et commission
relating to a concert of operations in this country, which the
Anglomanes appeared willing to trouble by some intrigue, and I
returned the next day. All is now settled to the satisfaction of
France; and the Anglomanes are frustrated.

Day before yesterday we were again at a familiar and friendly dinner
at the house of the French Ambassador, with whom Mr Adams was very
much satisfied.

I give you, Sir, only a sort of index, very imperfect, of the
principal events, which have passed here lately. I leave to Mr Adams,
who presented on Monday, the 22d of April, the sketch of a treaty of
amity and commerce to their High Mightinesses, to enlarge. I write
from memory, not having been able to keep a journal, still less one of
my going and coming, my secret interviews, conferences, and
negotiations, which were necessary to prepare and bring about what has
been done, and which ought not yet to be trusted to paper. No one has
better characterised the truly national revolution, which has taken
place here, than the French Ambassador, in saying, that the Dutch
nation had avenged itself, with the greatest success, of all the
political and other evils, which the English have done them since
Cromwell; and the Envoy of Spain, who said to Mr Adams, that he had
struck the greatest blow, which had been given in Europe for a long
time.

I conclude by recommending, Sir, to your attention and to that of
Congress, the copy of a letter which Mr Adams wrote me from Amsterdam
the 2d of this month. I have not had a moment of leisure to write the
present despatch sooner; nor by consequence to make a prompt use of
this letter according to the intention of Mr Adams, and which,
nevertheless, interests the United States as much as myself. It
surprised and affected me very agreeably, and it was no doubt, his
intention so to surprise. You know, Sir, or you may know by the papers
of your department, since the end of 1775, the intimate part I have
had in political affairs without interruption, in executing faithfully
the orders of Congress, unsolicited, but accepted on my part with an
ardor, which I am bold to say, has never changed, and which has drawn
upon me personally all the enemies, open and concealed, of America,
and has cost me and my family great persecutions, mortifications,
losses and sacrifices. I should fear, therefore, to weaken the
letter, so energetic and so honorable to me, of Mr Adams, (who told me
by word of mouth, a few