The Count de Vergennes remarks, that Congress will be finally convinced, that it is only by arms and the most vigorous exertions, that our independence can be extorted from the Court of London, and not at all by negotiation or persuasion. That the Court of France will transmit to the Court of Vienna the sentiments of the King on the British answer. That if these sentiments should be forwarded to the Court of London without any commentary, it is probable they would make but a slight impression; but it may be hoped from the justice of his Imperial Majesty, that they will be so supported by such reflections as to make a greater impression on the British Court; although it is not to be expected, that the Austrian Court will fully enter into the views of his Most Christian Majesty, until the matter shall be more perfectly explained. The Count, nevertheless, urges the necessity of sending forward proper instructions and powers for the mediation.
From a letter of the 11th of May.—That the affair of the mediation has made no progress; and that it is very probable, that the mediators will not be soon enabled to begin the negotiation. That the admission of an American Plenipotentiary presents the greatest difficulties. That the Count, however, will take every measure in his power to have this admission decided in favor of the United States, before the regular opening of the mediation. The Count urges the Chevalier de la Luzerne to observe to Congress, that the best manner of removing these obstacles would be a decisive victory, gained by the United States in the present campaign.
From a letter of the 27th of July.—Count de Vergennes observes on an opinion, which prevailed in America, respecting the friendly disposition of the powers of Europe towards the United States, that as yet, not one Court had taken the least step, which manifests their disposition towards the United States. That the Courts of Vienna and Petersburg, having assumed the character of mediators, cannot be too reserved. For by a different conduct they would become obnoxious to one or other of the belligerent powers, and lose the important and glorious part, with which they are intrusted. That it results from these observations, that the United States ought to look upon themselves as being still separated from all other powers; and that they have but one professed friend, which is France; and that the United States ought to rely principally upon their own resources.
The Count de Vergennes observes, that he has talked circumstantially with Mr Adams on these subjects, who appeared to be satisfied with what had been done in favor of his country. That he had communicated to Mr Adams the preliminary overtures made by the two Imperial Courts, as well as the intended answer of his Most Christian Majesty. That the great or only difficulty concerns America. That France will do all in her power to remove that obstacle, upon which depends the activity of the mediation. That as soon as it shall be removed, or proved to be insurmountable, proper instructions will be forwarded to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, concerning the conduct, which the state of affairs will require from Congress. That the Court of France had received, with great satisfaction, information, that Congress were disposed to trust their interest to the two mediating powers. The Chevalier de la Luzerne is directed to inform Congress, that no use shall be made of this disposition, in the present state of affairs; and that it shall be communicated only when it can be done consistently with the dignity of the United States.
From a letter of the 19th of April.—That Mr Dana has communicated to Count de Vergennes his appointment, and requested his advice concerning the conduct, which circumstances demanded on his part. That it gave the Count great pleasure to observe this proof of the confidence, which Congress and their Ministers reposed in the friendship and advice of his Court. That the Count informed Mr Dana, that he would run the risk of exposing his person, and the dignity of the United States, if he assumed any character whatsoever in Russia, while the Empress had not acknowledged the independence of the United States, and expected to act the part of a mediatrix, which demanded the most perfect impartiality. That Mr Dana felt the propriety of the observation; and proposed to the Count, that he should appear in Russia in the character of a common traveller, keep his commission a secret, and avoid with the greatest care to speak of business, unless requested so to do by the Russian Ministry. That the Count fully approved of this prudent scheme; and apprized Mr Dana of all the difficulties he would meet with. He had him recommended to the Marquis de Verac, Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Petersburg; and the Chevalier de la Luzerne is directed to assure Congress, that the Marquis de Verac would do all in his power for Mr Dana's best reception, and with pleasure assist him with his counsels, as often as he should have recourse to them. That the Marquis de Verac had communicated to the Russian Ministry the resolution of Congress, concerning the principle of the declaration made by the Empress of Russia to the belligerent powers. That this Envoy informs the Count de Vergennes, that the contents of this resolution had afforded great satisfaction to Count Panin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who intended to submit it without delay to the perusal of the Empress. That the Marquis de Verac did not doubt, but that she would be pleased with the readiness of Congress to adopt that principle; and that correspondent resolutions will have been taken respecting the navigation of the neutrals.
