FROM MONSIEUR OTTO TO JOHN JAY.

Translation.

Sir,

New York, October 9, 1786.

I take the liberty to request of you a communication of the resolution which Congress have taken concerning the consular convention. As that resolution has been taken in consequence of a note, which I have had the honor to send to the United States by order of his Majesty, it appears proper that I transmit to my Court the determination which that assembly has been pleased to take. I shall be much obliged to you for this new proof of your goodness. I am, with respect, &c.,

OTTO.

Sir,

FROM JOHN JAY TO MONSIEUR OTTO.

Office for Foreign Affairs, October 12, 1786.

On receiving the letter you did me the honor to write on the 9th instant, I immediately communicated it to Congress, and, in obedience to their order, I have now the honor of informing you, "that as their 'communications to his most Christian Majesty will be officially 'made by their Minister resident at his Court, they do not think it 'necessary to accept your polite offer of conveying any they may 'direct concerning the consular convention."

I have the honor to address to you a letter which his Majesty charges me to present to the United States assembled in Congress, to acquaint them with the birth of a princess. The new assurances of affection entertained in that letter, cannot fail of being agreeable to the United States. They correspond so well with all the orders

I have received since I have had the honor to manage the affairs of the King in America, that I have reason to think myself happy to have been charged with transmitting them.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

OTTO.

FROM THE KING OF FRANCE TO CONGRESS.

Translation.

To our very dear great Friends and Allies, the President and Members of the General Congress of the United States of North America:

Very dear great Friends and Allies, we are well convinced that you will participate in the satisfaction we derive from the happy delivery of the Queen, our very dear spouse, of a princess. The entire confidence we place in the sentiments, of which we flatter ourselves you will renew the evidence on this occasion, answer to you for the desire we shall always have to give you more and more proofs of our affection, and of our constant friendship for you; wherefore, we pray God to keep you, very dear great Friends and Allies, in His holy protection. Written at Versailles, the 9th July, 1786.

The letter from his most Christian Majesty to Congress, which I had the honor of receiving, enclosed with yours to me of the 23d October, was immediately laid before Congress. The absence of the members, occasioned by their annual election and other circumstances, did not admit of conveying their answer by the last packet. As soon as a sufficient number of States shall be represented, I am persuaded they will be happy to embrace the earliest opportunity of congratulating his Majesty on the birth of the princess, and assuring

him of the pleasure they derive from that and every other event that can add to the happiness of himself and family.

I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 18th of this month. However long may be the delay attending the answer which Congress purpose to make to the letter of the King, his Majesty will never have room to doubt the sincerity of the sentiments of which that assembly have so often given him proofs, and of which you are pleased to give me fresh assurances.

Several members of Congress having inquired of me, with a degree of earnestness, whether the news concerning the pretended exchange with Spain, in the southern part of this continent, was well founded, cannot answer that question better than by communicating to you the following passage, in a despatch from the Count De Vergennes, of the 25th August last: "The exchange of Louisiana for a French 'possession in the West Indies, has never been in question. And if 'anything should be again said of it, you will be pleased to deny it 'formally."

I have the honor to address to you the subjoined extract of the despatch from M. the Count De Vergennes, of which I had the honor to speak to you. The gazettes mentioned in this extract contain many articles by which it is insinuated that we have a great interest to excite the Barbary Powers against the United States. The licenVOL. I.-16

tiousness of the public papers might be prejudicial to the good correspondence which so happily subsists between the two nations, if the reports of the public officers did not make known the true sentiments and moderation of the respective Powers.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

OTTO.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MONSIEUR THE COUNT DE VERGENNES

TO MONSIEUR OTTO, OF AUGUST 25, 1786.

Translation.

"You can assure the Congress that the King will seize with eagerness all occasions to facilitate their good intelligence with the Barbary Powers. This assembly without doubt have been informed of the support that his Majesty affords to the American Commissioners who negotiate at Algiers and at Morocco; the treaty which has been recently signed with this last Power, and which will probably be published in America, will be the best refutation of the suspicions which many public papers are willing to inspire against our system of policy."

Sir,

FROM JOHN JAY TO MONSIEUR OTTO.

New York, November 2, 1786.

Permit me to introduce to you the bearer, Colonel Talbot, a gentleman greatly distinguished by gallant actions during the late war. He has two sons whom he wishes to educate for the sea, and to place on board a French vessel, under the orders and direction of some officer of merit. Various reasons induce him to prefer one of the King's packets. He is desirous to know whether his sons could be received on board, and if so, requests to be favored with your advice on the occasion.

It is natural to presume that young Americans brought up under French officers will have a predilection for the French nation, and I am persuaded that you concur with me in wishing to promote the most friendly intercourse and connexion between our two countries. I have the honor to be, &c., JOHN JAY.

FROM MONSIEUR OTTO TO JOHN JAY.

Translation.

Sir,

New York, November 3, 1786.

I received the letter which you did me the honor to write me, recommending the sons of Mr. Talbot, a distinguished officer in the service of the United States. I instantly conferred with M. de la Forêt on the subject, who is particularly charged with everything relating to the Marine. It appears that since the new ordinance there will be certain difficulties to surmount, either because there is no regulation as to the admission of strangers into the King's service, or because this ordinance expressly fixes the age of sixteen for volunteers. We flatter ourselves, however, that we shall be able to second your views respecting Mr. Talbot's sons; and though it is impossible to fix them immediately on board his Majesty's packets, we will ask permission from the Minister directly, which must, however, occasion a delay of five or six months.

I entirely coincide, sir, with your remarks in support of your request. It is essential to facilitate more and more the connexions between the two nations, and nothing can more contribute towards this than reciprocally to admit the subjects of each nation into sea or land service.

I have the honor to send you herewith a copy of a letter from the Count de Montmorin, accompanied with another letter written to him by the Marshal de Castries, on the subject of Colonel Talbot's request. It is with the greatest satisfaction I find that the new Minister is no less disposed than Count de Vergennes was to render himself agreeable to the United States by every good office, and that he is particularly disposed to be serviceable to such of your fellowcitizens as have the advantage of being countenanced by you.