That this false accusation, and above all the fear of seeing the mediation vanish, had engaged the Imperial Court to communicate to the Court of Versailles and Madrid, the last Memorial of the Court of London, and to exhort them to establish a negotiation under their auspices; that it was easy to refute the unskilful accusation of the British, which he (the Count de Vergennes,) thinks they (the Court of France,) have done with success; that the answer is transmitted; that they had determined, without rejecting the mediation, to pursue the direct negotiation as long as it might be convenient to the Court of London; that he had not seen the answer of the British, which could not, however, be very satisfactory, since they have expedited the commission to Mr Fitzherbert and Mr Oswald; that he (the Count do Vergennes,) was ignorant of the part, that the Imperial Courts would take upon their declinatory answer. But that they had always been candid, clear, and open, and would have no objection to confide their interests with the mediators upon the established basis, whenever the Court of London shall decline the direct negotiation she had begun; that the King did not doubt but that Congress would think with him on this subject, and that he would not hesitate, if circumstances should require it, to give such assurances to the two Imperial Courts. In a postscript he adds, that he had seen Mr Jay and Mr Franklin, and that they had together discussed both the substance and form of the commission to Mr Oswald, and that in spite of his (Mr Oswald's) instances, they had agreed to decline entering into the matter with him, until he shall have produced the original of his commission. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. December 31st, 1782. Sir, The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has had the honor of communicating to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, several facts and circumstances relative to the negotiation for a general peace, which is now carried on at Paris, between the belligerent powers. That Minister will communicate them to Congress; but the undersigned Plenipotentiary, has received orders himself, to express to that Assembly, the satisfaction of the King, his master, at the conduct, which they have observed on occasion of the overtures, made by the English Commissioners commanding at New York, at different times, for establishing a particular negotiation with the United States, or with any one of them. The King has seen with pleasure the resolutions taken by his allies under these circumstances, and their perfect harmony with those, which he has taken himself.