My lord the king, having thought fit to authorize me to deliver you, gentlemen, some observations on the counterproject of the treaty of commerce to be concluded for the reciprocal advantage of his subjects and the citizens of America, which you directed to me on 10 November and which a Dutch courier delivered to The Hague on the 26th, I will not delay at all carrying out His Majesty’s orders. An express charged with dispatches for the Dutch ambassadors at Paris furnishes me with a safe and swift opportunity today. As the English language is not familiar to the Prussian chancellery and no more so to the king and his minister, I had to see to a French translation, and to verify its accuracy, I had it placed alongside the enclosed observations.1 I flatter myself that the latter will appear to you, gentlemen, dictated by the spirit of justice, equity, and humanity that characterizes all the endeavors of the monarch whom I have the honor to serve. It will be with the greatest zeal that I will exert myself to conclude a negotiation the result of which can only be infinitely advantageous to the two nations, and I do not doubt in the least that the first letter that I receive from you will make it easy for us to work together, gentlemen, to put the finishing touches on this treaty.

I have the honor to be with the most distinguished consideration, gentlemen, your very humble and very obedient servant