Sir,
I dare not flatter myself, that your Excellency has any recollection of a man, who had the benefit of your acquaintance but a few days, and even at a time when he could not express himself in your language.
I arrived in America, Sir, when, after having rendered the most important services to the confederacy, and sustained with the greatest distinction, the office of President of Congress, that body had intrusted you with the important care of conducting their affairs in Spain, and in the principal Courts of Europe.
I have resided in America five years, as Minister Plenipotentiary of the King to Congress, and though indeed I cannot but be well satisfied with the kindness and the confidence, which that illustrious body have ever shown me, I have always regretted, that you were not during that period one of its members. You departed from Europe when I returned to it. At that time I flattered myself, that I should again see you in America, and resume my duties there. But his Majesty has thought fit to give me another destination. Will you have the goodness to present to Congress my letters of recall, and to express to that body for me the high sentiments of respect and veneration, with which I have long regarded them. Allow me also to request your Excellency to accept the assurances of the attachment and consideration, with which I have the honor to be, &c.
LUZERNE.
THE
CORRESPONDENCE
OF
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON;
SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
For more than five years from the commencement of the Revolution, the foreign concerns of Congress were transacted through a committee, which was first appointed on the 29th of November, 1775, and called the Committee of Secret Correspondence. It was their duty to correspond with all the American Agents, Commissioners, and Ministers abroad, to report to Congress on these matters from time to time, and receive such instructions from that body as occasion required. It is to be understood, however, that in this respect they acted only a subordinate part, for it was customary for the Ministers abroad to direct their letters to the President of Congress. After having been read in that Assembly, they were put into the hands of the Committee, whose business it was to answer them. On account of the absence of the members, the committee itself was frequently very thin, and sometimes for weeks together not more than one member was present at the seat of Government. Hence responsibility rested nowhere, and it is no wonder that delays, neglect, and ill management were the consequences.