e honor to be with the profoundest respect, &c.

JOHN LAURENS.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Passy, March 20th, 1781.

Sir,

I had the honor to write to your Excellency from L'Orient the 11th
instant. On my journey hither, I met the Marquis de Castries, and
obtained a hasty conference with him, in which I insisted principally
on the necessity of a constant naval superiority on the American
coast. He observed on his pert, that the dispositions of the fleet
were already made; that it was not in his power to alter them; that it
was necessary at the present juncture to make naval exertions in more
places than one; that the French West India possessions, a nearer
interest, must naturally be first secured; at the same time he
repeatedly assured me, that the United States had a very considerable
share in the present armament, the movements of which he was going to
accelerate; that he hoped a maritime superiority would exist on the
part of the allies, but that it must depend upon the events of war. He
excused himself from descending into particulars, and urged me to
proceed with all possible despatch to Versailles. Upon my arrival
here, I found that the letter of Congress to his Most Christian
Majesty, of the 22d of November, 1780,[16] had been delivered by our
Minister Plenipotentiary; that he had proceeded to negotiate the
succors solicited by Congress, and had received the following
communication from the Count de Vergennes.

"It is impossible for his Majesty to favor a loan in this kingdom,
because it would prejudice those which he has occasion to make himself
for the support of the war; but his Majesty, in order to give a signal
proof of his friendship for the United States, grants them under the
title of a donation, a sum of six millions livres tournois. As the
American army is in want of arms, clothing, &c. Dr Franklin will be so
good as to deliver a note of them. The articles will be procured of
the best quality, and on the most reasonable terms. General Washington
will be authorised to draw for the remaining sum, but the drafts are
at long sight, in order to facilitate the payment at the royal
treasury. The Courts of Petersburg and Vienna have offered their
mediation. The King has answered, that it will be personally agreeable
to him, but that h