The American Commissioners to the President of
Congress
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; three copies and one
transcript: National Archives
<Passy, July 20, 1778: The Spy brought us the ratified treaties
with France. On the 17th we exchanged ratifications with the
count de Vergennes; copies are enclosed. War is not yet declared
but hostilities have already commenced, the British and
French fleets are at sea, and we hourly expect news of an encounter.
The Spanish treasure fleet has arrived but we still do
not know Spain’s real intentions. It seems highly probable she
will join in a French war against Britain. A war in Germany
between the King of Prussia and the Emperor seems inevitable.
We are doing all we can to obtain a loan and have a
prospect of obtaining in Amsterdam some but not all of what
is needed. We ask Congress to be as sparing as possible in
drawing on us. We enclose a copy of a letter from Mr. de
Sartine. Vergennes has agreed to drop articles eleven and
twelve from the Treaty of Commerce as we understand you
wish. Please send as soon as possible instructions and authorization
for this. We recommend that Dumas be given at least
£200 st. per year for his services. Although we have received
congressional authorization to appoint commercial agents,
Congress may wish instead to use the authority given it by
the commercial treaty to appoint consuls. At present the only
commercial agents are John Bondfield at Bordeaux and J.D.
Schweighauser at Nantes, both appointed by William Lee.>
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