is view leads me again to reflect, as I constantly do, with the
utmost grief, on the unaccountable delay of proper authority
announcing the Independency of the United States, and proposing terms
of alliance and friendship with France and Spain. This I am confident
would at once remove this and many other difficulties; would put our
affairs on the most established and respectable footing, and oblige
Great Britain herself to acknowledge our Independency and court our
friendship. On such powers being received and presented, these
kingdoms, I have no doubt, would become our guaranty for the money we
want, and the produce of our country will be wanted for the interest,
and even the principal, as fast as we can transport it hither. But as
no such powers and instructions are received, and as it is possible
you mean not to send any, I will mention a few thoughts on another
plan.

You are not in want of money, but the effects of money in the
manufactures of Europe. For these the Colonies or United States must
now have a demand to the amount of some millions sterling. These
manufactures are to be had principally in France and Holland. As to
the latter, they have not at present, and are resolved never to have,
any peculiar connexion with, or friendship for, any power, further
than their commerce is served by it, but that is not the ruling
passion of the former. The desire of humbling their old rival and
hereditary enemy, and aggrandizing their monarchy, are predominant,
and never was there a more favorable opportunity than the present,--so
favorable is it, that were the funds of this kingdom in a little
better situation, and were they confident that the United States would
abide by their Independency, not a moment's time would be lost in
declaring war, even though you had made no application direct.
Whatever part this kingdom takes will be pursued by the Court of
Madrid. Would this Court give a credit even to private merchants, it
would answer the same purpose as a loan; as for instance, the United
Colonies want about three millions value of manufactures annually (it
has heretofore been a little more) from Europe. If this Court will
give a credit to that amount to any body of men in the kingdom, that
company may engage to pay the Court the same amount in Continental
bills within a limited time, this company may send to America supplies
to that amount, as the Congress shall order, such goods as are wanted
either for the army or na