If you have any plan or service to be performed in Europe by such a ship, that you think will be more for the interest and honor of these States, than sending her out directly, Captain Jones is instructed to obey your orders, and, to save repetition, let him lay before you the instructions we have given him, and furnish you with a copy thereof; you can then judge what will be necessary for you to direct him in; and whatsoever you do will be approved, as it will undoubtedly tend to promote the public service of this country.
You see by this step how much dependence Congress places in your advices, and you must make it a point not to disappoint Captain Jones's wishes, and our expectations on this occasion.
We are, gentlemen, your obedient humble servants,
ROBERT MORRIS,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
WILLIAM WHIPPLE,
PHILIP LIVINGSTON.
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Paris, 25th May, 1777.
Gentlemen,
Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of March 14th and April 9th,[35] (a third copy of which we send herewith) Mr Lee tarried here some time after his return from Spain. No news arriving, (though we received letters from you,) of any commissioner being actually appointed for Prussia, and the necessity of a good understanding with that Court, in order to obtain speedily a port in the northern seas, appearing more and more, every day, on various occasions, he concluded with our approbation to set out for Berlin, which he did about a week since, and we have reason to hope good effects from that journey.
The points principally in view are (besides the acknowledgment of American Independency) an open port for German commerce, and the permission of fitting out armed vessels, to annoy the enemy's northern trade, and of bringing in and selling our prizes. If these points can be obtained, we are assured we might soon have a formidable squadron there, and accumulate seamen to a great amount. The want of such a free port appears, in the late instance of Captain Cunningham's arrest at Dunkirk, with the prizes he brought in. For though the fitting out may be covered and concealed, by various pretences, so as at least to be winked at by government here, because those pretences afford a good excuse for not preventing it; yet the bringing in of prizes by a vessel so fitted out, is so notorious an act, and so contrary to treaties, that if suffered, must occasion an immediate war. Cunningham will, however, through favor, be discharged with his vessel, as we are given to understand, but we must put up with the loss of the prizes, which being reclaimed will be restored.[36] This is an occasion of triumph to our enemies, which we must suffer them to enjoy for the present, assured as we are by the most substantial proofs of the friendship of this Court and of Spain, which we are persuaded will soon manifest itself to the whole world. The latter has already remitted to us a large sum of money, as you will see by Mr Lee's letters,[37] and continues to send cargoes of supplies, of which you have, herewith, sundry accounts. Many of these transactions are by some means or other known in England, which dares not resent them at present, but the opinion of an approaching war gains ground every day.
We are preparing the accoutrements you ordered for the horse, but they will take time. Had there been such in the magazines here, we might have possibly borrowed on condition of replacing them. Pistols, (four hundred and fifty pair) are already sent; the whole number will be forwarded as fast as they can be got ready. Colonel Forrester, an experienced officer of horse, has given us a specimen of complete accoutrements, which have been found best; the saddle is of a singular contrivance, very cheap, and easily made or repaired; and the buff belts so broad, that crossing on the breasts, they are good armor against the point of a sword, or a pistol bullet. We propose to have as many sets made with these saddles, as will mount a squadron, but shall omit saddles for the rest, as they will take up too much room in the vessels, and can soon be made with you. Colonel Forrester is highly recommended to us, and we believe will go over. Clothing for ten thousand men is now in hand, making for us by contract, and other proposed contracts are under consideration for the rest of the eighty thousand men ordered. We hope to have them with you before next winter, or that if all cannot be got, the cloth we have sent and are sending, will make up the deficiency.