The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 50

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose a letter, just received from Mr Dana. I am much surprised to find that such considerable sums as he mentions are necessary on the signature of a treaty with Russia, since I cannot learn that money is demanded of right on similar occasions by any civilized nation in Europe; though it is usual among them to present gratifications to the Ministers on both sides, which being for the most part of equal value, the account is balanced. As I do not conceive, that we are under the least necessity of buying a treaty with Russia, I think it would be well for Mr Dana, (if he should not have been misinformed) to declare to the Court of St Petersburg, that the Ministers of the United States are restrained from receiving presents, that to make them in such circ.u.mstance, would be either to arrogate a superiority to which they were not ent.i.tled, or to acknowledge that they were so far the inferior of those with whom they treated, as to be compelled to purchase a connexion, which should be founded in equality and mutual advantage. That he therefore found himself compelled in the one case, by respect for the Empress, in the other by a regard to the United States, rather to break off the treaty, than to take a step which might be supposed to derogate from either. After all, I apprehend, that Mr Dana has not received his information on this subject through the best channel, and that he must have mistaken a particular case for a general custom.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Head Quarters, April 22d, 1783.

Sir,

I have been honored with your two favors, dated the 12th and 15th instant.

In consequence of the resolutions of Congress on the 15th instant, and the express declarations of the Secretary at War, respecting the sense and expectations of Congress, arrangements have been agreed upon between him and me, for an immediate liberation of all land prisoners; and I have yesterday given this information to Sir Guy Carleton. The particulars of the arrangement, with the opinion given the British Commander in Chief, you will obtain through the Minister at War.

In order to obtain the sense of Sir Guy Carleton upon the matters, contained in the resolution of the 15th, I have proposed a personal interview with him at an early day. The result of this meeting, if acceded to, will probably lead us to a decision upon some questions, which are more doubtful, and that with greater decision and despatch, than could otherwise be procured.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON.

GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Head Quarters, May 13th, 1783.

Sir,

Your favor of the 3d came to hand by the last post. Before this time you will have seen the report I made to Congress of the interview with Sir Guy Carleton. I am very sorry its result proved so indecisive.

That this arises from the cause you mention I am not fully persuaded.

I believe a want of information from his Court, which had been for some time without any administration, has been a great embarra.s.sment to him.

The civil jurisdiction of West Chester County Sir Guy Carleton appeared very willing, in his conversation, to relinquish to the State; but what reply he will make to the Governor, when he comes to reduce it to writing, I know not. Long Island he seemed to think could not be so easily delivered up. It would be attended with many inconveniences, and he mentioned particularly the facility it would give to desertions, and the necessity of holding it for the accommodation of those people, who must eventually be obliged to leave the country. Staten Island was also necessary for his convenience.

I have had no reply from Sir Guy since his return to New York, nor, I presume, has Governor Clinton heard anything from him.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WAs.h.i.+NGTON.

TO THE CHAIRMAN OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 19th, 1783.

Sir,

The inquiries that the committee were pleased to do me the honor to make this morning, relative to my continuing to exercise the office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, were extremely embarra.s.sing to me, because, on the one hand, I find it impossible to continue in the office on the present establishment, without material injury to my private affairs, and, on the other, to propose the terms on which I would stay would be to overrate my own importance, and to suppose that others could not be had upon such conditions as Congress have been pleased to consider as sufficient. Having given my whole time, and a considerable part of my property to the public during the war, I see, with pleasure, that the affairs of the United States are not now in such a situation as to render the contributions of an individual necessary. It is my wish to endeavor to repair the injuries my estate has sustained by the ravages of the enemy, and my own neglect, by the offices I have held.

From my former letter, Congress will be able to judge how far my expenses in the office exceed the salary. But as it by no means follows, that another by greater economy and humbler, but, perhaps, more just ideas of the importance of this office, could not live at less expense, I do not think that mine should be any reason to induce Congress to make other changes, than such as they shall of themselves deem necessary. And in this view, I requested the committee, that called upon me last winter, to keep the matter of emoluments entirely out of sight in their report, as I then considered my stay only as a temporary inconvenience.

At present, Sir, I must choose between the office I have been honored with from Congress and an important State office. If I continue in the first, I must suppose it the business of years, and lose sight of all other objects in my own State, where I have something to hope from my connexions and the favor of my countrymen, and where I possess an estate, the value of which depends in a great measure upon my attention to it. Under these circ.u.mstances, I flatter myself that the committee will not think me blamable, when I a.s.sure them, that though I am willing to give my time and services to the public if they should be deemed necessary, yet I cannot in justice to myself or my family, add to this gift that of such a portion of my property as I find absolutely necessary to support the office I hold.

Permit me, Gentlemen, to add, that having no wishes upon this subject, I am sincerely desirous that personal considerations may not enter into the arrangements that Congress make thereon. I feel myself extremely honored by the attention they have shown me in directing you to confer with me on this subject; and I reflect with great pleasure on the reasons I have had to be satisfied with their conduct towards me since I have been honored with the office.

I am, Gentlemen, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO JOSEPH NOURSE.

Philadelphia, May 26th, 1783.

Sir,

In compliance with your request, I have collected from the papers in my office the following account of the moneys received by loans, or otherwise, from Holland, France, and Spain.

The first loan that was opened in Holland on our account with success, was opened by His Most Christian Majesty, and under his special guarantee, for ten millions of livres. Since that, another loan was contracted by Mr Adams with private banking houses, to the amount of five millions of florins.

These houses, in a letter directed to me of the 16th of August last, write that they had at that time in cash by them, one million four hundred and eightyfour thousand florins, of which the interest ran as follows;

1,314,000 florins, from the 1st of June,

170,000 florins, from the 1st of July.

They add, that they had already paid to the order of Mr Adams, in favor of sundry individuals, the sum of two thousand nine hundred and two florins, and that that Minister had hinted to them, that it would be necessary to pay some drafts of Mr Laurens's when arrived, and a few other unavoidable expenses, which would amount to about two hundred thousand florins. By a letter of the 18th of November last, they have acknowledged the receipt of the contract duly ratified, so that the money they had on hand has been since that time at the disposal of Congress.

The moneys received from France before the year 1780, cannot be very accurately stated, for the want of order in the books kept by the Committee of Foreign Affairs. By the best estimate I have been able to make, the amount of such moneys appears to be about nine millions of livres, exclusive of one million received from the Farmers-General on a particular contract. To this, must be added the grants obtained by Colonel Laurens, which, _including_ military stores, amount to fourteen millions of livres. So that the whole of the money received from France, amounts to about four and twenty millions tournois. I should observe, that I have not here made any distinction between loans and gifts, though about eight millions of the above sum have been granted by France without any expectation of being repaid.

From Spain we have only received one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which were granted to Mr Jay in the beginning of the year 1780.

I have not mentioned the engagement, which France has lately entered into to supply the United States with six millions of livres, as you may find everything that relates to it in the appendix to the address of Congress to the States.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.