ES.

* * * * *

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Paris, April 2d, 1781.

Sir,

I have received the letter, which your Excellency did me the honor to
write to me yesterday, in answer to mine of the day before, and I
shall do myself the honor to wait on your Excellency, for the purpose
mentioned in it before my departure.

It is not to be doubted, that the reflections, which your Excellency
desires to communicate to me, are founded in the sincere interest,
which you take in the cause of our country, and in the dignity of
Congress.

I am, with the highest respect, &c.

FRANCIS DANA.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Paris, April 2d, 1781.

Sir,

I do myself the honor to enclose to your Excellency the letter of the
Count de Vergennes to me of yesterday, in answer to mine of the day
before, and my answer to him. Congress need not wait to be informed of
the substance of the proposed conference, in order to form a judgment
of the sentiments of his Majesty's Ministers, upon the mission with
which they have charged me. These are sufficiently pointed out by the
Count's letter, which proves the apprehensions, hinted in my last,
were not wholly unfounded.

From the beginning, I have foreseen the difficulty of my situation,
and I have felt it likewise. Had my instructions been positive to
proceed, I should have been considerably advanced on my route at this
time. But what can I now do; if I should be told, as I certainly
expect to be told, that it is not expedient to proceed at this time,
nor until I have taken the sense of the Court of St Petersburg upon
the measure? I do not ask this question, expecting any seasonable
answer to it. Our distance is unhappily too great for timely
explanation. I shall go to Versailles tomorrow, to confer with the
Count, after which, whatever may be the result there, I shall think it
my duty to set off for Holland, for the purpose of consulting Mr Adams
on the whole matter. Having done this, I shall have taken every step,
which Congress will expect of me, prior to my making up my final
determination respecting my voyage to St Petersburg. I will give your
Excellency no further trouble at present, but as any new matter may
a