The squadron which the King, my master, has sent, in order to act in concert with the United States, against the common enemy, having taken some prisoners during its passage, the keeping of whom on board of the vessels would be embarrassing and even dangerous, the undersigned requests the Congress of the said United States to have the goodness to cause these prisoners, as well as those whom the King's squadron shall be able to take in the course of its operations, to be received, to cause provision to be made for their safe keeping and subsistence, in the same manner as that which it makes use of for its own prisoners, and to hold them at the disposal of the King, and subject to the orders of his Excellency, the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, and commander of his Majesty's squadron. The undersigned will take care to cause all the expenses incurred on this occasion to be reimbursed at certain periods, in such manner as the Congress shall be pleased to point out.[24] GERARD. FOOTNOTE: [24] Congress took into consideration the Memorial respecting prisoners, and thereupon "Resolved, that all prisoners taken, or which may be taken, by the squadron of his Most Christian Majesty, under the command of the Count d'Estaing, Vice-Admiral of France, be received by the Commissary-General of prisoners, and that he provide for their safe custody and subsistence in like manner as has been usual for the prisoners of these States. That he make monthly returns of all prisoners, which shall be by him so received, to the Board of War. That he make monthly returns to the treasury, of the accounts of all moneys expended for the purposes aforesaid, and that the prisoners be held at the disposal of his Most Christian Majesty, and subject to the orders of his Excellency Count d'Estaing. "Ordered, that the paper relative to the encouragement given by the Count d'Estaing to American armed vessels, whether public or private, be published." * * * * * CEREMONIAL OF ADMITTING THE FRENCH MINISTER TO CONGRESS. In Congress, July 20th, 1781. Resolved, That the ceremonial for a Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy, shall be as follows; When a Minister Plenipotentiary, or Envoy, shall arrive within any of the United States, he shall receive at all places where there are guards, sentries, or the like, such military honors as are paid to a general officer of the second rank in the armies of the United States. When he shall arrive at a place in which Congress shall be, he shall wait upon the President and deliver his credentials, or a copy thereof. Two members of Congress shall then be deputed to wait upon him, and inform him where and when he shall receive audience of Congress.