The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 42

Sir,

I have the honor to inform Congress, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France communicated to me the contents of a letter, received on Sat.u.r.day from Count de Rochambeau, by which he was apprized, that the Count, in pursuance of his instructions, had ordered the troops under his command to embark, and that they were to proceed with the fleet to the Islands.

The legion, and a detachment of about six hundred men, together with the convalescents are to remain on the continent. The whole may amount to about sixteen hundred men. The Minister further informed me, that in consequence of his representations on the subject, he had received a.s.surances, that such a force should be detached from the West Indies, as would be adequate to the protection of the trade upon this coast during the winter.

The enclosed extract of a letter from Boston, contains an account of the success of the British in relieving Gibraltar. Though it is not official it is to be feared it is too well founded.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, December 16th, 1782.

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose for the inspection of Congress a short letter from Mr Jay, which contains important information, and explains some pa.s.sages in Dr Franklin's letters. Unless the commission given to Mr Fitzherbert on the 24th of July is revoked, it will be difficult to account for Mr Oswald's being appointed to treat with the Thirteen United States, unless we suppose, either that his powers are more limited, or that the British Administration design to treat under the mediation of some neutral Prince, upon the plan proposed by the Imperial Courts, so as that the negotiations with America may be distinct from those with the other belligerent powers.

Just as I was closing this, a private letter from Mr Jay was delivered of the 4th of September, which contains the following remarkable pa.s.sage. "I am preparing a map to show you the line, which Count d'Aranda proposes for our western boundary. It will not be finished in time for this conveyance. I am persuaded it is best for us to take time. My further reasons shall be explained at large in a future letter, which I shall begin as soon as my health will permit." He adds, "that Spain has issued more bills, and that the depreciation has increased." I delay reporting on the pa.s.sage in Dr Franklin's letter, relative to the demands of Spain, as there is no immediate opportunity of writing to Europe, and as I am in hourly expectation of receiving something more particular on this subject.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

GENERAL GREENE TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Head Quarters, South Carolina, } December 19th, 1782. }

Dear Sir,

The Southern States, so long oppressed by the weight of a destructive war, are now happily relieved by the evacuation of Charleston, and the total departure of the British troops from this country. This event, so very important to all America, took place on the 14th instant.

The fleet, with the troops on board, fell down into Rebellion Road, and on the 17th crossed the bar and went out to sea. The British regiments are said to be destined for the West Indies, and the German troops for New York. They took with them a great deal of property, and between five and six thousand negroes, the greater part of which they had once promised to deliver up.

Governor Matthews, with all the officers of government are now in town; and civil police fully established and supported.

I am, &c.

NATHANIEL GREENE.

TO THE COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS APPOINTED TO REPAIR TO RHODE ISLAND.

Philadelphia, December 20th, 1782.

Gentlemen,

I can only reply to your inquiries with respect to the probability of extending our loans in France, by informing you, that the general tenor of our public despatches discourages the idea, as will appear by the extracts of letters herewith sent you. To them I have added such official communications as I have received from time to time from the Minister of France.

I might add to these the result of several private conversations with him upon that subject, having frequently introduced it, to know how far we might in case of extreme necessity lean on France. He has always expressed on these occasions a strong sense of our wants, and a wish to relieve them, accompanied with an apprehension, that the heavy expense incurred by France, in creating and supporting a large marine, would render it highly imprudent to expect, that she should add anything to the liberal supplies already afforded us, and the maintenance of an army in America on our account. Of late, too, the unproductiveness of our taxes, and the uneasiness of the public creditors in the United States, has not escaped his observation. His reflections on this subject are so obvious, that I need not repeat them. I am seriously alarmed for their effect on the loans we have already opened. A private letter from Mr Jay informs me, that the paper struck by Spain has greatly depreciated, so that had we needed any further a.s.surances on that head, we must now be fully convinced, that we have nothing to expect from that quarter.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, December 22d, 1782.

Sir,

I have just received my despatches, which consist of duplicates from Dr Franklin and the enclosed, which have not yet been submitted to Congress, together with a copy of Mr Oswald's commission.

Mr Jay has also written, but his letter is not yet decyphered. A private letter from the Marquis de Lafayette to me, (the whole of which is not yet decyphered) contains much the same account of our negotiations, with that given by Dr Franklin, and the following pa.s.sage from a letter of Mr Adams to him of the 29th of September;

"We have at length the consent of the Cities, States, and Provinces, and have adjusted and agreed upon every article, word, syllable, letter, and point, in the treaty of commerce, and clerks are employed in making out fair copies for signature, which will be done this week."

By a paper of the 22d of October, I find the treaty was signed by seven deputies, one for each Province, and by Mr Adams on the 4th of October.

The Marquis also mentions, that several accounts, but none official, say, that Madras has been taken by the French troops, that landed at Port Novo, in conjunction with those of Hyder Ally. He adds, that though this account is believed, yet it is not confirmed.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

GOVERNOR MARTIN TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

North Carolina, December 23d, 1782.

Sir,

I am favored with your two letters of the 12th and 15th of September last, and your circular, in which you announce the acknowledgment of the independence of the United States by the States of Holland; an event that will greatly add to the national importance of America, not only in the councils of Europe, but through the world.

The resolution of Congress respecting damages, which the inhabitants of this State have received from the British enemy, I cannot carry into effect until I have an Act of a.s.sembly for this purpose, to point out the particular mode in obtaining the same; the account of which, as soon as it can be procured from the different parts of the State, shall be transmitted to you, without loss of time.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ALEXANDER MARTIN.