The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution
Chapter 457 : TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.Translation.Philadelphia, June 18th, 1780.Sir, The unders

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, June 18th, 1780.

Sir,

The undersigned Minister of France has witnessed the efforts of Congress to enable the Commander in Chief to make a glorious commencement of the campaign; he is convinced of the zeal with which all its members are animated, and if the army has not hitherto received any of the reinforcements announced in January last, he is persuaded that Congress deeply lament those delays, and are sincerely desirous to prevent the fatal consequences, which might result from them. The undersigned has, since the beginning of this year, continued to make the most pressing representations on this subject, and all the answers that he has received tend to a.s.sure him that the arrangements, which were announced, would be carried into full execution at the beginning of this month. Now that the time fixed for putting the army on a respectable footing has pa.s.sed by, and it is but too certain, that the reinforcements demanded four or five months ago have not yet arrived, he earnestly entreats Congress to be pleased to pay immediate attention to the supply of these troops, and to the fulfilment of their promises.

The King, after the positive a.s.surances, which he has received, has not the least doubt, _that the American army is now twentyfive thousand strong, not including commissioned officers, and that it is, at this moment, in a condition to undertake the most vigorous offensive operations against the enemy in the posts, which he occupies within the_ _territory of the United States_. Congress, while giving these a.s.surances, expressed in an urgent manner the wish, that a French squadron should facilitate the operations of the land troops.

The King has been eager to comply with the requests of the Thirteen States. Their a.s.surances are the basis of the measures which his Majesty has taken. A squadron is on the point of arrival, and the French Generals expect to find forces, respectable in numbers, ready to enter upon action. If, at the moment of their arrival, they are deprived of the co-operation, upon which they have reason to rely, the most precious time for action will be lost; the enemy will have time to take the necessary measures for defence, and, perhaps, to receive reinforcements; the soldiers' ardor will be quenched in inaction, and this delay will cause the loss of all the advantages of a campaign, which, if conducted with suitable promptness and activity, might have been made most useful to the common cause, and perhaps decisive.

It being manifestly necessary to complete the army, the undersigned has no doubt that Congress, as well from regard to the public interest, as to its own glory and the performance of its promises, will immediately take, for the accomplishment of this object, measures more effectual than those which have hitherto been taken. He hopes also, that the proper arrangements will be made for constantly maintaining, during the whole campaign, the number which has been announced, and he takes the liberty of recommending this important object in an equal degree to the consideration of Congress.

The Minister of France, convinced of the zeal for the public good, which inspires this a.s.sembly, as well as of its wisdom and prudence, hopes that it will see in his representations only a new proof of his attachment to the common cause; that it will not be offended at the freedom, with which he expresses himself upon so important a subject, and that it will be pleased to put him in a situation to transmit to his Court satisfactory details respecting the fulfilment of the a.s.surances made to him by Congress in January last.[37]

LUZERNE.

FOOTNOTE:

[37] See the proceedings of Congress on the subject of this letter in the _Public Journal of Congress_, under the date of June 21st, 1780.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, June 28th, 1780.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor of informing Congress, that the Court of Madrid has sent to Havana land and naval forces sufficient to make a powerful diversion there. The Governor of Havana, having been informed of the a.s.surances given by this a.s.sembly on the 16th of December last, respecting the provisions of which the islands and the fleet of his Catholic Majesty might stand in need, is desirous that such quant.i.ties of corn as shall not be necessary for the subsistence of the armies destined to act upon this continent, may be successively sent to him. It is desirable, that the quant.i.ty now about to be sent should amount to three thousand barrels, and, with the approbation of Congress, the undersigned will give immediate orders to some merchants of this city to make purchases in the States in such manner as Congress shall think proper.

The Governor of Havana is also desirous of being supplied with beef, and pork, suet, lard, and vegetables, and with large and even small live cattle. The Minister of France entreats Congress to be pleased to enable him to send to Havana a favorable answer to these different demands, and he will take pleasure in transmitting to the Court of Madrid the intelligence of the facilities for supplies of provision, which the Spanish Colonies shall have enjoyed throughout the Thirteen States.

