THE COMMISSIONERS TO M. GERARD.
Paris, January 14th, 1777.
We thank M. Gerard for the polite and explicit manner in which he has communicated his Majesty’s message.
We beg to return our most grateful sense of the gracious intentions, which his Majesty has had the goodness to signify to our States, and to assure his Majesty that we shall ever retain the warmest gratitude for the substantial proofs he has given us of his regard, and that we will endeavor in due time to impress our constituents with the same sentiments.
We feel the strength of the reasons his Majesty has been pleased to assign for the conduct he means to hold; and the magnanimity of his motives. We beg leave to assure his Majesty, that we shall at all times and in all things endeavor to conform ourselves to the views he has opened for us, as nothing is further from our intentions than to precipitate his Majesty into any measures, which his royal wisdom and justice may disapprove. And if in anything we should contravene those purposes, we shall always be happy and ready to amend it according to the advice and direction of government.
B. FRANKLIN,
SILAS DEANE,
ARTHUR LEE.
THE COMMISSIONERS TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Paris, February 1st, 1777.