The undersigned hopes that Congress will be pleased not to defer its resolution, whatever it may be, respecting the ship Defence, till the verification of these facts. The two affairs have nothing in common, and the Minister Plenipotentiary, in repeating his offers expressed above, flatters himself that Congress, if they think proper to permit this expedition, will find that these arrangements can be made even after the departure of this vessel. GERARD. * * * This Memorial being read, it was immediately Resolved, that it be recommended to his Excellency the Governor of Maryland to permit the ship Defence, which is loaded with provisions for the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty, to depart and carry her cargo to the place of her destination, and that care be taken that she carry no other provisions than the above, and what may be necessary for the crew. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, July 5th, 1779. Sir, The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor to represent to Congress, that faithful to the promises which that body has asked for, on his part, in relation to the purchase of provisions destined for the squadron, which the King sent last year to the assistance of the United States, he has never authorised any purchase except through the very overseers appointed by Congress, or without giving notice of the operation to the members of the committees intrusted with this business. He has declared to them several times, that the provisions bought on the account, and with the money of the King, would always remain at the disposal of Congress, either for the public service, or for that of the American army. The undersigned hopes, that their members will be witnesses of it to Congress. Delicacy has been carried so far, that it has been preferred to expose the King's squadron to the want of provisions, which it has procured only in consequence of some happy accidents, rather than to break through an arrangement which Congress had judged necessary. The same principle has guided the conduct which has been pursued in the last place, when the undersigned, by his knowledge of the chief motives of Congress, having been obliged to demand the assurance of a certain quantity of provisions, the difficulty of circumstances induced him to combine purchases by way of commerce with the direct measures which Congress has judged proper to take. As Congress must have been informed of all that has taken place on this subject, the undersigned will not introduce it again here, and he will abstain from all reflection.