the sentiments of esteem and reverence which we have for a long time possessed for that wisdom, courage and perseverance by which you have rendered yourselves famous throughout the world.

May God grant that your rising republic may become more and more prosperous; that it may increase in lustre and glory, and subsist to the end of time.

We shall at all times rejoice in your increasing felicity; and we desire nothing more ardently than that we may maintain the strictest friendship and correspondence with you, for the good of the subjects and inhabitants of both countries.1

1

This letter being read, the President addressed returned the following answer to the minister:

SIR, In a contest for the rights of human nature, the citizens of the United States of America could not but be impressed with the glorious example of those illustrious patriots, who, triumphing over every difficulty and danger, established the liberties of the United Netherlands on the most honorable and permanent basis. Congress, at an early period of the war, sought the friendship of their High Mightinesses; convinced that the same inviolable regard for liberty, and the same wisdom, justice and magnanimity which led their forefathers to glory, was handed down unimpaired to their posterity; and our satisfaction was great in accomplishing with them a treaty of amity and commerce on terms so acceptable to both nations.

With the sincerest pleasure, sir, we receive the honorable testimonials of confidence and esteem of their High Mightinesses, and their affectionate congratulations on the success of our efforts in the sacred cause of liberty.

We assure you, sir, that it is our earnest desire, to unite with their High Mightinesses in every measure which can promote the most unreserved confidence, and the most friendly intercourse between two nations, which have vindicated their freedom amidst the most trying scenes of danger and distress, and have been equally blessed by the gracious interposition of Divine Providence, with that sovereignty and independence so essential to their safety and happiness. Governed by the same ardent love of freedom, and the same maxims of policy; cemented by a liberal system of commerce, and earnestly disposed to advance our mutual prosperity, by a reciprocity of good 1 This translation of the minister's letter, and the President's reply, were also entered in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs.

offices; we persuade ourselves that the most friendly and beneficial connexion between the two republics, will be preserved inviolate to the latest ages.

It adds, sir, greatly to our pleasure on this interesting occasion, that their High Mightinesses have employed as their minister, a gentleman so highly celebrated for rectitude and patriotism, and from whose illustrious family these United States have received the most distinguished proofs of regard and friendship.

The Secretary at War reported, that the following lines, corps and individuals, have agreed to accept the commutation of five years' pay, in lieu of the half pay for life, as appears by the papers accompanying his report:

The lines of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

Armand's legion, 2 light-dragoons, Hazen's regiment:

Corps of engineers, sappers and miners, Patton's and Pendleton's artificers, Van Heer's troop:

Adjutant general and family, Brigadier General Clinton: Colonel William Grayson, Colonel Malcom, Lieutenant Colonel Morris:

Major Franks, Major Aquilla Giles, Major McPherson, Major Burnet, Major Barber, Major Bruin, of the artificers, Captain Turner, Captain Bentalou, Captain John Stevens, Captain McLane, Captain Second, Lieutenant Beaulieu, Lieutenant Jollibois; hospital department, and Dr. Tilton, Dr. Bodo Otto, Dr. Frederick Otto, Dr. Martin.

The Rev. Mr. Ellis, Mr. Plumb, and Mr. Armstrong.1 1

Morant

Resolved, That the Agent of Marine issue to Mr. late a lieutenant in the Navy of the State of South Carolina the commission of lieutenant in the Navy of the United States of America in consideration of his services as a volunteer in the Navy of the United States particularly his brilliant and exemplary conduct on the

1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 281. Letters accepting the commutation are on folios 285-481.

day of 17 on board the Bonne Homme Richard, Capt. J. P. Jones, in taking the British ship of war Serapis 44 guns.1

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1783

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. [Alexander] Hamilton, Mr. [James] Madison and Mr. [Richard] Peters, to whom was referred a letter of 14 March, 1783, from the Secretary at War:

Resolved, That all lieutenant colonels commandant in the army of the United States, shall rank as full colonels from the date of their respective commissions, and that new commissions issue accordingly, the resolution of the 27 of May, 1778, notwithstanding.2

On the report of a committee, consisting of Mr. S[amuel] Huntington, Mr. A[rthur] Lee and Mr. [James] Duane, to whom were referred a letter from Captain J. P. Jones, to the agent of Marine, of the 13 of October, and a letter from him to Congress of the 18 of the same month,

Resolved, That Captain John Paul Jones be, and he hereby is recommended to the minister plenipotentiary of the United States, at the Court of Versailles, as agent, to solicit under the direction of the said minister for payment and satisfaction to the officers and crews under his command for all prizes taken in Europe by any squadron or ship under his command, and to which they are anywise entitled. And that the said Captain Jones, shall

be entitled to a commission of per cent on all the money he shall receive as full compensation for his services and expenses and shall distribute the same among

1 This resolution, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 127. According to the indorsement and the record in Committee Book 186, it was a motion of Read, and was on this day referred to Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, who delivered a report November 1.

