His Majesty has decided irrevocably, that the port of L'Orient shall be free, and American sailors may actually consider it so. The edict of the King has not yet been published, however, because his Majesty's intention being to give this arrangement as wide an extent as possible, the regulations should be drawn up after a careful deliberation, and conceived in such terms, that the advantages allowed to the merchants of the United States, may not be essentially prejudicial to our own commerce, and the revenues of the State. The merchants of the United States enjoy equally the liberty of frequenting the ports of Marseilles and Dunkirk, and they partake, like other nations, in the immunities and privileges of these two places. DE VERGENNES. * * * * * CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE. The United States in Congress assembled to their Great, Faithful, and Beloved Friend and Ally, Louis the Sixteenth, King of France and Navarre. Great, Faithful, and Beloved Friend and Ally, Your Majesty's letter of the 13th of August last, has been received by the United States in Congress assembled, with a degree of satisfaction and pleasure, which those only can conceive, who, to the highest sentiments of respect, unite feelings of the most affectionate friendship. The portraits of your Majesty and of your royal consort having arrived at Philadelphia, have been carefully preserved by your faithful Minister, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, whose attention on this, as on all other occasions, merits the acknowledgements of Congress. These lively representations of our august and most beloved friends will be placed in our council chamber; and can never fail of exciting in the mind of every American, an admiration of the distinguished virtues and accomplishments of the royal originals. We beseech the Supreme Ruler of the universe constantly to keep your Majesty and your royal consort in his holy protection, and to render the blessings of your administration as extensive as the objects of your Majesty's benevolent principles. Done at Annapolis, in the State of Maryland, this 16th day of April, 1784, by the United States in Congress assembled. Your faithful Friends and Allies, THOMAS MIFFLIN, _President_. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Office of Finance, April 16th, 1784. Sir,