ent state of affairs in this
Republic.

Dr Franklin has not yet had leisure to send me back the plan of a
future treaty with this Republic, to which he is to join his remarks.

I am to set out immediately for Texel, with letters and secret
instructions to Commodore Jones's squadron, whose arrival there I
expect every hour; therefore I must finish here abruptly, and defer
writing to his Excellency, the President of Congress, concerning his
letter of the 3d of January last to Dr Franklin, also a resolution of
Congress about Colonel Diricks, of December 23d, 1778. I only add
here, that I have no doubt the Colonel is fitter for fighting battles
than for negotiating a treaty or a loan.

Neufville, too, seems to me, as well as to the gentlemen at Passy, to
have promised more than he can now effectuate respecting a loan;
however, I still recommend his house to other good American merchants,
as a house very proper to deal with in the mercantile line. But _ne
sutor ultra crepidam_.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DUMAS.

* * * * *

_Agreement between John Paul Jones and Captain Pearson._

It is hereby agreed between John Paul Jones, Captain in the American
navy, Commander of the continental squadron now in the road of Texel;
and Richard Pearson, Captain in the British navy, late Commodore of
the British Baltic fleet, and now a prisoner of war to the United
States of North America; as follows.

1st. Captain Jones freely consents, _in behalf of the United States_,
to land on the Island of Texel the dangerously wounded prisoners now
in his hands, to be there supported and provided with good surgeons
and medicine, at the expense of the United States of America, and
agreeable to the permission, which he has received from the
States-General of Holland, to guard them with sentinel in the fort on
the Texel, with liberty to remove them again from thence at his free
will and pleasure.

2dly. Captain Pearson engages, _in behalf of the British Government_,
that all the British prisoners that may be landed as mentioned in the
last article shall be considered afterwards as prisoners of war to the
United States of America, until they are exchanged, except only such
as may in the meantime die of their wounds.

3dly. Captain Pearson further engages, _in behalf of the British
Government_, that should any of the British subjects, now p