ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

December 31st, 1782.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France, has had the honor
of communicating to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign
Affairs, several facts and circumstances relative to the negotiation
for a general peace, which is now carried on at Paris, between the
belligerent powers. That Minister will communicate them to Congress;
but the undersigned Plenipotentiary, has received orders himself, to
express to that Assembly, the satisfaction of the King, his master, at
the conduct, which they have observed on occasion of the overtures,
made by the English Commissioners commanding at New York, at
different times, for establishing a particular negotiation with the
United States, or with any one of them.

The King has seen with pleasure the resolutions taken by his allies
under these circumstances, and their perfect harmony with those, which
he has taken himself.

He has observed with equal satisfaction the unanimity, which has
reigned in the different States of the Union, which have expressed
their sentiments in relation to the proposal for a separate peace;
their determination honorably to reject every proposal of this kind,
corresponds perfectly with the opinion formed by his Majesty, of their
fidelity in the observance of their engagements, and of the wisdom
which presides in their Councils.

The communications made to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign
Affairs, encourage the presumption, that conduct, as prudent and
advantageous as it is just and wise, will soon bring the allies to a
happy conclusion of the present war. The British Minister showed a
peaceable disposition; he had reasonable fears respecting the fate of
several naval operations, which, on the contrary, have had a result
much more favorable than the Court of London seemed to expect.
Possibly these unexpected successes may change his disposition for
peace, and on that supposition, the undersigned Minister thinks, that
it will be wise in the United States not to relax their efforts and
their preparations for the ensuing campaign. Congress may be assured,
that his Majesty will, on his part, hold himself in readiness to carry
it on with vigor, and that he will apply all his resources to that
obj