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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, OCTOBER 31, 1783
Mr. George Bond, deputy secretary, having informed, that the state of his private affairs will not suffer him to continue longer in the service of the public, and therefore tendered to Congress his resignation of the appointment of deputy secretary;
Resolved, That the resignation of Mr. George Bond, deputy secretary of Congress, be accepted; and that he be informed, Congress highly approve the zeal fidelity and assiduity with which he has discharged the duties of his appointment.2
[Note 2: 2 This resolution, in the writing of Silas Condict, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 59, I, folio 282. Bond's letter, dated October 30, is in No. 78, IV, folio 409.]
On motion of Mr. [John Francis] Mercer, seconded by Mr. [Hugh] Williamson,
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Resolved, That the secretary be, and he is hereby empowered and instructed, to continue to employ Mr. John Dunlap, to print for Congress; and to inform him, that Congress expects he will keep his office at the place where they may reside.1
[Note 1: 1 This motion, in the writing of Hugh Williamson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, II, folio 271. Dunlap's letter, dated October 21, is in No. 78, VIII, folio 39.]
Nathan Jones, a clerk in the war office, having informed, that he is under a necessity of quitting his office,
Resolved, That the account of Nathan Jones, a clerk in the war office, for his salary, be made up to the first day of January next, in consideration of his faithful services.2
[Note 2: 2 This motion, in the writing of Samuel Osgood, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 36, Il, folio 265. Jones's letter, dated Princeton, October 30, is in No. 41, IV, folio 441.]
The committee, consisting of Mr. [Abraham] Clark, Mr. [Samuel] Holten and Mr. [Benjamin] Hawkins, to whom was referred a memorial from Henry Remsen, jun. and Benjamin Bankson, clerks in the secretary's office, report,
That at a time when Congress are taking measures to reduce the national expences, it will be highly improper to augment salaries that have been long acquiesced in, not withstanding which yet considering the increased labour of the memorialists, occasioned by the reduced number of clerks in the secretary's office, and the temporary suspension of the department for foreign affairs, the committee are of opinion, that some allowance ought to be made them for such extra services: Whereupon,
Resolved, by nine states, That there be allowed to Henry Remsen, jr. and Benjamin Bankson, the two clerks in the secretary's office, two hundred dollars each for their extra services.3
[Note 3: 3 This report, in the writing of Abraham Clark, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 247.]
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A contract between his Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America, entered into on the 25 day of February, 1783, being laid before Congress,
Resolved, That the same be ratified in the terms following:
The committee [consisting of Mr. James Madison, Mr. James Wilson and Mr. Stephen Higginson] to whom was committed the contract for six millions of Livres entered into by Doctor Franklin with the Court of France, 25 Feby, 1783, report the following ratification:
The United States in Congress Assembled,
To all who shall see these presents, send greeting:
Whereas Benjamin Franklin, our minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, in pursuance of the powers in him vested, did, on the twenty-fifth day of February, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eightythree, with Charles Gravier de Vergennes, &c. counsellor of the king in all his councils, commander of his orders, minister and secretary of state, &c. vested with full power of his Most Christian Majesty for the purpose, enter into, conclude and sign a contract between his Most Christian Majesty and the United States of North America, in the words following, viz. [Here insert the contract at large.]
Contract between the king and the thirteen United States of North America, passed at Versailles, the 21st February, 1783.
The re-established peace between the belligerent powers, the advantages of a free commerce to all parts of the globe, and the independence of the thirteen United States of North America, acknowledged and founded on a solid and honourable basis, rendered it probable that the said states would be in a condition to provide hereafter for their necessities, by means of the resources within themselves, without being compelled to implore the continuation of the succours
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which the King has so liberally granted during the war: But the minister plenipotentiary of the said United States to his Majesty, having represented to him the exhausted state to which they have been reduced by a long and disastrous war, his Majesty has condescended to take into consideration the request made by the aforesaid minister, in the name of the Congress of the said states, for a new advance of money to answer numerous purposes of urgent and indispensable expenses in the course of the present year; his Majesty has in consequence determined, notwithstanding the no less pressing necessities of his own service, to grant to Congress a new pecuniary assistance, which he has fixed at the sum of six millions livres tournois, under the title of loan, and under the guaranty of the whole thirteen United States, which the minister of Congress has declared his acceptance of, with the liveliest acknowledgments, in the name of the said states.
