I take the first opportunity of informing you of my arrival at Amsterdam, and begging you to inform his Excellency of my having delivered his Dispatches to Mr. Adams yesterday evening upon my arrival. The mode of travelling in Holland, or at least that mode which I was obliged adopt, which was that of a covered Waggon, rendered the Rout rather disagreeable & the Behavior of the Dutchmen not a little contributed to render more unfavorable the Idea which I had already formed of their Politeness. Prejudice & preconceived opinions, old Barly used to tell us, should be laid aside, and we ought not by any means to decide upon the national character of a people from our first reception amongst them. For this reason I shall say nothing further upon this Subject, lest I should be tempted advance propositions, which a further knowledge of them might oblige me to give up. The country, thro’ which I have passed, answers perfectly to the description which your Grandfather had given me of it, and from its appearance, in this unfavorable season, I can readily Suppose it a most delightful part of the world. The Meadows in Holland seem as yet fresh and the Cattle continue at pasture although the Cold weather is fast advancing. I left Mayo at Bruxelles happy in being arrived there after a most fatiguing & of consequence a rather disagreeable rout. The Americans here give no favorable account of this City and its inhabitants, and perhaps they have too great reason to be displeased with both; the Climate, I must Confess, is by no means agreeable, and from appearances it must be very unhealthy in the fall & spring; but, unless I alter my intentions, I shall not stay long enough here to speak from experience, for as soon as the Spring returns, unless we have Peace, I shall return into France. Foulke, as Harrison tells me, finds himself agreeably situated, & will be able in a little time, I doubt not, to prove an assertion much disputed by his Countrymen here, & which he had often advanced in vain, viz “That Dutch was a Language much softer than Italian.” An assertion which a Dutchman himself never attempted to support, and which can never be favored except by persons as original as the Doctor himself I can not at present give you my address, as I cannot absolutely tell how long I shall remain at my present lodgings—I will therefore beg you to make my most respectful Compliments to your Grandfather and believe me to be with much esteem, my Dear Friend Yours assuredly