“That so many of the bills as the Treasury Board shall, from time to time think proper to issue, be put into the hands of the Continental Loan Officer in the State of Pennsylvania, or of any other State; and that the Board of Treasury direct the lowest rate of exchange at which the same may be sold.
“That the Board of Treasury may, at their discretion, suspend the sale of such bills, reporting to Congress their reasons for so doing, that they may receive directions thereon.
“That the Committee of Foreign Affairs be, and they are hereby directed to write to Mr Jay and Mr Laurens, informing them of the drafts that will be made upon them, and explaining fully the reasons that urge Congress to draw, directing them to keep up a mutual correspondence, and afford each other every assistance in procuring money to pay the bills.
“That 1.8 per cent on monies received in payment for the said bills shall be allowed to the persons intrusted with the sale thereof.
“That no bill be drawn for a less sum than the amount of £50 sterling.”
[ [72] This letter is missing, nor does it appear from the Correspondence at what time, or from what place Mr Laurens sailed. On the 20th of June, 1780, it was resolved in Congress, that, as circumstances had prevented his departure, the commission to negotiate a loan in the United Provinces and the Low Countries, should be transferred to John Adams. And on the 7th of July, it was resolved, “That the commission, which was agreed to on the first day of November, 1779, for the honorable Henry Laurens, as a Commissioner to negotiate a treaty of amity and commerce with the States-General of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, be delivered to him; and that the consideration of the instructions relative to the negotiation of the treaty be for the present deferred; and that Mr Laurens, on his arrival in Holland, inform himself of the state of affairs in that country, and advise Congress particularly thereof, that they may be able to decide with more certainty upon the terms on which such treaty ought to be settled.”
[ [73] The following letter merits insertion in this place. It was written to Count de Vergennes by the Marchioness de Lafayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette, immediately after she heard the news of the capture of Mr Laurens. It is translated from the original, which I found among the American papers in the Archives of Foreign Affairs in Paris. It should be premised, that, after the Marquis de Lafayette was wounded at the battle of Brandywine, Mr Laurens, then at Philadelphia, took him in his carriage to Bethlehem, and provided for him a safe and comfortable retreat, where he remained till his wound was healed. This letter to the Count de Vergennes, is equally a proof of the gratitude and tenderness of its fair author.
“Paris, October 18th, 1780.
“Pardon, I pray you, Sir, my importunity, and permit me to address you with the confidence with which your kindnesses to M. de Lafayette have inspired me, and to speak to you of an affair, which interests me deeply. The capture and detention of Mr Laurens in England has sensibly afflicted me. He is the intimate friend of M. de Lafayette, and took care of him during the time of his wound in a manner truly touching. His misfortune seems to me overwhelming, and when we consider the high station he has held in America, it is probable that it may become still more so. I know not if any means can be found to prevent it, or even to soften the actual rigors of his captivity; but I am persuaded, Sir, if there are any such, that they will be known to you. Should it be possible, let me entreat you earnestly to put them in use.
“Permit me also to speak to you of an idea which has occurred to me, and which is not perhaps entirely unworthy of consideration. M. de Lafayette has friends, that are on intimate terms with Mr Fitzpatrick, who is himself well known. Among the ladies of my acquaintance are some, who are the confidential friends of Lady Stormont. May not something be done through these parties in favor of Mr Laurens? And what must be said to them? I beg you a thousand times to pardon my importunities, and give me in this affair your kind interest and counsels. You will perhaps think me very ridiculous, and very unreasonable, but the hope, however ill founded, of rendering some good service to the unfortunate friend of M. de Lafayette, has prompted me to run this risk, and make this experiment upon your indulgence, which, at least, I must desire you to accord to me. This will add yet more to the lively and sincere acknowledgment, with which I have the honor to be,