[29] The ceremonial of the introduction of M. de la Luzerne to Congress was the same, as had been adopted in the case of M. Gerard. See the Correspondence of M. Gerard, above, p. [245].
[30] Mr John Adams came over from France in the same ship with M. de la Luzerne, and the Secretary of Legation, M. de Marbois. See his account of these gentlemen in John Adams's Correspondence, Vol. IV p. 310.
DON JUAN MIRALLES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 25th, 1779.
Sir,
I had the honor of communicating to you on the 22d instant two letters, which I received from the Governor-General of the Island of Cuba, dated the 13th and the 22d of July last. He informs me by order of the King, my master, that the declaration of war against the King of Great Britain, made by his Majesty, was solemnly published at Havana, on the 22d of the said month of July, and he requests me to ask for the co-operation of the United States of America in the measures, the substance of which I am now to have the honor of recalling to your recollection.
The Honorable Congress having formerly proposed to lay siege to the town of St Augustine in East Florida, in order to restore it, in case of success, to the troops of his Catholic Majesty, I am ordered to urge the said Congress to direct the arms of the United States against that place, in the hope that this diversion will give powerful assistance to those, which the forces of the King have made by their attack on Pensacola; and that consequently, the English troops may be more readily driven from the territory of the American Republics. I am to inform the Governor-General of Havana, at what time the Honorable Congress will be able to undertake this conquest, as well as what land and naval forces that body will be able to employ in effecting it; in order that the Spanish Generals may arrange their operations agreeably to the information, which I shall transmit to them.
I am also ordered to invite the Honorable Congress to undertake the conquest of the territory and the possessions held by the English to the northeast of Louisiana; and as the Governor of that province may by his experience contribute greatly to the success of such an enterprise, he is desirous of knowing the plan of operations, which Congress will adopt in this affair, in order that on his part he may second it by every effort in his power.
The Governor-General of Havana is desirous of knowing the quantity and kind of provisions, productions, and supplies, with which the United States of America will be able to assist Havana, and the Island of Cuba, as well as the other possessions of his Majesty in America, in order that he may decide according to such information, upon the measures to be adopted for procuring his supplies of provisions.