e money, and offered every authentic
voucher. I thought myself obliged to write from Brest, requesting Dr
Franklin to order payment after necessary security.

I found myself under the necessity of drawing, under the authority of
Congress, for three hundred and fifty louis, on their Minister
Plenipotentiary at the Court of France. Fifty of these were given to
Mr Jackson on his departure for Holland. On my arrival at Boston, I
borrowed on my private credit forty guineas, twentyfive of which have
been paid for the purchase of saddles, and the expense of the journey,
including that of an express with the despatches from France for the
French Minister and army, and that of an escort of dragoons, which it
became prudent, on account of my papers, to take from Danbury to a
place a few miles on this side of the North River.

I had recourse to the State of Rhode Island for horses, &c. a
particular account of which will be given to the Board of War.

I have the honor to be, with the greatest veneration, &c.

JOHN LAURENS.

THE

CORRESPONDENCE

OF

CHARLES W. F. DUMAS;

AGENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN HOLLAND.

Charles William Frederick Dumas was a native of Switzerland, but he
passed a large portion of his life in Holland, chiefly employed as a
man of letters. He was a person of deep learning, versed in the
ancient classics, and skilled in several modern languages, a warm
friend of liberty, and an early defender of the American cause. About
the year 1770, or a little later, he published an edition of Vattel,
with a long preface and notes, which were marked with his liberal
sentiments.

When Dr Franklin was in Holland on his way to France, a short time
before his return to his own country, at the beginning of the
Revolution, he became acquainted with M. Dumas. Having thus witnessed
his ability, his love of freedom, and his zeal in favor of America, he
considered him a suitable person to act as agent in promoting our
affairs abroad. When the Committee of Secret Correspondence in
Congress was formed, towards the close of the year 1775, of which Dr
Franklin was chairman, it was resolved to employ M. Dumas for
executing the purposes of the Committee in Holland. A letter of
general instructions was accordingly written to him by Dr Franklin in
the name of the Committee, and from that time M. Dumas commenced a
correspondence with Congress, which continued wi