The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                           Annapolis, April 6th, 1784.

  Sir,

The undersigned, Minister of France, has the honor to inform Congress,
that the portraits of the King and Queen have arrived at Philadelphia,
and that he has orders to present them to that body.

The undersigned Minister has had the honor to transmit to his
Excellency, the President, his Majesty's letter, in answer to that of
the 14th of June, 1779, in which Congress have expressed their desire
to have the portraits of their Majesties. This letter expresses to
Congress the pleasure, with which the King gives the United States
this testimony of his affection and friendship for them. The
undersigned has made the necessary arrangements for the safe keeping
of these two portraits, until Congress can receive them.

                                                              LUZERNE.

       *       *       *       *       *

                    TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                           Annapolis, April 9th, 1784.

  Sir,

I have the honor to communicate to your Excellency an extract from a
letter, which I received from Count de Vergennes, dated the 24th of
December last.

I received orders at the same time to inform his Majesty's Minister of
the measures, which have been taken by the United States, relative to
the payment of portions of the principal, and of the interest of the
sums, which have been loaned them by the King. I make mention, Sir, of
portions of the capital, because, by the terms of the contract of the
16th of July, 1784, the reimbursement of the first loan of eight
millions is to begin three years after the peace, and it is expedient
to take seasonable measures with regard to this subject.

I am also to inform my Court of the arrangements, which have been made
for the payment of interest on the loan of five millions of florins,
made in Holland, the 5th of November, 1781, and for which his Majesty
became guarantee. I know the efforts of Congress to effect the
discharge of the public debt, and their wish to fulfil their
engagements; and I consider it superfluous to recall to your
Excellency all the motives, which combine to induce the United States
to fulfil faithfully those, which they have contracted with the King.
I confine myself to desiring you to enable me to dissipate the
uneasiness, which may have been excited at my Court, by the delay in
proceeding to raise funds to effect the payment of this debt.

I am with respect, Sir, &c.

                                                              LUZERNE.

       *       *       *       *       *

               COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

                             Translation.

                                      Versailles, December 24th, 1783.

  Sir,

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The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11

United States -- Foreign relations -- 1775-1783; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Sources

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                           Annapolis, April 6th, 1784.

  Sir,

The undersigned, Minister of France, has the honor to inform Congress,
that the portraits of the King and Queen have arrived at Philadelphia,
and that he has orders to present them to that body.

The undersigned Minister has had the honor to transmit to his
Excellency, the President, his Majesty's letter, in answer to that of
the 14th of June, 1779, in which Congress have expressed their desire
to have the portraits of their Majesties. This letter expresses to
Congress the pleasure, with which the King gives the United States
this testimony of his affection and friendship for them. The
undersigned has made the necessary arrangements for the safe keeping
of these two portraits, until Congress can receive them.

                                                              LUZERNE.

       *       *       *       *       *

                    TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

                             Translation.

                                           Annapolis, April 9th, 1784.

  Sir,

I have the honor to communicate to your Excellency an extract from a
letter, which I received from Count de Vergennes, dated the 24th of
December last.

I received orders at the same time to inform his Majesty's Minister of
the measures, which have been taken by the United States, relative to
the payment of portions of the principal, and of the interest of the
sums, which have been loaned them by the King. I make mention, Sir, of
portions of the capital, because, by the terms of the contract of the
16th of July, 1784, the reimbursement of the first loan of eight
millions is to begin three years after the peace, and it is expedient
to take seasonable measures with regard to this subject.

I am also to inform my Court of the arrangements, which have been made
for the payment of interest on the loan of five millions of florins,
made in Holland, the 5th of November, 1781, and for which his Majesty
became guarantee. I know the efforts of Congress to effect the
discharge of the public debt, and their wish to fulfil their
engagements; and I consider it superfluous to recall to your
Excellency all the motives, which combine to induce the United States
to fulfil faithfully those, which they have contracted with the King.
I confine myself to desiring you to enable me to dissipate the
uneasiness, which may have been excited at my Court, by the delay in
proceeding to raise funds to effect the payment of this debt.

I am with respect, Sir, &c.

                                                              LUZERNE.

       *       *       *       *       *

               COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

                             Translation.

                                      Versailles, December 24th, 1783.

  Sir,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11

The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. 11

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