy in quiet possession of their southern conquests; either for negotiation this winter, or a continuance of the war. You know our inability alone to expel them, or perhaps even to stop their career. I have the honor to be, with the sincerest sentiments of respect and attachment, GEORGE WASHINGTON. Sir, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, September 15th, 1780. I have received the annexed Declaration,* with orders to communicate it to Congress. Some American merchants, not knowing that Articles 11th and 12th, therein mentioned, had been annulled, have made use of them in the French Islands, to demand an exemption from the duties paid on the exportation of molasses. An authentic publication of the treaty will remove all remaining doubts as to the payment of this duty, to which the subjects of his Majesty are themselves subjected. I have the honor to be, &c. LUZERNE. * See this Declaration, annulling the 11th and 12th Articles of the Treaty, in the Correspondence of the Commissioners in France, Vol. I. p. 432. Sir, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, September 16th, 1780. The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, being about to leave Philadelphia for some weeks, and being desirous that in the present state of things, there should be no interruption to the communications between Congress and the French Embassy, has the honor of informing this body, that M. de Marbois will emain here as Chargé d'Affaires of his Majesty. As he President and Delegates are aware of the attention, which he has paid to the affairs relative to them, the undersigned hopes that they will be pleased to grant him their confidence.* LUZERNE. *In Congress, September 19th. "A letter of the 16th, from the Honorable the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, was read, informing Congress that he is about to leave Philadelphia, and to be absent for some weeks; but that M. de Marbois will remain here in quality of his Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires; and hoping, that from his known attention to matters relative to the embassy, Congress will grant him their confidence; whereupon, "Resolved, That the President inform the Minister of France, that in his absence they will readily continue their intercourse with the embassy of his Most Christian Majesty, through M. de Marbois, as his Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, in whose abilities and attention to the interests of the Court of France and those of the United States they have just confidence." M. DE MARBOIS TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Sir, Translation. Philadelphia, October 8th, 1780. I have received the letter, with which your Excellency honored me on the 7th instant, and the accompanying resolution of Congress. I shall, in compliance with the wishes of Congress, send it in three despatches to his Majesty's Minister, and shall make use of three different vessels, which will sail for France in the course of this week. I have no doubt that my Court is sensible of the attention, which Congress shows in communicating to it these measures, and that they will appear equally just, moderate, and prudent. In obedience to an order, which the Captain of the store-ships in this port has just received, he will sail for Boston or Rhode Island on Monday or Tuesday Will your Excellency have the kindness to inform me, if he can be convoyed to the mouth of the Delaware, or to any other distance, by one of the Continental frigates. next. I have the honor to be, &c. |