After the audience shall be over, the house shall adjourn.

That places be assigned for the principals in the three executive departments under Congress, and for the president and executive council of the state.

That general officers, judges of appeals, the treasurer, paymaster general, comptroller, auditor, and chaplains of Congress, the assistants and principal secretaries in each of the departments, be admitted without the bar of the house.

That the secretary at war take order to receive the minister with military honour, and to conclude the audience with the discharge of thirteen cannon and a feu de joie of musketry; and for the display of fire works in the evening at 8 o'clock.

That all that relates to the placing the persons particularly admitted to the audience be under the direction of the secretary of Congress.

That each member of Congress be entitled to admit two persons, and be furnished with tickets for the purpose by the secretary.

That tickets be sent by the secretary for foreign affairs to such foreigners or other strangers as he may judge it proper to admit, who shall give invitations in the name of Congress to the president and council of Pennsylvania, the principals of three executive departments under Congress, and such other persons as he may think proper.

That on Monday next an entertainment be provided by Congress, at the city tavern, for the minister of France and his suite, to be under direction of the sccretary for foreign affairs.

That a letter be written to the commander in chief and to the commander in the southern department, by the secretary for foreign affairs, informing them of the publick annunciation of the birth of the Dauphin; that the same may be published in both armies with such demonstrations of joy as their commanders shall respectively direct.

That the secretary for foreign affairs also inform the governours and presidents of the respective states of the birth of an heir to the crown of France, that the people in each state may partake in the joy which an event that so nearly affects the happiness of their great and generous ally cannot fail to excite.

MAY 8, 1782.

A letter from the secretary for foreign affairs was read in the words as follows:

"SIR,

"Philadelphia, May 7, 1782.

"Mr. Jay, in his letter of the third October last, "holds forth the idea of sending an envoy to Lisbon.

"As in the present situation of our affairs this may "not be thought to promise advantages equivalent to "the expense the United States will incur thereby, or "the loss of reputation they may sustain if their soli"citations should be rejected, I take the liberty to request the sense of Congress on their resolution of "the eleventh day of July, a copy of which is enclos"ed. I must confess it appears to me, that in our pre

"sent circumstances a variety of reasons present them"themselves for its repeal.

"I have the honour to be, sir, your

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most obedient humble servant,

"ROBT. R. LIVINGSTON."

"The honourable Mr. CARRoll,

"Chairman of Congress."

Thereupon, on motion of Mr. Madison, seconded by Mr. Telfair,

Resolved, that it be an instruction to Mr. Jay not to send Mr. Carmichael to the court of Portugal in pursuance of the resolution of the eleventh day of July 1781, unless he shall give good grounds to expect that such a measure will attain the object proposed by the superintendent of finance.

MAY 10, 1782.

Congress proceeded to elect two members to receive and conduct the minister of France to his seat at the audience on Monday next.

The members-Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Wharton.

MAY 13, 1782.

According to order, the honourable the minister of France being admitted to a publick audience, addressed Congress in a speech of which the following is a translation:

GENTLEMEN OF THE CONGRESS,

Since the alliance so happily concluded between the king my master and the United States, you have taken too intimate a part in every event which interested his glory and happiness not to learn with sincere joy, that Providence has granted a Dauphin to the wishes of the king your ally and to those of France. His majesty imparts this event, gentlemen, in the letter which I am directed to have the honour of delivering.

The connexions which unite the two nations, connexions formed in justice and humanity, and strengthened by mutual interests, will be as durable as they are natural.

The prince who is just born will one day be the friend and ally of the United States. He will in his turn support them with all his power; and while in hist dominions he shall be the father and protector of his people, he will be here the supporter of your children and the guaranty of their freedom.

The letter from his most christian majesty was then delivered and read, of which the following is a translation:

VERY DEAR GREAT FRIENDS AND ALLIES,

Satisfied of the interest you take in every event which affects us, we are anxious to inform you of the precious mark which divine Providence has just given us of his goodness, and of the protection he has granted to our kingdom. We do not doubt that you will partake in the joy we feel on the birth of our son the

Dauphin, of whom the queen our most dear spouse is just now happily delivered.

You will easily be convinced of the pleasure with which we shall receive every proof that you may give of your sensibility upon this occasion. We cannot renew at a period more affecting to us the assurance of our affection and of our constant friendship for you. Upon which we pray God that he would have you, very dear great friends and allies, in his holy keeping. Written at Versailles, the 22d of October, 1781.

Your good friend and ally.

(Signed)

LOUIS.

(Underneath) GRAVIER DE VERGENNES.

The President then addressed the minister as follows:

SIR,

The repeated instances of friendship which the United States of America have received from his most christian majesty give him too just a title to their affections to permit them to be indifferent to any event which interests his happiness. Be assured, sir, that Congress learn with the most lively satisfaction, that it has pleased the divine Giver of all good gifts to bless their august ally with an heir to his throne. Our earnest prayer is, that he may with it inherit the virtues which have acquired to his majesty so much glory, and to his dominions so much prosperity, and which will be the means of cementing and strengthening the union so happily established between the two nations--a union, the mutual advantages of which become daily