I have received the letter, in which you inform me of the renewal of Mr Jefferson's commission, and the resolution of Congress, which accompanied it. I was sorry to see that Minister decline taking part in the negotiation for peace, and I learn with great pleasure, that he is making arrangements for joining the other Ministers to whom Congress has intrusted it. The ability of Mr Jefferson, and the important services, which he has rendered to the United States, are very well known in Europe, and you may be assured, Sir, that all, who are interested in the prosperity and welfare of this country, will approve of the choice made by Congress.
I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, November 30th, 1782.
Sir,
I received the letters your Excellency honored me with the 13th, 19th, and 22d of this month, and have forwarded yours for the Count de Vergennes. From the reports which I have received from the Jerseys, it appears, that the care of the Legislature and the vigilance you have excited in the Executive, have produced happy effects in stopping the facility, with which supplies were sent to New York. I well know the impossibility of preventing that commerce by means of military guards; but in putting the zeal of the good citizens in activity, I am persuaded some bounds may be put to a practice so destructive to the interests of the United States as well as of her allies.
I am under great obligations to your Excellency for communicating to me what has passed relative to the fleets of the enemy at New York. I beg you to continue this communication, even after M. de Vaudreuil has departed, for by transmitting these accounts to the Minister of Marine, I enable him to judge better of the measures he has to take, knowing the force and movements of the enemy on these coasts.
I have the honor to be, &c.