The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
History
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 10
United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources
Although I hope in a few days to have the pleasure of seeing you, I
must beg leave to mention a matter, which has not a little hurt my
feelings. You probably know that on my way, passing through New York,
and particularly on my visit to Albany, it was intimated my presence
at the Indian treaty would be of some use to the public. At Fort
Schuyler I was desired to speak to the Indians, which I did, and the
Commissioners had the papers filled up with their other transactions.
But copies were taken, which was thought then a matter of no
consequence. The enclosed letter from Mr St John, and the gazette that
accompanied it, will show you that from the most obliging and humble
motives in the world, he attempted to translate and print such
incorrect parts of the relation as he had been able to come at. Had
his kind intentions only given him an instant to reflect, he might
have seen the impropriety of that measure, but in the meanwhile, it
looks as if it had my consent; and such deviation is it from the
manner in which our servants of the United States ever did business,
that out of respect for Congress, for the Commissioners, and myself, I
could not rest easy until the matter should be fully explained.
Enclosed in my letter to the French Consul, which, after you have
taken out such extracts as you think proper, I beg you will seal up
and send by the bearer. Indeed, my Dear Sir, upon your friendship I
depend to have this little circumstance officially laid before
Congress, and should these letters be worth their reading, it will be,
I hope, a satisfactory explanation of the affair.
In the first days of next month I shall have the pleasure to meet you
at Trenton, and at that time will have the opportunity of conversing
with you on several subjects. No answer from you ever came to hand.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LAFAYETTE.
* * * * *
TO JOHN JAY.
Versailles, February 8th, 1785.
Dear Sir,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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