2dly. The same Commissioners made known to the King, that Congress had reason to presume, that a part of the articles furnished to the United States, was a present on the part of his Majesty. The undersigned is authorised to declare, that this intention never existed, that it was an affair entirely commercial, in which the Ministry had no other part, than that of permitting M. de Beaumarchais to take from the magazines and arsenals of the King, on condition of replacing them, the articles with which commerce could not supply him, that consequently the Ministry had no other power in this affair, than that of preventing Congress from being pressed too soon for payment for the articles taken from the magazines and arsenals of the King. As to the contract made with Roderique Hortalez & Co, the Ministry has declared to the American deputies, who asked their advice, upon the ratification or rejection of this contract, that they did not know the house of Roderique Hortalez & Co. and that they could not answer for it, nor express an opinion as to its stability and fidelity in the performance of its engagements.
GERARD.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, February 9th, 1779.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has received a formal order from the King, his master, to make known to Congress, that the King of Spain, in order to put an end to the tergiversations of England, has determined upon a decisive and peremptory proceeding. His Catholic Majesty has, consequently, made to the King of England a final offer of his mediation; but with the declaration that it was the last, and that if it was as fruitless as those which preceded, it would only remain to him to perform the duties, which his alliance with the King imposes upon him.
The King of Spain, by taking this proceeding upon himself in a friendly manner, has shown a disposition most favorable to the alliance. The King, my master, on his side, persists in the invariable resolution not to separate his interests from those of America, and to support the cause of the United States, as if it were his own personal cause.
His Majesty thinks, while fulfilling the duties of the alliance by this confidential communication, that he ought to invite and urge Congress to furnish immediately with the necessary powers and instructions the person or persons whom they shall think proper to authorise to assist in the deliberations, and in the conclusion and signing of the treaty. His Majesty trusts that Congress will perceive the inestimable value of time in a juncture so critical and so important; and that the injuries caused by any delay would be irreparable both to the alliance and the allies. In complying with the invitations of the King, the United States would regard equally their dignity and their interests. The place of the negotiation is fixed at Madrid.
His Majesty, while engaging in everything that can hasten the happy moment in which America can enjoy, peaceably, internal and external prosperity, which is the object of the revolution and the limit of his Majesty's wishes, has instructed the undersigned to suggest to Congress, that at a time in which they are employed in fixing their political existence, it seems to belong to their foresight to consider the sentiments of the States as to the peace in relation to Spain, and they will perhaps think, that the means of preventing all future discontents merits their attention, and ought to be one of the subjects of the positive and definite instructions, which the States will give for the conclusion of the peace.