Copy

M. de Walterstorff has communicated to me a Letter from your Excellency which affords me great Pleasure, as it expresses in clear and strong Terms the good Disposition of your Court to form Connections of Friendship and Commerce with the United States of America. I am confident that the same good Disposition will be found in the Congress; and having acquainted that respectable Body with the Purport of your Letter, I expect a Commission will soon be sent appointing some Person in Europe to enter into a Treaty with his Majesty the King of Denmark for the Purpose desired. In the meantime, to prepare and forward the Business as much as may be, I send for your Excellency’s Consideration such a Sketch as you mention, formed on the Base of our Treaty with Holland, on which I shall be glad to receive your Excellency’s Sentiments. And I hope that this Transaction when compleated may be the means of producing and securing a long and happy Friendship between our two Nations.

To smooth the Way for obtaining this desirable End, as well as to comply with my Duty, it becomes necessary for me on this Occasion, to mention to your Excellency the Affair of our three Prizes, which having during the War, enter’d Bergen as a neutral and friendly Port, where they might repair the Damages they had suffer’d, and procure Provisions, were by an Order of your Predecessor in the Office you so honourably fill, violently seized and deliver’d to our Enemies. I am inclined to think it was a hasty Act procur’d by the Importunity’s and Misrepresentations of the British Minister, and that your Court could not, on Reflection approve of it. But the Injury was done, and I flatter myself, your Excellency will think with me that it ought to be repaired. The Means and Manner I beg leave to recommend to your Consideration; and am with great Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant