Dumas to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief
<The Hague, January 19[-24], 1779, in French: The only thing
that happened at the Assembly of Holland was the reading of
the ambassador’s latest memorandum. I met five times today
with the French ambassador and as often with our friend. January
20: The pensionaries of Amsterdam have expressed to
the ambassador their hope that the other Dutch towns will not
be deprived of the favors Amsterdam enjoys. The representatives
of the other towns treat the Amsterdam representatives
with much respect and seek their intercession. The new
French regulations will be promulgated on January 26 unless
the king receives the response he requests. January 21: The
admiralty extends the granting of convoys (although excluding
ships’ timbers), but not until crews have been assigned;
this is just playing for time. The assembly has delayed everything
until tomorrow. The Grand Facteur asked me to report
on what I learned. January 22: The Grand Pensionary proposes
delaying the resolution on convoys until the 26th; Amsterdam
objects and Haarlem proposes amendments. January
23: The terms are still being debated; a messenger has been
sent to Paris to obtain a delay of a week. January 24: I send
this via Rotterdam to confuse curious gossipers. [p.s.]: Amsterdam
declares it will stand firm.>
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