I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the
29th ultimo, and the papers from Count de Grasse, which you had the
goodness to send to me, and for which I beg you will accept my
thanks.

We are encouraged to hope for your arrival here. I shall be extremely
happy to be able to testify to you in person the joy, which I have
received from your success. That joy is universal, and it can but
increase the attachment and esteem of all orders of citizens, and of
my own countrymen, to your Excellency.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, November 4th, 1781.

Sir,

I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 2d
instant, with the resolutions of Congress of the 28th of October,
which accompanied it. I have no doubt that they will be most agreeable
to his Majesty, and that he will learn with great pleasure, that the
remembrance of the success obtained by the allied arms is to be
preserved by a column, on which a relation of this event will be
inscribed, and mention made of the alliance.

I shall be glad, before any farther resolutions are taken on this
subject, to communicate to you some ideas relative to this monument.
It is so honorable to the two nations, and so well adapted to
perpetuate the remembrance of their union, that we ought to be
mutually desirous of giving it all the solidity and durability of
which the works of man are susceptible. Besides, Sir, I observe that
the United States are named before the King in these resolutions. This
is the second time within my knowledge, that this form has been
adopted. I remarked on it the first time; and was then positively
assured, that it was an error, which should be corrected on the
journals. I entreat you to be pleased to let me know distinctly what
usage Congress intends to adopt on this subject, in order that I may
make it known to my Court.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Office of Foreign Affairs, November 6th, 1781.

Sir,

Having been honored with your letter of the 4