The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has had the honor of communicating to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, several facts and circumstances relative to the negotiation for a general peace, which is now carried on at Paris, between the belligerent powers. That Minister will communicate them to Congress; but the undersigned Plenipotentiary, has received orders himself, to express to that Assembly, the satisfaction of the King, his master, at the conduct, which they have observed on occasion of the overtures, made by the English Commissioners commanding at New York, at different times, for establishing a particular negotiation with the United States, or with any one of them.
The King has seen with pleasure the resolutions taken by his allies under these circumstances, and their perfect harmony with those, which he has taken himself.
He has observed with equal satisfaction the unanimity, which has reigned in the different States of the Union, which have expressed their sentiments in relation to the proposal for a separate peace; their determination honorably to reject every proposal of this kind, corresponds perfectly with the opinion formed by his Majesty, of their fidelity in the observance of their engagements, and of the wisdom which presides in their Councils.
The communications made to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, encourage the presumption, that conduct, as prudent and advantageous as it is just and wise, will soon bring the allies to a happy conclusion of the present war. The British Minister showed a peaceable disposition; he had reasonable fears respecting the fate of several naval operations, which, on the contrary, have had a result much more favorable than the Court of London seemed to expect. Possibly these unexpected successes may change his disposition for peace, and on that supposition, the undersigned Minister thinks, that it will be wise in the United States not to relax their efforts and their preparations for the ensuing campaign. Congress may be assured, that his Majesty will, on his part, hold himself in readiness to carry it on with vigor, and that he will apply all his resources to that object.[16]
LUZERNE.
FOOTNOTES:
[16] In Congress, January 3d, 1783. "On report of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the foregoing note,
"Resolved, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs inform the Minister of France, that Congress learn with great pleasure, that the steps taken by Congress and the respective States, their constituents, in opposition to the attempts of the British Court to bring about a partial negotiation, has been satisfactory to his Most Christian Majesty. That his Majesty's conduct in the progress of the negotiations commenced in Europe, as it has been communicated to Congress, is sufficient to inspire a just abhorrence of every act derogatory to the principles of the alliance, and serves to fortify the resolutions, which his repeated acts of friendship, and a sense of their own honor and dignity had dictated to the United States in Congress assembled, and the States they represent."
RESOLVES OF CONGRESS ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE FRENCH ARMY.
In Congress, January 1st, 1783.