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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, SEPTEMBER 2, 1785.
Five states assembled; namely, New York, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia; and from the State of Massachusetts, Mr. [Rufus] King; from Rhode Island, Mr. [David] Howell; from Connecticut, Mr. [William Samuel] Johnson; from New Jersey, Mr. [Lambert] Cadwallader;
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from Pennsylvania, Mr. [Charles] Pettit, and from North Carolina, Mr. [William] Cumming.
The Secretary for Foreign Affairs transmitted to Congress the following note and Letter from Mr. De Marbois, Chargé des Affaires of France:
NOTE.
New York, August 30th. 1785.
The Underwritten Chargé des affaires of France has the honor to inform Congress, that His Majesty, by naming him for the intendancy of the Colony of St. Domingo, has put a period to the functions which he has had the honor of performing in the United States in the absence of the Chevalier de La Luzerne. The private affairs of this Minister not yet permitting him to come and resume his functions with Congress; and His Majesty desirous that there should be no interruption in the correspondence between him and Congress, has appointed Mr. Otto to fulfil the duties of his Chargé des affaires here, until the return of his Minister plenipotentiary. Mr. Otto has the advantage of having passed many years on this Continent.
The perfect knowledge which he has of the affairs which have been transacted, and the particular affection of the King for the United States, leave no room to doubt but that he will discharge his duty to the entire satisfaction of his Allies. The Underwritten, honored with the testimonies of that of the King, his Master, will esteem himself happy, if during a residence of more than six years, and in difficult times, his conduct has shown the respect which he entertains for Congress, and how advantageous he considers the alliance to be to both Nations.
De Marbois.
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New York, August 30th. 1785.
Sir: I have the honor of addressing to you the Note wherein I announce to Congress the nomination of Mr. Otto to the post of Chargé des affaires for the King with the United States. He will deliver you himself that which the Count de Vergennes has written to you on this occasion. I am well assured, Sir, that during the course of his functions he will spare no pains to deserve your confidence; and from my long knowledge of him, I do not hesitate to assure you that he will deserve it. It remains for me, Sir, to thank you for the support I have received from you at different times, and to request of you to preserve me a place in your remembrance, and to assure you of the respect and distinguished regard with which I have the honor, &c.
De Marbois.
The above were referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report.
In consequence of this reference, the Secretary reported the following drafts of Letters.
Office for Foreign Affairs.
Sir: The Note which you did me the honour to write on the 30th of last month announcing your appointment to the Intendancy of St. Domingo, and that of the Sr. Otto to succeed you here, I immediately laid before Congress.
In obedience to their orders, I have the honor to assure [you] that this distinguished mark of your royal Master's approbation and favour gives them pleasure, and they wish you happiness and prosperity in the enjoyment of it. The manner in which you have filled the place of his Majesty's Chargé des Affaires here has
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given them great satisfaction, and I am ordered to mention this to Count de Vergennes.
The great and repeated proofs which the United States have received of His Majesty's affection, and the zeal and abilities with which his Minister has, on various occasions, executed his friendly intentions towards them, leave no room to doubt, but that such men only will be charged with his affairs in this Country as from Inclination as well as duty will be disposed to cherish the Union and cement the Interests and friendship of the two Nations.
In this light they consider the Sr. Otto, and he may be assured that their respect and affection for his Sovereign, as well as the good opinion they entertain of him, will always induce them to render his residence as agreeable to himself as they are persuaded it will be to them.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
Mr. De Marbois,
The Chargé des Affaires of His Most Christian Majesty.
Office for Foreign Affairs.
Sir: The Letter herewith enclosed is in answer to the Note which accompanied the Letter you did me the honor to write on the 3th instant.
Mr. Otto has delivered to me the Letter from Count de Vergennes, of which you make mention; and I shall take the earliest opportunity of transmitting an answer to it.
The Character you give of Mr. Otto corresponds with what I should have supposed it to be, from that of the Minister; and he may rely on my disposition to render his residence agreeable.
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It has been, and shall continue to be my desire, so to discharge the duties of my Office as to give perfect satisfaction to the Ministers and Subjects of your magnanimous King; and I am happy to find that I have succeeded with respect to you.
We have been labourers in the same great work, and I flatter myself that your removal from America will not diminish your affection for it. It will always give me pleasure to hear of your health and happiness, and that of your amiable Lady. Permit me to offer to you and to her my best wishes for your safe arrival at the place of your destination, and any friendly services that may be in my power to render.
With great respect and consideration, I have the honour to be, &c.(Signed)--
Mr. De Marbois.
All which is submitted to the wisdom of Congress.
John Jay.
Ordered, That the report be referred to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to take order.1
[Note 1: 1 This order, and the Secretary's report, were entered, by Benjamin Bankson, only in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs, No. 5, and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III. Jay's letter transmitting the above note from Marbois is dated September 2 and is in No. 80, I, folio 365. According to indorsement, it was read September 5 and referred back to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. He reported September 7, the drafts of two letters to Marbois as above. This report is in No. 81, I, folio 369, and is indorsed as read September 12 and referred back to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to take order.]
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