I have already advised with Colonel Talbot as to the least expensive mode of sending his sons to France, and I hope that he will be perfectly satisfied with our measures on that head. You addressed a letter the 4th of November to the Count de Vergennes from Mr. Jay, who supported with his recommendation Colonel Talbot's desire of entering his two sons on board his Majesty's Navy in quality of volunteers. The Marshal de Castries, to whom I communicated this request, sent me the answer of which you have a copy herewith; you will be pleased to communicate it to Mr. Jay. He will assuredly see with satisfaction that the dispositions of the Marshal de Castries are as he wishes. FROM THE MARSHAL DE CASTRIES TO THE COUNT DE MONTMORIN. Versailles, February 26, 1787. The services which Colonel Talbot, an American Colonel, rendered to one of our squadrons during the last war, lead me to second his wishes to procure a berth for two of his sons in his Majesty's navy. These young people can come to one of the ports in France, and when I shall be informed of their arrival I will give orders for their being employed in the capacity of volunteers of the third class, relieving them, on account of a particular regard for the friendly Power whose subjects they are, and on account of the attachment their father has shewn to France, from the previous formalities and conditions prescribed by the ordinance for arriving to this grade. I beg that you will let Colonel Talbot know of this disposition through Mr. Otto, Chargé d'Affaires for France to the United States. FROM THE COUNT DE MOUSTIER TO JOHN JAY. Translation. New York, February 4, 1788. Sir, My health being considerably reëstablished, I have the pleasure of addressing to you the annexed copy of my letter of credence in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty to the Congress of the United States. I request the favor of you to communicate it to that assembly, to the end that they may fix a day which shall appear to them the most convenient to give me a public audience. I greatly regret, sir, that the fatigues of a long voyage have retarded the request which I have the honor now to make to you. I dare to flatter myself that the United States will not be the less convinced of the zeal which animates me, and of the sincerity of the assurances of friendship which I shall give them, in the name of his Majesty. I ought to suppose, sir, that on this occasion the same ceremonial will be followed which was observed at the reception of my predecessors, but as I have not received any official communication on this subject, I request the favor of you previously to communicate to me the intentions of Congress. I have the honor to be, &c., THE COUNT DE MOUSTIER. REPORT OF JOHN JAY TO CONGRESS. Office for Foreign Affairs, February 12, 1788. The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a letter of the 4th instant, from the Count de Moustier, enclosing a copy of his letter of credence, requesting that a day be fixed for his public audience, and intimating an expectation that the ceremonial will be the same as in the cases of his predecessors, reports: That in his opinion it would be proper to name as early a day as may consist with the convenience of Congress, for receiving the Count. That he has perused and considered the ceremonials heretofore used on such occasions, and that they appear to him to put much less distinction between an Ambassador and a Minister than the laws and actual practice of civilized nations have established. That considering the past and present state of American affairs, he thinks it might not be so advisable to correct mistakes relative to matters of ceremony and etiquette at this period, as when the proposed plan of government shall begin to operate. He, therefore, is of the opinion that it would be best to receive this Minister in the same manner as his predecessor and the Dutch Minister were received. All which is submitted to the wisdom of Congress. JOHN JAY. FROM THE COUNT DE MOUSTIER TO JOHN JAY. Translation. New York, February 4, 1788. Sir, I have the honor of addressing to you the annexed copy of a letter of the recall of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, my predecessor, with a letter which that Minister has written, by order of his Majesty, to the President of Congress, to take leave. I hope the expressions of friendship and affection contained in those pieces will be agreeable to the United States. I have the honor to be, &c., THE COUNT DE MOUSTIER. FROM THE KING OF FRANCE TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. Translation. Very dear great Friends and Allies, The Chevalier de la Luzerne having terminated the time which we had fixed for his residence with you in quality of our Minister Plenipotentiary, we have ordered him to take leave of you by writing. The prudent and enlightened conduct which he constantly observed during the course of his mission, add to the proofs which he had before given us of his zeal for our service. We are persuaded he will equally, to our satisfaction, acquit himself of the order we have given him to assure you, in terms the most expressive, of our affection, and of our sincere friendship for you. He cannot too strongly paint to you the lively interest which we take in the prosperity of the United States in general, and in that of each of them in particular. On this we pray God that He will have you, very dear great Friends and Allies, in His holy keeping. Done at Versailles, the 30th September, 1787. LOUIS. COUNT DE MONTMORIN. FROM THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Translation. Paris, 1787. The King having thought proper to destine me to another service than that of Minister Plenipotentiary near Congress, I have the honor of addressing to you my letter of recall, and of requesting that it may be presented to that assembly. The advantage which I enjoyed for six years, of negotiating upon the greatest and most important affairs with Congress, an intimate knowledge of those great statesmen and patriots, who successively composed that illustrious body, are sure guarantees of the respect and admiration which I entertain for them. I shall never forget that the most pleasing moments of my life have been those when charged with the management of the interests of the two great allies, I have been so fortunate as to see constantly the most perfect confidence and harmony prevail. Prosperity as well as adversity have served to bind still closer the ties of our union founded on justice; and what has perhaps never happened before in an alliance of this nature, not for a single moment has a coolness or uneasiness existed; but it has been crowned by the most brilliant, the most glorious, and the most useful of revolutions. Never shall I forget the marks of personal confidence which I have received from Congress on various occasions. Absent from them I console myself with the reflection that my successor, by his zeal and talents, will easily place my feeble services in oblivion. Condescend, sir, to be the interpreter of my sentiments to that illustrious assembly over which you preside. My unceasing prayers shall henceforth be offered up for a nation whose firmness and patriotism have caused the admiration of the universe. Accept, sir, individually, &c., DE LA LUZERNE. REPORT OF JOHN JAY ON THE LETTER OF THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE. Office for Foreign Affairs, March 13, 1788. The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred a letter of the day of 1787, from the Chevalier de la Luzerne to his Excellency the President of Congress, reports: That in his opinion it would be proper that he should write to the Chevalier a letter of the following tenor: "Sir, "His Excellency the President laid before Congress your letter of recall, together with the one that enclosed it; and I have the honor, in obedience to their orders, to assure you that had you resumed your former place near them, you would have received fresh and continued marks of that esteem with which the manner in which you fulfilled the duties of it very early impressed them. They have heard with pleasure of the recent and honorable proof which the King has given you of his confidence; and as your attachment and services to this country will always be remembered, so you will always have the best wishes of Congress that success and prosperity may attend you to every station to which your distinguished merit and talents may induce the King to call you.' All which is submitted to the wisdom of Congress. JOHN JAY. |