The American Commissioners to the President of
Congress
LS: National Archives; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, South
Carolina Historical Society, National Archives (two); two transcripts:
National Archives
<Passy, November 7, 1778: We enclose copies of our declaration
concerning articles 11 and 12 of the Treaty of Commerce,
correspondence with M. de Sartine on rescues and recaptures,
and correspondence regarding negotiations with the Barbary
States, which we are unable to pursue. We will pay the interest
on loan office certificates as long as our funds last, but we
must inform Congress that due to our great expenses for prisoners
we are in the utmost anxiety about paying our bills and
beg assistance as soon as possible. For want of funds we are
unable to send the supplies of arms, ammunition, and clothing
requested by Congress, and we have not been informed
whether Beaumarchais will execute his agreement with you.
We send copies of our correspondence with the Sicilian
ambassador and at first opportunity will forward a valuable
manuscript on naval affairs given us by Mr. Ridley. Although
there are no limits to British hostility, we see no possibility of
their finding an ally in all Europe. We expect Spain and the
Netherlands eventually to join against them. We recommend
an attack on the British whale fishery off Brazil and include
duplicates of earlier correspondence, newspapers, and 47 receipts
from escaped American prisoners to whom we have lent
money.>
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