he same happy consequences with ours, yet I take the liberty to
remind you, that your public character puts you in a delicate
situation with respect to them, that as a foreign nation, whatever we
may wish, we have no right to express those wishes, or in any way to
interfere in the internal disputes of our allies, that our conduct
should show, that we were the enemy of no party, except so far as
their measures were inimical to us. You will not, Sir, consider this
as a reproof, for I have not the smallest reason to believe, that you
have not made these reflections yourself, and acted conformably
thereto. On the contrary, I rather conclude, that you have, from the
long habit in which you have been of conducting public affairs which
require prudence and delicacy. I only mention it, therefore, as a
caution which will not probably, but may possibly be necessary to one
who is animated by the spirit of freedom, and may as a patriot be
hurried beyond the limits we should prescribe to our Ministers.

You will be pleased to discontinue in future all the Dutch papers, and
send us only the Leyden Gazette, the _Courrier du Bas Rhin_, and the
_Courrier de l'Europe_, together with such publications on political
subjects, written in French, as may be worth our attention. I commit
the enclosed letters to Mr Dana to your care.

Nothing has yet been done in your affairs, though they lay before
Congress; a variety of important matters have pressed of late for
their consideration, and you are too well acquainted with popular
assemblies to be surprised at the slowness of their proceedings.

We have returned the prisoners on both sides, and Congress have made a
considerable reduction in the army, by permitting those who are
enlisted for the war to return home on furlough. We cannot yet learn
with certainty from General Carleton, when he means to evacuate New
York. I sincerely rejoice at M. Van Berckel's appointment, and wish
you had informed me when we might expect him here, where the patriotic
character of his family cannot but ensure him an agreeable reception.

I am, Sir, &c.

ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

The Hague, May 8th, 1783.

Sir,

The great blow of the suppression of the High Council of War, and the
restriction of the military jurisdiction, was