The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, having thought it his duty to take upon himself to inform the Count d'Estaing of the desire, which Congress had expressed to him, that the King's squadron should come to the assistance of Georgia, this Vice-Admiral has just replied, that the superiority of the enemy in the Islands had not till this time, permitted him to leave those latitudes; but that in consequence of the intentions of his Majesty, which are, to grant to the United States, his allies, all the assistance compatible with the security of his own possessions, and with the general position of affairs, he proposes to sail immediately to the Southern coasts of the States, and to exert himself for the deliverance of Georgia, and the preservation of the Carolinas. From thence the King's squadron will sail to the mouth of the Delaware, and its further operations will depend upon the agreement that shall be made between Congress and the commander of his Majesty's forces, and will be calculated for the greatest advantage of the United States. The undersigned has no doubt, that this new proof of his Majesty's generous and disinterested friendship strengthens the confidence, with which these engagements and his conduct must have inspired the governments and people of America. Facts so evident will serve, on the other hand, to confound those ill-disposed men, who, by silent and clandestine insinuations, destitute of all proof, and of all probability, directed solely by private views, and evidently opposed to the honor and interest of the confederated Republic, seek to sow distrusts and jealousies, of which the common enemy alone can reap the advantage. The undersigned must add to the details above given, that it is impossible for the Count d'Estaing to carry provisions from Martinique sufficient for the campaign, which he proposes to make in the seas of North America. He hopes that Congress will be pleased to give the most precise and effectual orders for their being got in readiness and placed on the coast, so that the squadron may easily take them on board. The undersigned Minister, hopes that Congress will be pleased to inform him successively of what shall be done on this subject, since the said Minister must be personally responsible for these measures, the failure of which would expose to the greatest misfortunes the forces, which the King has destined to bring direct and immediate assistance to the United States, although his engagements, which he will always scrupulously fulfil, do not impose this duty on him. GERARD. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, May 9th, 1779. Sir,