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EXPEDITION TO RHODE ISLAND. 235 |
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The answer being ended, the whole were again seated, and the President giving a copy of the answer to the secretary of Congress, he presented it to the minister, The President, the Congress, and the minister then rose together. The minister bowed to the President, who returned the salute, and then to the Congress, who also bowed in return. And the minister having again bowed to the President, and received his bow, he withdrew, and was attended home in the same manner in which he had been conducted to the audience."
" Thus has a new and noble sis;ht been exhibited in this new world. The Representatives of the United States of America, solemnly giving public audience to a minister plenipotentiary from the most powerful prince in Europe. Four years ago, such an event, at so near a day, was not in the view even of imagination. But it is the Almighty who raiseth up. He hath stationed America among the powers of the earth, and clothed her in robes of sovereignty."
Rivington, in the Royal Gazette of the eleventh of November, 1778, says : "A correspondent observes, that after all the pageantry and parade exhibited last summer at Philadelphia, with Monsieur Gerard, he is assured by recent accounts from thence, that, instead of an ambassador from the court of Versailles, he proves in reality nothing more than an agent from the Fermiers Generaux for the collection of an immense heavy debt, due to them from the rebel chiefs." Rivington concludes with the remark that Gerard is "a driver, a mere tobacco-droger he"
J King Hancock at their head. John Hancock took the command of the second line of Massachusetts militia, in this movement. The advance of the American army was commanded by Colonel Livingston, the right wing by General Greene, and the left by the Marquis de la Fayette.
3 Bold Pigot. Sir Robert Pigot commanded the British forces in Rhode Island.
1 IfEstaing tvith politesse retir'd. Count D'Estaing whs censured very severely for the conduct of the French fleet in this expedition. |
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