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

Being without any of Your Excellency’s esteemed favors unreplied to, The Purport of the present is to acquaint you, that on the 22nd: Inst: we received a Letter from His Excellency Thos: Jefferson Esqr: Minister from the United-States to the Court of Versailles, notifying to us that Messrs: H. Fizeaux & Co: of this City, had applied to him for f51,000:—:— to pay off so much borrowed by them for account of the United-States reimbursable the First Proximo; Punctuality in the 241 discharge whereof Mr. Jefferson conceiving to be highly interesting to the Honor & Credit of the United-States, He presses us in the most energetic Stile to furnish the Money, informing us he had wrote Your Excellency to join in enforcing his warm Sollicitations; So that we expect to hear from Your Excellency on the subject per the British Mail detained by contrary Winds.

We sincerely regret the Application has been so late, that We are called to determine upon this matter, without the necessary time to weigh its Consequences with the requisite Attention.— Besides we are deprived of any Communication from the Board of Treasury respecting it, the official Channel thro’ which ought to issue the directions for Payments of such a Nature.— This Remisness on the Part of the Commissioners, even had we plenty of Money of the United-States, places us in the ever disagreeable Predicament of assuming unnecessary Responsibility; Wherefore we request Your Excellency, to second our reiterated strong Representations, to have greater Punctuality shewn us in future on similar occasions.—1

The Funds we have in hands of the United-States, will suffice to face the Interest that will be payable by them the ist: February next, and leave a small Surplus to discharge Your & Mr: Jefferson’s monthly Drafts for a short time; Then the Payment of the f51,000:—:—, would be an actual Advance of our own Cash, there being but little or no probability, the Bonds of the last Loan for the U. S. will sell, While there are so many Loans open here for different Countries, whose Governments are firmly established & Punctuality has been long experienced. Our Zeal and Wish to serve the United-States, will however prompt us to do all that can be expected on the occasion, and we shall not fail giving you the earliest Intelligence of our determination.— In the mean time We must entreat Your Excellency, to desist for the present from accepting any further drafts for account of the United-States, and to confine your disposals of Money to your personal Wants, as we might otherwise be exposed to greater Advances, than the Circumstances of the Times incline us to. The disagreeableness this Intimation is to us, is greatly modified, by our intimate persuasion, that your Excellency’s truly patriotic Principles, will induce your Acquiesence without reluctance, to any Measure dictated by a Regard for the Honor and Interest of your Country.—

We are very respectfully / Your Excellency’s / Most obedient and very / humble Servants