There is a Person, by the Name of Joseph Stevens in Amsterdam, a Native of America, who has attended me, through many a dangerous Voyage and painful Journey; but who has fallen in Love with and married a young Woman in Amsterdam, which obliged him to leave my service. I wish well to the Man, and should be glad to assist him if it were in my Power, in getting a Living. But I knew of no better Way, than to beg the favour of you, Gentlemen to employ him, in any of your Affairs, where you can conveniently employ him, to his Benefit, without any Detriment to yourselves. He is well acquainted with Americans and may perhaps be usefull to you. This however, I only submit to your Consideration, and remain, your respectfull humble servant

Hereby we've the honour to hand your Excellency the English Copy of the Bond, which you was pleased to desire for your perusal. We hope to send you soon the printed bonds for signing, and also the authentic copys, which are to be send to Congres for ratification.

Since Messs. Willink and De La Lande & Fynje were occupied with other Business, they had no opportunity to sign this letter, which we beg to excuse, and to accept the assurances of their Esteem, as also of the sincerest and humble considerations from Sir Your most humble, and Most obedient Servants

The Hague, 14 June 1782. RC (PCC, No. 84, IV, f. 89–93). LbC (Adams Papers). printed: Wharton, Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 5:493–494. Livingston received this letter on 11 Sept. (PCC, No. 185, III, f. 41).

In it, JA informed him that Russia, in pursuit of its objective of a separate Anglo-Dutch peace, had asked France to relax its opposition to such a settlement. JA then included the French text of France's response to the proposition. France appreciated Russia's concern but declared that it was inappropriate for either the French or the Russian governments to seek to influence the Dutch. Arguing national sovereignty, the French stated, somewhat disingenuously, that if the Netherlands should wish to honor their relationship with their French allies by not undertaking a separate peace, then Russia must recognize that it would be inappropriate for France to divert them from such a resolution. In the PCC, France's response is given in the original French and is followed by an English translation by John Pintard. In the letterbook copy, however, the French response is translated into English. There is no indication as to why JA included the French text but not the translation in the recipient's copy, since both it and the letterbook copy are wholly in JA's hand.