think I sent
you the original of before. Perhaps it may serve our Leyden friend.

I am sorry you have any difference with the Ambassador, and wish you
to accommodate it as soon as possible. Depend upon it that no one ever
knew from me, that you had spoken or written against any person. There
is one, concerning whom I think you sometimes receive erroneous
information. In one particular, I know you were misinformed, that of
his selling us arms at an enormous profit; the truth is, we never
bought of him.

I am ever, with great esteem, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

FOOTNOTES:

[35] See the history of the voyage of the Confederacy in _John Jay's
Correspondence_, Vol. VII. p. 174.

* * * * *

TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

The Hague, March 15th, 1780.

Gentlemen,

Since my last letter of the 30th of December, the ice has so
obstructed our waters, and my ill health has been such, as not to
permit me to write till now. I send you herewith the plan of a treaty
to be concluded between the United States and the Seven United
Provinces of the Low Countries, as soon as the circumstances will
permit it. A great deal of its materials has been furnished me by the
Pensionary of Amsterdam, who, as well as Dr Franklin, has examined and
corrected it. If Congress shall be pleased to do the same, and send me
the plan back again, with powers to carry on a negotiation on such
terms, then nothing will remain but to watch opportunities, which may
perhaps very soon present themselves.

I am told that Mr Laurens will soon come over here as Plenipotentiary.
I shall be very glad of it, and promise to be his _fidus Achates_ in
every sense, for the public as well as his own service.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DUMAS.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

The Hague, March 21st, 1780.

Sir,

Honored since many years with the correspondence and friendship of Dr
Franklin, I received in April, 1776, by an express, (Mr Thomas Story,)
instructions and credentials from the Committee of Foreign Affairs,
signed B. Franklin, J. Dickenson, and J. Jay, at Philadelphia, dated
December 9th and 12th, for founding the dispositions of the