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The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution novel. A total of 580 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.Vol. I.by Various.VOL. I.THE CO
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.Vol. I.by Various.VOL. I.THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SILAS DEANE, COMMISSIONER FROM THE UNITED STATES TO THE COURT OF FRANCE.Silas Deane was born in the town of Groton, Connecticut, and graduated at Yale
- 580 Dear Sir, This is rather a late day to acknowledge your favors of the 25th of December and 15th of June last, but I have always intended in my acknowledgement of them to close our public correspondence, and I have always been disappointed in my expectatio
- 579 With perfect respect, I have the honor to be, &c.ROBERT MORRIS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Office of Finance, May 6th, 1784.Sir, In consequence of the resolutions of the 28th of April, and 2d of May, 1783, I have made the various engagements then in cont
- 578 PROPOSED EXPENSES OF THE CIVIL LIST._President of Congress_, his household, $10,000 His private Secretary, 500 ------- $10,500 _Secretary of Congress_, 3,000 Two Clerks, 1,000 Messenger, 300 ------ 4,300 Contingencies; fuel, stationary, rent. &c. 750 ----
- 577 Three days ago I received, in a letter of the 1st of December from Messrs Wilhelm and Jan Willink, Nicolas and Jacob Van Staphorst, De La Lande and Finje at Amsterdam, a copy of their letter to you of the 30th of November. Enclosed you have a copy of my a
- 576 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Office of Finance, February 2d, 1784.Sir, I have delayed answering your Excellency's favor of the 4th of last month, in the hope that I might have been able to announce to you the having sent off the duplicate of the defi
- 575 I am, Gentlemen, &c.ROBERT MORRIS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Office of Finance, January 13th, 1784.Sir, The Secretary of Congress has transmitted to me the pet.i.tion of John Cowper, with an order to report thereon. I must, on this occasion, pray leave
- 574 I am further instructed, Gentlemen, to a.s.sure you that the United States in Congress a.s.sembled, in providing for the national debt, by their Act of the 18th day of April, 1783, were not unmindful of your demands, and that when the system thereby adopt
- 573 Sir, I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 7th of March and 27th of July. For both of them, accept my thanks. You express an apprehension lest the union between France and America should be diminished by accounts from your side of the wate
- 572 CIRCULAR TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS.Office of Finance, September 4th, 1783.Sir, As the Commissioners, both on the Accounts of the Departments and on those of the States, are now almost all appointed, and in the execution of their respective offices,
- 571 Sir, I thank you for the communication, which you have been pleased to make to me under the 11th of July. It was handed to me on my return last evening from a tour ---- have been making to the northward and westward, as far as Crown Point and Fort Schuyle
- 570 CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.Office of Finance, July 28th, 1783.Sir, Having already transmitted the public accounts from the commencement of my administration to the first day of this month, I shall not trouble your Excellency with a repet.i.ti
- 569 That the receivers in the several States have long since been instructed, to take all notes signed by the Superintendent of Finance in payment of the taxes, and also, take up all such notes whenever tendered, if they have public money in their hands.That
- 568 Sir, By the enclosed Acts of the 28th of April and 2d of May, with the copy of my letter to Congress of the 3d of May, you will perceive that I am to continue somewhat longer in the Superintendence of our Finances.Be a.s.sured, Sir, that nothing but a cle
- 567 TO B. FRANKLIN.Office of Finance, May 12th, 1783.Sir, The bills drawn by Congress in their necessities press very heavily upon me, and one of the greatest among many evils attending them is the confusion in which they have involved the affairs of my Depar
- 566 _April 22d, 1783._ "The honorable Mr Osgood, Mr Bland, Mr Peters, Mr Madison, and Mr Hamilton, a committee of Congress appointed to confer with me respecting my continuance in office. I told them that a letter from Mr Grand, gave a new complexion to our
- 565 I beg pardon, Sir, for this slight digression. I shall trespa.s.s no longer on your patience, than to a.s.sure you of the veneration and respect, with which I have the honor to be, &c.ROBERT MORRIS.TO THE RECEIVERS OF CONTINENTAL TAXES IN THE SEVERAL STAT
- 564 3dly. The punctuality in the payment of interest is essential to public credit.4thly. As Congress forego their right to insist on the princ.i.p.al, it is but just that they should have every possible security for the interest.5thly. As the people are in e
- 563 Congress will recollect, that I expressly stipulated to take no part in past transactions. My attention to the public debts, therefore, arose from the conviction, that funding them on solid revenues was the last essential work of our glorious revolution.
