He finds himself obliged to prevent all mistakes by declaring in writing, as he always has done verbally, that all the supplies furnished by M. de Beaumarchais to the States, whether merchandise or cannons and military goods, were furnished in the way of commerce, and that the articles which came from the King's magazines and arsenals were sold to M. de Beaumarchais by the department of artillery, and that he has furnished his obligations for the price of these articles. He is, consequently, a debtor to the war department, whilst he is a creditor of the United States by the sale of these same articles, which had become his property. On the other side the King is a debtor to the United States. It is this situation, namely, the difficulty which Congress finds in paying M. de Beaumarchais by return of merchandise, and the considerable saving which would result to Congress, that has determined the undersigned to offer a mutual compensation, and to pay the King's debts to the United States to the amount of the receipts of M. de Beaumarchais, which Congress will receive in ready money. This is the simple and natural operation, which the undersigned has offered, and which ought not at all to change the situation of M. de Beaumarchais with regard to Congress, since he is and continues to be a creditor in his own name, of the United States, and since the undersigned simply offers to pay to the discharge of Congress a certain sum, which the undersigned will determine in concert with M. de Francy, when Congress shall have passed a resolution on this offer. The undersigned thinks that he owes these explanations to his respect for Congress, and he hopes that if there may remain any false ideas on this subject, Congress will be pleased to place him in a situation to supply all the information which may yet be desired. GERARD. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, January 5th, 1779. Sir, The Minister Plenipotentiary of France cannot forbear to submit to the Congress of the United States, the passages underscored in the two gazettes annexed, under date of the 3d and 5th of this month. He has no doubt of the indignation of Congress at the indiscreet assertions contained in these passages, which equally bring into question the dignity and reputation of the King my master, and that of the United States. These assertions will become, in the hands of the enemies of the common cause, a weapon the more powerful and dangerous, as the author is an officer of Congress, and as he takes advantage of his situation to give credit to his opinions and to his affirmations.