And as it is necessary to the good order of his Majesty's finances, and also useful to the operations of the finances of the United States, to assign periods for payment of the six millions livres in question, and to regulate the conditions and terms of reimbursement which should be made at his Majesty's royal treasury at Paris, after the manner of what has been stipulated for the preceding advances, by a former contract of the 16th July, 1782--
We, Charles Graylet Count de Vergennes, &c. counsellor of the king in his councils, commander of his orders, chief of the royal council of finances, counsellor of state, &c. minister and secretary of state, and of his commands and finances, invested with full powers by his Majesty, given to us for the purpose of these presents:
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And we, Benjamin Franklin, minister and plenipotentiary of the United States of North America, likewise invested with full powers by the Congress of said states for the same purpose of these presents, after having compared and duly communicated to each other our respective powers, have agreed on the following articles:
Article I.
The payment of the six millions livres, French money abovementioned, shall be made from the funds of the royal treasury, in proportions of five hundred thousand livres during each of the twelve months of the present year, under the acknowledgments of the minister of the said United States, promising in the name of Congress, and in behalf of the thirteen United States, to reimburse and refund the said six millions livres, in ready money, at his Majesty's royal treasury, at the house of the Sieur Grand, banker at Paris, with interest at five per cent. per annum, at periods hereafter stipulated in the third and fourth articles. The advances which his Majesty has been pleased to allow to be made on account of the six millions in question shall be deducted in the payments of the first month of this year.
Article II.
For better understanding the fixing of periods for the reimbursement of the six millions at the royal treasury, and to prevent all ambiguity on this head, it has been found proper to recapitulate here the amount of the preceding aids granted by the king to the United States, and to distinguish them according to their different classes. The first is composed of funds lent successively by his Majesty, amounting in the whole to the sum of eighteen millions livres, reimbursable in specie at the royal treasury in twelve equal portions
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of a million five hundred thousand livres each, besides the interest, and in twelve years, to commence from the third year after the date of the peace, the interest, beginning to reckon at the date of the peace, to be charged annually, shall diminish in proportion to the reimbursement of the capital, the last payment of which shall expire in the year 1798.
The second class comprehends the loan of five millions Dutch florins, amounting, by a moderate valuation, to ten millions livres tournois, the said loan made in Holland, in 1781, for the service of the United States of North America, under the engagement of the king to refund the capital with interest, at four per cent. per annum, at the general counter of the states general of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, in ten equal portions, reckoning from the sixth year of the date of the said loan, and under the like engagement on the part of the minister of Congress, and in behalf of the thirteen United States, to reimburse the ten millions of said loan in ready money at the royal treasury, with interest, at four per cent. per annum, in ten equal portions of a million each, and in ten periods from year to year, the first of which shall take place in the month of November, 1787, and the last in the same month, 1796: The whole conformable to the conditions expressed in the contract of the 16th July, 1782.
In the third class are comprehended the aids and subsidies furnished to the Congress of the United States, under the title of gratuitous assistance, from the pure generosity of the king, three millions of which were granted before the treaty of February, 1778, and six millions in 1781; which aids and subsidies amount in the whole to nine millions livres tournois. His Majesty here confirms, in case of need, the gratuitous gift to the Congress of the said thirteen United States.
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Article III.
The new loan of six millions livres tournois, the subject of the present contract, shall be refunded and reimbursed in ready money at his Majesty's royal treasury, in six equal portions of a million each, with interest at five per cent. per annum, and in six periods, the first of which shall take place in the year, 1797 and so on, from year to year, until 1802, when the last reimbursement shall be completed.
Article IV.
The interest of five per cent. per annum, of the capital of the six millions mentioned in the preceding article, shall begin to be reckoned from the first of January, of the year 1784, and shall be paid in ready money at his Majesty's royal treasury at Paris on the same day of each year, the first of which shall take place the first of January, 1785, and so on, from year to year, until the definitive reimbursement of the capital; his Majesty being pleased, by a new act of generosity, to present and remit to the thirteen United States the partial interest of the present year, which the underwritten minister of Congress has declared to accept with acknowledgment in the name of the said United States.
Article V.
The interest of the capital of the six millions shall diminish in proportion to the reimbursements at the periods fixed in the preceding article; Congress and the United States reserving, however, the liberty of freeing themselves by anticipated payments, should the state of their finances admit.
Article VI.
The contracting parties will reciprocally guaranty the faithful observation of the foregoing articles, the
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ratifications of which shall be exchanged in the space of nine months from the date of this present contract, or sooner if possible.
