FROM THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO WILLIAM BINGHAM.
York, 14th May, 1778.
Sir,
At length, on the 2d instant, we received despatches from our Commissioners at Paris, with treaties of alliance and commerce, concluded on the 6th of February between France and these United States. They were ratified here on the 4th of this month, and the prints herewith sent to you will show the principles upon which they are founded. We are persuaded you will greatly partake of the satisfaction, which we feel on this occasion.
We do not find by the letters, which we have received, that Congress may venture to enlarge the power that was given to you by the resolve of April 16th.[50] But it becomes less necessary that you should be furnished in that way, as commerce will, in all human probability, be more easily carried on between this continent and your islands now, than for some time past.
Great hurry of business must be an excuse for our brevity at this time, though it would not warrant an omission of sending you our congratulations and the Gazettes.
We are, with much regard, &c.
ROBERT MORRIS,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
JAMES LOVELL.
FOOTNOTES:
[50] "Resolved, that Mr William Bingham, agent of the United States of America, now resident in Martinique, be authorised to draw bills of exchange at double usance, on the commissioners of the United States in Paris, for any sums not exceeding in the whole 100,000 livres turnois, to enable him to discharge debts by him contracted on account of the said States; for which drafts he is to be accountable."—Journals of Congress.