From a letter of the 29th of June.—That the accession of the State of Maryland to the general confederation, in the opinion of the Court of France, presents very great advantages; among which is this, that Congress having at last acquired that power, which the act of confederation has assigned them, it is to be expected, that their orders will be fully and exactly executed, and that they will take advantage of the resources of their country, to give to American patriotism new energy. The Minister is directed to inform Congress of the satisfaction the King has received on that account, and to tell them at the same time, that there is the most pressing necessity to take more effectual measures than heretofore to drive the British out of this continent. It is thought needless to enter into details about the circumstances, which render this measure necessary. The King entreats the United States, as his friends, not to lose a moment in acting as vigorously as possible against the common enemy. That Congress cannot be particularly acquainted with the different burdens, which France has upon her hands. She wishes to be in a situation to continue as effectual assistance to the United States as at this moment; but future events may happen in a manner different from what we may expect, though nothing can change her unalterable resolution to support the independence of her ally. The Count de Vergennes observes, that he shall not speak any more of the non arrival of the second division, having reason to believe from orders given to Count de Grasse, that the delay will be judged of greater utility to the United States, than if the announced reinforcement had been sent in the time expected. He adds, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne had been already informed of the causes, which had prevented a compliance with the expectation, which he had been authorised to give.
From a letter of the 11th of May.—That the Count de Vergennes had been informed by the Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador to the United Provinces, of the intention of Mr Adams to display his character as a Minister of the United States in Holland. That the Duke gave him no assistance on that occasion, knowing the application would have no favorable issue. The Chevalier de la Luzerne is directed to inform confidentially a committee, or Congress themselves, of these circumstances, in order, that they may transmit to their said Minister Plenipotentiary such instructions as they may think proper. France is too much interested in the fate of the United States not to give them such counsels as would have for a principal object their advantage and their dignity.
At a second conference, on the 24th of September, the following additional communications were made by the French Minister to the committee.
From a letter of the 19th of April, 1781.—That Count de Vergennes remarks, that on the application of Chevalier de la Luzerne, and his representation of the distresses of the United States, measures had been taken for our aid when Colonel Laurens arrived. That it being impossible for the King to comply with all Colonel Laurens's demands, he took the resolution to offer his guarantee for ten millions of livres tournois, to be borrowed in Holland, for account of the United States. That the King was sensible of the wants and distresses of Congress, and wished to relieve them; but that it ought to be considered, that the French squadron and troops are in America for our immediate assistance. That Count de Grasse's expedition to America will occasion great expense; and that all those things collected together, would go far beyond even the expectation of Congress. That the most essential manner of showing the gratitude of the United States would be, by making all the exertions in their power, to co-operate in a glorious and effectual manner with the King's forces for their own speedy deliverance.
The Count de Vergennes observes, that a part of the six millions of livres would be employed in purchasing the different articles, contained in a list delivered by Mr Laurens. That three millions would be given by instalments to Dr Franklin, for the payment of bills of exchange drawn by Congress. That a fourth million would be reserved for unforeseen emergencies, and particularly to pay for the supplies embarked in the ship Lafayette. That Count de Vergennes had been Dr Franklin's security for a part of those supplies, amounting to four hundred and seventeen thousand livres. That he is unacquainted with the measures, which had been taken to effectuate the loan of ten millions in Holland, that affair being in the province of M. Necker, who probably would settle that matter with Mr Laurens, or with Mr Adams, who at that time was still in Holland to fill up a loan of a million florins, which he had opened several months before.