f
the measures, which have been taken by the United States, relative to
the payment of portions of the principal, and of the interest of the
sums, which have been loaned them by the King. I make mention, Sir, of
portions of the capital, because, by the terms of the contract of the
16th of July, 1784, the reimbursement of the first loan of eight
millions is to begin three years after the peace, and it is expedient
to take seasonable measures with regard to this subject.

I am also to inform my Court of the arrangements, which have been made
for the payment of interest on the loan of five millions of florins,
made in Holland, the 5th of November, 1781, and for which his Majesty
became guarantee. I know the efforts of Congress to effect the
discharge of the public debt, and their wish to fulfil their
engagements; and I consider it superfluous to recall to your
Excellency all the motives, which combine to induce the United States
to fulfil faithfully those, which they have contracted with the King.
I confine myself to desiring you to enable me to dissipate the
uneasiness, which may have been excited at my Court, by the delay in
proceeding to raise funds to effect the payment of this debt.

I am with respect, Sir, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Translation.

Versailles, December 24th, 1783.

Sir,

His Majesty has decided irrevocably, that the port of L'Orient shall
be free, and American sailors may actually consider it so. The edict
of the King has not yet been published, however, because his Majesty's
intention being to give this arrangement as wide an extent as
possible, the regulations should be drawn up after a careful
deliberation, and conceived in such terms, that the advantages allowed
to the merchants of the United States, may not be essentially
prejudicial to our own commerce, and the revenues of the State.

The merchants of the United States enjoy equally the liberty of
frequenting the ports of Marseilles and Dunkirk, and they partake,
like other nations, in the immunities and privileges of these two
places.

DE VERGENNES.

* * * * *

CONGRESS TO THE KING OF FRANCE.

The United State