2 This report, in the writing of James McHenry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 21, folio 371. The indorsement states that it was made by Mr. [James] McHenry, Mr. [Richard] Peters and Mr. [James] Duane.

[receive the commission usually allowed in such cases,] out of the money which he shall recover as agent for the said prizes, in full compensation for his services and expences: [and that the said Captain Jones give bonds to the said Superintend ant of Finance with sufficient security for the faithful discharge of said trust and for the just distribution of such prize money as he may receive:]

(provided always, that the said Captain J. P. Jones, previous to his entering upon the execution of the said trust, shall give to the Superintendant of finance, for the benefit of all concerned, sufficient bonds with good security, for the faithful discharge thereof, and for the just payment of the same to the said Superintendant of finance, to be by him distributed to those persons who may be entitled thereto.)1

The committee consisting of Mr. [Jacob] Read, Mr. [William] Ellery and Mr. [Arthur] Lee, to whom was referred the motion of Mr. [Jacob] Read relative to the promotion of Mr. Morant to the rank of

lieutenant in the Navy of the United States of America

day of

Report, That they have received the most honourable testimony from Captain John Paul Jones of the bravery and good conduct of Mr. Morant during the time he was on board the Bonne Homme Richard and particularly on the in the engagement between that Ship and the British Ship of forty four guns called the Serapis and that he considers Mr. Morant as a very fine character to be promoted in the Navy of the United States.

The committee therefore recommend that the Commission of Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States issue to Mr. Morant."

2

A letter, of this day, from Major General Greene, was read, stating, that the letters and miscellaneous papers, containing a history of the most material parts of the southern opera1 This resolution was entered also in the manuscript Secret Journal, Foreign Affairs and in Secret Journal No. 4. A copy is in Secret Journal No. 6, Vol. III.

The report, in the writing of James Duane, except the portions in brackets which are in the writing of William Ellery and the portion in parentheses which is in the writing of Elias Boudinot, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, III, folio 305.

2 This report, in the writing of Jacob Read, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, IV, folio 123. The indorsement states that it was read and entered November 1.

tions, may contain some things which Congress or their officers may hereafter have occasion to refer to: That if Congress should think it an object worthy the expence, he would be glad to get the whole papers transcribed into bound books, and would take the trouble of directing the business, if Congress will be at the expence of a clerk to do the writing: Whereupon,

Ordered, That the secretary employ an additional clerk to copy and digest furnish General Greene with a clerk, to copy into a book or books, such the papers or letters in his possession, relative to the southern operations; as shall be furnished him by Major General Greene and that the said elerk conduct the business agreeably to such instructions as may be given by Major General Greene and that the record thereof be lodged in the secretary's office:"

Resolved, That the agent of marine provide Captain J. P. Jones with a passage to France, in the ship Washington.

On a report from the Secretary at War, to whom was referred a petition from Lieutenant Richard Fullerton, and a motion thereon; Congress came to the following resolution: WAR OFFICE Nov. 1, 1783.

SIR,

The honorable testimonials in the hands of Mr Fullerton leave no room to doubt but that his merits claim the attention of his country, and there is nothing, in my opinion, which can raise a doubt in the mind of any respecting the propriety of his being promoted but the precedent which may be given thereby, and the various claims that may be founded thereon, but these may be obviated by a determination to promote hereafter, on application, officers who have similar claims, and who shall produce equal testimonials of their merit.2

Lieutenant Richard Fullerton, having acted as a volunteer at an early period of the war, particularly in the action on 1 This order is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, II, folio 509. Greene's letter is in No. 155, II, folio 668.

2 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 149, III, folio 491. Fullerton's petition, with enclosures, is in No. 42, III, folios 81-96. It is undated, but according to the indorsement, it was read November 1, and referred to the Secretary at War.