I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 8th of June, in which you inform me of Congress' want of powder. I am very sorry that the supplies for this colony, which are much less than they ought to be, will not permit me to furnish any to the United States of America. The immense and unforeseen consumption occasioned by Count d'Estaing's fleet, and his unhappy expedition against St Lucia, have laid me under the necessity of purchasing up all the powder in the hands of merchants to the amount of fifty thousand pounds, and you must be sensible, that nothing but the most urgent necessity could have induced me to go to such expense on account of the King, at a time when I am in so much want of money. Mr Bingham who is here, an agent of Congress, will be able to purchase lead of the merchants. As to arms, they are become scarce. I have the honor to be, &c. BOUILLÉ. _P. S._ I beg of you, Sir, to use all your efforts, that we may receive as much provisions as possible before the month of November next at farthest, and cause them to be addressed to me either at Fort Royal, at St Pierre, or at Trinité in this Island, and that you would not let the price of freight prevent you. You will thereby do us the most essential service. * * * * * In Congress, August 23d, 1779. Resolved unanimously, that a committee consisting of one member from each State be appointed to congratulate the Minister of France on the anniversary of the birth of his Most Christian Majesty, and to assure him that the pleasure, which we feel on this occasion, can be estimated by those only who have a just sense of the extensive blessings, which many nations have already derived from his wisdom, justice, and magnanimity, and of the prospect of general happiness to mankind through the influence of his Majesty's virtuous exertions and glorious example. * * * * * M. GERARD TO THE COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS. Translation. Philadelphia, August 23d, 1779. Gentlemen, The manner in which Congress are pleased to express their sentiments on the occasion of the anniversary of the birth of the King, my master, is a mark of their friendship and respect for his Majesty. Your expressions are truly worthy of a faithful ally, and I dare assure you, that the account, which I shall render to his Majesty of them, will be in the highest degree agreeable to him. GERARD. * * * * * THE COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. GERARD.