The American Commissioners to William Lee
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives
<Passy, September [22-26], 1778: We have considered the papers
you submitted, including the project of a treaty between
the Netherlands and the United States. As Congress has appointed
no commissioner to deal with their High Mightinesses,
we have taken and will continue to take all suitable
measures to further friendship between our countries. We do
not think it prudent for many reasons to express at present
any decided opinion on the projected treaty you communicated
to us. We however wish to express our disposition to
treat on an object which promises to lay the foundation of an
extensive commerce and to tend to prevent the continuation
of war.>
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