Dumas to the American Commissioners
ALS: Harvard University Library; AL (draft): Algemeen Rijksarchief
<The Hague, May 7[-15], 1778, in French: I showed your letter
of the 30th to the Grand Facteur, who urged me to delay presenting
your communication to the Grand Pensionary; Vergennes
had written that it was premature and might be construed
as French pressure. I disagreed but had to comply. May
8: The Grand Pensionary was told that the letter was being
delayed at the behest of the French court. May 11: No negotiations
can be opened until I have presented the letter, which
will have to be communicated to the states. May 12-13: The
Grand Facteur has received consent to my going ahead, and
dictated a statement that he had no knowledge of this démarche.
May 14: I delivered the letter to the Grand Pensionary,
and told him that you had informed Amsterdam of it; the court
will be embarrassed that concealment is no longer possible.
May 15: The Grand Pensionary has decided not to show the
letter to the States General or its secret committee, lest the
British Ambassador raise a clamor, but to send copies to all the
members of the States. The Stadholder and the Duke of
Brunswick are undoubtedly informed and agree with him. The
Dutch are like their peat; we have thrown in some sparks and
must let it ignite as it will.>
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