In faith whereof, we, the ministers plenipotentiaries of his majesty and the Congress of the thirteen United States of North America, in virtue of our respective full powers, have signed the present contract, and thereunto affixed the seal of our arms. Done at Versailles, the twenty-fifth day of February, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.
(Signed) Gravier de Vergennes. [l. s.]
B. Franklin. [l. s.]
Now know ye, That we the said United States in Congress assembled, impressed with a lively sense of the assistance and affection manifested by his Most Christian Majesty in the above contract, have ratified and confirmed, and by these presents do ratify and confirm the said contract, and every article thereof; and we do hereby empower our minister plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, to deliver this our ratification in exchange for the ratification of the said contract on the part of his Most Christian Majesty. In testimony whereof, we have caused our seal to be hereunto affixed, witness his Excellency E[lias] Boudinot, President, this 31 day of October, 1783, and of our sovereignty and independence the eighth.1
[Note 1: 1 The draft of the ratification, in the writing of Stephen Higginson, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 323. The contract was entered only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs. The preamble and the concluding paragraph are in the Public Journal, in the Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, in the Secret Journal No. 4, and in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III, as is the Resolution which follows, relating to the election of Mr. Pintard.]
On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [James] Duane, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, to whom was referred a report of the Secretary for foreign affairs, respecting an agent or consul at Madeira,
The Committee consisting of Mr [James] Duane Mr [Elbridge] Gerry, and Mr [Arthur] Lee to whom was referred the Report of the
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Secretary for foreign affairs respecting an agent or Consul at Madeira submit the following Report:
That although no commercial Treaty hath yet taken place between the Queen of Portugal and the United States, your Committee are well informed that in consequence of the Revocation of the Edict of that Queen in 1776 for restraining the commerce of the United States with her dominions, the ships and vessels of these States are permitted and do actually trade at the Island of Madeira, as was usual before the war.
That your Committee are further informed that according to the arrangements established in the Island of Madeira for regulating trade no vessel can be cleared out without passing thro' the office of the agent or consul of the nation to which she belongs. That the clearance of the first American vessel, which arrived at the said Island after the Repeal of the said Edict, meeting with obstructions for want of a Consul or agent on behalf of these States, the Governor thought fit to send for Mr Pintard a Native of the State of New York residing on that Island, and gave him a commission to act in the character of agent for the United States, and then directed the said vessel to pass through his office.
That your Committee are further informed that the British Factory in the said Island regulate the prices of wine, in which is included a national duty of four hundred and sixty reis per pipe which every person who ships in British bottoms is obliged to pay to the Consul of that nation, which duty is applied to the relief and support of distressed British subjects, the governor being allowed annually a certain sum from that fund. That under this pretext every merchant who ships in American bottoms charges the same duty and puts the money in his own pocket.
Upon this state of facts your Committee are of opinion, that tho' no Consul ought to be appointed at the said Island for the United States until the Treaty with the Queen of Portugal now in contemplation shall be compleated, yet that it will be of advantage to appoint an agent, especially as it can be done without expence or inconvenience, and therefore your Committee submit the following Resolution.
Resolved, That a Commercial agent be appointed to assist the merchants and other Citizens of these United States trading tot he Island of Madeira, and that John Marsden Pintard be appointed agent accordingly.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of James Duane, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 25, II, folio 319.]
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Resolved, That a commercial agent be appointed to assist the merchants and other citizens of these United States, trading to the Island of Madeira and Porto Santo.
The ballots being taken, Mr. John Marsden Pintard was elected.
According to order, the Hon. P. J. Van Berckel, minister plenipotentiary from their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Netherlands, was introduced admitted to an audience:
And upon being admitted introduced, he addressed Congress in a speech, as follows:
Messieurs Du Congress: Avant que je vous expose la commission dont Messeigneurs les etats generaux de Pais bas Unis m'ont honoré, permettez moi que je fasse eclater la joye que me cause la satisfaction de me trouver aujourd'hui dans cette assemblée et d'y rencontrer de ces hommes illustres que le siecle present admire que la posterité se proposera toujours pour modèle de patriotisme et dont l'éternié même ne saura que recompense les mérites.
