nonville spoke to me on this subject, from the Count de
Rochambeare, shortly after my appointment. Upon considering the very
slender situation of our revenue, or rather the total want of it, and
that the several States had omitted furnishing the specific supplies
demanded of them, I told Colonel Mennonville, and told him truly, that
I had but little prospect of complying with your promise. It is not
easy to convey to your mind an idea of the pain I suffered from being
obliged to make this declaration. I felt for you, for Congress, for
America. There is no man in the world more deeply impressed than
myself with the importance of fulfilling every compact made by a
proper authority. All my reasonings, my feelings, and my experience,
have concurred in producing a thorough conviction, that it is
essential according to the principles of justice, from a regard to our
national honor, and for the sake of our general interests. I shall,
therefore, notwithstanding what has passed between Colonel Mennonville
and myself, assiduously endeavor to perform your promise, and I am
happy to add, that I am not without hopes of success.

With respect to the bills I intend to draw on you, I must apologize
for the trouble they will give you, which I hope will be but little.
It will be only necessary to accept them, and direct the holders what
banker to apply to for payment. That banker will be enabled to make
payment, by the bill I shall draw on Messrs Le Couteulx, & Co. in your
favor. Perhaps it may be most convenient to send the bill holders to
them, but this you will be the best judge of. It is unnecessary to
state any reasons to you for accepting these bills, as I cannot
suppose you will have the least hesitation on that subject. I take
this opportunity, however, of pledging myself to you, that you shall
suffer no inconvenience from honoring them with your acceptance, as I
shall most certainly remit in time the bills sufficient to discharge
all I draw on you. My reason for drawing them on you at all arises
from this circumstance, that I am desirous of keeping the transaction
entirely distinct, and that many inconveniences would follow from
drawing bills on Messrs Le Couteulx, & Co. at six months' sight for
paper, while I draw others at sixty days' sight for specie, especially
after my refusal to draw on them except for specie, which refusal was,
as you will perceive, a necessary part of my plan. Add to this, also,
that the arrangements I h