ton, the intention of his Majesty was, that M. de la Forest,
Vice-Consul at Savannah, should in the interim perform its duties. I
have, consequently, transmitted to him, as well as to M. de Marbois,
letters of recommendation, which we thought sufficient to induce the
Governor and Council of South Carolina to recognise him in this
provisional capacity. Our hopes with regard to this subject were
built upon the second article of the draft of a contract for the
establishment of Consuls; and we thought that its provisional
execution, presenting no inconveniences, would meet with no
difficulty, although we are yet ignorant whether this contract has
been signed.

As the interests of commerce render the actual establishment of a
Vice-Consul at Charleston of very urgent necessity, I pray your
Excellency to propose to Congress, to pass a resolution for the
provisional execution of this second article of the draft of the
contract. This measure is so much the more necessary, as it is the
only means of preventing the suspension of the Consular duties, which
has often occurred in case of the absence or death of Consuls or
Vice-Consuls, and a year might sometimes pass before the arrival of
new appointments or commissions, and before resolutions should be
passed by Congress. Such an interruption of the office of Consul would
be attended with inconveniences, which Congress will easily perceive.
Moreover, Sir, we ask nothing on this occasion, but what is customary
in the other Consulates, and it is a power which will be readily
allowed to Mr Barclay.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Translation.

Philadelphia, May 13th, 1784.

Sir,

I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to
write to me on the 6th of the present month, and the acts of Congress
accompanying it.

I pray you, Sir, to be pleased to inform Congress, that I have
received a letter from the Count de Vergennes, which grants me the
absence, which I had asked. This minister informs me at the same time,
that his Majesty has appointed M. de Marbois, his _Charge d'Affaires_
to the United States. I repeat to your Excellency the request that you
will be pleased to express for me to Congress, the regret with which I
l