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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 --1TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1788.
[Note 1: 1 Charles Thomson resumes the entry.]
Congress assembled. Present New hampshire Massachussets New York New Jersey Pensylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia and South Carolina and from Connecticut
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Mr [Jeremiah] Wadsworth and from North Carolina Mr [James] White.
According to Order the Minister Plenipotentiary from most Christian Majesty of France was introduced to a public Audience when he delivered a letter of Credence1 from his most Christian Majesty of which the following is a translation
[Note 1: 1 The original letter of credence, as well as the letter of recall of Luzerne, in French, signed by the King, are in Papers of the Continental Congress, Letters from the King of France. See February 5, 13, 14, 27 and June 2, 1788.]
Very dear great friends and Allies
Particular reasons relative to the good of our service have determined us to appoint a successor to the Chevalier de la Luzerne Our Minister plenipotentiary with you. We have chosen the count de Moustier to take his place in the same qu2ality. The marks of zeal which he has hitherto given us, persuade us that on this new occasion he will conduct himself in such a manner as to render himself agreeable to You, and more and more worthy of our good will. We pray You to give full faith to whatever he may say to You on our part, particularly when he shall assure You of the sincerity of our wishes for Your prosperity, as well as of the constant affection and friendship which we bear to the United States in general, and to each of them in particular. We pray God that he will have You very dear great friends and Allies in his holy keeping. Written at Versailles the 30th . September 1787.
[Note 2: 2 Roger Alden takes up the entry.]
Your good friend and Ally
(signed) Louis
Ct . de Montmorin.
After which he addressed Congress in a speech of which the following is a translation.
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Gentlemen of the Congress,
The relations of friendship and Affection which subsist between the King my Master and the United States, have been established on a basis which cannot but daily acquire a new degree of solidity. It is satisfactory to be mutually convinced that an Alliance formed for obtaining a glorious peace, after efforts directed by the greatest wisdom, and sustained with admirable constancy, must always be conformable to the common Interests, and that it is a fruitful source of infinite advantages to both Nations, whose mutual confidence and intercourse will encrease in proportion as they become better known to each other.
The King who was the first to connect himself with the United States as a Sovereign Power, to second their efforts and favour their Interests, has never ceased since that memorable period, to turn his attention to the means of proving to them his Affection. This sentiment directs the vows which his Majesty forms for their prosperity. Their success will always interest him sensibly, and there is reason to hope for it from the wisdom of the measures which they will adopt.
To this solemn Assurance of Interest and Attachment on the part of the King, to the Unanimous sentiment of the Nation, and to the fervent wishes of a great number of my countrymen, who have had the Advantage to be associated in the military toils, and success of the United States, permit me to add those which I in particular entertain for the growth and glow of these States. I at length enjoy the satisfaction of having it in my power here to testify the profound veneration with which I have been constantly penetrated for a people who have been able to fix from their birth, the attention of the most considerable powers in Europe, and whose courage and patriotism have astonished all Nations. My happiness will be compleat, Gentlemen,
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if I could succeed by my Zeal and most constant cares, to merit Your esteem, Your confidence, and Your Approbation.
The task which I have to accomplish appears to me to be the more difficult, as, in succeeding a Minister who held the place near You Gentlemen, with which I am now honored, I am far from enjoying the advantages which he derived from his talents, his knowledge, and those circumstances which placed him in the most intimate relations to You. I will endeavor to resemble him at least, by the greatest attention to promote and give success to whatever may contribute to the satisfaction, the glory, and the prosperity of the United States.
To which the President made the following reply. Sir:
It will always give us pleasure to acknowledge the friendship and important good offices which we have experienced from his Most Christian Majesty and Your generous Nation; and we flatter ourselves that the same principles of magnanimity and regard to mutual convenience which dictated the connections between us, will continue to operate, and to render them still more extensive in their benefits to the two Countries.
We consider the Alliance as involving engagements highly interesting to both parties, and we are persuaded that they will be observed with entire and mutual good faith.
We are happy in being so explicitly assured of the continuance of his Majesty's friendship and attachment; and in this opportunity of expressing the high sense we entertain of their sincerity and value. It is with real satisfaction Sir, that we receive You as his Minister Plenipotentiary, especially as Your Character gives us reason to expect that the harmony and Interest of both Nations will not be less promoted by Your talents, candor and liberality, than they
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were by those which distinguished Your Predecessor, and recommended him to our Esteem and regard.
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