[dateline] Amsterdam Feb. 12. 1781
[salute] Sir
I have received yours of the 9 and 10th. of this month. The Resolution of Congress
is printed and published in the publick Journal of Congress and of Course in all the
American News papers, and all the other Newspapers of the World. Congress have a Secret
Journal, in which, they enter every Thing that they mean to keep Secret, and a publick
Journal which is printed every day. Whatever is inserted in this Congress mean and
intend, Shall be made known immediately to all the World. Accordingly whatever any
European Novellist can find, in this Journal is free Booty. It was necessary moreover
that this Resolution Should be published in Europe without Loss of Time, for the Government
of American Frigates, Privateers and Letters of Mark, who before this Resolution did
not hold themselves bound by the armed Neutrality, any more than Spain does now towards
Denmark. Moreover a Publication of it here was all the Use that could consistantly
be made of it, at present as I have not received any Authenticated Copy of the Resolution
other than the Journal.
I know not the Motives which Mr. De Neufville had in inviting you to Amsterdam, unless
it was for the Sake of good Company, which is Motive enough. I am now very busy, in
finishing my Plan of a Loan, when it is done, I will go to Leyden and either wait
on you at the Hague, or ask the Favour of you to meet me at Leyden.
I have it not in my Power, at present, to do any Thing more than Mr. Franklin has
done, that is refer you to Congress, respecting the Subject of Money. I think however,
it will not be long before, Somebody or other will have Power, to decide upon that
matter, here.
{ 144 } Pray have you a Cypher from Mr. Lovel? I have a long Letter from him, which is absolutely
unintelligible to me, for want of his Cypher.
1
I have the Honour to be, with great Respect, sir your most humble servant