Pendant que toute l'Europe tenoit les yeux fixés sur vos exploits, leurs Hautes Puissances ne pouvoient que s'y interesser tres sérieusement, se souvenant toujours des dangers et des vicissitudes que leurs pères ont du subir avant que de pouvoir s'affranchir du joug ou ils etoient attachés. Elles connoissoient mieux que tout autre la valeur d'une liberté independante et savoient justement apprecier la grandeur de vos desseins. Elles applaudissoient aux entreprises genereuses, inspirées par l'amour de la Partie, entrainées avec prudence et soutenues avec un courage heroique; Elles se rejouissent, a la fin, du succes heureux qui couronne vos travaux
Pour vous convaincre de leur affection et de la part qu'elles prennent dans ce qui regarde votre république Mes Maitres m'ont chargés, Messieurs, de vous feliciter de l'accomplissement de vos desirs, qui etoient de faire valoir votre determination absolue et de jouir de ce trésor inestimable et naturel qui vous place au rang des Puissances souveraines et independantes.
Qu'il est flateur pour moi de me trouver aujourd'hui l'organe et l'interpréte des sentimens et des dispositions de Mes Maitres et de pouvoir vous assurer de leur part qu'ils ne souhaittent rien plus ardemment que le bonheur de votre republique et l'affermissement de l'union de vos etats! Puisse cette union fondée sur les principes
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du vrai patriotisme et de l'amour du bien public, tellement se cimenter que ni la fausse ambition ni la jalousie ni l'interet particulier ne soyent jamais en etat d'y porter la moindre atteinte! Puisse l'administration d'un gouvernement sage et prudent fixer la prosperité et l'abondance au milieu de ce peuple et de combler d'une gloire qui n'ait d'autres bornes que celles des deux poles ni d'autre terme que celui du siecles.
Leurs Hautes Puissances, Messieurs, ne se contentent pas de vous faire uniquement des complimens de felicitation qui par euxmêmes ne sont que tres steriles mais convaincues qu'un commerce mutuel et une bienveuillance reciproque sont les moyens les plus sûrs pour resserrer de plus plus ces sacrés liens d'amitié, qui vous unissent deja Elles m'ont ordonné de vous temoigner qu'elles n'ont rien plus a coeur que de travailler efficacement a rendre cette amitié fertile et fructueuse et de contribuer tout le possible a l'aggrandissement d'un allié dont Elles se promettent les mêmes efforts.
Voila l'ésquisse, mais encore une esquisse bien faible et defectueuse des sentimens de Mes Maitres, dont la sincerité surpasse l'expression, mais qui pourtant se manifeste dans les lettres que je viens de vous remettre de leur part. Voila, Messieurs, voila le but de la mission dont Ils m'ont honoré. Puisse je dignement repondre a leur attente, et gagner en même terns votre affection et votre confiance qui me sont si necessaire pour reussir dans roes entreprises! Quant a moi, sans ruse et sans artifice j'agirai toujours avec cette droiture, cette candeur et cette cordialité qui font le caractère distinctif d'un vrai Republicain et qui par le meme me sont autant de titres et de surs garants de parvenir ace point de mon ambition qui est de m'acquerir les suffrages du Congres, l'amitié de ceux qui le composent et l'estime de toute la nation Americaine.
of which the following is a translation:
Gentlemen of the Congress, Previous to my laying before you the commission with which their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Netherlands have honored me, permit me to express the joy I feel on finding myself this day in this assembly, and meeting those illustrious men whom the present age admires, and whom posterity will always point to as models of patriotism, and whose merits eternity itself can alone recompense.
While all Europe kept its eyes fixed on your exploits, their High Mightinesses could not refrain from very seriously interesting themselves therein, recollecting as they always did the dangers and difficulties to which their forefathers were sub ected, before they could
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free themselves from the yoke in which they were enthralled. They knew better than any other the worth of independence, and they knew how to set a just value on the greatness of your designs. They applauded your generous enterprise, which was inspired by a love of your country, conducted with prudence and supported with heroic courage; and they rejoiced at the happy success which crowned your labours.
In order to convince you of their affection, and the part they take in whatever regards your republic, my masters have charged me to congratulate you on the accomplishment of your desire, which had for its object the power of your own absolute will, and the enjoyment of that inestimable and natural treasure, which places you in the rank of sovereign and independent powers.
How flattering is it to me to find myself this day the organ and interpreter of the sentiments and dispositions of my masters, and to have it in my power to assure you, on their behalf, that there is nothing which they more ardently wish than the happiness of your republic, and the establishment of the union of your states. May this union, founded on the principles of true patriotism and a love for the public good, be cemented in such a manner, that neither false ambition, jealousy, or private interest, may ever be able to do it the least injury. May the administration of a wise and prudent government, dispense happiness and plenty among the people, and give them a glory extended from pole to pole, and as lasting as ages.
