eave this continent, and the sentiments of respect, which I shall
cherish through life towards that body.

Permit me to recall to your mind, Sir, the business of M. de Fleury,
and of the widow of the Baron de Kalb. I pray you, also, to be pleased
to enable me to make known here the intentions of Congress relative to
M. de la Radiere, and to the money which was due to him at the time of
his death, as well as with regard to the communication, if it takes
place.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

CONGRESS TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

In Congress, May 17th, 1784.

Sir,

The United States in Congress assembled, are informed by the letter,
which you were pleased to address to them, the 21st of April, that
having the last year requested of his Majesty leave to return to
France, you learn it has been granted, but that the official letter of
the Minister being lost, you expect a duplicate, which will probably
arrive in the recess of Congress.

It is with great concern, Sir, that Congress receive this information,
as it respects a Minister for whom they entertain the most perfect
esteem.

From the time of your arrival in America, to the signing of the
provisional treaty, the conduct of the war has been attended with
numerous difficulties and perils, to surmount which the joint efforts
of the United States and of their great and good ally have been
necessary.

Congress consider it as a fortunate circumstance, that during that
period the affairs of his Most Christian Majesty in this quarter have
been under the direction of an able and faithful Minister, whose
anxiety to promote the views and essential interests of his sovereign,
has been ever attended with a laudable endeavor to reconcile them to
those of his allies. Without such a disposition it is evident there
could not have existed a concert of those measures, which by the
smiles of Providence, have hastened the conclusion of the late
distressing war.

The abilities of the gentleman, who as you are informed, is to be
charged with the affairs of your department, and his thorough
knowledge of the principles, on which the alliance was founded, will
we doubt not, conspire to produce on his part, such measures as will
best promote the mutual interest of the two nations.

We now, Sir, bid you an affecti