u such as
would be more acceptable to you, and more conformable to my wishes.

Mr Jay has received and accepted your bills to the amount of fifteen
thousand dollars, and I hope will be enabled to pay them; but this
business has thwarted the other part of his mission here, in showing
our necessities so plainly. For this Court seems to expect equivalents
for services rendered, and the interest of money advanced to us is not
its object. This leads me to repeat what I mentioned in a former
letter, of the King's satisfaction for a resolution of Congress,
permitting the exportation of flour to the Havana, and that every
similar manifestation of amity will much contribute to counteract the
intrigues of the enemy here. The Minister of the Indies lately assured
me, that his Majesty had directed him to return thanks, through the
Chevalier de la Luzerne, for the respect shown at the interment of M.
Miralles.

Having mentioned this gentleman, I am induced to speak of his intended
successor, M. Gardoqui, who has now been named near five months, yet
is still here. This detention is one reason among many others, which
makes me fear the Court has not taken a decisive part for the next
year, although the last declarations of the Minister on this subject
were clear and positive. I have purposely omitted speaking of the
operations of the war in Europe, and other articles of intelligence,
in order to have it in my power to give you the latest I have
received. I hear from England, that Mr Laurens is closely confined,
and treated as a prisoner of State. The Committee may be persuaded,
that retaliation on some of the English prisoners of consequence, will
be regarded in Europe as a proof of the confidence of Congress in the
support of the people.

A copy of the proposed treaty with the States of Holland, was taken
among the papers of Mr Laurens, and sent by the British Ministry to
the Stadtholder, who endeavored to criminate the Pensionary of
Amsterdam and those concerned with him, in consequence of this
discovery. He is, however, supported by the Regency, and this step of
the Stadtholder, not having the effect intended, Sir Joseph Yorke has
presented a violent and menacing Memorial to the States, demanding the
punishment of the Pensionary and his accomplices.[8] I am advised that
this Memorial has irritated in place of intimidating, and that since
four of the seven States have agreed to accede to the armed
neutrality, the persons attacke