"The King, my master, having been pleased to accept the representations, which my bad state of health compelled me to make to him, has permitted me to return. At the same time he has been in haste to send another Minister Plenipotentiary to America, in order that there may be no interruption in the care of cultivating the mutual friendship. I must leave it to the talents of the Chevalier de la Luzerne to explain to you his Majesty's sentiments, and will confine myself here, Gentlemen, to expressing to you the satisfaction I shall experience in giving an account to him of the events, of which I have been a witness during more than a year's residence with you. He will perceive in them the sentiments, which animate and direct your counsels, your wisdom, your firmness, your attachment to the alliance, and your zeal for the prosperity of the common cause and of the two respective nations. He will see, with pleasure, the valuable union, which constitutes the principal force and power of confederated America, that not only the citizens are in no want of zeal or vigor to repel the incursions, which henceforth can have no other object than a barbarous devastation, but also that there is no American, who does not perceive the necessity of uniting to humble the common enemy more and more, and to weaken him by efforts proportionate to the importance of putting a happy end to a glorious revolution, and also of securing to confederated America, by a firm and honorable peace, as quickly as possible, the inestimable advantages of liberty and independence, which form the essential and fundamental object of the alliance, and of the war provoked and made necessary by England.
"It remains to me, Gentlemen, to offer you in general and individually, the tribute of my gratitude for the marks of confidence and esteem, and for the attentions which I have received from you. I have always endeavored to deserve them by the most sincere and lively attachment to the interests and to the dignity of the United States, as well as to the principles and sentiments resulting from the alliance. I have not lacked zeal for everything that might relate to them, and cement more and more the connexions, whether political or personal, between the two nations. The most flattering recompense of my labors would be the expression of your satisfaction.
GERARD."
REPLY OF THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO M. GERARD'S SPEECH ON HIS TAKING LEAVE.
"Sir,
"We receive with much concern the intimation you have given us, that the bad state of your health obliges you to leave America; though, at the same time, we are sensible of the continued friendly care of his Most Christian Majesty in sending a new Minister Plenipotentiary to these States.
"Great as our regret is in thus parting with you, yet it affords us pleasure to think how well disposed you are to improve the favorable opportunities you will have on your return to France, of evincing to his Majesty the reality of those sentiments on our part, which may justly be termed the animating principles of the United States.
"By such representations, the King will be assured that the citizens of these States observe with the most lively satisfaction the repeated instances of his amity for them; that they regard the alliance as an inestimable connexion, endeared to them by the purity of the motives on which it was founded, the advantages derived from it, and the blessings it promises to both nations; that their resolution of securing its essential objects, liberty and independence, is unalterable; that they are determined, by all the exertions in their power, to advance the common cause, and to demonstrate, that while they are attentive to their own interests, they as ardently desire to approve themselves not only faithful, but affectionate allies.
"By a residence of more than a year near Congress, you are enabled to form a competent judgment of the difficulties we have had to encounter, as well as of our efforts to remove them.
"Sir, we should be deficient in the respect due to distinguished merit, if we should fail to embrace this opportunity of testifying the high esteem, which you have obtained throughout this country by your public and private conduct. You have happily combined a vigilant devotion to the dignity and interest of our most excellent and illustrious ally, with a zealous attachment to the honor and welfare of these States.