By the last Post I answered your Letter of the 12, and Yesterday received yours of the 16.— Com. Jones has before now delivered you dispatches that will Serve no doubt for your direction. Mr Van staphorst, will have no Objection to an handsome Commission, for paying off, the Debt Mr Fizeaux mentions: and Mr Fizeau, will be glad 239 to have it paid off, that the Money Lenders not knowing what to do with their Money may be tempted to put it into his French loan. But I am persuaded the Money Lenders on receiving their Interest would very willingly let the Principal remain, till the Arrangements of Congress can discharge it.— it will cost the United States Eight Per Cent, to transfer this debt, and four or five thousand Guilders are worth Saving.

It would rejoice me in my soul to meet you, before I embark for America. But I am so ill, of an uncommon Cold,1 the present Weather is so formidable and a Journey to Holland in the Winter is So cruel, that I am obliged to excuse myself from taking leave in Person of the States general, and shall Send a Memorial.2 The Time for me is short and there are many Things to do, so that I must confine myself to London, but if you could venture over here and See the August Spectakle of Mr Hastings’s Impeachment, you would make us all very happy.3

I Should advise you, by all means to make a Journey to Holland: but not before the Month of May. a Letter to some of the Corps Diplomatique, will introduce You to them and to Court. and Messrs Willinks and Vanstaphorsts will Shew you Amsterdam, and explain to you Money matters.

With Sincere Esteem and Affection, I am / Dear sir your most obedient and most / humble servant

The Sack of Rome, has So much Merit in itself that for the honour of America, I Should wish to See it acted on the Stage in London before crouded Audiences. The Dedication of it does so much honour to me, that I should be proud to see it in print even if it could not be acted. I have shown it, in discreet confidence to Several good Judges, but least their opinion might not be Satisfactory I procured 240 it at last to be seriously read, by several of the first tragical Writers in this nation. among whom were the Author of the Grecian Daughter and the Author of the Carmelite. They have noted their opinion in a Writing that is inclosed.1 It requires almost as much interest and Intrigue to get a Play Acted, as to be a Member of Parliament. and a printed Play that has not been Acted will not sell.— I have not been able to find a Printer who would accept the Copy on Condition of printing it.

In short nothing American sells here. Ramsays History Dwight & Barlows Poems are not sold. nor, I fear will Dr Gordons, notwithstanding the prescious Materials he must be possessed of.

There is a universal desire and Endeavour to forget America, and an unanimous Resolution to read nothing which Shall bring it to their Thoughts. They cannot recollect it, without Pain.

Your Annals or History, I hope you will continue, for there are few Persons possessed of more Facts, or who can record them in a more agreable manner. Yet let me not deceive you. America must Support the Publication of it. no other Country will contribute much towards it.

In the Month of April, May or June, I hope to see / my Friends at Milton Hill. in the mean time I / am, Madam, with great Esteem, your / most obedient and most humble servant