y was resolved, and today begins the
distribution of letters of marque, both for men of war and privateers.
The decision of the Court of Justice of Holland, cannot come out
before the 15th of February, because of the absence of several of its
members; but everybody knows already, that it cannot but be a good
one. Till then M. Van Berckel will not appear here.

_January 23d._ On the 21st the Grand Pensionary of Holland received a
letter from M. de Swart, the Dutch Resident at Petersburg, of which
the following extract is taken by myself from an authentic copy
communicated to me. "_January 5th._ On the 31st of December last, the
Dutch Plenipotentiaries and M. de Swart had a final conference with
the Russian Plenipotentiary, when, having settled the matter of
command in case of their men of war or squadrons meeting or acting
jointly, in the same manner as this Republic is used to do with all
other Crowns, and the whole transaction having been laid before the
Empress, and approved by her, the accession of this Republic to the
treaties of Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, for the mutual protection of
the trade and navigation of their subjects, has been concluded and
signed on January 4th, by the Plenipotentiaries of the parties, and
the acts of it despatched (they also arrived here on the 21st) to be
ratified by their High Mightinesses. During the whole transaction of
this treaty, the English had left no artifice untried, in order to get
the Republic excluded from this alliance; and even to the last moment,
they strived most desperately against her admission. But the Empress
and her Ministry, unshaken, rejected their Memorials with firmness,
and even with indignation."

With all my heart I congratulate the United States upon this happy
event; an event which must accelerate the humiliation of their proud
enemy, and assert with the acknowledged liberty of America, that of
the seas through the world; the latter of which cannot be obtained
without the former.

Couriers have been sent from hence, eleven days ago, for the purpose
of asking from the three Northern Powers the stipulated succor, as
being attacked in resentment, for having acceded to their alliance.
The money which this Republic has now occasion to take up from her
subjects, will greatly increase the difficulty of the English in
obtaining money, and sink their stocks still more.

I have the honor to be, &c.