Sir,
You desired that on my arrival at Versailles, I should communicate to the Count de Vergennes your disposition to adopt the measure you have been advised to pursue by several well disposed members of the States of Holland, and that I should at the same time make known to him your determination not to take that step without his approbation.
The Minister directs me to inform you, that he sees no objection to the visit, which you wish to make to the President of the Assembly of the States-General, to the Ministers of the Republic, and to the deputies of the principal cities of the Province of Holland, provided that, without leaving with either of them any official writing, you limit yourself to the inquiry, whether the memorial, which you transmitted to them several months since has been made the subject of deliberation by their High Mightinesses, and what answer you may communicate to the Congress of the United States of North America.
I do not know the precise time of my return to the Hague, but see no reason to suppose that my absence will be longer than I expected.
Receive, Sir, my renewed assurance of the profound respect with which I have the honor to be, &c.
DE LA VAUGUYON.
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO JOHN ADAMS.
Philadelphia, January 9th, 1782.
Dear Sir,
I write merely to put you on your guard against any falsehood the enemy may think it necessary to publish about the time of opening their budget. All is well here. There has been no action to the southward. Many of the tories in North Carolina, enraged at being deserted, have joined our army, and, as is said, executed some of their leaders. The enemy have drawn all their troops into Charleston, and our advanced parties are as low down as Haddell's point.