I have received your Letter of the 10th. and in answer to your question, I have no scruple to say, that on your arrival in Holland you appeared to me to take as effectual measures as any man could then have taken to obtain a loan to the state of Pensylvania: But that such was the situation of Affairs, that it was next to Impossible to obtain any considerable Loan for the United states Jointly or severally. I could take up your time for an hour in relating the 32 mortifications suffered by myself in many ineffectual attempts in behalf of the United states— The invariable answer to me was “nothing can be done till the States General have acknowledged your Independence” in consequence of which, I most earnestly endeavoured to impress upon Congress in all my dispatches the Policy and necessity of sending a minister to that Republic. and it was not till a full Power was sent by Congress and acknowledged by their High Mightinesses that I was able to obtain money for the United States— Till then I could persuade nobody to undertake to open a Loan, except Mr. De Neufville1 and all the effect of His efforts and my own—were 4000 Guilders obtain’d by him and 3000 by myself— I never heared or suspected any neglect of the interests of your Constituents or any dishonour brought upon them by your Conduct— You did me the honor to consult me very frequently, upon the Business of your mission according to your instructions: but it was not in my Power to give you better advice than I gave myself or could procure from others: and it all proved ineffectual in my own Case as well as yours—

I have the honor to be with much esteem Sir. / Your most Obedient & most Humble servant

I have received your favour of the 10th. and am obliged to you for a free Communication of Your sentiments upon some important points.

The situation of Rhode-Island, North Carolina and Vermont, must be disagreable to themselves as well as to their neighbours. Congress is not inattentive to either. What measures they may think proper to take is as yet to be determined— It is reported here that the Minority in Massachusetts are encouraging the majority in Rhode Island— A. speach from the President, a Resolution of the House or senate or both, have been thought of and proposed, but there are different sentiments concerning the Wisdom and the effects of Either— but there is no difference of opinion concerning the Conduct of Rhode-Island— They are betraying the Rights and Interests of New England 33 every day; and their fault is less Criminal than that of Massachusetts-Men who countenance and encourage them—

You must be enough acquainted with American Politicks to perceive that the members of the middle & the south, will not be unanimously Zealous at this moment to give N. England two additional senators—

If the new Government has dominion enough over the minds and Hearts of Men to Maintain its ground in the states that have accepted it—Rhode-Island will come in, if not, the other states will go out, and the Government will expire.

Our Eastern friends seem to have reason to desire a Port of delivery Eastward of Portland, but that Bill is not yet digested— The members from that Part will endeavour to obtain what is reasonable, and I shall be glad to throw in my mite of assistance to them, in any thing in my sphere—

I am Sir. Your most Obedt. / & most Humble servt.