John Jay to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 13 January 1779

Philadelphia 13 th . Jan y : 1779

Sir,

It is with real Satisfaction that I execute the Order of Congress for transmitting to You the enclosed Copy of an Act of the 12 th Inst: on a Subject rendered important, by affecting the dignity of Congress, the Honor of their great Ally, and the Interest of both Nations–€” 1

The explicit disavowal and high disapprobation of Congress, relative to the Publications referred to in this Act, will, I flatter myself, be no less satisfactory to his most Christian Majesty, than pleasing to the People of these States–€” Nor have I the least doubt but that every Attempt to injure the Reputation of either, or impair their mutual confidence, will meet with the Indignation and Resentment of both–€” I have the Honor to be Sir, with Great Respect & Esteem, Your most Obed t . & Hble Servant,

John Jay President

The Honble The Sieur Gerard the Minister Plenipotentiary of France–€”

[Philadelphia], January 12, 1779

Congress took into consideration the publication in the Pensylvania Packet of the 2 d . and 5 th . instant under the title of common sense to the public on M. Deane–€™s affair, of which M. Thomas Paine Secretary to the Committee for foreign affairs has acknowledged himself to be the author; and also the memorials of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France of the 5 th . and 10 th . instant respecting the said publications, and Thereupon.

Resolved unanimously that in answer to the Memorials of the honorable S r . Gérard Minister Plenipotentiary of his most Christian Majesty of the 5 th . and 10 th . instant, the President be directed to assure the said Minister that Congress do fully in the clearest and most explicit manner disavow the publications refered to in the said Memorials; and as they are convinced by indisputable evidence that the supplies shipped in the Amphitrite, Seine and Mercury were not a present, and that his most Christian Majesty the great and generous Ally of these United States did not preface his alliance with any supplies whatever Sent to America; So they have not authorized the writer of the said publications, to make any such assertions as are contained therein, but on the contrary do highly disapprove of the same.

Extract from the Minutes Cha. Thomson Sec y .–€”