PARIS, August 3, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your several favors
of June the 29th, and July the 6th and 8th.
I am of opinion that the affair of Geraud and Roland in Holland had
better be committed to Mr. Dumas in Holland, as lawsuits must be always
attended to by some person on the spot. For the same reason, I think
that of La Vayse and Puchilberg should be managed by the agent at
L'Orient, and Gruel's by the agent at Nantes. I shall always be ready
to assist the agents of L'Orient and Nantes in any way in my power; but
were the details to be left to me, they would languish necessarily, on
account of my distance from the place, and perhaps suffer too, for want
of verbal consultations with the lawyers entrusted with them. You are
now with Congress, and can take their orders on the subject. I shall,
therefore, do nothing in these matters, in reliance that you will put
them into such channel as they direct, furnishing the necessary
documents and explanations.
* * * * * * * *
With respect to the French affair, being perfectly satisfied myself, I
have not ceased, nor shall I cease, endeavoring to satisfy others, that
your conduct has been that of an honest and honorable debtor, and
theirs the counterpart of Shylock in the play. I enclose you a letter
containing my testimony on your general conduct, which I have written
to relieve a debt of justice pressing on my mind, well knowing, at the
same time, you will not stand in need of it in America. Your conduct is
too well known to Congress, your character to all the world, to need
any testimonials.
The moment I close my despatches for the packet, which will be the 9th
instant, I shall, with great pleasure, go to pay my respects to Mrs.
Barclay at St. Germains, to satisfy her on the subject of your
transactions, and to assure her that my resources shall be hers, as
long as I have any. A multitude of letters to write, prevents my
entering into the field of public news, further than to observe, that
it is extremely doubtful whether the affairs of Holland will, or will
not produce a war between France, on one side, and England and Prussia,
on the other.
I beg you to accept assurances of the sincere esteem and respect with
which I have the honor to be, dear Sir, your friend and servant.