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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1782
A motion having been made yesterday, and a question taken for the choice of a major general, which passed in the affirmative; and immediately after a motion being made to re-consider the motion passed, which was also determined in the affirmative; the sense of the house is required, whether in this case the original motion and the motion for re-considering, shall be entered on the journal.
On this the yeas and nays being required by Mr. [Thomas] Bee,
{table}
So it passed in the negative.
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [William] Floyd, Mr. [Ezekiel] Cornell and Mr. [Arthur] Middleton, to whom was referred a memorial of John Edgar, stating the
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losses he has suffered for his attachment to the cause of the United States, and praying for a compensation:
The Committee to whom was referred the memorial of John Edgar, Report, that the request in the said Memorial cannot be complied with, and that the memorial be fried, for consideration at some future day when matters of a similar nature may be provided for.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of William Floyd, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 209.]
Ordered, That the memorial be filed for consideration at some future day, when matters of a similar nature may be provided for.
Minutes of a Communication made by the Minister of France to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and by him laid before Congress.2
[Note 2: 2 These Minutes, La Luzerne's note, and the order following it, were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs. The Minutes are printed in the Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Wharton) V, 138, and Luzerne's note in V, 136.]
The minister of France informed me, that he was desirous of making some communications from letters received by the Sybil. Ten o'clock this day was appointed to receive them. He accordingly came, and read to me passages of a letter of Count de Vergennes to him, dated October 17, 1781, which contained in substance:
That [France wished (as was evident from her going into the war on our account) to obtain every advantage for us. That powers at war must often be governed by circumstances. That if events would enable her to command them, we might depend on every thing she could obtain. That her political system depended not only on America, but on the other powers at war. That if France should continue hostilities merely on account of America, after reasonable terms were offered, it was impossible to say what the event might be. That his
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Majesty was however, at all events, determined to adhere to the true principles of the alliance, and would farther endeavour to obtain for us whatever we demanded, as far as events would justify.
He observed, that people in America appeared to be greatly deceived with respect to the disposition of the belligerent and mediating powers, and to imagine that all were anxious for a peace; but this was so far from being the case, that Great Britain had not yet returned any answer to the overtures of the imperial courts; nor had any reply been made by the latter to the answer given them by France: from which delay it might be easily imagined peace was far distant. That from the present situation of Spain, there was strong reason to suppose she could not spare us any money, her own operations requiring all she had. That he hoped France would not be called upon to make up her deficiencies, as they were in no situation to make new grants. Besides, that in order to rid us of our embarrassments, they had already made efforts in our behalf, which they had reason to believe exceeded our expectations; and that what they had done for America this year entitled them to an exemption from further demands.
In a letter of October 20, 1781, from the Count de Vergennes to the minister of France, it is observed, that the United Provinces would not embarrass themselves at present by an alliance with us; that in this they will follow the example of Spain; that, however, it will be prudent to keep an agent in Holland, and direct him to advise constantly with Dr. Franklin, that we may observe some consistency in our politicks. That he fears America founds hopes on the aid of Russia; that nothing can be more groundless; that though he believes she is not averse to the independence of America, yet
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we ought not to expect that she will move a step in our favour; that she has no particular interest in terminating the war; that as she means to assume the character of a mediator, she must preserve that of justice and impartiality; that nothing therefore can extort from her measures that are favourable to us, but a conviction that we cannot be brought back to the dominion of Great Britain. That this should lead us to think (a sentiment which he desires the minister to inculcate) that our success depends upon our exertions, and upon our relinquishing the inactivity into which false hopes, excited by success, do sometimes plunge us.
He repeated, That France could lend us no more money; that the ten millions borrowed upon our account in Holland were greatly sunk by advances made in France; that no bills would be paid in France which the minister did not authorise us to draw; that he hoped our officers would have too much prudence to risk the credit of the United States by drawing; that the negotiations are still inactive, and will remain so till events oblige one or other of the parties to sue for peace. That the success of the expedition against Portsmouth (that being the supposed post of Cornwallis) might possibly have some effect. That the great object of England is America; that she will not cede it while she can carry on the war; that she will certainly make great exertions the ensuing campaign; that equal exertions are therefore necessary on our part. That Spain and Holland view America as the great obstacle to a peace, from which consequences may flow which people of judgment may easily foresee.
(Signed) ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.
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The minister of France sent to Congress a note of which the following is a translation:
NOTE.
Philadelphia, January 28, 1782.
The undersigned minister plenipotentiary of France to the United States has the honour to inform Congress, that the loan of ten millions of livres, opened in Holland for account of the United States, was in a great measure full in the month of October last, and that the interest is settled at four per cent. It is therefore now proper that the Congress should send Doctor Franklin the necessary instructions and power to pass acts binding the United States to his Majesty to pay this loan, as well as the interests and costs arising thereby. The undersigned has informed the Superintendant of Finance, that after deducting advances, which His Majesty has made on the credit of that loan, there would remain about four millions of livres at the disposition of the United States when it shall be fully completed.
Le Chev. de la Luzerne.
Ordered, That the foregoing note, with the communications made to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, be referred to him to report.1
[Note 1: 1 On this day, according to the indorsement, was read a letter from Major General Greene, dated Head Quarters at the Round O December 9, 1781. "So much of the within as relates to retaliation referred to the Committee appointed to confer with the Commander in Chief, Mr. Carroll &c." It is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 155, II, folio 373.]
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