The enclosed resolve it is hoped will be productive of singular advantage, so for as relates to you, who must depend greatly for American intelligence on your connexions in Paris. Congress have been and are exceedingly loaded with business, and of late have met with some singular interruptions in the intended general arrangement of their foreign affairs, so that they have yet only decided in respect to Dr Franklin, their Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France.
Our first and most pressing business is the appreciation of our currency. This point accomplished, our enemies themselves will acknowledge their hopes of conquering us at an end. The British Commissioners, sent on a foolish and wicked errand to America, are returning home completely disappointed; and there is reason from appearances to think, that the land forces of Britain are gradually withdrawing from these States. It is probable, that the Marquis de la Fayette, by whom this letter goes, will obtain in Boston further knowledge than we now have of the destination of a fleet lately departed from New York, amounting to about one hundred and fifty sail.
We shall desire Mr Adams to give you all possible information on the arrival of this packet, and shall soon despatch other letters from this port.
With hearty prayers for your welfare, we are, Sir, your affectionate friends,
R. H. LEE,
JAMES LOVELL.
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
Frankfort, February 25th, 1779.
Gentlemen,
I have the honor of enclosing to you with this a fourth copy of the plan of a treaty, arranged as you will see between M. John de Neufville, on the part of the Pensionary and Burgomasters of Amsterdam, and myself on the part of the United States of America. This plan, I presume, will meet with the approbation of Congress, and if it can be carried through in the General Assembly of the Seven United States of the Netherlands, America cannot have any just grounds of complaint. If any further steps are taken by you in this business, it will be necessary to authorise some person to complete it in your name, who must advance it with the States-General as he finds the temper of the times and politics, for it is to be observed, that by their constitution, in all cases of treaties, alliances, peace, or war, the unanimous consent of all the States is requisite; however, it is with pleasure I inform you, that in consequence of the negotiation with Amsterdam, and the correspondence I have kept up with the parties, that city (by far the most important member of their union) has with infinite firmness and resolution opposed all the intrigues of Great Britain, countenanced as it is said by the Prince of Orange, to involve the Republic in a war against France, and consequently against America.