[dateline] Brussels Octr. 20. 1781
[salute] Sir
I have the Honor of having received your Excellencys Letter of the 9th Instant, which
afforded me the utmost Joy, as it gave me reason to think your Excellencys Health
was somewhat reestablished, I wish it may be soon perfectly so, for your Excellencys
Sake and that of the Public.
When I wrote to your Excellency last, I apprehended, that a certain Gentleman was
the only one added to your Excellencys Commission, this gave me the Utmost Uneasyness,
as I imagined, it would have been most Unpleasant to your Excellency, such a Studied
and gross affront might have been suggested by a certain Quarter, after what has come
from thence, I am glad it is otherwise, and that your Excellency approves of the measure
taken by Congress.
I am Sorry your Excellency has not receivd the Books, more have been sent since, which
may be lost likewise, I shall write About them. The Coin shall be transmitted in your
Excellencys Name and likewise One from me; it is an halfpenny Coind for Virginia during
the Reign of G 3d,
1 they ought to be Kept together, and then Posterity will see the first Peice of American
Money and the last English one for that Country.
The famous Spanish Jesuit, Hussey,
2 who has been in Spain, is, after residing a month in this Town, gone to Vienna.
The Mr Allaire of N York, who was put into the Bastile some time
{ 27 } Ago, has been in Holland and after staying here sometime is gone to London, He seems
to be a Tool [of] Government, but of no Account.
3
Another Gentleman of the Name of Martin is now here, He says he is a Virginian by
Birth that He left the Country 1773. and that He is married to a Distillers Daughter
in London. He passed through this Town about 6 weeks Ago, and then said He was going
express to the Hague with Letters. He has been there and at Amsterdam. I believe He
proposed to wait on your Excellency, but your Excellencys Illness preventd Him. Added
to what He heard of the Sentiments of Americans, whom He met with in Holland, particularly
of Mr Grieve,
4 who I find expressed them so clearly and so Strongly, that He had little hopes of
succeeding in his Commission, which He tells me Came immediately from the Minister,
it was to sound your Excellency on certain terms of Accomodation, and that if those,
which He had to propose were Acceptible, He said a formale Commission would immediately
follow. As far as I can at present understand they were for a seperate Peace and the
Independancy neither Acknowledge or denied. I took such pains to Convince Him, that
He came on a fruitless Errand, by shewing Him the Treaty with France, which to my
Astonishment He seemd to be but little informed of, that He declared He was ashamd
of what He had come About. I am in hopes of getting from Him the Terms intended to
be proposed and the name of the Minister, from whom, He came. He is particularly Acquainted
with Mr Digges, with whom He holds a particular Correspondence, and for whose Honor
He is very Anxious. He Expeccts Mr D here daily.
5 Your Excellency is, I assure myself, satisfied that I shall talk with this man with
Caution.
I Congratulate your Excellency on the Repulse of Hoods Fleet,
6 I Hope we shall soon have from Virginia most compleat Success in Consequence thereof.
Your Excellency finds that the brave Johnstone has avoided an Attack on the french
Ships of War, and has fallen on the defenceless Merchantmen.
7 The british Commanders now Neglect the national Honor and prosperity, and have no
Object but that of plunder. How will the Prizes come Home, they must be manned out
of Johnstones Squadron, this will weaken it, and may defeat the public purposes.
But what effect has this Event in Holland? Will nothing, Sir, rouse that Country to
do itself Justice—I trust this blow will.
Does you Excellency Know, that Govr Pownal has got the famous
{ 28 } Abbé Needham to translate and publish in this Country His Memorial &c as it appeared
in the second Edition? He complains of a certain publication in Holland, that it makes
Him say otherwise that He did, and that it shews Him an Ennemy to his Country.
8
I understand that the Count le Markes Regiment consisting of between 3 and 4 thousand
Men in the pay of France is going to America. I Know it well, it is a Noble Body of
Germans, I have talked with some of the officers, who seem well disposed to Stay in
America, they have long wished to be there.
Your Excellency will Oblige me much if you would be so good as to send me the first
Volume of the politic Hollandois. I am told there is a Greek Hymn to Ceres, supposed
to be Homers lately published in Holland.
9 Will Mr Thaxter give me leave to beg Him to make particular Enquiry after it?
[salute] I am with the greatest Respect Sir your Excellencys Most Faithful & Obedient Humble
Servt
[signed] Edm: Jenings