Gérard to the American Commissioners, 17 March 1778
Gérard to the American Commissioners
ALS: Harvard University Library
A Versailles le 17. mars 1778.
Je suis chargé de vous annoncer que vous serés presentés au Roi vendredi prochain,7 si vous voulés bien vous rendre ici vers dix heures du matin. Mr. Le Comte de Vergennes espere que vous voudrés bien ensuite lui faire l’honneur de diner avec lui. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec la consideration la plus distinguée Messieurs Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur
Gerard
Notation: March 17, 1778
7. March 20. The commissioners had been trying for almost a month to be officially received at Versailles, as a public recognition by the King of the sovereignty of the United States; see above, XXV, 710–11. Now the moment had come, for France had informed Britain of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the two countries were breaking diplomatic relations; Stormont had already announced his recall, and on the 17th the French Ambassador was ordered home from London. See Dull, French Navy, pp. 103–5.