LUZERNE.

CONGRESS TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.

In Congress, July 7th, 1780.

The Minister of France having, in a note dated the 28th of June, informed Congress that the Court of Madrid has sent to the Havana a considerable body of forces to make a diversion in that quarter; and that the Governor of Havana desires, that as much flour and fresh provisions, such as cattle, hogs, suet, lard, and pulse, as can be spared, should be sent thither; and the Minister having intimated, that three thousand barrels of flour are immediately wanted, and that he will undertake to have that quant.i.ty purchased and sent, if Congress approve the measure, the following answer was returned;

That the Minister of France be informed, that through the loss of Charleston, the numerous army the States are under the necessity of maintaining in the Southern department, the ravages of the enemy, and the lightness of the crops in the Middle States, as well as the present extraordinary demand for the purposes of an effectual co-operation with the expected armament of his Most Christian Majesty, have not left these States in a situation to admit of any considerable export of provisions; yet Congress, desirous to testify their attention to the necessities of his Catholic Majesty's Colonies and armaments, and as far as lies in their power to compensate for the failure of supplies of rice, which an alteration in the circ.u.mstances of the Southern States has unhappily rendered it impracticable to afford, have resolved, that it be recommended to the State of Maryland to grant permission to such agent, as the Minister of France shall appoint, to purchase within that State any quant.i.ty of flour, not exceeding three thousand barrels, and to s.h.i.+p the same to such Colonies of his Catholic Majesty in the West Indies, as the Minister of France may direct. That many of the articles mentioned in this Memorial of the Minister being such as the Colonies of his Catholic Majesty furnish upon better terms than they can be procured from these States in their present situation, it is to be presumed they will feel no inconvenience from Congress' not entering at this time into any determination thereon.

Resolved, That Congress will from time to time afford such supplies to the Colonies of his Catholic Majesty, as their circ.u.mstances may require, and the situation of these States enable them to grant.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 22d, 1780.

Sir,

I take the earliest opportunity to inform you, that his Majesty's Minister, in giving me notice of the expedition of the squadron, which arrived at Rhode Island on the 12th instant, informs me, that particular considerations relative to the movements of the English, have induced his Majesty to send, in two divisions, the forces which are designated to act in this country. The first division, having happily arrived, will be immediately ready for active service. With regard to the second, it was to quit the French coast as soon as circ.u.mstances should permit. Will you have the kindness, Sir, in imparting this news to Congress, to inform that body, that it ought to be kept secret till the moment of execution. I hope that Congress will approve of this reserve, both on account of the uncertainty of events at sea, and because the enemy should be kept in ignorance of our measures.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 25th, 1780.

Sir,

As the present state of things may render the frigates, and other vessels at the disposal of Congress, useful to the combined naval operations, I pray you to have the goodness to propose putting these vessels under the orders of M. de Ternay, commander of the French squadron, while instructions, such as shall be thought proper, are given to the American captains. If Congress approves of this proposition, it will be necessary to send orders to the frigates, which are now in the eastern ports, so that they may join the French squadron as soon as possible; if, however, they have been destined to any other service, and Congress is reluctant to change their destination, do not, I pray you, Sir, insist on my demand. If these vessels shall receive orders to join the French squadron, I wish to have it in my power to inform M. de Ternay at what time he may look for them, what signals they will make on their approach, and what signals he shall use in reply to theirs.

I had hoped, Sir, after the a.s.surances, which Congress was pleased to give me, that the Confederacy would be ready about the 15th of this month, at farthest. Will you have the kindness to let me know, with as much accuracy as circ.u.mstances will permit, about what time you think that she will be ready to set sail.[38]

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

FOOTNOTE:

[38] _In Congress, July 27th._--"Resolved, That the frigates Trumbull, Confederacy, and Deane, and the sloop of war Saratoga, be put under the direction of General Was.h.i.+ngton, to be employed in co-operating with the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty, commanded by the Chevalier de Ternay, in any naval enterprise on the coasts of North America."

JOSEPH REED TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

In Council, Philadelphia, July 25th, 1780.

Sir,