Dumas to the American Commissioners
AL: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief
<The Hague, June 11[-12, 1778], in French: I received yesterday
your letter of the 2nd, and copied the treaty in case I need
it. The Grand Facteur expressed some embarrassment at your
putting me under his direction. In his official capacity he cannot
direct. In his private he advises that I give the treaty to the
Grand Pensionary and ask him not to circulate copies. June 12:
I conferred this morning with the Grand Facteur. Two or three
articles in the treaty favor us over others. This fact, if disclosed,
would make us friends here; but it might also encourage requests
that his firm in certain circumstances would not grant.
We have decided to wait on word from you before making the
disclosure.
I have just seen the resolution of Congress on the Conciliatory
bill and the commission, and interrupted my letter to take
it to the Grand Pensionary. He laughed at my eagerness. But I
furnish him regularly with information and, if he does not get
it at once, he asks me for it.>
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