discovering the said Longchamps, so that he may be arrested; and requiring their proper civil officers to arrest him, and their citizens in general to be aiding and assisting therein, that he may be brought to justice for his said violation of the laws of nations and of the land, and all others may be deterred from the commission of such offences."

Translation.

The underwritten Minister has the honor to transmit to Congress sundry papers relative to a violation of the law of nations in the person of the Consul General and Secretary to his Majesty's legation to the United States. The underwritten immediately applied to the President of the State of Pennsylvania to have the culprit seized, and received the answer herewith enclosed. As Ministers, and persons attached to embassies and consulates, have an immediate right to the support of Congress, the underwritten applies to this assembly for their recommendation, as speedily as possible, to the Government of Pennsylvania, to take effectual measures, conformable to the laws of nations, for the solemn reparation of the offence committed on the person of the Consul General, and. the violation of the privileges of the house of the underwritten. The offender is not yet apprehended; and it is possible he has fled into some other State in the confederacy: the underwritten Minister, therefore, entreats that Congress would be pleased to issue a like recommendation to all the other States in the Union.

LE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE. Philadelphia, May 20th, 1784.

Extract from the Secret Journal of Foreign Affairs, June 1st, 1784. "A letter from the Supreme Executive Council of Philadelphia was read in the following words:

Sir,

In Council, Philadelphia, May 28, 1784.

Some days ago an insult was offered by a Frenchman to M. de Marbois, in the hotel of the Minister of France; and afterwards an assault was made upon him by the same person in a street of this city. The offender has been arrested by our direction, under the

warrant of a judge of the Supreme Court, and is now confined in the common prison, where we have ordered him to be detained. Our respect for Congress induces us to inform them of this affair; and we should have done ourselves the honor of making the communication sooner, but that the criminal was not in confinement till yesterday. We should be much pleased to be favored with the sentiments of Congress upon this business, being extremely desirous that our proceedings may correspond with their judgment, and to testify our determined resolution with all our powers to maintain the dignity of the United States, to preserve the public repose, to assert the law of nations, and to manifest our entire regard for the representatives of the sovereignty of the Union.

With the most perfect esteem, &c.

JOHN DICKINSON.

His Excellency the PRESIDENT Of Congress.

Whereupon the following was moved by Mr. Hand, seconded by Mr. Montgomery:

That Congress highly approve the determined resolution of the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania to maintain the dignity of the United States, to preserve the public repose, to assert the law of nations, and to manifest their entire regard for the representatives of the sovereignty of the Union, expressed by their letter of the 28th instant."

FROM THOMAS MIFFLIN TO THE MINISTER OF FRANCE.

Annapolis, May 31, 1784.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency an act of Congress of the 29th instant, passed in consequence of your note of the 20th instant. Congress are so well convinced of the necessity of securing to all foreign Ministers, resident in these States, every privilege and right to which they are entitled by usage or the laws of nations, that I am confident they will proceed, without delay, to a further consideration of the subject of your Excellency's several letters; particularly your last letter, which has been just received and referred to a committee, with instructions to report immediately.

Many important subjects which have been necessarily brought before Congress, since your Excellency left Annapolis, have hitherto prevented them from deciding on the reports respecting General De Kalb, &c.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

THOMAS MIFFLIN.

FROM RICHARD HENRY LEE TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES, PARIS.

Trenton, December 11, 1784.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a packet for his most Christian Majesty, containing a letter from Congress to that Monarch, recommending an able and active friend, the Marquis la Fayette, to his royal favor. The Marquis's former and recent services to America deserve, and have secured to him, the warmest attachment of these United States.

I have the honor to be, &c.

RICHARD HENRY LEE.

FROM RICHARD HENRY LEE TO THE MARQUIS LA FAYETTE.

My dear sir,

Trenton, December 11, 1784.

I have the honor to enclose you a letter for the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, at the Court of his most Christian Majesty, which covers a letter to our great and good ally, a copy of which I have also the pleasure to enclose for your satisfaction. I assure you, my dear friend, that I feel myself singularly happy in observing the unanimous disposition that prevails in Congress to promote your glory, for I do most sincerely wish you every felicity that this world can afford.

I am, with unfeigned esteem, &c.

RICHARD HENRY LEE.

Extract from the Secret Journal of Foreign Affairs, December 9, 1784.

"The Committee, consisting of Mr. Jay, Mr. Williamson, and Mr. Hardy, to whom was referred a letter of the 6th, from the Marquis de la Fayette, reported:

That in the opinion of the Cominittee, the merit and services of the Marquis render it proper that such an opportunity of taking leave of Congress be afforded him as may strongly manifest their regard and esteem for him: whereupon,

Resolved, That a Committee, to consist of one member from each State, be appointed to receive the Marquis, and in the name of Congress to take leave of him. That they be instructed to assure him, that Congress continue to entertain the same high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, both here and in Europe, which they have frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions, and which the recent marks of his attention to their commercial and other interests have perfectly confirmed. That as his uniform and unceasing attachment to this country has resembled that of a patriotic citizen, the United States regard him with particular affection, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may concern his honor and prosperity; and that their best and kindest wishes will always attend him.

On motion of Mr. Mercer, seconded by Mr. Read,

Resolved, That a letter be written to his most Christian Majesty, to be signed by his Excellency the President of Congress, expressive of the high sense which the United States, in Congress assembled, entertain of the zeal, talents, and meritorious services of the Marquis of Fayette, and recommending him to the favor and patronage of his Majesty."

Extract from the Secret Journal of Foreign Affairs, December 13th,

1784.

"Mr. Jay, chairman of the Committee, consisting of a member from each State, appointed to receive and take leave of the Marquis de la Fayette, reported, that on the 11th inst. they received the Marquis in the Congress chamber, and took leave of him agreeably to

the instructions given them on that subject, that they communicated to him the purport of the resolutions of the ninth; and that he thereupon made the following answer:

Sir,

While it pleases the United States, in Congress, so kindly to receive me, I want words to express the feelings of a heart which delights in their present situation, and the bestowed marks of their esteem.

Since I joined the standard of liberty, to this wished for hour of my personal congratulations, I have seen such glorious deeds performed, and virtues displayed, by the sons of America, that in the instant of my first concern for them, I had anticipated but a part of my love and regard which devote me to this rising empire.

During our revolution, sir, I obtained an unlimited indulgent confidence, which I am equally proud and happy to acknowledge; it dates with the time when, an inexperienced youth, I could only claim my respected friends' paternal adoption. It has been most benevolently continued throughout every circumstance of the cabinet and the field; and in personal friendships I have often found a support against public difficulties. While on this solemn occasion, I mention my obligations to Congress, the States, the people at large, permit me also to remember the dear military companions, to whose services their country is so much indebted.

Having felt, both for the timely aid of my country, and for the part she, with a beloved King, acted in the cause of mankind, I enjoy an alliance so well riveted by mutual affection, by interest, and even local situation. Recollection ensures it. Futurity does but enlarge the prospect; and the private intercourse will every day increase, which independent and advantageous trade cherishes, in proportion as it is well understood.

In unbounded wishes to America, sir, I am happy to observe the prevailing disposition of the people to strengthen the Confederation, preserve public faith, regulate trade, and in a proper guard over continental magazines and frontier posts, in a general system of militia, in foreseeing attention to the Navy, to ensure every kind of safety. May this immense temple of freedom ever stand a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights of mankind And may these happy United States attain that complete splendor and prosperity which will illustrate the blessings of