J’ai écrit amplement au Bourguemaitre Hooft1 touchant la Situation des affaires dans cette Province, avec priere de Vous en donner 384Communication. Les Villes ont pris de bonnes Resolutions. Mais je Suis encore incertain au Sujet des Nobles. Mecredi, a eu juger par les apparences et quelques informations, ils etoient peu disposés a reconnoitre L’independance. Mais il ÿ eu qui croient quils ont reçu Mecredi au Soir des ordres de la Haÿe: Du moins l’on S’imaginoit hier de remarquer quelque changement dans les discours de quelques uns. C’est, a ce que je m’attends, aujourdhui que l’affaire Sera decidée; du moins la grande Besoigne Se tiendra ce matin. Mais il ÿ pourtant encore moien de deliberer et de dilaier.2

J’ai reçu une lettre de Mon Ami Valk. Quoique je me Suis fait une loi de n’importuner personne par des Sollicitations, je ne Saurois cependant me refuser a la demande de ce digne Ami. Il a eu le malheur de Se voir ruiné de fond en comble par cette guerre inopinée. Il a resolu de Se transporter en Amerique. Mais Sa digne epouse Souhaiteroit beaucoup de pouvoir rester dans Sa Ville natale Rotterdam. N ÿ auroit il pas moien que le Congress emploiat ce brave homme en quelque qualité—par exemple d’Agent—qui put lui donner l’occasion de Subsister honnetement, et de recommencer quelque affaire? Je prie Votre Excellence dÿ Songer. Je puis recommander mon Ami comme un patriote zélé et éclairé et comme un negociant qui a etudié Son metier. Je puis d’ailleurs assurer Votre Excellence que les deux peuples lui ont de l’obligation. Je ne Saurois en dire d’avantage.3 J’ai lhonneur detre en grande hate de Votre Excellence le tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur

I wrote to Burgomaster Hooft,1 fully explaining the situation here in this province, and asked him to write to you. The cities made good resolutions. But I am still uncertain about the nobility. Wednesday, by all appearances and some information, they were hardly disposed to recognize independence. But some believed that they received orders from The Hague on Wednesday evening, and at the very least it was said that yesterday there was some change in their rhetoric. I expect the matter will be decided today, at least the great work will happen this morning. But there are still ways to deliberate and postpone.2 I received a letter from my friend Valk. Although I make it a habit not to bother anyone with solicitations, I do not know how I could refuse a request from my deserving friend. He had the misfortune to be completely ruined by this unexpected war. He resolved to go to America. But his wor-385thy wife hoped very much to remain in her native city of Rotterdam. Couldn’t there be some way that Congress could employ this courageous man in some capacity? For example, as an agent he could have the chance to earn an honest living and could start some new business. I ask your Excellency to think about it. I recommend my friend as a zealous and enlightened patriot and as a merchant who has studied his craft. I can also assure your Excellency that both countries are obliged to him. I cannot say more about him.3 I have the honor to be, in great haste, your Excellency, your very humble and very obedient servant