d, in 1785, on his passage from Jamaica, or St. Eustatius, to New
York. His property on board the vessel is understood to have come to the
hands of Alderman Groom at New York. The enclosed copy of a letter
to him will more fully explain it. A particular friend of mine here,
applies to me for information, which I must ask the favor of you to
procure, and forward to me.

Writing news to others, much pressed in time, and making this letter one
of private business, I did not intend to have said any thing to you on
political subjects. But I must press one subject. Mr. Adams informs me
he has borrowed money in Holland, which, if confirmed by Congress,
will enable them to pay, not only the interest due here to the foreign
officers, but the principal. Let me beseech you to reflect on the
expediency of transferring this debt to Holland. All our other debts
in Europe do not injure our reputation so much as this. These gentlemen
have connections both in and out of office, and these again their
connections, so that our default on this article is further known,
more blamed, and excites worse dispositions against us, than you can
conceive. If you think as I do, pray try to procure an order for paying
off their capital. Mr. Adams adds, that if any certain tax is provided
for the payment of interest, Congress may borrow enough in Holland to
pay off their whole debts in France, both public and private, to the
crown, to the Farmers, and to Beaumarchais. Surely it will be better
to transfer these debts to Holland. So critical is the state of that
country, that I imagine the monied men of it, would be glad to place
their money in foreign countries, and that Mr. Adams could borrow there
for us, without a certain tax for the interest, and saving our faith
too, by previous explanations on that subject. This country is really
supposed on the eve of a * * * *. Such a spirit has risen within a few
weeks, as could not have been believed. They see the great deficit in
their revenues, and the hopes of economy lessen daily. The parliament
refuse to register any act for a new tax, and require an Assembly of
the States. The object of this Assembly is evidently to give law to the
King, to fix a constitution, to limit expenses. These views are said to
gain upon the nation.*

*****

[ * The parts of this letter marked by asterisks, are in
cipher, and unintelligible.]

A final decision of some sort, should be made on Beaumarchais' affairs.