surprised when you are
informed, that our resources are exhausted.

We, therefore, hope for the continuance of his Majesty's generosity,
and that the quarterly payment of seven hundred and fifty thousand
livres may be continued. And we assure your Excellency, that the
moment we are furnished with any other means of answering this demand,
we will no longer trespass on his Majesty's goodness.

We have further to inform your Excellency, that we are empowered and
instructed by Congress, to borrow in Europe a sum of money to the
amount of two millions sterling; which is to be appropriated to the
express purpose of redeeming so many of the bills of credit in
America, as will be sufficient, it is apprehended, to restore the
remainder to their original value. We, therefore, request his
Majesty's permission to borrow such part of that sum in his Majesty's
kingdom, as we may find opportunity. Although we are empowered to
offer a larger interest than is usually given, by his Majesty, yet
that we may not be any interruption to his Majesty's service, we are
willing and desirous of limiting the interest which we may offer, to
the same that is given by his Majesty. And in this way, although most
persons will choose to lend their money to his Majesty, yet there may
be others desirous of forming connexions of trade with the people in
America, who will be willing to serve them in this way. And perhaps
nothing will have a greater tendency to cement the connexion between
the two nations, so happily begun, or to insure to the French nation
the benefits of the American trade, than something of this kind.

By the 8th article of the treaty of commerce, his Majesty has engaged
to employ his good offices and interpositions with the Emperor of
Morocco, and with the regencies of Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, and the
other powers on the coast of Barbary, in order to provide as fully as
possible for the convenience and safety of the inhabitants of the
United States, and their vessels and effects, against all violence,
insults, attacks, or depredations on the part of the said princes.

We have received information, that there are already American vessels
in Italy desirous of returning thence, and that there are merchants in
Italy desirous of entering into the American trade, but that an
apprehension of danger from the Corsairs of Barbary is a
discouragement. We therefore request your Excellency's attention to
this case, and such assistance from his Ma