be pleased to attend to the
several matters contained in our former letters, copies of which do
not happen to be at hand.

We are, with much esteem, &c.

R. H. LEE,
J. LOVELL.

FOOTNOTES:

[46] This language is too strong. As the British kept possession of
the ground, they could hardly be said to have been defeated. They were
attacked with spirit, and for a time gave way to General Washington's
army.

[47] This was a mistake.

[48] The following resolve was passed in Congress, November 10th,
1777.

"_Resolved_, That the Committee of Foreign Affairs be directed to
write to the commissioners of the United States, in France and Spain,
to purchase and ship on continental account, in armed vessels, in
addition to what has heretofore been ordered by Congress, 500 tons of
lead, 400 tons of powder, one million of gun flints, tents for 50,000
men, and 10,000 yards of flannel for cartridges, to be sent to such
ports and places as the said committee shall direct; and that the
former orders of Congress, and of the commercial committee for
clothing, fire-arms, equipage, brass field-pieces, salt, and other
articles, and for 130,000 blankets, be completed as soon as may be;

"That the committee be also directed to write to the commissioners,
and instruct them to contract with, and send over, by different
conveyances, two or three persons, well acquainted with the making of
gun-flints, in order to instruct persons in that business, and
introduce into these States so useful a manufacture; likewise, three
or more proper persons, skilful in working lead mines and refining
lead ore, and three or more persons skilful in the discovery of
sulphur mines, and manufacturing and refining sulphur."

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Paris, 18th December, 1777.

Gentlemen,

Since our last, of November 30th, a copy of which is herewith sent
you, we received your despatches of October 6th, from Yorktown. They
came to us by a packet from Boston, which brought the great news of
Burgoyne's defeat and surrender; news that apparently occasioned as
much general joy in France, as if it had been a victory of their own
troops over their own enemies, such is the universal, warm, and
sincere good will and attachment t