1781.

Sir,

I feel myself happy, that Congress have made it my duty to consult
your Excellency upon the mission, with which they have charged me, for
the Court of St Petersburg. To this end I have already laid before you
all the papers, which I have received from Congress, any way relating
to it, and also my correspondence with his Excellency, the Count de
Vergennes, and Dr Franklin, upon the same subject, as well as my
letters to the President of Congress from the time I received this
commission. From all these your Excellency will be fully instructed in
the several matters, on which I wish to have the benefit of your
advice; but to bring some of them more immediately under your view, I
beg leave to state the following questions.

Whether all circumstances considered, your Excellency thinks it
expedient for me to proceed to St Petersburg, in the character of a
private citizen of the United States only, and to wait there for a
favorable moment to announce my public character?

Or whether, previous to my going in such a character, you judge it
expedient for me to communicate my design to Prince Gallitzin,
Ambassador at the Hague (secreting from him at the same time my public
character) and to take his opinion thereon, according to the
intimation given to me by the Count de Vergennes at our conference?

Whether it is advisable to communicate my real character to the Court
of St Petersburg, and to ask their permission before I undertake the
journey?

Whether in case you think it advisable for me to proceed to St
Petersburg, in a private character only, without further
communications to any one, you conceive it to be the intention of
Congress, that I should present their resolutions, relative to the
rights of neutral vessels, to the Court of St Petersburg on my arrival
there, or whether this is left to my discretion, to be regulated by
the then state of affairs at that Court?

Your Excellency will readily perceive the propriety of my writing to
you on this business, although we have already had a conference upon
it, and my requesting your sentiments in writing also. I shall be
happy to make a more particular communication of my own sentiments and
views, in further conversation, if you think it needful, before you
give me yours.

I am, with the greatest respect, &c.

FRANCIS DANA.

* * * * *

JOHN A