ay 12th, 1782.

Sir,

The undersigned, Secretary to the United States of America for the
Department of Foreign Affairs, has the honor to notify to the Minister
Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty, that Congress have
determined, by a resolution of the 20th of July, 1778, that the style
of address to them should be in future "Gentlemen of the Congress."

The undersigned hopes, that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France
will be pleased to make use of this form, in the address which he
proposes to make to Congress tomorrow, as well as on every future
occasion.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 17th, 1782.

Sir,

I write only to acknowledge the receipt of the letter your Excellency
did me the honor to write on the 28th ultimo. I feel myself extremely
obliged by the freedom, with which you have been pleased to furnish me
with the information I requested, and I beg you to be persuaded, that
I shall make use of it only to contribute to the success of our common
operations.

The reports of the action between the fleets in the West Indies are so
vague, that I can form no certain judgment thereon. I presume,
however, that the handbill published at New York, the 12th of this
month, is at least partly false. They write me from Martinique the
13th of April, that Count de Grasse has beaten the English.

I am, with the most respectful attachment, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.[7]

The United States in Congress assembled, to their Great, Faithful
Friend and Ally, Louis the Sixteenth, King of France and Navarre.

Great, Faithful, and Beloved Friend and Ally,

Among the many instances that Divine Providence has given us of his
favor, we number the blessings he has bestowed on your Majesty's
family and kingdom. Nothing was wanting to the happiness of the first,
but a son to wear the honors, which the father had earned; or, to the
prosperity of the latter, but the prospect of seeing the Crown
transmitted to an heir, who would find in the example of his parent, a
powerful incitement to promote the happiness of his people. This
example, we pr