TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Philadelphia, January 18th, 1782.
Sir,
I do myself the honor to submit to the inspection of the United States, in Congress, an affidavit made by Mr Marshall on the subject of Mr Deane's letters, and have directed copies of the letters and affidavit to be made out for the Minister of his Most Christian Majesty, and the Superintendent of Finance. Measures have long since been taken to put our Ministers upon their guard against Mr Deane. I shall add to them, as opportunities offer, the new proofs which these letters furnish of his defection. Copies will also be sent to the Governor of Connecticut, unless the Representatives of that State, in Congress, who propose to make them the ground of judicial proceedings, should prefer taking copies to be examined and compared with the original, by a person who could prove such examination, or to authenticate them in any other way, which will ensure their being received as evidence conformably to the practice of their Courts.
I had proposed to mention them in my correspondence with the first Magistrates of the respective States, as affording proofs of the distant prospect of peace, and the necessity of relying only upon our own exertions to procure it, but am deterred from this measure, by the weight which it might possibly give to Mr Deane's ill founded assertions.
I shall endeavor to conform to the views of the United States, in any further direction with which they may please to honor me.
I have the honor to be, &c.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.