vor to prevail on the Danish
minister, to have the money paid in Amsterdam or Paris, by their banker
in either of those cities, if they have one.

M. Ast (secretary to the consulate) is at L'Orient. Whether he comes up
with the papers, or sends them, they shall be received, sealed up, and
taken care of. I will only ask the favor of you, that I may never be
desired to break the seals, unless very important cause for it should
arise.

I have just received from Messrs. Willincks and Van Staphorsts, a
letter of January the 31st, in which are these words: 'The official
communication we have of the actual situation and prospect of the
finances of the United States, would render such a partial payment as
that to Fiseaux's house of no avail towards the support of the public
credit, unless effectual measures shall be adopted, to provide funds for
the two hundred and seventy thousand florins, interest, that will be due
the first of June next; a single day's retard in which would ground a
prejudice of long duration.' They informed me, at the same time, that
they have made to you the following communication; that Mr. Stanitski,
our principal broker, and holder of thirteen hundred and forty thousand
dollars, of certificates of our domestic debt, offers to have our loan
of a million of guilders (of which six hundred and twenty-two thousand
eight hundred and forty are still unfilled) immediately made up, on
condition that he may retain thereout one hundred and eighty thousand
guilders, being one year's interest on his certificates, allowing a
deduction of ten per cent, from his said interest, as a compensation
for his receiving it in Amsterdam instead of America, and not pretending
that this shall give him any title to ask any payment of future interest
in Europe. They observe, that this will enable them to face the demands
of Dutch interest, till the 1st of June, 1789, pay the principal of
Fiseaux' debt, and supply the current expenses of your legation in
Europe. On these points, it is for you to decide. I will only take the
liberty to observe, that if they shall receive your acceptance of the
proposition, some days credit will still be to be given for producing
the cash, and that this must be produced fifteen days before it is
wanting, because that much previous notice is always given to the
creditors, that their money is ready. It is, therefore, but three months
from this day, before your answer should be in Amsterdam. It might
a