to obtain and ship the
clothing for ten regiments, mentioned in my last. This gentleman is a
native of Maryland, is well known in that State, and has on this, as
on all occasions, manifested a disinterested zeal in the service of
his country.

There is no alteration in the political state of Europe since my last,
and no event of consequence in the operations of the war. The
convention for the armed neutrality is not finally concluded, but I am
told the Empress of Russia is determined to maintain the system
proposed by her. The States of Holland have not yet acceded to it.
Their Plenipotentiaries were instructed to add some articles; one of
which is, to procure the restitution of their vessels unlawfully
captured by the English, another to make it a common cause, in case
the Republic should be molested in consequence of her accession, and
also that her possessions in all parts of the world, should be
guarantied by the contracting parties. Their mediation is also
proposed to bring about an accommodation between the powers at war.
These articles in the instructions, were inserted by the friends of
England, in order to retard, if not defeat the measure, so far as it
respected the States. It has leaked out from the Court of Petersburg,
perhaps expressly, that the English Minister at that Court, declared
to the Empress, that the King was disposed to respect the neutrality,
provided Holland was excluded. This has come to the knowledge of the
plenipotentiaries, and it is supposed on being known to the States,
will hasten the conclusion of the affair, which must put an end to the
piratical rapacity of Great Britain, or involve her in new and great
difficulties.

Two Russian vessels, captured and carried into England, have been
released, while Dutch vessels with similar cargoes are condemned. The
Court of Portugal has given orders to equip several vessels of war,
and seems inclined at present to preserve a strict neutrality,
prompted to this more by fear than inclination. The combined fleet is
still at Cadiz, it consists of between forty and fifty sail of the
line, and has provisions on board for six months. The Count d'Estaing
has provided clothing for the winter, for his seamen and marines, and
M. de Guichen is expected with much impatience. His destination is a
secret, but I think he has a strong desire of visiting our part of the
world once more. He will not be inactive, if he can avoid being so.

The Committee will proba