Resolved, That our said Ministers, to be commissioned for treating with foreign nations, be referred to the instructions of the 30th day of May, 1783, relative to British debts, the objects of which they are hereby directed to urge with perseverance.

That they require, with firmness and decision, full satisfaction for all slaves and other property belonging to citizens of these States, taken and carried away in violation of the preliminary and definitive articles of peace; and to enable them to do this on precise grounds, Congress will furnish them with necessary facts and documents.

Resolved, That Doctor Franklin be desired to notify to the Apostolical Nuncio at Versailles, that Congress will always be pleased to testify their respect to his Sovereign and State; but that the subject of his application to Doctor Franklin being purely spiritual, it is without the jurisdiction and powers of Congress, who have no authority to permit or refuse it, these powers being reserved to the several States individually.

That Doctor Franklin be instructed to express to the Court of France the constant desire of Congress to meet their wishes; that these States are about to form a general system of commerce, by treaties with other nations; that, at this time, we cannot foresee what claims might be given to those nations, by the explanatory propositions from the Count de Vergennes, on the second and third articles of our treaty of amity and commerce with his most Christian Majesty; but that he may be assured it will be our constant care to place no people on more advantageous ground than the subjects of his Majesty.

Resolved, That the papers containing the claim of the five Fosters, brothers, for the prize of their vessel, the Three Friends, made by Captain Landais, of the Alliance frigate, which papers were communicated by the Count de Vergennes to Doctor Franklin, to the end that he might apply to Congress for an indemnification of the said Fosters, be remitted to the said Ministers with a copy of the fourth clause of the instructions to them, of October 29th, 1783, and the following extract from Doctor Franklin's letter of July 22d, 1783, to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, viz: Mr. Barclay has in his hands the affair of the Alliance and Bon Homme Richard. I will 'afford him all the assistance in my power; but it is a very perplexed business. That expedition, though, for particular reasons, under 'American commissions and colors, was carried on at the King's 'expense, and under his orders. M. De Chaumont was the agent

'appointed by the Minister of Marine to make the outfit. He was ' also chosen by all the captains of the squadron, as appears by an 'instrument under their hands, to be their agent, receive, sell, and 'divide prizes, &c. The Crown bought two of them at public sale; ' and the money, I understand, is lodged in the hands of a responsible 'person at L'Orient. M. De Chaumont says he has given in his accounts to the Marine, and that he has no more to do with the 'affair, except to receive a balance due to him. That account, how'ever, is, I believe, unsettled; and the absence of some of the cap'tains is said to make another difficulty, which retards the completion 'of the business. I never paid nor received anything relating to that 'expedition, nor had any other concern in it than barely ordering the 'Alliance to join the squadron, at M. De Sartine's request.' From which extract there is reason to believe the United States of America had no concern in the expedition; but that it was carried on wholly under the authority and for the advantage of his most Christian Majesty. That if this fact should not be so apparent as to give full satisfaction to his Majesty's Ministers, they then can take such measures as in their discretion shall be thought most conducive to an amicable and equitable adjustment thereof, on the best evidence they shall be able to procure.

Resolved, That the claim of the Sieur Bayard against these United States, for the sum of two hundred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and thirty-six dollars, continental money, is not founded in justice, from the circumstances of the case as stated by himself, which are, that a vessel and cargo, in which he was interested, sailing in May, 1779, from Charleston for France, was taken by an English armed vessel, and retaken by an American frigate called the Boston; that she was carried to Boston, and there sold as French property by Mons. de Valnais, Consul for France at that port; that he unfaithfully and irregularly, as is suggested, endeavored to have the whole adjudged to the recaptors, but that the sentence was, that they were only entitled to one eighth, and the Sieur Bayard's correspondents obliged M. de Valnais to deposite with the Consul of France in Philadelphia two hundred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and thirty-six dollars, continental money, in part of the proceeds, with a reserve to the Sieur Bayard, against Mons. de Valnais, of every right of redress for his irregular conduct; that no injurious intermeddling by the United States, or any of them, or by any of

their citizens, is here complained of; that the money was constantly in the hands of the Sieur Bayard's correspondents, or of the Consul of his nation; that he may indeed have suffered by its depreciation, as many others have suffered, both foreigners and citizens, but the latter in a much higher degree than the former; that this depreciation was not effected by any arbitrary change by Congress in the value or denomination of the money, (which yet has been frequently practised by European States, who never have thought themselves bound to make good the losses thereby incurred, either by their own citizens or by foreigners,) but ensued against the will and the unremitting endeavors of Congress; that in this case, too, it might have been lessened, if not prevented, by investing the money immediately in gold and silver, or in other commodities. Congress are therefore of opinion, that these States are not bound to make good the loss by depreciation.

