Jan 14. 1777. Commissioners returned Thanks to Mr. Gerard for the 2 Million granted by his Majesty.

Jan 17. 1777. Extract of a Letter from the Commissioners to the Secret Committee.

“So strong is the Inclination of the Wealthy here to assist us, that since this Agreement* we are offer’d a Loan of two Millions of Livres without Interest, and to be repaid when the U.S. are settled in Peace and Prosperity. No Conditions or Securities, not even an Engagement from us, are required. We have accepted this generous and noble Benefaction, 500,000 or one Quarter as to be paid into the Hands of our Banker this Day, and 500,000 more every three Months.”

Mar. 12. 1777. Extract of a Letter from the Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs.

“We enter’d accordingly into a Treaty with that Company Frs. Ge. which meeting with Difficulty in settling the Terms, we were informed that a Grant was made us of Two Millions of Livres from the Crown, of which 500,000 was ready to be paid us down, and an equal Sum should be paid the beginning of April, July and October; that such was the King’s Generosity, he exacted no Conditions or Promise of Repayment, he only required that we should not speak to any one of our having Received this Aid.”

“This is the Money which in our former Letters we mentioned as raised forces by Subscription.

7 Oct. 1777. Extract from Commissioners to Secret Committee (After mentioning being enjoined by the Court of F. to keep the Aids a dead Secret, the Letter continues thus)

“The apparent Necessity of your being informed of the true State of your Affairs, oblige us to dispense with this Injunction. But we entreat that the greatest Care may be taken, that no Part of it shall transpire Nor of the Assurances we have receiv’d that no Repayment will ever be requested from us of what has been already given us either in Money or Military Stores.”

1777. December. Extract of a Letter to Count Vergennes from Commissioners.

They also pray that their grateful Acknowledgements may be presented to the King for the additional Aid of Three Millions which he has been so graciously pleased to promise them; and that his Majesty may be assur’d whatever Engagements they may enter into in Behalf of the United States in Pursuance of the full Powers they are vested with, will be executed with the most punctual good faith by the Congress, &ca.

Dec 18. Extract of a Letter from Commissioners to the Secret Committee

It is some time since we obtained a Promise of an Additional Aid of three Millions of Livres, which we shall receive in January. Spain we are told will give an equal Loan &ca. Exd to Augt 78