Congress received this very generous and candid communication with all that pleasure and attention which so great proffers of friendship from the honorable the Burgomasters and Senate of the imperial free city of Hamburg, justly demanded from the United States of America.

Congress did not delay to take this honorable tender of affection and esteem of the worthy Burgomasters and Senate under their immediate just consideration; and I am now honored by the commands of Congress to make known to the respectable representatives of this great and imperial city, in terms expressive of "the most sincere regard, the high satisfaction with which the United States in Congress assembled, received the annunciation of their friendship and attachment, and their affectionate congratulations on the establishment of the liberty and independence of the United States of America. That having founded the commercial system of these States on the basis of equality and reciprocity, Congress will cheerfully meet the wishes of the Burgomasters and Senate of Hamburg, and unite with them. in encouraging the most friendly intercourse between the citizens of the respective countries, on such liberal principles as will best promote their mutual advantage and prosperity; and that it is the earnest prayer of the United States in Congress assemb'ed, that the imperial free city of Hamburg, may continue to increase in commerce and splendor, and be blest with uninterrupted tranquillity.”

It is with the most sensible pleasure I make this communication, and hope and pray that a solid foundation will be laid for the firm establishment of friendship and communion between the citizens of our republics.

May God Almighty keep the honorable Burgomasters and Senate of the imperial free city, Hamburg, in his holy protection. I have the honor to be, &c.,

E. B.

Extract from the Secret Journal of Foreign Affairs.

October 29th, 1783.

"On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. S. Huntingdon, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Duane, to whom was referred a letter from the Burgomasters and Senate of the imperial free city of Hamburg.

VOL. I.-4

Resolved, That the President, in terms expressive of the most sincere regard, communicate to the Burgomasters and Senate of the imperial free city of Hamburg, the high satisfaction with which the United States in Congress assembled are impressed by the annunciation of their friendship and attachment, and their affectionate congratulations on the establishment of the liberty and independence of the United States of America. That having founded the commercial system of these States on the basis of equality and reciprocity, Congress will cheerfully meet the wishes of the Burgomasters and Senate of Hamburg, and unite with them in encouraging the most friendly intercourse between the citizens of the respective countries, on such liberal principles as will best promote their mutual advantage and prosperity; and that it is the earnest prayer of the United States in Congress assembled, that the imperial free city of Hamburg may continue to increase in commerce and splendor, and be blessed with uninterrupted tranquillity.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to confer with Mr. John Abraham de Boor, charged by the said Burgomasters and Senate with their said letter to Congress, on the subject-matter thereof; and that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to Mr. De Boor."

FROM THOMAS MIFFLIN, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.

Sir,

Annapolis, December 24th, 1783.

I have the honor to inform you, that yesterday, at twelve o'clock, his Excellency General Washington has had a public audience of Congress when he resigned his commission, and took a solemn leave of public life. I enclose to your Excellency a copy of the General's address to Congress and a copy of their answer.

I am with the highest respect, &c.,

THOMAS MIFFLIN.

N. B. A similar letter enclosing a copy of the General's address to Congress, and a copy of their answer, was written to his Excellency the Minister of the United Netherlands.

Extract from the Journals of Congress, December 23d, 1783.

According to order, his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief was admitted to a public audience, and being seated, the President, after a pause, informed him that the United States in Congress assembled, were prepared to receive his communications: whereupon he arose and addressed the Chair, as follows:

Mr. President,

The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.

Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task; which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest.

While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of Congress.

I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping.

Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great

theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.

He then advanced and delivered to the President his commission, with a copy of his address, and having resumed his place, the President returned him the following answer:

Sir,

The United States in Congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and doubtful war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without funds or a government to support you. You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered, till these United States, aided by a magnanimous King and nation, have been enabled, under a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety, and independence; on which happy event, we sincerely join you in congratulations.

Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world: having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action with the blessings of your fellow-citizens; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command, it will continue to animate remotest ages.

We feel with you our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential officers who have attended your person to this affecting moment.

We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable nation, and for you we address to him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all his care; that your days may be as happy as they have been illustrious; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give."

FROM THOMAS MIFFLIN, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.

Sir,

Annapolis, January 14, 1784.

This day, nine States being represented in Congress, viz: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, together with one member from New Hampshire and one member from New Jersey, the treaty of peace was ratified by the unanimous vote of the members. This being done, Congress, by an unanimous vote, ordered a proclamation to be issued, enjoining the strict and faithful observance thereof, and published an earnest recommendation to the several States in the very words of the fifth article.

Congress have appointed Colonel Josiah Harmar, my private Secretary, to carry the ratification to our Ministers at Paris, and I have instructed him to pursue the route marked by your Excellency's letter of the 10th instant, and upon meeting you, to wait for such commands as you may be pleased to honor him with. Let me entreat your Excellency to give Colonel Harmar a recommendatory letter to the Captain of the packet boat at New York, that he may have, upon his arrival in France, the most expeditious means provided for his journey to Paris.

I will employ a proper person to secure two or three comfortable rooms for you, and if I can be so happy as to hear of your arrival at Baltimore, I will take care that a person shall be on the road, near Annapolis, to conduct you to the house which may be provided for you.

I am with the highest respect, &c.,

THOMAS MIFFLIN.

FROM THOMAS MIFFLIN, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, JOHN ADAMS, AND JOHN JAY.

Gentlemen,

Annapolis, January 14, 1784.

This day nine States being represented, viz: Massachusetts, Rhode