I was not able to answer your letter of this morning right away in spite of myself, as my limited knowledge of English obliged me to wait for the return of one of my secretaries in order to understand its contents and act to satisfy your wishes.

It appears from the translation that was done for me that you suppose that the express who was bringing from Paris three trunks containing your books, manuscript papers, silverware, and other effects for the use of your family was stopped and detained at Brussels and that consequently you desire my assistance in securing the release of your express and his effects and in obviating thereby any reports or suspicions that might arise from this event.

That which you ask of me, sir, is so much in keeping with all fairness and with the principles of the general government of the Netherlands, as well as with my own eagerness to be useful to you, that I will write directly to Minister Plenipotentiary Comte de Belgiojoso by the first post to Brussels, and I can assure you of his solicitude to comply fully with your request, the case being what it is.1

If you could in the meantime inform me of the name of the express, the day on which he was detained, and whether he was furnished with some certificates or passport, that might forestall one or another demand for information that the customs office of His Imperial Majesty is authorized to make.

I am equally obliged to you for the copy of the resolution of Congress of 29 October 1783. I will make use of it, only wishing for the opportunity to assure you in person of the perfect regard with which I have the honor of being, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant