of the appointment for a Minister
at the Russian Court.

To Robert R. Livingston. St Petersburg, April 17th, 1783, 424

Has yet received no answer to his communication of his
mission.--Intends to renew his application for an
audience.

To Robert R. Livingston. St Petersburg, April 22d, 1783, 427

Enclosing a copy of his second letter to Count
Ostermann, requesting to know the pleasure of the
Empress on the subject of his mission.--Is informed that
an objection will be made to his letter of credence, on
the ground, that it bears date prior to the
acknowledgment of the independence of the United States
by Great Britain.--Reasons which should prevent Congress
from granting new letters on that account.

To Robert R. Livingston. St Petersburg, April 25th, 1783, 430

Interview with Count Ostermann, who declares that the
Empress could not receive a Minister from the United
States till the conclusion of the definitive treaty
between the belligerents; that she could not then
receive one whose letter of credence was dated prior to
the acknowledgment of their independence by Great
Britain, nor prior to her own acknowledgment of it, nor
previous to the reception of an American Minister by
Great Britain.--The Count declines delivering these
objections in writing.--Mr Dana replies to these
objections.--Is advised to send a memorial to the Vice
Chancellor, showing the fallacy of his objections to Mr
Dana's reception.

Robert R. Livingston to Francis Dana. Philadelphia, May 1st,
1783, 436

Enclosing resolutions recalling Mr Dana.--Mr Dana has
no power to sign a commercial treaty, and there can be
no advantage in joining the Marine Convention.

To Count Ostermann. St Petersburg, May 8th, 1783, 438

Enclosing a Memorial to Count Ostermann, containing the
objections of the Count to the reception of an American
Minister, with Mr Dana's replies.

To Robert R. Livingston. St Petersburg, May 9th, 1783, 449

Transmitting his Memorial to Count Ostermann.

To Robert R. Livingston. St Petersburg, May 9th, 1783, 449

Reasons for presenting