came out in crowds to demand pardon
with the concurrence of General Leslie. It is probably too late to
countermand that order, although they will in all likelihood still
retain New York, contrary to what had appeared to have been their
determination, before the arrival of the packet. Happily the
continuance of the war will be much less burdensome to us now, than at
any former period; not only because habit has reconciled us to it, and
introduced system in our mode of conducting it, which makes it less
inconvenient to the individual, but because I think I may say without
boasting, that there is not at this time a better disciplined or a
better disposed army in the world; scarce a man among them who has not
been repeatedly in action. They are now, too, completely clothed and
armed, an advantage they never before enjoyed. We are at present just
in the situation in which free people should always wish to be. Peace
will not come unwelcomed, nor war unprepared for.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

The Hague, September 27th, 1782.

Sir,

My last came down to the 4th of September. There has been an important
resolution of this day taken by the States of Holland, constituting a
commission of five Deputies, accompanied by the Grand Pensionary, to
seek of the Prince the cause of the bad state of the maritime forces
of the Republic, and of their inactivity.

_October 3d._ The abovenamed committee have been received by the
Prince with all the honors due to Sovereigns, and have opened
conferences with him. The same day, their High Mightinesses in secret
session having deliberated on the Memorial of the French Ambassador,
by which he had made them a proposition "to send ten ships of war to
Brest, to be there joined by the vessels of the King, and to act with
them against the common enemy, either in Asia or Europe," have
resolved, that the Prince be requested to designate immediately the
demanded squadron, viz. five vessels of sixty guns, three of fifty,
two frigates, and a cutter for this purpose, to depart if the winds
will permit before the 8th of October, to avoid the risk which would
attend them after that time of being intercepted by an enemy of
superior force.

_October 11th._ The officer designated to command the said sq