The enclosed for Philadelphia will inform you of current events here.1 Your distinguished letter of 1 January was a true and precious New Year's gift. I imparted its contents orally to Mr. Gyselaar, Mr. Van Berckel, and Mr. Visscher, in the strictest confidence, and to no one else. They were delighted. Moreover, they were already certain of your goodwill and that of your colleagues toward this republic. Given that Mr. Brantsen is always writing dispatches about the Comte de Vergennes' concern for Dutch interests, their heartfelt wish is for you to authorize him to inform their High Mightinesses officially that you have them equally in mind.2

In this connection, the gentlemen here apply the old school maxim to themselves: Scire tuum nihil est, nisi te scire hoc sciat alter. 3 In a word, they would like the said dispatches to render to each his just deserts.

Mr. Gyselaar has written to Mr. Brantsen telling him to urge the Baron De Lynden (former envoy of the republic to Sweden) to return forthwith from Paris, where he has been for several months. But he has not fully apprised Mr. Brantsen of his plan because he did not want the latter to communicate any of it prematurely to one of his connections in this country. Mr. Gyselaar thus asks you, sir, to talk to Mr. De Lynden, who was staying at the Hôtel des Etats-Unis in the rue Gallion last November—and must, I suppose, still be there4—and tell him confidentially that his plan is to arrange for Mr. De Lynden to be appointed this republic's minister to the United States. To this end, he must necessarily return here, so that both may strike while the iron is hot. Mr. Van Berckel, for his part, has nothing against this plan.

The post is about to depart and leaves me but a moment to conclude, with my respectful esteem, sir, your excellency's very humble and very obedient servant