Resolved, That Congress cannot, without injustice to themselves and their ally, withhold from him a knowledge of their present circumstances, or neglect to mention the ruinous consequences that may attend a refusal of those aids, which as well the friendly dispositions of his Most Christian Majesty, as the success that has attended his interposition in their behalf, gave them reason to hope would be continued till the States, which have lately been ravaged by the enemy, had so far recovered their commerce and agriculture, as to be able more effectually to contribute to the general expense; and that his Majesty may be assured, that their applications for this purpose shall not exceed what may be absolutely necessary for the support of the common cause.
Resolved, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, consulting with the Superintendent of Finance, explain to the Minister of the United States at the Court of Versailles, the extensive advantages, which have resulted from moneys supplied by his Most Christian Majesty to these United States, and the engagements, which have been entered into with a view to render the next campaign decisive, the consequence of failing in those engagements, and the little prospect there is of fulfilling them without an additional loan or subsidy, for the year 1782, of at least twelve millions of livres tournois, in order that the said minister may present a memorial on this subject to his Most Christian Majesty, and at the same time lay before him the several resolutions lately passed by the United States in Congress assembled, which evidence their unalterable resolution to make every exertion, for a vigorous campaign, which their present situation will allow.
Resolved, That the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America at the Court of Versailles be, and he is hereby instructed and empowered to borrow, on account of these United States, the sum or twelve millions of livres tournois, and to enter into engagements on the part of the United States for the repayment of the same, together with the interest, which is not to exceed the terms allowed or given on national security in Europe.
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has the honor of communicating to Mr Livingston a letter from the Marquis de Bouillé, commanding officer of the Windward Islands, and a memorial presented to that General by the Council and Assembly of the Island of Dominica. One of the two cases mentioned in them, that of the Dutch vessel, the Resolution, has been decided by the Court of Appeals, and the sentence of the Court of Admiralty of Philadelphia, has been amended in almost every point. The case of the Eeirsten has been decided at Boston in the first instance, and recently by the Supreme Court of Appeals. As the annexed papers seem to contain means for the revision of the first case, and proofs which were not known to the Judges when the decision was made, the undersigned has the honor of communicating them to Mr Livingston, and requests him to be pleased, after reading them, to send them back to him.