[c.20 May 1779]
Resolved1
That the Honorable Ralph Izard Esquire be informed, that as the Court of Tuscany hath declined receiving a Minister from the United States of America, and not discerning any probability that such Minister will shortly be received, Congress have thought proper to discontinue the appointment of a Commissioner for the said Court. That Congress entertain a proper sense of Mr. Izards’ zeal in the service of his Country, and return him thanks for his attention to the Public affairs, and willingness to promote the Public good.
Manuscript, Henry Laurens Papers, South Carolina Historical Society, no. 31. In the hand of Moses Young and endorsed by Henry Laurens: "Motion by R Lee Esquire, seconded by Mr. Laurens, May 1779, for thanking & dismissing Commissioner Izard."
1 Debate on the conduct of the American commissioners in Europe, which was continued intermittently for nearly seven weeks after the subject was opened on 15 April, turned on 20 May to the case of Ralph Izard, "commissioner for the court of Tuscany." This motion concerning Izard’s recall was doubtless offered during debate on the subject this day. See JCC, 13:455 - 57, 479 - 87, 489 - 90, 499 - 500, 14:512, 533 - 37, 539, 542 - 43, 619. For the resolutions concerning Izard’s recall that were finally adopted on 8 June 1779, see JCC 14:700 - 704.