PARIS, Dec. 30, 1787.
GENTLEMEN,--In my letter of Aug. 5, I had the honor of enclosing to you
a letter written me by Messrs. Fiseaux & Co., reminding us that the
principal of the loan of 51,000 florins obtained by them, would become
due on the first day of the ensuing year. A few days ago, I received
another from them calling for the money. At first I was disposed to
answer them that I was in nowise authorized to do anything in it, and
that it rested with you altogether. But, on consulting with some
persons better acquainted with the delicacy of credit in Holland, I
found there was reason to fear that a failure to pay that money might
not only do essential injury to our credit in general, but even hinder
the progress of the loan going on in the hands of Willincks and Van
Staphorsts; and that it would be for the interest of that loan itself,
to pay this demand out of it, if possible. I wrote, therefore, to Mr.
Adams, to consult him about it, and to know, if he was of the same
opinion, whether he would venture to join me in directing such an
application of the money. I wrote at the same to Willincks and Van
Staphorsts, to know whether they could have as much in their hands to
spare, and whether they would venture to pay it on our order. Mr. Adams
approved of the proposition, and was willing to join in ordering the
payment. Willincks and Van Staphorsts answered that they had in their
hands money enough to pay the February interest of the former loan, and
to answer, for some time yet, Mr. Adams' and my draughts for our
subsistence; but that if they should pay the principal of Fiseaux's
loan, it would be an advance of their own: they likewise observed, that
to pay such a sum without your orders, placed them under an unnecessary
responsibility. Upon this, I concluded to ask them only to pay this
year's interest, now becoming due, to desire Fiseaux to receive this,
and with it to endeavor to quiet the creditors till your orders could
be received. I have this day written to Fiseaux, and to Willincks and
Van Staphorsts to this purpose, and avail myself of a vessel about to
sail from Havre, to communicate the whole transaction to you, and to
express my wish that you will be pleased to give an answer to Fiseaux.
I enclose to you his letters to me on the subject. From what I can
learn, I suspect that if there were a cordial understanding between the
Willincks and Van Staphorsts, if the former had been as well disposed
as the latter, the matter would have been settled with Fiseaux. I have
the honor to be, with much respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient, and
most humble servant.