The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution
Chapter 446 : Sir, I have the honor to send you the several annexed certificates, which have been se

Sir,

I have the honor to send you the several annexed certificates, which have been sent to me by Mr Rumford of Wilmington. As these papers have a direct relation to the conduct of Mr Rumford, and to the seizure made of the flour bought by him for the King's squadron, and as they may give room for fuller information, as well with regard to my transactions as to that of this commissary, or of every one else, in relation to the said flour seized, I think it my duty to request you to transmit them as soon as possible to Congress, informing that body that I have sent duplicates of them to the Council of the State of Pennsylvania. I hope that there will be found in them proofs of the desire, which has always animated me to conform in everything to the resolutions or recommendations of Congress, as well as to dispel all the doubts or suspicions which insinuations, a.s.sertions, or publications could have shed upon me. I dare even flatter myself, that I shall at last receive the satisfactory testimonial, to which my conduct, my transactions, public or private, in everything that can concern the United States of America, seem to ent.i.tle me on the part of Congress.

I am, Sir, respectfully, your obedient humble servant,

HOLKER.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 30th, 1779.

Sir,

Mr Rumford has sent to the Consul of the King some new doc.u.ments, which throw great light on the affair of the flour from Wilmington. I have the honor to forward them to you, in the hope that you will be pleased to lay them before Congress, as well as the letter of M.

Holker, which accompanies them.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most humble and obedient servant,

GERARD.

In Congress, July 30th, 1779.

The above papers were referred to the committee of five, before mentioned, who on the 2d of August delivered in a report, whereupon Congress came to the following resolutions;

Resolved, That the Minister of France be a.s.sured, that Congress will at all times afford every countenance and protection to the Consuls and other servants of his Most Christian Majesty, with the powers and authorities to them delegated by their const.i.tuents.

That the several appointments of Consuls made, and which may hereafter be made and approved by Congress, be duly registered in the Secretary's office, and properly notified by the President to the Executive authorities of the respective States in whose ports such Consuls may reside.

That the measures taken by M. Holker to procure flour for the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty in the way of commerce, have from time to time been made known unto, and been fully approved by Congress; that the several proceedings and publications complained of by the Minister on that subject are very injurious to the servants of his said Majesty, and that Congress do highly disapprove of the same.

That the President and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania be informed, that any prosecutions which it may be expedient to direct for such matters and things in the said publications or transactions, as may be against the laws of nations, shall be carried on at the expense of the United States.

That the Minister of France be informed that the President and Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania have taken proper measures to restore the flour taken from the agents of M. Holker.

THE PRESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA TO M. GERARD.

In Council, Philadelphia, July 31st, 1779.

Sir,

I have now the honor of addressing you in answer to the representation you were pleased to make to this Board on the 24th instant. When, to every principle of public affection, policy, and justice, there is added our experience of your personal friends.h.i.+p to America, and your attachment and engaging deportment to the citizens of Pennsylvania of every rank, all professions on our part to make your residence in the State happy, easy, and honorable, must be unnecessary. It is not easy, therefore, for us to find language to express our concern at any transaction which may disturb your repose, and interrupt the exercise of those functions discharged with so much honor to yourself and satisfaction to those, who are called to take any part in public affairs.

In some communications which the Honorable Congress have been pleased to make to us, we also see, with great concern, that apprehensions are expressed, the reality of which we should deplore as an evil of the first magnitude. Be a.s.sured, Sir, that the citizens of Philadelphia, and of Pennsylvania, cannot entertain sentiments so unworthy; but if there are any so lost to every sense of propriety, decency, and order, the authority of the State has power equal to its inclination to check and suppress so licentious and wicked a procedure.

We entreat you, therefore, to dismiss every idea so painful and so dishonorable to us as that of personal insult, and repose confidence in us when we confirm to you our a.s.surances of the affection, respect, and esteem of our const.i.tuents. And if there are any persons, who presume to insinuate dangers of outrages, as suggested in your representations, we most earnestly request you to consider them either as ignorant of the real sentiments of those of whom they speak, or as acting from less honorable motives.

I have now the honor of acquainting you, that upon the requisition of this Board, the flour in question, and which has given rise to this unhappy discussion, is delivered up to this Board, and that it is ready to be put into the disposal of M. Holker, or any person he may direct, for the purposes of its original destination, without any condition or restriction, a measure, which we hope both as to you and himself, will be considered as a relinquishment of those terms, which form a ground of your complaint. Our desire to make the most early and explicit avowal of our sentiments and intentions has induced us to make this communication, at the same time all other business being laid aside, we are considering the papers which touch the character of M. Holker, upon which we shall, without delay, address ourselves to the Honorable Congress of the United States, through whom those communications have been made to us, and we trust it will fully appear, that a veneration for the Prince, whose servant he is, respect to your interposition, justice to him, and a due regard to the rights and interests of this State, have influenced our determination.

We observe all the papers respecting this transaction have been transmitted to you, except a resolution of this Board pa.s.sed on the 14th instant, which, probably, by some accident has been omitted. I have now the honor of enclosing it, that every proceeding may be fully before you.

Signed in and by order of Council.

JOSEPH REED, _President_.

_In Congress._ On the 4th of August the committee to whom was referred the Memorial of the Minister, relative to the s.h.i.+p Mary and Elizabeth's cargo, delivered in a report, whereupon,

Resolved, That Congress do not entertain any suspicion, that M.

Holker, agent of the marine of his Most Christian Majesty, had any partic.i.p.ation in, or knowledge of, the s.h.i.+pping of provisions on private account on board vessels despatched in the name of his Most Christian Majesty.

Resolved, That frauds by masters and s.h.i.+ppers are offences against the munic.i.p.al laws, and are to be investigated by the magistrates of the States respectively.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 5th, 1779.

Sir,

I have received with grat.i.tude the resolution of Congress, which you were so kind as to send me yesterday. I express my sentiments on this subject in the annexed Memorial, which I request you to be pleased to lay before Congress.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

GERARD.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, August 5th, 1779.

Sir,

The Minister Plenipotentiary of France is eager to thank Congress for the readiness with which they have been pleased to yield to his representations of the 26th of last month.