Dumas being on the spot in
Holland, I had asked of him some time ago, in confidence, his opinion of
the practicability of transferring these debts from France to Holland,
and communicated his answer to Congress, pressing them to get you to go
over to Holland, and try to effect this business. Your knowledge of the
ground, and former successes, occasioned me to take this liberty without
consulting you, because I was sure you would not weigh your personal
trouble against public good. I have had no answer from Congress; but
hearing of your journey to Holland, have hoped that some money operation
had led you there. If it related to the debts of this country, I
would ask a communication of what you think yourself at liberty to
communicate, as it might change the form of my answers to the eternal
applications I receive. The debt to the officers of France, carries an
interest of about two thousand guineas, so we may suppose its principal
is between thirty and forty thousand. This makes more noise against us,
than all our other debts put together.
I send you the _Arrets_ which begin the reformation here, and some
other publications respecting America; together with copies of letters
received from O'Bryan and Lambe.
Pages:
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389