I greatly appreciate the part taken by your excellency in the unexpected but honorable revolution that has come about in my political affairs. This revolution would be more satisfying had the affairs of my country at the same time taken a more favorable turn in relation to peace with Great Britain—but then, a shameful peace was the only possible consequence of our conduct during the war.

I was delighted to make the acquaintance of Dr. Wheelock. However, all the talks I have had with my friends confirm me in the opinion that his plan will encounter great obstacles. As there are several ventures of national importance currently languishing for want of assistance, I doubt it will be possible to persuade the Dutch to assume so considerable a part in an enterprise that does not directly concern them.

Two years ago, when I happened to be in Amsterdam after the famous business of Mr. Laurens’ papers, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Searle. He showed me a document, a copy of which I make so bold as to send on to your excellency.1 What struck me most was the catalogue of a number of people who declared themselves willing to lend money to Congress. I knew most of them and was quite aware that they had never even dreamed of such a thing—except, perhaps, for Lord Lathmer.2 Indignant at this fiction, I resolved to conduct myself with more reserve in future and believed that the paper in question deserved only a disdainful oblivion. I therefore forgot about it, until a few days ago, when this piece of rubbish began to furnish material for an affair that, although private and of no interest to the public, could nevertheless concern me closely and cause me some trouble.

In the meantime, the plan apparently formed by certain persons, perhaps at the instigation of others, to quarrel with me and thereby draw attention to themselves could be greatly undermined were there some measure of proof that this document was known in America, or at least by some Americans, around 1780.

I should be greatly obliged if your excellency would be so kind as to discuss this with Mr. Franklin, Mr. Laurens, and other Americans, and if this document—as I suspect—is known to them, to send to me as soon as possible any information or certificate to that effect, if only in the form of a letter, that they are able to transmit. It would be most helpful to me if some American happened to have a copy of the document and was kind enough 433to send it to me with a certificate explaining how it came into his hands and when!

Your excellency would thereby do me an enormous favor, while in return I am honored to assure you that I would seize every opportunity to be of use, and that I shall always be your excellency's most devoted, humble and obedient servant