I have the Honor of transmitting to you the enclosed Copy of an Act of Congress of the 23rd. Ulto:

Being ignorant of the Gentlemen mentioned in it, and all Information respecting them having been received by Congress prior to my Arrival, I applied to the Secretary for the necessary Intelligence— He this moment sent me a note on the Subject in the following words—vizt.—

“Mr: Erkelins is a Gentleman from Holland who resides in Connecticut— He has kept up for some time a correspondence in Holland, for the purpose of reconciling the People in power to the views of America, & to prepare them for entering into commercial engagements with America, and assisting her with a loan— This correspondence he has shewn to Governor Trumbull, who has approved the same, & written several times to Congress in his favor— As he has not had any advices lately, he has engaged Coll: Diricks, who is, it is said connected with some of the first Families in Holland, to go home in order to promote his views—"

You will also find enclosed a Copy of an Act of Congress of the 1st: Inst: on the Subject of an Expedition against Canada, a Plan for which had been before concerted but is now deferred—

Be pleased, Sir, to accept the Compliments of the Season, and my best wishes for your Health and Happiness— I have the Honor to be Sir, with great Respect & Esteem your most Obedient & most Humble Servant—