f credence. I came to him here for a secret transaction
concerted with our friends at the Hague, which must make our triumph
over Anglomany complete. On his part, he went this morning to confer
with the French Ambassador at the Hague. He will return here on
Saturday, where I shall keep him company till the end of next week.
Our sure and permanent address will be for the future, _a l'Hotel
d'Amerique a la Haie en Hollande_.

I am, Sir, &c.

DUMAS.

* * * * *

JOHN ADAMS TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Amsterdam, May 2d, 1782.

Sir,

Your favor of the 30th I had the honor to receive yesterday, with Mr
Nolet's letter and your answer. What shall I say to this affectionate,
as well as polite invitation to dine at Schiedam? I am now, and shall
be a long time exceedingly fatigued with the affair of the loan, which
takes up the greater part of my attention and time. The treaty of
commerce is also, you know, under consideration, and the merchants of
the American Coffee House have proposed a public dinner here; but I
have begged to be excused. You see the difficulties, for which reasons
I earnestly wish, that our kind friends of Schiedam would be so good
as to excuse us; but I will leave the whole to you, and if I cannot be
excused, I will conform to the day you agree upon. But there is
another affair, which not only perplexes me in this business of the
dinner, but in many other matters of importance. There is a serious
negotiation going on for peace, between the Courts of London and
Versailles, and Dr Franklin, who has sent me the whole, has invited Mr
Laurens, Mr Jay, and me to Paris, to consult and treat. This may make
it necessary to go at a short warning.

I hope you are in possession of the house at the Hague, and advise you
to live in it. Your answer to Mr Nolet is very just.

It is my opinion, with submission to Congress, that it is the interest
and duty of the United States, to send you a commission to be
Secretary of this Legation, and _Charge d'Affaires_, with a salary of
five hundred pounds sterling a year during the time that there is a
Minister here; and at the rate of a thousand a year, when there is
not; and you have my consent to transmit this opinion to Congress, by
sending an extract of this letter, or otherwise by as many ways as you
please. I shall w