We are making some preparations in the army for a display of our joy on the happy event of a general peace. The exhibition will be delayed till the arrival of the definitive treaty. If your Excellency can make it convenient to honor us with your company on the occasion, it will be a great addition to our happiness. I take the liberty to put under cover to your Excellency, several letters, which I wish to convey to some gentlemen of your army, late in America. If the Duc de Lauzun should have sailed before their arrival, I shall be much obliged by your care of their conveyance by some other good opportunity. With great regard and respect, GEORGE WASHINGTON. * * * * * TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Translation. Philadelphia, May 19th, 1783. Sir, I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 4th of this month, and the Memorial of Mr Durham, which accompanied it. I cannot form any opinion upon such a statement, and I shall be unable to know whether the complaints are just, before I learn the motives of the conduct, which he professes to have observed on his part. I have the honor of sending you a letter for the Marquis de Bouille, in relation to this affair, and I entreat you to have the kindness to send it to that individual, who will take care to send it to the commander. You have been informed, Sir, of the affair of Mr Gillon, or rather of the many affairs, which have been the subject of controversy between him and the subjects of the King. You will find a statement of it in a Memorial which I annex, requesting you to be pleased to return it when read; I have addressed it to the State of South Carolina; I request you to be pleased to read the resolutions taken in consequence of it by the Assembly of that State, and the annexed copies of which you may keep. I have also the honor of sending you, Sir, some new demands against that officer, which I have lately received. I shall make no reflection respecting the resolutions of Carolina; but I entreat you to be pleased to point out the most proper course for obtaining justice, and to inform me whether it would seem to you proper, that I should lay this matter before Congress. I have the honor to be, &c. LUZERNE. * * * * * COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LAFAYETTE. Translation. Versailles, June 29th, 1783. Sir, I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 17th of this month. You desire to know what is meant by _free port_.