- 562 It will be very useful both to you and me, that we should know exactly the state of our affairs, but I cannot acquire that knowledge by any comparison of accounts in my possession. You I think will be able to do it, and for your a.s.sistance I send the fo
- 561 ROBERT MORRIS.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Office of Finance, December 12th, 1782.Sir, On the 7th of January last, Congress were pleased to resolve, that it be an instruction to the Superintendent of Finance, to prepare and report to Congress a table of r
- 560 Let it be inquired next, whether there is any object so unexceptionable as that which they have fixed upon? The answer is, no.It follows then, that in changing the application, there would be less prospect of success than at present. Congress then must ad
- 559 Since the receipt of your favor of the 20th of August last, I have received copies of a correspondence between yourself and Colonel Carrington on the subject of specific supplies. The disposition which you have expressed, (in your letter to me, and which
- 558 TO B. FRANKLIN.Office of Finance, October 1st, 1782.Sir, In my letter of the 27th of September last I expressed my wish, "that the Court of Spain should give orders for the s.h.i.+pment of a million of dollars at the Havana, free of duties, and to be
- 557 I write to Dr Franklin under this date to place in your hands five hundred thousand dollars, as soon as he possibly can. I hope it may be effected speedily. My object in making this deposit is, that you may remit to the amount of that sum to the Havana, p
- 556 ROBERT MORRIS.TO GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON.Office of Finance, September 9th, 1782.Dear Sir, The dates of the enclosed letters will show you my extreme reluctance to wound your mind with the anxieties which distress my own. At the time they were written, I was
- 555 Now, Sir, the state of things is shortly this. The United States are deeply indebted to the people of America. They have called for revenues to pay their debts in a course of years, being the only means of reviving credit and lightening burdens. All the S
- 554 I should further propose, that the surplus of each of these revenues, (and care should be taken that there would be a surplus,) should be carried to a sinking fund; on the credit of which, and of the general promises of government, new loans should be ope
- 553 I would advise you, immediately on the receipt of this, to employ a good broker to sell all the bills you have, at a price to be fixed between you, leaving it optional in the party, to pay either specie, bank notes, or my notes, and give from a week to a
- 552 I think it right to send you this statement, on which I will make a few observations. I could have wished that the whole of the moneys, which the Court have furnished us had been what the greater part is, _a loan_. I know that the United States will find
- 551 Office of Finance, June 14th, 1782.Sir, Mr Merrill in a letter of the seventh instant informs me, that your Excellency requested him to delay the publication of receipts for your State. I am convinced, Sir, that you had good reasons for this request, and
- 550 1782 May 18, By remittances on Dr Franklin to the 25th of June, 1782, pa.s.sed here in antic.i.p.ation, amounting to 2,544,000 " " By balance due to me from the Honorable Congress, 3,322,390 15 9 ------------------- Livres, 6,204,723 6 6 -------
- 549 TO GEORGE OLNEY, OF RHODE-ISLAND.Office of Finance, June 1st, 1782.Sir, I have received your favor of the 13th of May last, enclosing an account of moneys you had received. The particular details you have entered into are a pleasing circ.u.mstance to me,
- 548 Office of Finance, May 29th, 1782.Dear Sir, I do myself the honor to enclose you copies of two Acts of Congress, one of the 5th of June, and the other of the 18th of June, 1779, relating to the affairs of M. de Beaumarchais.You will observe, Sir, that you
- 547 I have the honor to be, &c.ROBERT MORRIS.TO MESSRS LE COUTEULX & CO.[6]Office of Finance, May 18th, 1782.Gentlemen, I pray that you will receive my sincere thanks for the accurate and punctual manner in which you have performed the business of the United
- 546 CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.Office of Finance, May 16th, 1782.Sir, I have heretofore taken occasion to observe, that the former expenditures of the United States were at a medium rate of twenty millions of dollars annually, for the support of
- 545 TO JOHN WENDELL.Office of Finance, May 1st, 1782.Sir, I have been duly honored with yours of the 7th and 15th of April. From what you propose with respect to the establishment of a bank in New Hamps.h.i.+re, as well as from the ideas which you say are ent
- 544 ROBERT MORRIS.GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.Head Quarters, April 23d, 1782.Sir, I am obliged to you for the copy of the contract you have been pleased to send me, under cover of your favor of the 15th instant. It came very opportunely, as I have
- 543 Sir, Applications being frequently made by the several Loan Offices, for orders to renew sets of exchange, in consequence of proof made to them by the proprietors of interest bills, that the first, second, third, and fourth bills, have been lost and destr
- 542 It gives me great pain to learn that the public service is too often interrupted, and the attention of men diverted from it by little trivial disputes of a private, partial, or local nature, which are comparatively of little consequence. This is a conduct