That, as to the residue of the claims of the Sieur Bayard, if founded in truth and right, they lie only against the State of Georgia, to the Governor of which Congress will transmit copies of the papers, expressing, at the same time, our confidence that that State will cause to be done in it what justice and the respect due between friendly nations require, and that the Sieur Bayard be referred to them.

Resolved, That the friendly services rendered by the Sieur John Baptiste Pequet, agent for the French nation at Lisbon, to great numbers of American sailors carried prisoners into that port during the late war, and his sufferings on that account, merit the sincere acknowledgments of Congress; and that it be referred to the said Ministers to deliver him these in honorable terms, and to make him such gratification as may indemnify his losses and properly reward his zeal."

Resolved, That the papers relating to the detention of the schooner Nancy, Captain Gladden, belonging to the citizens of the United States residing in North Carolina, be transmitted to our Ministers for negotiating treaties with foreign Powers; and that they be instructed to make inquiry into the cause of the seizure and detention of the said schooner and her cargo; and if it shall appear that she has been unjustly detained, to demand the release of the vessel and the restoration of her cargo, with adequate damages for her detention."

"Resolved, That the form of the commission to the Ministers for negotiating treaties of amity and commerce, or of amity, be as follows:

The United States of America in Congress assembled; to all to whom these presents shall come, or be made known, send greeting: Whereas, an intercourse between and the citizens

of the United States of America, founded on principles of equality, reciprocity and friendship, may be of mutual advantage to both nations: Now, therefore, know ye, that we, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence, and ability of our trusty and beloved, the honorable John Adams, late one of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace, and, heretofore, a Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts, and Chief Justice of the said State, the honorable Doctor Benjamin Franklin, our Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles, and late another of our Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace, and the honorable Thomas Jefferson, a Delegate in Congress from the State of Virginia, and late Governor of the said State, have nominated, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do nominate, constitute, and appoint the said John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, our Ministers Plenipotentiary, giving to them, or a majority of them, full power and authority for us, and in our name to confer, treat, and negotiate, with the Ambassador, Minister, or Commissioner of vested with full and sufficient powers of and concerning (a treaty of amity, or a treaty of amity and commerce, as the case may be,) to make and receive propositions for such treaty, and to conclude and sign the same, transmitting it to the United States in Congress assembled, for their final ratification. This commission to continue in force for a term not exceeding two years from the date hereof.

In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Witness his Excellency Thomas Mifflin, President, this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, and of the sovereignty and independence of the United States of America the eighth.”

FROM THOMAS MIFFLIN, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Sir,

Circular.

Annapolis, May 31, 1784.

I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency an act of Con

gress, of the 29th instant, relating to an insult offered to the person of Monsieur de Marbois, by a certain Monsieur de Longchamps.

By a letter received this day from the Supreme Executive of the State of Pennsylvania, it appears that the said Longchamps has been apprehended in consequence of a warrant issued by one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and is now confined in the common jail at Philadelphia.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

THOMAS MIFFLIN.

Extract from the Secret Journal of Foreign Affairs, May 29th, 1784.

"On the report of a Committee, consisting of Mr. Gerry, Mr. Dana, and Mr. Howell, to whom was referred a note from the honorable the Minister Plenipotentiary of his most Christian Majesty, Congress came to the following resolution:

Whereas Congress have been informed by a note addressed to them by the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary of his most Christian Majesty of the 20th instant, and the papers accompanying the same, that a violation of the laws of nations hath been committed by one Longchamps, who calls himself Chevalier de Longchamps, a subject of his most Christian Majesty, by a violent assault and battery by him lately made in the city of Philadelphia, upon the person of Mr. Marbois, Consul General and Secretary to the above legation; and that, although a warrant for apprehending the offender has been duly issued, in consequence of directions given by the President of the State of Pennsylvania, upon application to him made for that purpose by the said Minister, he has not yet been apprehended, but absconds; and is supposed to have fled from justice into some other of the United States: wherefore, to the end the said Longchamps may be brought to condign punishment for his said offence, and that the privileges and immunities of foreign ministers, and of their families and houses, be preserved inviolate,

Resolved, That it be, and is hereby, recommended to the Supreme Executive authority of each of these United States, forthwith to issue their proclamations, offering a reward of five hundred dollars, to be reimbursed by the United States to the State paying the same, for