It would give me pleasure to learn the measures that have been adopted, in consequence of the requisitions made in my letters to your Excellency or your predecessors in office at different periods relative to my Department, and more particularly to receive the account so frequently called for of the damage done by the enemy in your State.[27] I have reason to think had it been furnished in time, it might have been of singular use to our Ministers, and perhaps have tended to obtain some relief for the sufferers. It may not yet come too late to be useful. Let me pray your Excellency to take measures for furnishing three authentic copies by the earliest opportunity.
[27] Proper alterations were made to this paragraph in the letter to the Governor of Connecticut, as he had already sent the accounts herein mentioned.
Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } March 21st, 1783. }
I enclose for the inspection of Congress a letter received by the Washington from Mr Barclay. I take this opportunity to remind Congress, that I had the honor of laying before them, on the 23d day of December, a letter from the same gentleman, which contained objections to the convention for the appointment of Consuls, proposed to be entered into between France and the United States, reasons for sending him a new commission, constituting him Consul General in France, with Count de Vergennes' objection to the one he now holds; also a request of blank commissions for privateers and letters of marque. This letter was committed to a special committee. I have not yet been informed, whether they have reported; nor have I been honored with the commands of Congress relative to these objects.
You will by this express receive the agreeable intelligence of _a general peace_, upon which I most sincerely congratulate you and the army. Harmony, a regard for justice and fidelity to our engagements, are all that now remains to render us a happy people. The vessel that brought these despatches was sent out by the Count d'Estaing to recall the French cruisers. As the Minister tells me he will forward the orders and passports to your Excellency, I will not detain the messenger till I have mine copied. This should in my opinion be immediately sent either by Congress or your Excellency to Sir Guy Carleton.