rvices
to our country.

I crave your Excellency's pardon for the length of this letter, and
beg leave to subscribe myself, with the highest respect, and most
perfect esteem, &c.

FRANCIS DANA.

FOOTNOTES:

[18] This doubtless refers to France, but the suspicion was not well
founded, for when a pacification was proposed through the mediation of
Russia and Austria, the Court of France insisted on an express
_preliminary condition_, that the United States should be represented
by their Ministers as _an independent power_ in the negotiations for
peace. It was on this account alone, that England refused to come into
the plan of the mediation.

* * * * *

TO THE MARQUIS DE VERAC, FRENCH MINISTER AT ST PETERSBURG.

St Petersburg, August 30th, 1781.

Mr Dana begs leave to acquaint his Excellency, the Marquis de Verac,
that he has arrived in town, and proposes to do himself the honor of
paying his respectful compliments to his Excellency, as the Minister
of the sovereign in alliance with his country, at any hour, which
shall be most agreeable to him.

Mr Dana is silent at present with regard to himself, presuming that
his Excellency has been already informed by his Excellency, the Count
de Vergennes, of his intended journey to this place, and of some
circumstances, which have opened the nature of his business.

* * * * *

THE MARQUIS DE VERAC TO FRANCIS DANA.

Translation.

Thursday, August 30th, 1781.

The Marquis de Verac has the honor to present his compliments to Mr
Dana, and is very happy to hear of his arrival, which he had been
prepared to expect by the Count de Vergennes; he will be flattered to
make his acquaintance, and to assure him of his eagerness to render
him any service in his power in this country.

* * * * *

TO THE MARQUIS DE VERAC, AMBASSADOR FROM FRANCE.

St Petersburg, September 1st, 1781.[19]

Sir,

I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency, that the Congress of the
United States of America have been pleased to charge me with a
commission as their Minister at the Court of St Petersburg, and that
they have also particularly instructed me to make a communication