JULY 16, 1778.

The sieur Gerard, minister plenipotentiary from his most christian majesty, having transmitted to Congress a copy of the speech he intends to deliver at his publick audience

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three.

The members chosen-Mr. R. H. Lee, Mr. G. Morris, and Mr. Witherspoon.

The committee appointed to report on the time and manner of the publick reception of Mr. Gerard, minister plenipotentiary of his most christian majesty the king of France, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; and after some time spent thereon, Ordered, That the farther consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow.

JULY 17, 1778.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report relative to the reception of the sieur Gerard, minister plenipotentiary of his most christian majesty the king of France; and after some time spent thereon,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed till to-morrow.

JULY 18, 1778.

Congress resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to report on the time and manner of the publick reception of the sieur Gerard, mi

nister plenipotentiary, &c. and the same having been debated by paragraphs, and a question put on each, a motion was made to reconsider. And the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Dana—

Congress again resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed to report on the time and manner of the publick reception of the sieur Gerard, minister plenipotentiary of his most christian majesty, &c. Whereupon,

Resolved, That so much of the said report as relates to the ceremonial respecting ambassadors and residents be postponed.

Resolved, That the ceremonial for a minister plenipotentiary or envoy shall be as follows:

When a minister plenipotentiary or envoy shall arrive within any of the United States, he shall receive, at all places where there are guards, sentries and the like, such military honours as are paid to a general officer of the second rank in the armies of the United States.

When he shall arrive at the place in which Congress shall be, he shall wait upon the President, and deliver his credentials, or a copy thereof. Two members of Congress shall then be deputed to wait upon him, and inform him when and where he shall receive audience of the Congress.

At the time he is to receive his audience, the two members shall again wait upon him in a coach belonging to the states; and the person first named of the two shall return with the minister plenipotentiary or envoy in the coach, giving the minister the right hand, and placing himself on his left, with the other member on the front seat.

When the minister plenipotentiary or envoy is arrived at the door of the Congress hall, he shall be introduced to his chair by the two members, who shall stand at his left hand. Then the member first named shall present and announce him to the President and the house; whereupon he shall bow to the President and the Congress, and they to him. He and the President shall then again bow unto each other, and be seated; after which the house shall sit down.

Having spoken and been answered, the minister and President shall bow to each other, at which time the house shall bow, and then he shall be conducted home in the manner in which he was brought to the house.

Those who shall wait upon the minister shall inform him, that, if in any audience he shall choose to speak on matters of business, it will be necessary previously to deliver in writing, to the President, what he intends to say at the audience; and if he shall not incline thereto, it will, from the constitution of Congress, be impracticable for him to receive an immediate answer. The style of address to Congress shall be, “Gen"tlemen of the Congress."

All speeches, or communications in writing, may, if the publick ministers choose it, be in the language of

their respective countries. And all replies, or answers, shall be in the language of the United States.

After the audience, the members of Congress shall be first visited by the minister plenipotentiary or

envoy.

AUGUST 6, 1778.

Some doubts arising respecting the ceremonial to be observed at the publick audience of the minister plenipotentiary, Congress took the same into consideration and thereupon,

Resolved, That, when the minister is introduced to his chair by the two members, he shall sit down. His secretary shall then deliver to the President the letter of his sovereign, which shall be read and translated by the secretary of Congress. Then the minister shall be announced. At which time the President, the house, and the minister, shall rise together.

The minister shall then bow to the President and the house, and they to him.

The minister and the President shall then bow to each other, and be seated; after which the house shall sit down.

The minister shall deliver his speech standing. The President and the house shall sit while the minister is delivering his speech. The house shall rise, and the President shall deliver the answer standing. The minister shall stand while the President delivers the answer.

Having spoken, and being answered, the minister and President shall bow to each other, at which time.