I wrote you on the 12th instant, that is to say, by the last post. but as that channel of conveiance is sometimes unfaithful I now inclose you a copy of my letter of that date, and of the one of Fiseaux & co. inclosed in that.1 I have since received my letters by the packet, but, among them, nothing from the Board of Treasury.2 still their orders may be among the dispatches with which Paul Jones is charged for me, who was to sail a week after the packet. if he brings any orders, what you shall have done as I observed in my former letter shall be considered as if not done. on further consideration & consultation the object of my letter seems to increase in importance & to render it indispensible in us to do what we can, even without orders, to save the credit of the U. S. I have conferred with mr̃ Jacob Van Staphorst, who is here, on this subject. he thinks the failure would have so ill an effect that it should certainly be prevented, he supposes the progress of your late loan may by this time furnish money in the hands of Willincks & Van Staphorsts, to face this demand, & at any rate that these gentlemen will exert themselves to do it. by his advice I wrote to ask of them if I might count on their doing it, provided I forwarded your orders, and I wrote to Fizeaux & co. what steps I was taking, desired them to confer with Willincks & Van Staphorsts, and to regulate the expectations of our creditors accordingly. the answer of Willincks & Van Staphorsts which I shall receive the 22d. inst. and yours which I hope to receive about the same time will decide what is to be done. still it will be about the 28th. before Fizeaux can receive it through me, and he sais notice should have been given by the middle of the month.3

I see by the American papers that your commission to the United 237 Netherlands continues till the spring. will you have to go there to take leave? if you do, and will give me notice in time, I will meet you there. in so doing I shall gratify my wish to see you before you leave Europe, to confer with you on some subjects, and become acquainted with our money affairs at Amsterdam, and that ground in general on which it may be rendered necessary, by our various debts, for me sometimes to undertake to act. I am very ignorant of it at present.

I am with great & sincere esteem Dr. Sir / Your most obedient & mo. humble servt.

Last night I received your Letter of the 12. Mr Jarvis and Commodore Jones are arrived here from New york both charged with large Dispatches for you.1 Mr Jarvis sent his Packet on by Col. Trumbul who departed from hence for Paris last Thursday. Comr Jones went off a day or two ago. but both will arrive to you before this Letter. The Papers they carry, with a Renovation of your Commission at the Court of Versailles, contain I presume orders and Instructions about every Thing in Holland.

As my Dismission from the Service, arrived at the Same time, not a 238 Word has been Said to me. Nevertheless Nil Americanum Alienum,2 and I have the honour to agree with you in Your opinion of the Propriety of keeping good our Credit in Holland. I should advise therefore that the Interest on Mr Fizeaux’s Loan at least Should be paid, and the Creditors requested to wait for their Capitals till further orders can be obtained from Congress. if they will not consent to that, I would pay them Principal and Interest, provided There is Money enough in the hands of our Bankers and neither you nor they have received contrary orders. No Authorities from me will be necessary. Your own Letter to Messrs Willinks and Vanstaphorsts will be sufficient. But if they make any difficulty, which I cannot conceive for Want of any orders from me, I will send them.

You have recd Authority to negotiate the Redemption of our unfortunate Countrymen in Algiers. To you therefore I Send a Petition which I received from them a few days ago.3

With the highest Regard, I am / Dear sir, your most obedient and most hum / ble servant