tle
embarrassing. Perhaps, as our independency begins to wear the
appearance of greater stability, since our acknowledged alliance with
France, that difficulty may be lessened. Of this, we wish you to take
the most prudent methods privately to inform yourself. It seems
clearly to be the interest of Holland to share in the rapidly growing
commerce of their young sister republic, and as, in the love of
liberty, and bravery in defence of it, she has been our great example,
we hope circumstances and constitutions, in many respects so similar,
may produce mutual benevolence, and that the unfavorable impressions
made on the minds of some in America, by the rigor with which supplies
of arms and ammunition were refused them in their distress, may soon
be worn off and obliterated by a friendly intercourse and reciprocal
good offices.

When Mr Adams left America, which was about the middle of February,
our affairs were daily improving, our troops well supplied with arms
and provisions, and in good order, and the army of General Burgoyne
being detained for breaches of the capitulation, we had in our hands
above 10,000 prisoners of the enemy.

We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants,

B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE.

* * * * *

TO MR. JOHN ROSS.

Passy, April 13th, 1778.

Sir,

The papers you mention are in the disposition of Mr William Lee, who
is gone to Germany. It is therefore not in our power to comply with
what you desire. Neither are we able to make you any further advances.
We wish you would send us, with all convenient expedition, copies of
the invoices and bills of lading for those goods, which were paid for
with the money we formerly furnished you. We do not think it within
our province to make an entire settlement with you. The money in Mr
Schweighauser's hands, which you say is under the direction and order
of Mr R. Morris, ought to be disposed of according to those orders.
The trade being now free from this country, it seems improper to us to
give the passports you ask.

We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,

B. FRANKLIN,
ARTHUR LEE,