Though I have not at this
moment received such authentic information from our bankers as I may
communicate to Congress, yet I know privately from one of them (Mr.
Jacob Van Staphorst, who is here), that they had on Hand a fortnight ago
four hundred thousand florins, and the sale going on well. So that the
June interest, which had been in so critical a predicament, was already
secured. If the loan of a million on Mr. Adams's bonds of this year be
ratified by Congress, the applications of the money on hand may go on
immediately, according to the statement I sent to Mr. Jay. One article
in this I must beg you to press on the treasury board; that is, an
immediate order for the payment of the three years' arrearages to the
French officers. They were about holding a meeting to take desperate
measures on this subject, when I was called to Holland. I desired them
to be quiet till my return, and since my return I have pressed a further
tranquillity till July, by which time I have given them reason to hope I
may have an answer from the treasury board to my letters of March. Their
ill humor can be contained no longer; and as I know no reason why
they may not be paid at that time, I shall have nothing to urge in our
defence after that.
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