John Jay Papers
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To John Jay from Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 14 January 1779

From Conrad Alexandre Gérard

A Philadelphie le 14. Janvier 1779.

Monsieur,

J’ai recu la lettre dont vous m’avez honoré le 13 de ce mois en m’envoyant la resolution du Congrès en reponse aux representations que j’ai eu l’honneur de lui faire en date du 5. et du 10.

Je vous prie de recevoir et de faire agréer au Congrès toute la Sensibilité avec la quelle j’ai vu la maniere franche noble et cathegorique avec la quelle il a detruit des insinuations fausses et dangereuses qui pouvoient Seduire le people mal informés et donner des armes aux ennemis dela cause commune.

Le Roi mon maitre n’a pas besoin, Monsieur, de ces preuves pour fonder Sa confiance dans la disposition de fermeté et de constance du Congrès dans les principes de l’alliance; mais Sa Majesté verra toujours avec plaisir les mesures que le Congrès prendra pour en maintenir la reputation intacte; et c’est par cette même consideration qui je me flatte qu’il aura trouvé ma representation du 7 Xbre dernier également digne de Son attention. Je Suis avev respect et consideration, Monsieur, Votre très humble et très obéisant Serviteur

Gerard

[Translation]

Philadelphia, 14th Jany 1779

Sir

I have received the Letter with which you honored me the 13th instant inclosing me the resolve of Congress in answer to the representations I had the honor to make them on the 5th & 10th.1

I intreat you to receive & to express to Congress the great sensibility with which I feel their frank, noble and Categorical manner of distroying these false and dangerous actions which might mislead Ignorant People & put arms into the hands of the Common Enemy.

To the King my Master Sir no proofs are necessary for the foundation of a [p. 572] confidence in the firm & constant adherence of Congress to the principles of the Alliance. But his Majesty will always behold with pleasure the measures which Congress may take to preserve inviolate its reputation, and it is from the same consideration, I flatter myself he will find my representations on the 7th of December equally worthy of his Attention.2 I am with respect & Consideration, Sir, your most Humble & most Obedient Sert.

Gerard

ALS, in French, with translation, DNA: PCC, item 94, 89–92 (EJ: 11093); Cs in French in FrMAE: CP-EU, vol. 7 (EJ: 4063), in DNA: PCC, Misc., roll 5, frame 92 (EJ: 11716), and in DNA: PCC, item 111, 62. Printed in translation in both the Pennsylvania Gazette and Pennsylvania Evening Post, 16 Jan. 1779, and subsequently in other newspapers.

1See Gérard to Congress, 5 and 10 Jan., and JJ to Gérard, 13 Jan. 1779, above. Although Thomson’s translation clearly interprets the pronouns “il” and “Son” as references to the king, they could also refer to Congress, in which case the text would read, “it will find my representations on the 7th of December equally worthy of its Attention.”

2On 14 Jan., Congress responded to Gérard’s letter of 7 Dec. 1778 with the following resolution:

Whereas it has been represented to this House by the hon. Sieur Gerard, minister plenipotentiary of France, that “it is pretended that the United States have preserved the liberty of treating with Great Britain separately from their ally, as long as Great Britain shall not have declared war against the king his master,” therefore, Resolved, unanimously, That as neither France or these United States may of right, so these United States will not conclude either truce or peace with the common enemy, without the formal consent of their ally first obtained, and that any matters or things which may be insinuated or asserted to the contrary thereof tend to the injury and dishonor of the said states.

JCC description begins Worthington C. Ford et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1904–37) description ends , 13: 61–63. Also printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette and the Pennsylvania Evening Post of 16 Jan. 1779 and subsequently in other newspapers. On Gérard’s letter of 7 Dec. and his concern that certain congressional delegates, particularly Samuel Adams, William Henry Drayton, and Richard Henry Lee, failed to accept the force of article 8 of the French-American alliance, stating that neither party would conclude a truce or peace without the explicit consent of the other, see LDC description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds., Letters of Delegates to the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (26 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1976–98) description ends , 11: 335.

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