I had yesterday the honor of communicating these various requests to the Honorable Congress, which body was pleased to appoint three of its members to confer with me upon them. They declared, Sir, that they should be much gratified to see my proposals supported by you; and I entreat you to be pleased by your intervention to give all requisite weight to the importance of these great objects.
The sending as soon as possible, of such forces and stores as Congress shall think proper, is of the greatest consequence. Of equal importance are the means of securing their arrival at their place of destination, with all the security which circumstances will allow. It is then desirable, Sir, that you would have the kindness to persuade the Count de Grasse to be pleased to take them on board of his squadron, and to conduct them under his convoy to South Carolina or Georgia; and the deputies of Congress have desired me to make this request of you. I have answered them, in consequence of the communications, which you have been pleased to make to me, that you had already made some overtures to that commander, in relation to the operations in which he might engage, and that you were now expecting his answer.
The interests of our Sovereigns, Sir, are so closely connected, the independence and welfare of United America are objects so dear and so important to you, that I have no doubt you will use all efforts to secure a compliance with the requests, which I have the honor to make of you in the name of the King, my master, and on the success of which depends, in a great degree, the success of the general operations of the allied powers.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DON JUAN DE MIRALLES.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 26th, 1779.
Sir,