LUZERNE.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.
Philadelphia, February 25th, 1781.
Sir,
The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has the honor of informing Congress, that M. de Tilly, commander of the King's sixty gun ship, l'Evillé, arrived in the Chesapeake Bay on the 11th instant, with two frigates. The undersigned has received no news of them later than the 16th, at which time it seems, that the commander of this little squadron proposed to prolong his stay as long as circumstances would permit, in order to co-operate with the land troops commanded by Generals Steuben and Nelson.
The Chevalier de la Luzerne does not know how long these vessels will remain in their present station; but as it is important, that the communications between M. de Tilly and Philadelphia should take place with the greatest possible despatch, he requests Congress to inform him, whether the line of expresses has been kept up, and if so, to whom he is to apply in order to make use of it.
LUZERNE.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.