"Resolved, That two pieces of the field ordnance, taken from the British army under the capitulation of York, be presented by the Commander in Chief of the American army to Count de Rochambeau, and that there be engraved thereon a short memorandum, that Congress were induced to present them from considerations of the illustrious part, which he bore in effectuating the surrender.
"Resolved, That the Secretary of Foreign Affairs be directed to request the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty to inform his Majesty, that it is the wish of Congress, that the Count de Grasse may be permitted to accept a testimony of their approbation, similar to that to be presented to the Count de Rochambeau."
I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 29th ultimo, and the papers from Count de Grasse, which you had the goodness to send to me, and for which I beg you will accept my thanks.
We are encouraged to hope for your arrival here. I shall be extremely happy to be able to testify to you in person the joy, which I have received from your success. That joy is universal, and it can but increase the attachment and esteem of all orders of citizens, and of my own countrymen, to your Excellency.
I have received the letter, with which you honored me on the 2d instant, with the resolutions of Congress of the 28th of October, which accompanied it. I have no doubt that they will be most agreeable to his Majesty, and that he will learn with great pleasure, that the remembrance of the success obtained by the allied arms is to be preserved by a column, on which a relation of this event will be inscribed, and mention made of the alliance.
I shall be glad, before any farther resolutions are taken on this subject, to communicate to you some ideas relative to this monument. It is so honorable to the two nations, and so well adapted to perpetuate the remembrance of their union, that we ought to be mutually desirous of giving it all the solidity and durability of which the works of man are susceptible. Besides, Sir, I observe that the United States are named before the King in these resolutions. This is the second time within my knowledge, that this form has been adopted. I remarked on it the first time; and was then positively assured, that it was an error, which should be corrected on the journals. I entreat you to be pleased to let me know distinctly what usage Congress intends to adopt on this subject, in order that I may make it known to my Court.