a have nothing dishonorable to propose to
any Court or country. If the wishes of America, which are for the good
of all nations, as they apprehend, are not deemed by such Courts or
nations consistent with their views and interest, of which they are
the supreme judges, they will candidly say so, and there is no harm
done. On the contrary, Congress will be applauded for their candor and
good intentions. You will make your communication to the French
Ambassador of course, according to your instructions. This method was
taken by this Republic in her struggle with Spain, nay it was taken by
the Republican Parliament in England, and by Oliver Cromwell. It was
taken by Switzerland and Portugal, in similar cases, with great
success. Why it should be improper now I know not.

I conceive it to be the intention of Congress, that you should
communicate their resolutions relative to the rights of neutral
vessels, and I am the more entirely of this opinion, because I have
already communicated those resolutions to their High Mightinesses, the
States-General, and to their Excellencies the Ministers of Russia,
Denmark, and Sweden, at the Hague, in pursuance of the letters I had
received from the President, and I should now think it improper in me
to sign a treaty according to those resolutions, if invited thereto,
because it would be interfering with your department.

America, my Dear Sir, has been too long silent in Europe. Her cause is
that of all nations, and all men; and it needs nothing but to be
explained to be approved. At least these are my sentiments. I have
reasons in my mind, which were unknown to their Excellencies, the
Count de Vergennes, and Dr Franklin, when you consulted them; reasons
which it is improper for me to explain at present. But the reasons I
have given appear to me conclusive. No measure of Congress was ever
taken in a more proper time, or with more wisdom in my opinion, than
the appointment of a Minister at the Hague, and at St Petersburg. The
effects of it may not appear in sudden and brilliant success, but the
time was exactly chosen, and the happy fruits of it will appear in
their course.

Although I shall be personally a sufferer by your appointment, yet I
sincerely rejoice in it for the public good. When our enemies have
formed alliances with so many Princes in Germany, and so many savage
nations against us, when they are borrowing so much of the wealth of
Germany, Italy, Holland, and Switzerland, to