* * * * * AGREEMENT _Between the Commissioners and certain French Officers._ 1st. It is agreed that the Congress of the United States of America shall grant to the Chevalier du Portail, now Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Corps of Engineers of France, the rank of Colonel in their service. 2dly. The Congress of the United States of America will grant to Mons. de Laumoy, now Major in the Royal Corps of Engineers of France, the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in their service. 3dly. The Congress of the United States of America, will grant to Mons. de Gouvion, now Captain in the Royal Corps of Engineers of France, the rank of Major in their service. 4thly. Messrs Le Chevalier du Portail, de Laumoy, and de Gouvion, shall be at liberty to quit the service of the United States, provided it is not during a campaign, or during any particular service, unless ordered so to do, by the king of France; and the Congress may dismiss them, or any of them, whenever they may judge it proper. 5thly. If all or either of these gentlemen should be made prisoners by the king of Great Britain, the Congress shall use all due means to obtain their liberty. 6thly. These gentlemen shall use all possible diligence in preparing for their embarkation, in order to reach Philadelphia, or wherever else the Congress of the United States may be, to obey their orders. 7thly. The pay of these gentlemen shall be such; as is given to officers of their rank in the service of the States of America, and shall commence from the date of this agreement. 8thly. These gentlemen shall procure and provide for their own passages, in such ships, and in such manner, as they shall think proper. The above agreement is entered into and concluded by us, this 13th day of February, 1777. B. FRANKLIN, SILAS DEANE, DU PORTAIL, GOUVION, LAUMOY. * * * * * COMMITTEE OF SECRET CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COMMISSIONERS. Baltimore, 19th February, 1777. Gentlemen,