Gentlemen, Their High Mightinesses are not content with sending compliments of congratulation, which are in themselves unfruitful, but being convinced that an intercourse of commerce and mutual good will, are the surest means of binding closer the sacred bonds of friendship, which already unite you together; they have commanded me to assure you, that they have nothing nearer at heart, than to labour effectually to render this friendship fruitful and profitable, and to contribute as far as possible to the aggrandizement of an ally, from whom they promise themselves the same efforts. This is a sketch, but a very feeble and imperfect sketch, of the sentiments of my masters, whose sincerity surpasses expression, but which is however manifested in the letter which I shall have the honor to deliver you. This, gentlemen, this is the purpose of the mission with which they have honored me. May it be in my power worthily to answer their expectation, and at the same time to gain your affection and confidence, which are so necessary for the success of my undertaking. As to myself, without guile and without artifice, I shall always conduct
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myself with that rectitude, candor and cordiality, which form the distinguishing character of a true republican, and which is at the same time the best security for my attaining the point of my ambition, which is that of gaining the approbation of Congress, the friendship of its members, and the esteem of the United States of America.1
[Note 1: 1 This translation was also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
He then delivered the letter from their High Mightinesses the States General, which is as follows:
Aan de Vereenigde Staaten van America in her Congres vergadert. Onse Vrienden en Geallieerden:
Soo zeer en met soo reel genoegen, als wy by de receptie van den Heer Adams UE Minister by onsen Staat, de onafhankelykheid van UE Republic, heben mogen erkennen, soo zeer, en met reel meer blydechap hebben Wy de heuchelyke tyding bekomen, van her sluiten der Preliminaire Articulen, waar by het Hof van Groot-Brittannien ME voor Vrye en Independente Staaten verklaard heeft. Wy hebben lang na das gelukkig tydship verlangd, als met inoeite seedert eenige Jaaren gesien hebbende de strubbelingen, en onaange naam breeden waar ineede UE hebben moeten worstelen: en Wy wenschen UE met deese heilsa me wilkomst van ganseher herten geluk, opregtelyk deel neemende in UE teegenwoordige aangenaame toestand.
Om een blyk te geeyen van onse Sentimenten dieu aangaande, en om UE van onse waare hoogagting voor deselve te overtuigen, hebben Wy dienstig gevonden, een Extraordinares Afgezant san UE toete zenden, Wy hebben daar toe verkoozen, een Heer, van aanzien en wiens personeele hoedanig heeden by ons inveel waarde zyn namentlyk den Heer en Mr. Pieter Johan van Berckel, Burgemeester der stad Rotterdam en Gedeputeerde in onse Vergaderinge. Wy hoopen, en vertrouwen, dat UE gemelden Heer in qualitest van onsen Minister plenipotentiares gunsrig zullen ontfangen, en warmer hij de eer zal hebben, deere san UE over te leever en enverder met UE in onderhandeling te treeden san hem yolkomen geloof zullen willen geeyen als san ons zelve, verseekerd synde, dat hij niet te sterk zal kunnen vitdrukken, de gevoelens van hoogagting, en eerbied, die Wy zeedert langen tyd hebben gehad voor de Wysheid, cordaalheid, en standvastigheid, waar meede UE zig voor de gantsche waereld beroemt hebben gemaakt.
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God geeve, dat UE opkomende Republicq, meer en meet voorspoedig moge worden, in luister en aansien toeneemen, en tot aan het einde der dagen subsisteenen.
Wy zullen ons altyd in UE toeneemende welstand verblyden, en verlangen niet meerder als de naauwste vriendschap, en correspondentie met UE te mogen onderhouden, ten besten van weerdersydsche onderdaanen en Ingerzeetenen.
Waar recede eyndegende.
Onse vrienden en Geallieerden, beveelen UE in Godes heylige Protectie. In den Hage den 27 Mey 1783.
UE Gunstige Goede Vrienden
De Staaten Generaal
der Vereenigde Nederlanden
Joost Van Kuffeler
Ter ordannantie van deselve
H. Fagel.
of which the following is a translation:
To the United States of America, in Congress assembled.
Our Friends and Allies, With very great satisfaction did we, by the reception of the honorable Mr. Adams, your minister with our state, acknowledge the independence of your republic; and with equal and much greater delight have we received file pleasing tidings of the conclusion of the preliminary articles of peace, by which the Court of Great Britain has declared you free and independent states. We have long ardently wished for this happy period, having, for several years past, with sorrow seen the troubles and difficulties with which you were obliged to struggle. And we do most cordially congratulate you on tiffs happy event, sincerely taking a share in your present agreeable situation.