- 541 It gives me pain to observe, that the States of Ma.s.sachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maryland, have not yet pa.s.sed the laws recommended by the resolutions of the third of February, 1781. I learn, (though not officially,) that the State of Virginia has lat
- 540 It is not necessary to mention what is in everybody's mouth, that the precious metals were first used as bullion, and that the inconvenience of weighing, and the difficulty of a.s.saying introduced the practice of coining, in order that the weight an
- 539 Every State in the Union claims the merit of extraordinary efforts, and whose claim is the best, I will not pretend to ascertain; but I feel it to be my duty to observe, that nothing but a continuance of active exertions on our part can possibly a.s.sure
- 538 I was yesterday morning favored with yours of the 12th of September, enclosing third copies of your two letters of the 26th of July, also a copy of Count de Vergennes' letter to you of the 23d of August. I find by these letters, that the idea I had e
- 537 That part of the letter last mentioned, which relates to the effect of drawing bills, together with the letters of the 2d and 3d of August, need no comment. They merely serve to show the desire, which animates the servants of the United States, to economi
- 536 You will remember, that you have often mentioned to me a mistake in the account, of which you delivered a copy to Congress. As I made no doubt, that it would be properly and satisfactorily explained, I have hitherto restrained myself from going at all int
- 535 The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution.Volume XII.by Various.THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT MORRIS.CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED.TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.Office of Finance, November 3d, 1781.Sir, Agreeably to my promise, I have the honor to send you
- 534 CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE SEVERAL STATES.Office of Finance, October 19th, 1781.Sir, I am now to address you on a subject of very great importance. I have to detail some facts, which will demand the most serious attention from every Legislature, and
- 533 Office of Finance, October 12th, 1781.Gentlemen, In consequence of a new arrangement taken with his Excellency, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, a further sum of money will be deposited with you, subject to my drafts on beh
- 532 ROBERT MORRIS._P. S._ Upon a more exact calculation of the sale of bills, a few of which were sold a little higher than the rest, I find that nine hundred one thousand and eighteen livres, four sous, eight deniers, produced fiftytwo thousand two hundred a
- 531 FOOTNOTES: [44] _September 18th._ Several members of Congress and others called on me last evening, desirous to know the reasons for my writing to Mr Jay a letter of the 15th of August last, which being intercepted, Rivington has published, and graced wit
- 530 Sir, I do myself the honor to enclose the plan of a National Bank, which I laid before the United States in Congress a.s.sembled on the 17th day of May last, and which was adopted by them on the 26th. I have now the pleasure to inform your Excellency, tha
- 529 I would further propose, that on this day these balances, and those before mentioned, should be liquidated together, and the final capitals be considered as princ.i.p.al sums, bearing interest at six per cent. Thus, supposing the State A, in one account,
- 528 TO DONALDSON YEATES.Office of Finance, August 28th, 1781.Sir, The express which carries this letter will bring you one from Colonel Miles, on the same subject. It is necessary, that vessels be procured as speedily us possible, to transport a body of from
- 527 Dear Sir, I arrived in town the day before yesterday. Having taken the earliest opportunities to acquire information, I am sorry to inform you, that I find money matters in as bad a situation as possible. The exchange, by the concourse of venders, has run
- 526 ROBERT MORRIS.TO THE GOVERNOR OF Ma.s.sACHUSETTS.Office of Finance, August 4th, 1781.Sir, On the 23d of June last, the United States in Congress a.s.sembled, directed me to take measures for the speedy launching and equipping the s.h.i.+p America, and dir
- 525 Philadelphia, July 30th, 1781.Sir, I am favored with your Excellency's letter, of the 27th instant, for which I beg leave to make my acknowledgements.I must again repeat my regret, that the means devised by the Legislature are unequal to the exigenci
- 524 I know that I give you much trouble, but I also know, that it will be pleasing to you, because the time and the labor will be expended in the service of your country. If, Sir, my feeble but honest efforts, should open to us the prospect of American glory;
- 523 Upon a proper representation of your character, situation, and attachments to your country and its cause, the Congress of the United States of America have thought proper to appoint you their Agent at the port, of Havana and Island of Cuba. I take much pl
- 522 With these views, I have directed Mr Jay to ask a considerable sum from the Court of Madrid, to be advanced us at the Havana, and brought thence by us, if it cannot conveniently be landed here from Spanish men-of-war.[34] I say _a considerable sum_, becau
