mission of a
Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, with instructions to
their Deputies of the Province in the States-General, to press the
conclusion of this matter by the States. This evening, between ten and
twelve o'clock, one of the gentlemen, coming to take leave of me until
Tuesday week, concerted with me the measures it would be proper to
take during his absence, to make the choice fall, if the plan
succeeds, on a person who will be as agreeable to the United States,
as he is esteemed by the patriots of this country. I shall give
information of it by letter next Tuesday to Mr Adams.

Yesterday arrived some despatches from the Plenipotentiaries of the
Republic at Paris, with the reply of his Britannic Majesty to the
preliminaries which had been proposed; this reply is not satisfactory.

I am, Sir, &c.

DUMAS.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

The Hague, January 20th, 1783.

Sir,

This morning M. Thulemeyer, Envoy of Prussia, presented the Memorial
hereto annexed to their High Mightinesses. I shall say nothing about
it, because I should have too much to say, and because it is better to
see what they will say whom it concerns.

Tomorrow the Chamberlain, Baron de Heide, will set out for Paris, sent
by the Prince, to give his Most Christian Majesty a good opinion of
his patriotism, his measures, and his disposition.

The cities of Guelderland and Overyssel continue, after the example of
those of Friesland, to raise their heads one after another.

_February 22nd._ I have yet to give you an account of a secret and
important negotiation and correspondence, between the gentlemen here
and our Ministers at Paris, which has been carried on by my
intervention for more than a month. But besides that it will take much
time to copy all these letters, the subject will not allow me to risk
the copies at sea, until the vessels can navigate with more safety.
The article relating to the liberty of the seas is the subject of
discussion; this matter they wish to see definitively arranged
previously to the general peace, and with good reason.

I congratulate the United States on the signature of the preliminaries
between the United States, France, and Spain on one side, and England
on the other. God grant that the peace may follow soon, and a
permanen