furnish you with tickets for such of the gentlemen in your department, as come within the above description. I have the honor to be, &c. CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary. TO THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, AND MAJOR GENERAL GREENE. Sir, Fhiladelphia, May 13th, 1782. I have the honor to inform you, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France this day announced to the United States in Congress :ssembled, at a public audience, the birth of a Dauphin, and that Congress received this annunciation of an event, in which the happiness of their ally was so deeply engaged, with the most lively marks of satisfaction. It is their wish, that your Excellency, and the troops under your command should partake in this pleasure. I have their orders to inform you of this event, to the end, that you may cause the same to be published in the army, with such demonstrations of joy as you shall direct.* I have the honor to be, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, Philadelphia, May 13th, 1782. Sir, The late change in the measures and in the administration of Great Britain, and the arts that are daily practised *The_same_intelligence was communicated in the same formal to infuse a belief in Europe, that the inost perfect harmony does not subsist between the United States and their ally, induce me to wish, that Congress would embrace the opportunity, which this day's audience affords, to declare their attachment to the alliance in such terms, as will serve fully to defeat every expectation of sowing the seeds of division between the United States and France. For which purpose I humbly submit the following addition to the answer proposed to be given to the address of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Office of Foreign Affairs, May 13th, 1782. The following addition to the answer to the address proposed to be made by the Minister of France, is humbly submitted to the approbation of Congress, by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. "A union, the mutual advantages of which become daily more conspicuous, and which has derived new lustre and additional force from every effort of the common enemy to dissolve it; Congress do not enlarge upon the subject, but satisfy themselves with the representations, which your own observations will enable, and your regard to the interests of both countries will induce you to make of the affectionate attachment, which every rank of people within these United States manifest to your Sovereign, and of Sir, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Philadelphia, May 15th, 1782. In order to have the sense of Congress upon Mr Jay's request, contained in his letter of the 6th of February last, I do myself the honor to submit the enclosed resolve ; for though I do not see any advantage, which would at present result from his leaving Madrid, yet as cases may arise, which would render it proper, it may safely be left to his discretion. I have the honor to be, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Office of Foreign Affairs, May 15th, 1782. The following resolution is humbly submitted to the consideration of the United States in Congress, by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. It having been represented to the United States in Congress, that certain circumstances might render it expedient to permit Mr Jay to leave the Court of Madrid, and repair either to the United Provinces or to Versailles, Resolved, that such permission be granted him, provided he shall conceive, that such absence will be attended with important advantages to the United States, and that it does not exceed three months. Sir, TO RICHARD HARRISON OF CADIZ. Philadelphia, May 21st, 1782. You have probably heard of Colonel Livingston's misfortune, which deprived me of the pleasure of bearing from you by him. Our ports have been so closely blocked up for some time past, that it is with great difficulty we can get any vessels in or out. He shared the common fate, and was carried into New York, from whence he is come out with Mr Vaughan upon parole. He destroyed all his letters, and his parole closing this month, we have been able to learn nothing of importance from him. The new system, which England seems to be about to adopt, with respect to America, has not yet discovered itself here, except in general professions, which the present Commander in Chief, Sir Guy Carleton, is continually making of his kindness and the affection, that still subsists in England towards the people of this country. This has produced not the least effect here; all ranks of people consider it rather a proof of their imbecility, than of their good will, and the Legislatures of the several States will I imagine enter into resolutions, similar to those passed by Maryland, which you will find in the enclosed papers. 1 direct them to you; after you have read them, I wish you to enclose and send them to Mr Jay as soon as possible. I commit to your particular care the several packets, that go with this; trusting that you will send them in such way as to escape inspection. They contain very important papers, as well those that go to Mr Adams as to Mr Jay. I have the honor to be, &c. Sir, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Philadelphia, May 21st, 1782. I have the honor to enclose for the inspection of Congress, the draft of a letter to Mr Dana, together with a quadruplicate copy of one written the 2d of March, that Congress by seeing both may judge whether any further directions are necessary. I must take the liberty, Sir, to request you to turn their attention to this subject, and to the draft, which I had the honor to lay before them, of a letter to the King, as soon as possible. Unless Congress decide upon them today, I shall lose a favorable opportunity of transmitting them to Europe. I have the honor to be, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. GEORGE WASHINGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Sir, Head Quarters, May 22d, 1782. I have been honored with your favor of the 13th, communicating to me the formal annunciation to Congress, by the Minister of France, of the birth of a Dauphin. Measures are ordered to convey to the army the news of this happy event, which will be celebrated with such demonstrations of joy as the occasion requires, and our circumstances will admit. This information will be transmitted to General Greene, that the army under his command may participate in the general joy. I have the honor to be, &c. GEORGE WASHINGTON. |