of
the 19th of December. After which the Assembly separated. It will meet
again the 25th of February.

_February 16th._ The States-General have not yet made answer to the
Ambassador. The Deputies of the Provinces have declared, that they
were not authorised thereto by their constituents.

I am returned from Amsterdam, where I have been to see if the four new
Burgomasters, who have entered upon office, are in the same
disposition as those of the past year; and I have found that all goes
on well; as also if the merchants intend to profit forthwith by the
privileges conceded to them. A letter will not admit of the details,
which I have communicated hereon to the Ambassador of France. The
paper here annexed, which I have drawn up and circulated, will give
you a summary view of all that has passed of interest.

Our friend has sent me the materials for a plan of a treaty between
the two Republics. I am occupied with it. As soon as it is drafted, I
will make copies for America and Paris.

The long silence that America keeps, and the rumors which are
industriously spread, and which nobody has authentically
contradicted, of divisions that prevail there, of the submission even
of two or three of the most Southern States, and even of Virginia,
make me see and experience more reserve and timidity, on the part even
of those of Amsterdam, than in the past year. I pray God to guard
America from traitors as well as from open enemies.

_February 24th._ There is a letter from the Prince Stadtholder to the
States of the Province of Friesland, which will have serious
consequences, because it is very partial to England and against
France. I had the good fortune, Friday the 19th, to be able to procure
an authentic copy of it for the Ambassador. I learned the same day,
that it was printed at Amsterdam. It sells, circulates rapidly, and
makes much noise.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DUMAS.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

The Hague, March 1st, 1779.

Gentlemen,

I have nothing to add to the extracts here annexed, except to press
anew the necessity there is that the most honorable Congress send me a
commission in all its forms of _Charge d'Affaires_, and agent of the
United States of America in the United Provinces of the Low Countries,
with power to manage