You may remember that in the Correspondence between us in June last on the Subject of a Million Free Gift of the King of France acknowledg’d in our Contract to have been receiv’d, but which did not appear to be accounted for in our Banker’s Accounts, unless it should be the same with the Million said to be receiv’d from the Farmers General, I mention’d that an Explanation might doubtless be easily obtain’d by Writing to Mr. Grand or Mr. Jefferson. I know not whether you have accordingly written to either of them; but being desirous that the matter should speedily be clear’d up, I wrote myself to Mr. Grand a Letter upon it, of which I now enclose a Copy with his Answers, and several Letters from Mr. Durival, who is Chef du Bureau des Fonds (and has under his Care la Finance des Affaires êtrangères. You will see by these Letters that the Million in question was delivered to somebody on the 10th of June 1776, but it does not appear to whom. It is clear however that it could not be to Mr. Grand, nor to the Commissioners from Congress, for we did not meet in France till the End of December 1776 or Beginning of January 1777, and that Banker was not charg’d before with our Affairs. By the Minister’s Reserve in refusing him a Copy of the Receipt, I conjecture it must be Money advanc’d for our Use to M. Beaumarchais, and that it is a Mystere du Cabinet, which perhaps should not be farther enquired into, unless necessary to guard against more Demands than may be just from that Agent: For it may well be supposed that if the Court furnished him with the Means of Supplying us, they may not be willing to furnish authentic Proofs of such a Transaction so early in our Dispute with Britain. Pray tell me has he dropp’d his Demands, or does he still continue to worry you with them?

I should like to have these original Letters return’d to me, but you may if you please keep Copies of them.

It is true the Million in question makes no Difference in your Accounts with the King of France, it not being mention’d or charg’d as so much lent and to be repaid, but stated as freely given. Yet if it was put into the Hands of any of your Agents or Ministers, they ought certainly to account for it. I do not recollect whether Mr. Deane had arriv’d in France before the 10th of June 1776; but from his great Want of Money when I join’d him a few Months after, I hardly think it could have been paid to him. Possibly Mr. Jefferson may obtain the Information tho’ Mr. Grand could not; and I wish he may be directed to make the Enquiry, as I know he would do it discretely; I mean, if by Hortales & Co’s farther Demands or for any other Reason, such an Enquiry should be thought necessary. I am ever, my dear Friend, Yours most affectionately