its execution as a charter of enfranchisement
from the ambition of Princes; granted by the wisdom of the Empress to
the trade of the world. The sense of Congress on this subject, I
enclose you in an abstract from their minutes of October 5th,
1780;[22]

What a pity it would be, if a more confined policy should lessen the
glory, or defeat the purposes she has so liberally formed. You will do
me the favor to direct in future your public letters to me. I wish
them to be as numerous and as minute as possible, particularly on the
subject of such negotiations as may be in agitation for a general
peace, and for a partial one between Britain and the United Provinces.

I forgot, under the head of intelligence, to inform you that the
British had, in September last, made one effort to relieve Cornwallis
with their fleet, consisting of nineteen sail of the line, before the
Count de Barras, from Rhode Island, had made his junction with the
Count de Grasse. They were defeated with the loss of the Terrible, a
seventyfour, burnt, and two frigates taken, and compelled to return to
New York, whence, as I before mentioned, having been reinforced, they
have again sailed.

I am, with the greatest esteem, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

_P. S._ I will be obliged to you for sending me, for the use of this
office, by the first safe opportunity, a Russian Grammar and
Dictionary, in English, if possible, if not, in French. If the latter,
the Grammar of Charpenteer, and the Dictionary of Woltchhoff, would be
preferable. Both parts of the Dictionary are to be procured, if
possible, but particularly the one which begins with the Russian. If
anything like a Court Calendar is published at St Petersburg, in
Russian, German, or French, you will oblige me by transmitting to me
two copies of it, if you choose, with notes of your own upon it.

FOOTNOTES:

[22] "_In Congress, October 5th, 1780._--On the report of a committee,
to whom was referred a motion of Mr Adams, relative to certain
propositions of the Empress of Russia respecting the rights of neutral
nations, Congress passed the following act;

"Her Imperial Majesty of all the Russias, attentive to the freedom of
commerce, and the rights of nations, in her declaration to the
belligerent and neutral powers, having proposed regulations founded
upon principles of justice, equity, and moderation, of which their
Most Christian and Catholic Majestie