e, that
such bills could not be provided for, and my promise not to engage for
them, it will be impossible to ask for the money, if I should accept
them; and I believe those bills of Mr Ross must go back protested.

The projected loan in Holland has of late some appearances of success.
I am indeed told it is agreed to by the States; but I do not yet think
it so certain as to venture, or advise the venturing, to act in
expectation of it. The instant it is assured, I will send you advice
of it by every opportunity, and will, from time to time, send parts of
it in cash by such ships of war as can conveniently take it.

I cannot write to you fully by this opportunity. I will not, however,
delay acquainting you, that having the fullest confidence in your
assurances of enabling me to pay them, I shall cheerfully accept your
bills for four hundred thousand livres.

Captain Gillon has sailed from Holland, without taking under his
convoy the two vessels that were freighted to carry the goods
purchased by Captain Jackson, in Holland. There has been terrible
management there; and from the confusion in the ship, before and when
she sailed, it is a question if she ever arrives in America.

They are hard at work here, in providing the supplies to replace those
lost in the Marquis de Lafayette.

With best wishes of success to you in your new employment, and
assurances of every aid I can afford you, I am, Dear Sir, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

* * * * *

TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Office of Finance, September 20th, 1781.

Sir,

His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau having generously made me a
very considerable advance of money, I was thereby enabled to give the
detachment of our army under General Lincoln, one month's pay, which
was earnestly pressed upon me by the Commander in Chief. I promised M.
de Rochambeau, that I would replace the sum borrowed, on the first of
next month, wherever the army should then be.

The movement which lately took place to the southward, has been
attended with a variety of expenses, which have been very heavy, and
have absorbed all the money I could command, notwithstanding which
many demands still remain unsatisfied, so that I cannot obtain the
sums necessary for the service from any ordinary means.

As it is probable that the moneys which the Count de Grasse h