The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

Next morning the committee went to Chester to meet M. Gerard, who
received them on board the frigate. In going on board they were
saluted with fifteen guns. They then went on shore and waited on him
to Philadelphia, and conducted him to General Arnold's head quarters,
where a dinner was provided for him and his suit, and a number of the
members of Congress. Before dinner he waited on the President.

On Tuesday he delivered to the President sundry papers to be laid
before Congress,[23] desiring to know in what capacity Congress were
willing to receive him; whether as Minister Plenipotentiary or
resident, intimating, that in whatever quality he was received, it
would be expected, that the Commissioners from the States at the Court
of France should be vested with the same.

FOOTNOTE:

[23] Letters from the King, and notes of M. Gerard.

                  *       *       *       *       *

                     TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                        Philadelphia, July 14th, 1778.

  Sir,

His Excellency, the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, commander
of the squadron of the King, being desirous to procure for the armed
vessels, whether public or private, of the United States, the means of
availing themselves of the operations of this squadron, in order to
take prizes from the common enemy, the undersigned has the honor to
inform Congress, that all their armed vessels will enjoy the most
extended protection of the squadron of his Most Christian Majesty, and
that the prizes which they may be able to take will belong entirely to
them. He leaves it to the wisdom of Congress to fix upon the means of
deriving from this arrangement, the advantage of which it is
susceptible. The American vessels, which shall apply to his Excellency
the Vice-Admiral, will receive the signals which will be necessary;
and the undersigned will successively communicate them to Congress,
that information of them may be given to those who shall sail from the
ports. He relies on the prudence of Congress in relation to the
measures necessary to ensure success in this matter.

                                                               GERARD.

                  *       *       *       *       *

                     TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                        Philadelphia, July 14th, 1778.

  Sir,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

Next morning the committee went to Chester to meet M. Gerard, who
received them on board the frigate. In going on board they were
saluted with fifteen guns. They then went on shore and waited on him
to Philadelphia, and conducted him to General Arnold's head quarters,
where a dinner was provided for him and his suit, and a number of the
members of Congress. Before dinner he waited on the President.

On Tuesday he delivered to the President sundry papers to be laid
before Congress,[23] desiring to know in what capacity Congress were
willing to receive him; whether as Minister Plenipotentiary or
resident, intimating, that in whatever quality he was received, it
would be expected, that the Commissioners from the States at the Court
of France should be vested with the same.

FOOTNOTE:

[23] Letters from the King, and notes of M. Gerard.

                  *       *       *       *       *

                     TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                        Philadelphia, July 14th, 1778.

  Sir,

His Excellency, the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, commander
of the squadron of the King, being desirous to procure for the armed
vessels, whether public or private, of the United States, the means of
availing themselves of the operations of this squadron, in order to
take prizes from the common enemy, the undersigned has the honor to
inform Congress, that all their armed vessels will enjoy the most
extended protection of the squadron of his Most Christian Majesty, and
that the prizes which they may be able to take will belong entirely to
them. He leaves it to the wisdom of Congress to fix upon the means of
deriving from this arrangement, the advantage of which it is
susceptible. The American vessels, which shall apply to his Excellency
the Vice-Admiral, will receive the signals which will be necessary;
and the undersigned will successively communicate them to Congress,
that information of them may be given to those who shall sail from the
ports. He relies on the prudence of Congress in relation to the
measures necessary to ensure success in this matter.

                                                               GERARD.

                  *       *       *       *       *

                     TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                        Philadelphia, July 14th, 1778.

  Sir,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10

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