PARIS, July 17, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--I have been duly honored with yours of the 10th instant, and
am happy to hear of the success of your journey to Amsterdam. There can
be no doubt of its ratification by Congress. Would to heaven they would
authorize you to take measures for transferring the debt of this
country to Holland, before you leave Europe. Most especially is it
necessary to get rid of the debt to the officers. Their connections at
Court are such as to excite very unfavorable feelings there against us,
and some very hard things have been said (particularly in the Assemblée
des Notables) on the prospect relative to our debts. The payment of the
interest to the officers would have kept them quiet; but there are two
years now due to them. I dare not draw for it without instructions,
because in the instances in which I have hitherto ventured to act
uninstructed, I have never been able to know whether they have been
approved in the private sentiments of the members of Congress, much
less by any vote. I have pressed on them the expediency of transferring
the French debts to Holland, in order to remove everything which may
excite irritations between us and this nation. I wish it may be done
before this ministry may receive ill impressions of us. They are at
present very well disposed. I send you by Mr. Appleton some pamphlets,
and have the honor to be, with sentiments of very cordial esteem, your
affectionate and humble servant.