applause, and will I doubt not, procure that approbation from
Congress, which will be to him a grateful reward for his zealous and
dexterous exertions to promote the interests of America.[18]

I pray leave also to submit to Congress the enclosed extract from
another letter of the Marquis de Lafayette, of the 10th of January,
together with the copy of M. de la Calonne's letter therein mentioned.
This last, which shows the labors of that young nobleman to have been
crowned with the wished for success, will I doubt not be pleasing to
Congress, as it is certainly very interesting to the commerce of the
United States.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT MORRIS.

FOOTNOTES:

[18] This paper on commerce, as well as the letters above referred to,
are missing.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Annapolis, April 21st, 1784.

Sir,

In the course of last summer I requested leave of his Majesty to
return to France. By letters from my friends, I am informed that it is
granted; but the loss of the packet, which conveyed the Minister's
letter, lays me under the necessity of writing again on that subject.
I should have waited his answer before I took leave of Congress, had I
not reason to believe, that it will not reach me till their recess.

I cannot however depart, without entreating your Excellency to
communicate to them my warm acknowledgements for the manner, in which
they have treated with me during my mission, which has lasted near
five years. I have had the satisfaction of agreeing with Congress on
all the subjects, which I have had the honor of negotiating with them;
and I owe my success to the good fortune I had of being the
Representative of a just and generous Monarch, to a wise and virtuous
Republic. I shall ever retain a grateful remembrance of this, and
shall always consider the time I have spent on this continent, as the
most honorable period of my life. My satisfaction would be complete,
were it not accompanied with regret, at parting from a Senate composed
of members, on whose friendship I flatter myself I have a just claim,
by an intimate acquaintance of several years. Your Excellency permits
me to rank you among those who honor me with their friendship; and I
am persuaded, that the expression of my a