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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Transcript From The Secret Foreign Journals of the Continental Congress of the Letter From The President of Congress to Louis XVI, King of France, Nov. 29, 1781
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

Transcript From The Secret Foreign Journals of the Continental Congress of the Letter From The President of Congress to Louis XVI, King of France, Nov. 29, 1781

Artifact ID1981.04419.01a-d
Object Type Letter
Gifter
Date 1781 (original)
Medium Paper, Ink, Leather, Metal (brass), Wood
Dimensions29 × 23 × 3 1/2 in. (73.7 × 58.4 × 8.9 cm)
Physical DescriptionA reproduction document of "Transcript From The Secret Foreign Journals of the Continental Congress of the Letter From The President of Congress to Louis XVI, King of France, Nov. 29, 1781" housed under a plastic cover inside a leather case. On the outside of the case is an oval brass engraved plaque stating, "The United States in Congress Assembled to their great faithful and beloved friend and ally Louis the Sixteenth King of France & Navane." Hidden inside the case is a small wooden stand for displaying the document.
Historical NoteThis copy of "Transcript from the Secret Foreign Journals of the Continental Congress of the Letter from the President of Congress to Louis XVI, King of France, Nov. 29, 1781" was silkscreened onto 18th century paper. It is in a black leather case with a brass plaque engraved THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, TO THEIR GREAT FAITHFUL AND BELOVED FRIEND AND ALLY, LOUIS THE SIXTEENTH, KING OF FRANCE & NAVANE. The book was presented onboard the French ship de Grasse, which was docked in Yorktown, VA on October 18, 1981 for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. The battle was fought September 28 - October 19, 1981 and ended when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. It was the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, and is considered the de facto end of the war. The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended hostilities, was signed September 3, 1783. François Mitterrand, the President of France, was onboard the de Grasse to celebrate the contributions of the French military under Compte de Rochambeau.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Foreign Officials (National Archives Identifier 6816364)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Country/CultureFrance
In Collection(s)
Related LinksMonday Minute: President Mitterrand 

Photograph: Aboard French battleship DeGrasse, presentation of gifts 10/18/1981: c04594-03