To give a testimony of our sentiments in this respect, and to convince you of our unfeigned esteem, we have thought it proper to send to you an envoy extraordinary; we have for that purpose chosen a gentleman of distinction, whose personal qualifications are in great repute among us; the honorable Mr. Peter John Van Berckel, burgomaster of the city of Rotterdam, and a deputy in our assembly. We hope and trust that you will graciously receive this gentleman in quality of our minister plenipotentiary, and when he shall have the honor to deliver you these presents, and to enter into farther negotiations with you, that you will give full faith unto him as unto ourselves, being assured that he will not be able to express in terms too strong
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the sentiments of esteem and reverence which we have for a long time possessed for that wisdom, courage and perseverance by which you have rendered yourselves famous throughout the world.
May God grant that your rising republic may become more and more prosperous; that it may increase in lustre and glory, and subsist to the end of time.
We shall at all times rejoice in your increasing felicity; and we desire nothing more ardently than that we may maintain the strictest friendship and correspondence with you, for the good of the subjects and inhabitants of both countries.1
[Note 1: 1 This translation of the minister's letter, and the President's reply, were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.]
This letter being read, the President addressed returned the following answer to the minister:
Sir, In a contest for the rights of human nature, the citizens of the United States of America could not but be impressed with the glorious example of those illustrious patriots, who, triumphing over every difficulty and danger, established the liberties of the United Netherlands on the most honorable and permanent basis. Congress, at an early period of the war, sought the friendship of their High Mightinesses; convinced that the same inviolable regard for liberty, and the same wisdom, justice and magnanimity which led their forefathers to glory, was handed down unimpaired to their posterity; and our satisfaction was great in accomplishing with them a treaty of amity and commerce on terms so acceptable to both nations.
With the sincerest pleasure, sir, we receive the honorable testimonials of confidence and esteem of their High Mightinesses, and their affectionate congratulations on the success of our efforts in the sacred cause of liberty.
We assure you, sir, that it is our earnest desire, to unite with their High Mightinesses in every measure which can promote the most unreserved confidence, and the most friendly intercourse between two nations, which have vindicated their freedom amidst the most trying scenes of danger and distress, and have been equally blessed by the gracious interposition of Divine Providence, with that sovereignty and independence so essential to their safety and happiness.
Governed by the same ardent love of freedom, and the same maxims of policy; cemented by a liberal system of commerce, and earnestly disposed to advance our mutual prosperity, by a reciprocity of good
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offices; we persuade ourselves that the most friendly and beneficial connexion between the two republics, will be preserved inviolate to the latest ages.
It adds, sir, greatly to our pleasure on this interesting occasion, that their High Mightinesses have employed as their minister, a gentleman so highly celebrated for rectitude and patriotism, and from whose illustrious family these United States have received the most distinguished proofs of regard and friendship.
The Secretary at War reported, that the following lines, corps and individuals, have agreed to accept the commutation of five years' pay, in lieu of the half pay for life, as appears by the papers accompanying his report:
The lines of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Armand's legion, 2 light-dragoons, Hazen's regiment:
Corps of engineers, sappers and miners, Patron's and Pendleton's artificers, Van Heer's troop:
Adjutant general and family, Brigadier General Clinton:
Colonel William Grayson, Colonel Malcom, Lieutenant Colonel Morris:
Major Franks, Major Aquilla Giles, Major McPherson, Major Burner, Major Barber, Major Bruin, of the artificers, Captain Turner, Captain Bentalou, Captain John Stevens, Captain McLane, Captain Second, Lieutenant Beaulieu, Lieutenant Jollibois; hospital department, and Dr. Tilton, Dr. Bodo Otto, Dr. Frederick Otto, Dr. Martin.
The Rev. Mr. Ellis, Mr. Plumb, and Mr. Armstrong.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 281. Letters accepting the commutation are on folios 285--481.]
Resolved, That the Agent of Maxine issue to Mr. Morant late a lieutenant in the Navy of the State of South Carolina the commission of lieutenant in the Navy of the United States of America in consideration of his services as a volunteer in the Navy of the United States particularly his brilliant and exemplary conduct on the
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day of17 on board the Bonne Heroine Richard, Capt. J.P. Jones, in taking the British ship of war Serapis 44 guns.1
[Note 1: 1 This resolution in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 127. According to the indorsement and the record in Committee Book 186, it was a motion of Read, and was on this day referred to Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, who delivered a report November 1.]
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