The Virginia Gazette

WILLIAMSburg, August 2.

On the 6th instant the Sieur Girard, Minister Plenipotentiary from his Most Christian Majesty, had his publick audience of the American Continental Congress. He was conducted, in a coach and six, by the Hon. Richard H. Lee and Samuel Adams, Esquires, his Excellency's coach, with his secretary, following. Being introduced into the statehouse, and seated, his Excellency produced his credentials, and delivered a very friendly and affectionate letter from the King his master, wherein he assures the United States of the interest he shall always take in their happiness and prosperity, and styles the Congress very dear great Friends and Allies. The Ambassador thus addressed Congress to the following purport: That it was not his Majesty's fault that the engagements he hath entered into did not establish our independence and repose without the farther effusion of blood, and without aggravating the calamities of mankind, whose happiness it is his highest ambition to promote and secure. But since the hostile measures and designs of the common enemy have given to engagements purely eventual and defensive, positive, permanent, and indissoluble force, that it was the Opinion of the King his master that the allies should turn their whole attention to fulfil those engagements in the manner most useful to the common cause, and best calculated to obtain that peace which is the object of the alliance. That it was upon this principle his Majesty had hastened to send us a powerful assistance, which we owed only to his friendship, to the sincere regard he has for every thing which relates to the advantage of the United States, and to the desire of contributing, with efficacy, to establish the repose and prosperity upon an honourable and solid foundation. And farther, that it was his expectation that the principles which may be adopted by the respective governments will tend to strengthen those bonds of union which have originated in the mutual interests of the two nations.

To which the President of Congress returned the following answer:

SIR,

The treaties between his Most Christian Majesty and the United States of America so fully demonstrate his wisdom and magnanimity as to command the reverence of all nations. The virtuous citizens of America in particular can never forget his benevolent attention to their violated rights, nor cease to acknowledge the hand of a gracious Providence in raising them up so powerful and illustrious a friend. It is the hope and opinion of Congress that the confidence his Majesty reposes in the firmness of these states will receive additional strength from every day's experience. This Assembly are convinced, Sir, that had it rested solely with the Most Christian King, not only the independence of these states would have been universally acknowledged, but their tranquillity fully established. We lament that laudable determination which gave birth to the present war, and has prolonged and extended the miseries of mankind. We ardently wish to sheathe the sword, and spare the farther effusion of blood but we are determined, by every means in our power, to fulfil those eventual engagements which have acquired positive and permanent force from the hostile designs and measures of the common enemy. Congress have reason to believe that the assistance so wisely and generously sent will bring Great Britain to a sense of justice and moderation, promote the common interests of France and America, and secure peace and tranquillity on the most firm and honourable foundation. Neither can it be doubted that those who administer the powers of government within the several states of this union will cement that connection with the subjects of France, the beneficial effects of which have already been so sensibly felt. Sir, from the experience we have had of your exertions to promote the true interests of our country, as well as your own, it is with the highest satisfaction Congress receive, as the first Minister from his Most Christian Majesty, a gentleman whose past conduct affords a happy presage that he will merit the confidence of this body, the friendship of its members, and the esteem of the citizens of America.

The audience being over, the Congress and the Minister, at a proper hour, repaired to an entertainment by Congress given to the Minister; at which were present several foreigners of distinction, and gentlemen of publick character. The entertainment was conducted with a decorum suited to the occasion, and gave the most perfect satisfaction to the whole company.