The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, May 15.

The honorable the Minister Plenipotentiary of France having received a letter from his Most Christian Majesty to the United States in Congress assembled, announcing the birth of a Dauphin, desired a public audience, at which he might deliver the letter; and Monday last having been assigned for the audience, the Minister of France was escorted to the State House by the city troop of light horse, and was there received with military honors by the Continental troops and the corps of Philadelphia artillery assembled for the purpose. Being introduced to the United States in Congress assembled, he addressed them in a speech to the following effect:

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 honor of delivering.

The connections which unite the two nations, connections 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 his dominions he shall be the father and protector of his people, he will here be the supporter of your children, and the guarantee of their freedom.

The letter from his Most Christian Majesty was then delivered to the President, and was read to the audience both in the original and as translated. The translation follows:

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 of 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 day of Oct. 1781. Your good Friend and Ally,
LOUIS.

Underneath, GRAVIER de VERGENNES.

The President of Congress then addressed the Minister in the following speech:

SIR,

The instances of friendship which the United States of America have received from his Most Christian Majesty, give him so just a title to their affection 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—an union, the mutual advantages of which become daily more conspicuous, and which has derived new lustre and additional force from every effort of the common enemy to dissolve it. Congress do not enlarge upon this subject: but satisfy themselves with the representations which your own observations will enable you, and your regard to the interests of both countries will induce you, to make of the affectionate attachment which every rank of people within these States manifest to your Sovereign, and of their inviolable fidelity to the principles of the alliance.

When the Minister withdrew, the birth of the Dauphin was announced to the public by a discharge of cannon and a feu de joie of musquetry. In the afternoon a dinner was prepared by Congress for the Minister of France and his suite: and the evening was closed with a brilliant display of fire-works in the State-House yard.

We are informed that letters are sent to the Commander in Chief, and to the commander in the southern department, informing them of the public 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; and that letters are also sent to the Governors and Presidents of the respective States, to inform them of the birth of an heir to the crown of France, that the people of each State may partake in the joy which an event that so nearly affects the happiness of their great and good ally cannot fail to excite.