these words: "The official communication we have of the actual situation and prospect of the finances of the United States, would render such a partial payment as that to Fiseaux's house, of no avail towards the support of the public credit, unless effectual measures shall be adopted, to provide funds for the 270,000 florins, interest, that will be due the first of June next; a single days retard in which, would ground a prejudice of long duration." They informed me, at the same time, that they have made to you the following communication: that Mr. Stanitski, our principal broker and holder of thirteen hundred and forty thousand dollars, of certificates of our our domestic debt offers to have our loan of a million of guilders (of which six hundred and twenty-two thousand eight hundred and forty, are still unfilled) immediately made up, on condition that he may retain thereout, one hundred and eighty thousand guilders, being one years interest on his certificates, allowing a deduction of ten per cent from his said interest, as a compensation for his receiving it in Amsterdam instead of America, and not pretending that this shall give him any title to ask any payment of future interest, in Europe. They observe, that this will enable them to face the demands of Dutch interest, till the 1st of June, 1789, pay the principal of Fiseaux's debt, and supply the current expenses of your legation in Europe. On these points, it is for you to decide. I will only take the liberty to observe, that if they shall receive your acceptance of the proposition, some days credit will still be to be given for producing the cash, and that this must be produced fifteen days before it is wanting, because that much previous notice is always given to the creditors, that their money is ready. It is, therefore, but

three months from this day, before your answer should be in Amsterdam. It might answer a useful purpose, also, could I receive a communication of that answer, ten days earlier than they. The same stagnation attending our passage from the old to the new form of government, which stops the feeble channel of money hitherto flowing towards our treasury, has suspended, also, what foreign credit we had. So that, at this moment, we may consider the progress of our loan as stopped. Though much an enemy to the system of borrowing, yet I feel strongly the necessity of preserving the power to borrow, Without this, we might be overwhelmed by another nation, merely by the force of its credit. However, you can best judge whether the payment of a single year's interest on Stanitski's certificates, in Europe, instead of America, may be more injurious to us than the shock of our credit in Amsterdam, which may be produced by a failure to pay our interest.

I have only to offer any services which I can render in this business, either here, or by going to Holland, at a moment's warning, if that should be necessary. I have the honor to be, &c.

TH: JEFFERSON.

FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JOHN ADAMS.

Dear Sir,

Paris, March 2, 1788-Sunday.

I received this day a letter from Mrs. Adams, of the 26th ultimo, informing me you would set out on the 29th for the Hague. Our affairs at Amsterdam press on my mind like a mountain. I have no information to go on,

but that of Willinks and Van Staphorsts, and according to that, something seems necessary to be done. I am so anxious to confer with you on this subject, and to see you and them together, and get some effectual arrangement made in time, that I determine to meet you at the Hague. I will set out the moment some repairs are made to my carriage; it is promised me at three o'clock to-morrow; but probably they will make it night, and that I may not set out till Tuesday morning. In that case, I shall be at the Hague on Friday night; in the meantime, you will perhaps have made all your bows there. I am sensible how irksome this must be to you, in the moment of your departure. But it is a great interest of the United States which is at stake, and I am sure you will sacrifice to that, your feelings and your interest. I hope to shake you by the hand, within twenty-four hours after you receive this; and in the meantime,

Since the date of my last, viz: the 16th ult. I have been honored with yours of the 13th and 16th March, with the papers which were enclosed in the last. They were immediately communicated to Congress, and the latter referred to a committee, who not having as yet reported, it is not in my power to say what Congress may probably, think proper to do or order relative to the subject of it.

You will herewith receive two letters from Congress to his most Christian Majesty, together with copies of them for your information. You will also find enclosed, copies from No. 1 to 20 inclusive, of papers respecting the claims of Francis Cazeau; which it is deemed expedient to transmit, in consequence of the information communicated in Mr. