It is in consequence of these same dispositions and of this same disinterestedness, that his Majesty, although he has made no engagement to furnish supplies of money to the United States, and although the active and direct war which he is carrying on against the common enemy absorbs his resources, and ought to exempt him from all accessory and entirely voluntary expenses, is desirous to contribute to the re-establishment of the American finances, so far as his own necessities allow him to do so. He has thought that he should partly fulfil this object, by securing the payment of the interest on the loans, which have been stipulated to be paid in France, presuming that the credit of one of the public funds of the States would effectually contribute to the support of the others, and to the success of the measures, which the wisdom of Congress may adopt on this subject. A society of bankers, established under the authority of the King, has consequently taken upon itself to make the necessary advances, in the form of a loan made to America. The undersigned has not yet received the exact details of this arrangement, but he will have the honor of communicating them, so soon as he shall receive them.
The confidence which the King places in the reciprocal attachment of the United States of America to the alliance, can alone induce him to determine upon proceedings, which are useful only to America, burdensome to France, and destitute of all advantage for her. His Majesty hopes to receive reciprocal proofs of these sentiments and feelings, but he neither demands nor expects anything for himself on the part of Congress. He only desires, that the States should employ all the resources at their disposal, in order to provide for their own security and tranquillity.
GERARD.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, May 9th, 1779.
Sir,
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France, having thought it his duty to take upon himself to inform the Count d'Estaing of the desire, which Congress had expressed to him, that the King's squadron should come to the assistance of Georgia, this Vice-Admiral has just replied, that the superiority of the enemy in the Islands had not till this time, permitted him to leave those latitudes; but that in consequence of the intentions of his Majesty, which are, to grant to the United States, his allies, all the assistance compatible with the security of his own possessions, and with the general position of affairs, he proposes to sail immediately to the Southern coasts of the States, and to exert himself for the deliverance of Georgia, and the preservation of the Carolinas. From thence the King's squadron will sail to the mouth of the Delaware, and its further operations will depend upon the agreement that shall be made between Congress and the commander of his Majesty's forces, and will be calculated for the greatest advantage of the United States.
The undersigned has no doubt, that this new proof of his Majesty's generous and disinterested friendship strengthens the confidence, with which these engagements and his conduct must have inspired the governments and people of America. Facts so evident will serve, on the other hand, to confound those ill-disposed men, who, by silent and clandestine insinuations, destitute of all proof, and of all probability, directed solely by private views, and evidently opposed to the honor and interest of the confederated Republic, seek to sow distrusts and jealousies, of which the common enemy alone can reap the advantage.
The undersigned must add to the details above given, that it is impossible for the Count d'Estaing to carry provisions from Martinique sufficient for the campaign, which he proposes to make in the seas of North America. He hopes that Congress will be pleased to give the most precise and effectual orders for their being got in readiness and placed on the coast, so that the squadron may easily take them on board. The undersigned Minister, hopes that Congress will be pleased to inform him successively of what shall be done on this subject, since the said Minister must be personally responsible for these measures, the failure of which would expose to the greatest misfortunes the forces, which the King has destined to bring direct and immediate assistance to the United States, although his engagements, which he will always scrupulously fulfil, do not impose this duty on him.