n fleet into the Mediterranean, and concluded if England was not
the object of this armament, Russia might be. It is known that that
power means to send a fleet of about twenty-four ships into the
Mediterranean this summer. He sent to the Count de Montmorin, and
expressed his apprehensions. The Count de Montmorin declared that the
object of Spain in that armament, was totally different; that he was
not sure she would succeed; but that France and Spain were to be
considered as one, and that the former would become guarantee for the
latter; that she would make no opposition to the Russian fleet. If
neither England nor Russia be the object, the question recurs, who is
it for? You know best if our affairs with Spain are in a situation to
give jealousy to either of us. I think it very possible that the
satisfaction of the court of London may have been pretended, or
premature. It is possible, also, that the affairs of Spain in South
America, may require them to assume a threatening appearance. I give
you the facts, however, and you will judge whether they are objects of
attention or of mere curiosity.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of sincere esteem and respect,
Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.

P. S. I enclose herewith an extract of a letter from the Count de
Vergennes to the French Ambassador at the Hague, which will make a
remarkable chapter in the history of the late revolution here. It is
not public, nor should be made so by us. Probably those who have been
the victims of it, will some day publish it.

TO MR. DUMAS.

AMSTERDAM, March 29, 1788.

SIR,--I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 14th,
18th and 23d instant. I would have preferred doing it in person, but
the season, and the desire of seeing what I have not yet seen, invite
me to take the route of the Rhine, I shall leave this place to-morrow
morning, and probably not reach Paris till the latter end of April. In
the moment we were to have conferred on the subject of paying the
arrears due to you, a letter of the 20th of February from the Board of
Treasury was received, forbidding the application of money to any
purpose, (except our current claims,) till the June interest should be
actually in hand. Being by the letter tied up from giving an order in
your favor, I return you the letter you had written to Mr. Jay, on the
supposition that the order for your arrears was given. It has been
suggested, however