nor of
communicating to you, before the end of the week, the news which I
have received.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, January 28th, 1782.

Sir,

The undersigned, Minister Plenipotentiary of France to the United
States, has the honor of informing Congress that a great part of the
loan of ten millions of livres tournois, opened in Holland on account
of the United States, was taken up in October last, and that the
interest on it has been fixed at 4 per centum. It is now proper that
Congress should be pleased to send to Mr Franklin, the instructions
and the authority necessary for performing the acts required to bind
the United States, in their engagements with his Majesty on account of
this loan, as well as of the interest and expenses which it has
occasioned. The undersigned has informed the Superintendent of the
Finances, that after deducting the money advanced by his Majesty for
this loan, there would remain about four millions of livres, at the
disposal of the United States when the loan is entirely taken up.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, January 29th, 1782.

Sir,

The Minister of France informed me, that he was desirous of making
some communications from letters received by the Sibyl. Ten o'clock
this day was appointed to receive them. He accordingly came, and read
to me passages of a letter of Count de Vergennes to him, dated October
17th, 1781, which contained in substance,

That France wished (as was evident, from her going into the war on our
account) to obtain every advantage for us. That powers at war must
often be governed by circumstances. That if events would enable her to
command them, we might depend on everything she could obtain. That her
political system depended not only on America, but on the other powers
at war. That if France should continue hostilities merely on account
of America, after reasonable terms were offered, it was impossible to
say what the event might be. That his Majesty was, however, at all
events, determine