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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 --FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1782
The Secretary for foreign affairs, to whom were referred sundry communications from the hon[ble] the Minister plenipotentiary of France, delivered in a report, part of which was agreed to, and the remainder referred to a committee.2
[Note 2: 2 The preamble and resolutions following it were entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, and in Secret Journal, No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal, No. 6, Vol. III.]
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs having stated to Congress a verbal communication made to him by the Minister of France from letters lately received from the Count de Vergennes which contain among other things an opinion that his Catholick Majesty will not have it in his power to advance any money to the United States; and expressing, in strong terms, his hope that the United States will not imagine that France should make up the sums they expected from Spain, after the assistance they have already derived from France--
Resolved, That Congress are fully sensible of the frequent, friendly and generous interposition of his Most
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Christian Majesty in their behalf, and are led from thence to hope a continuation of his assistance, since nothing has been wanting on their part so to apply the aid he generously affords as to distress the common enemy, and lead to the great object of their alliance, a safe and honourable peace.
Resolved, That Congress cannot, without injustice to themselves and their ally, withhold from him a knowledge of their present circumstances, or neglect to mention the ruinous consequences that may attend a refusal of those aids, which as well the friendly dispositions of his Most Christian Majesty, as the success that hath attended his interposition in their behalf, gave them reason to hope would be continued till the states, which have lately been ravaged by the enemy, had so far recovered their commerce and agriculture as to be able more effectually to contribute to the general expence; and that his Majesty may be assured that their applications for this purpose shall not exceed what may be absolutely necessary for the support of the common cause.
Resolved, That the Secretary for foreign affairs, consulting with the Superintendant of finance, explain to the minister of the United States at the Court of Versailles the extensive advantages which have resulted from moneys supplied by his Most Christian Majesty to these United States, and the engagements which have been entered into with a view to render the next campaign decisive, the consequence of failing in those engagements, and the little prospect there is of fulfilling them without an additional loan or subsidy, for the year 1782, of at least twelve millions of livres tournois, in order that the said minister may present a memorial on this subject to his Most Christian Majesty, and at the same time lay before him the several resolutions
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lately passed by the United States in Congress assembled, which evidence their unalterable resolution to make every exertion for a vigorous campaign which their present situation will allow.
Resolved, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Versailles be and he is hereby instructed and empowered to borrow, on account of these United States, the sum of twelve millions of livres tournois, and to enter into engagements on the part of the United States for the repayment of the same, together with the interest, which is not to exceed the terms allowed or given on national security in Europe.
Ordered, That the remainder of the report of the secretary for foreign affairs be referred to a committee.
The Committee of the week [Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. Edward Telfair, Mr. Isaac Motte] report, That the petition of Bedford Williams be referred to the same committee that the petition of Dr. Jackson was referred to.
That the petition of John Anderson be referred to the committee who were appointed to confer with the Superintendant of Finance on his letter of the 31st ulto.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Thomas Smith, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 317. The indorsement states that it was passed on this day.
The petition, dated Philadelphia, February 6, 1782, from John Anderson, soliciting permission to export tobacco from Virginia to New York, to pay for goods bought under the capitulation of York, was referred to Mr. [George] Clymer, Mr. [Samuel] Osgood, Mr. [James] Madison, and is in No. 42, I, folio 49.]
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