- 521 Congress have thought proper to commit to me the disposition and management of the money granted to the United States by his Most Christian Majesty, in aid of our operations for the present campaign, in order that the same may be solely applied to that us
- 520 I beg leave to submit the enclosed plan for establis.h.i.+ng a National Bank in these United States, and the Observations on it, to the perusal and consideration of Congress.Antic.i.p.ation of taxes and funds is all that ought to be expected from any syst
- 519 _March 21st._ The consideration of the letter of the 13th instant, from Robert Morris being resumed, a motion was made, and it was _Resolved_, that the Superintendent of Finance be, and he is hereby empowered to appoint and remove at his pleasure, his a.s
- 518 Philadelphia, June 2d, 1783.Sir, I have the honor to submit to Congress a letter from M. Dumas, with several papers relative to a negotiation, which appears to have been commenced by the States of Holland with our Ministers. As this subject may be very im
- 517 Sir, I have the honor to enclose a letter, just received from Mr Dana. I am much surprised to find that such considerable sums as he mentions are necessary on the signature of a treaty with Russia, since I cannot learn that money is demanded of right on s
- 516 I reported to them on the propriety of releasing their prisoners. The report is to be considered today, and I doubt not that it will be agreed to. The British Parliament appear to be extremely dissatisfied at the terms of peace; a majority, headed by Lord
- 515 WILLIAM PACA TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.In Council, Annapolis, April 4th, 1783.Sir, We have been honored with your favor of the 18th ultimo.The requisitions made in your former letters have been regularly laid before the Legislature of this State, (Maryland)
- 514 Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } March 24th, 1783. } Sir, I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that a vessel arrived here last night from Cadiz, despatched by order of Count d'Estaing to recall the cruisers of his Most Christian Maje
- 513 The important matter contained in the despatches lately received, renders me unwilling to reply to them without being well satisfied of the sentiments of Congress. But, as the subjects on which I wish to be informed, are of too delicate a nature to be ren
- 512 Dear Sir, In compliance with the directions of Congress, contained in the enclosed resolution, I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that our last despatches, dated in October, announce a disposition in the belligerent powers to terminate the war by
- 511 The Chevalier de Ville Brune was so kind as to communicate to me your Excellency's letter to him of January, together with the intelligence therein referred to. I feel myself bound to return you my thanks for your orders to the Guadeloupe frigate to
- 510 CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES.Philadelphia, December 23d, 1782.Sir, The steps that may lead to so important an event as peace upon safe and honorable terms, are too interesting to be withheld from you; I have the honor, therefore, to enclose a c
- 509 Sir, I have the honor to inform Congress, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France communicated to me the contents of a letter, received on Sat.u.r.day from Count de Rochambeau, by which he was apprized, that the Count, in pursuance of his instructions
- 508 I have the honor to transmit a resolution of Congress, appointing you one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating peace. I rejoice in this fresh proof of their confidence in your virtue and abilities. The sacrifices you have heretofore made to
- 507 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Office of Foreign Affairs, September 12th, 1782.Sir, Having carefully examined Mr Laurens's letter,[25] I believe Congress will think with me, that the subjects of it are such as I can in no other way
- 506 I have the honor to enclose copies of letters, which have been received from the Governor of the Island of Granada, in consequence of letters written, on my application, by the Minister of France, and the state of Mr Mc Clintock's case, transmitted b
- 505 The important observations you are pleased to make relative to our affairs, our friends, allies, and enemies, have their just weight, which the Legislature are very sensible of. To be prepared, therefore, for whatever measures the enemy may take, they hav
- 504 I have the honor to enclose the translation of a letter from the Minister of France to me, on the subject of an interest due on Loan Office certificates, as this relates peculiarly to your department, you will do me the honor to enable me to return some a
- 503 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Office of Foreign Affairs, May 15th, 1782.The following resolution is humbly submitted to the consideration of the United States in Congress, by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.It having been represented to the U
- 502 Resolved, That Mr Carmichael be appointed Secretary to the Emba.s.sy from the United States to the Court of Versailles, with a salary of four thousand dollars per annum.Resolved, That Mr Jay be empowered to appoint a private secretary, with a salary of on
- 501 ROBERT MORRIS TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Office of Finance, April 27th, 1782.Sir, His Excellency, the Minister of France, having informed on the part of his Court, that no extraordinary sums will be paid to the Ministers of the United States in Europe, I mus
