since his first arrival at
Paris; that I took that city in my way from London to Nantes, to find
a passage to my native country, and with despatches, which Mr Arthur
Lee intrusted to my care, for the honorable Congress. Having a relapse
of a disorder, which prevented me from travelling, I stopped at Paris,
and endeavored to find out, by means of Count d'Estaing and other
persons of eminence, the sentiments of the French Court respecting our
affairs; and the moment I knew of Mr Deane's arrival, offered him all
the services in my power, and, of consequence, we have lived together
until the 10th of the present month.

At that time the agent of the King of Prussia, who had often, as Mr
Deane has informed you, made proposals of a commercial nature,
expressed a desire that some American would go to Berlin, and this he
gave us to understand was at the instance of his Sovereign, who wished
to have a clear idea of the nature of our commerce, and expressed a
curiosity, which he wished to gratify, by a minute detail of our
affairs. Mr Deane thinking this an opportunity not to be neglected to
interest a Prince, who for several years has been dreaming of making
his port of Emden, an Amsterdam, proposed it to me. However unequal to
the task, I have cheerfully accepted it; happy to find any opportunity
of showing with what a fervent zeal I am devoted to the glorious
cause, which, at present, by interesting their humanity as well as
policy, gives us so much consequence in the eyes of Europe.

Here I have endeavored to engage merchants to speculate in a direct
commerce to America, to find out the sentiments of the people in
general respecting us, to know whether, in case of necessity, the
United States would be able to negotiate a loan, whether England would
be able to obtain further credit, and by this barometer of the ability
of Princes, to discover their present situation. On these heads I have
written Mr Deane, but having an opportunity by the way of St Eustatia,
and thinking none should be neglected of giving information, though
mine, perhaps, may not be of importance enough to merit that title, I
have taken the liberty of addressing the honorable Committee. Arriving
but two days after the accounts had reached this city, of our
misfortune on Long Island, I found many, even of the sanguine friends
of America dejected, and those of England almost in a frenzy of joy.
In this disposition, it is easy to judge, no hopes could be
enter