A private letter to me mentions, that the Bahama Islands are also ceded to the British. Holland seems to have come worst off, and France by getting little for herself has laid in a store of reputation, which will be worth more than much territory. I must request your Excellency to send on the enclosed letters by express to the Governor.
_P. S._ I have thought proper to send Mr Lewis Morris to New York, to inform General Carleton of the happy re-union of the powers at war, and also of a resolution of Congress of this day, directing their Agent of Marine to take proper measures to stop all further hostilities by sea.
TO SIR GUY CARLETON, COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA.
Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } March 24th, 1783. }
I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that a vessel arrived here last night from Cadiz, despatched by order of Count d'Estaing to recall the cruisers of his Most Christian Majesty, and to prevent the further effusion of blood at sea. A copy of the order is enclosed, having been certified by the Chevalier de la Luzerne to be a true copy. Though this may not be considered by your Excellency as official, yet your humanity will induce you to think it sufficiently authentic to justify your taking immediate measures to stop the further effusion of blood, on which principle Congress have been pleased to pass the enclosed resolution.
The vessel which brought these orders did not sail with express design to come to the port of Philadelphia, and has, therefore, brought no official letters, so that I have it not in my power to afford you any further information as to the terms of a general peace, than what are contained in the enclosed extract transmitted to me by the Marquis de Lafayette; with this further addition, that the Bahama Islands are restored to Great Britain.
Mr Morris, one of my Secretaries, will have the honor to deliver this to your Excellency, and may be intrusted with any despatches which you may choose to deliver him, that may contain further information than we have yet received on an event so interesting to us and to humanity as the return of peace.
Office of Foreign Affairs, Philadelphia, } March 24th, 1783. }