- 500 From Dr Franklin's letter, it appears that the whole of the prizes belonged to the captors; that the King offered to purchase the s.h.i.+ps of war they had taken, according to an established rate; that the seamen objected to it, and chose they should
- 499 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Office of Foreign Affairs, February 21st, 1782.Sir, I do myself the honor to lay before Congress the enclosed note from the Minister of France, a letter from the Marquis de Bouille with translations of bot
- 498 TO MAJOR GENERAL GREENE.Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } January 31st, 1782. } Dear Sir, I was this day favored with yours of the 13th ultimo. I need not tell you, that the intelligence it conveyed, and the spirit in which it was written, afford
- 497 TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Philadelphia, November 25th, 1781.Sir, I enclose to Congress the heads of the communication, which I had the honor to make to them on the 23d, as far as I could obtain permission from the Minister of France to reduce them to w
- 496 Congress proceeded to the election of a Secretary of Foreign Affairs; and, the ballots being counted, Robert R. Livingston was elected, having been previously nominated by Mr Floyd.TO MAJOR GENERAL NATHANIEL GREENE.Philadelphia, October 20th, 1781.[20]Dea
- 495 The United States in Congress a.s.sembled, are informed by the letter, which you were pleased to address to them, the 21st of April, that having the last year requested of his Majesty leave to return to France, you learn it has been granted, but that the
- 494 Philadelphia, April 28th, 1784.Sir, You will see by the subjoined letter of Mr Pierce, the situation of the Baron de Kalb with regard to the United States, at the time when he was killed at Camden. The continental money which he had received must have bee
- 493 Sir, I have the honor to communicate to your Excellency an extract from a letter, which I received from Count de Vergennes, dated the 24th of December last.I received orders at the same time to inform his Majesty's Minister of the measures, which hav
- 492 M. DE CALONNE TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.Translation.Versailles, January 9th, 1784.Sir, I have communicated to the King the observations contained in the memoir, which you transmitted to me relative to the commerce of America, and those, which you made at our las
- 491 I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 17th of this month. You desire to know what is meant by _free port_.By this term, Sir, we mean a place to which all merchandises, as well foreign as domestic, may be imported, and from
- 490 GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.Head Quarters, March 29th, 1783.Sir, The news of a general peace, which your Excellency has been so good as to announce to me, has filled my mind with inexpressible satisfaction; and permit me to add, that the joy
- 489 It remains for me to inform you, Sir, that the King has not been able to make this last effort, without great difficulties. I have had the honor of communicating to you those, which prevent the success of loans of any considerable magnitude; they are so g
- 488 The substance of a verbal communication made to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs by the Minister of France, on the 30th and 31st of December, 1782, offered to the consideration of Congress on the 1st of January, 1783, by the said Secretary.The Minister o
- 487 LUZERNE.TO GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON.Translation.Philadelphia, November 30th, 1782.Sir, I received the letters your Excellency honored me with the 13th, 19th, and 22d of this month, and have forwarded yours for the Count de Vergennes. From the reports which I
- 486 TO GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON.Translation.Philadelphia, November 12th, 1782.Sir, I hope you will not find it amiss, that I have sent directly to General Carleton the two letters, of which the enclosed are copies. M.de la Touche wrote me, that he was yet detain
- 485 TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.Translation.Philadelphia, November 4th, 1782.Sir, Congress, in the year 1780, recommended to the different States to pa.s.s laws a.n.a.logous to the Thirteenth Article in our treaty of commerce. Some States have complied with this
- 484 GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Head Quarters, October 25th, 1782.Sir, I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency the copy of two letters[11] from the Count de Vergennes, which were sent out in the packet from England, and have jus
- 483 The British Ministry adopting these observations, sent new powers to Mr Grenville, authorising him to treat with all the belligerent powers. Mr Grenville presented to the Count de Vergennes a copy of these powers, and declared, _that the King of England,
- 482 The demand upon the State of Georgia shall be transmitted as soon as possible, and I doubt not, that they will see that full justice is done to the gentlemen in whose behalf you make the representation.As it appears clearly from the state of facts transmi
- 481 A word from you, like a voice from Heaven, will save us from distraction and wretchedness. I am well informed General Was.h.i.+ngton reveres your character; say but to him you wish my son to be released, and he will restore him to his distracted family, a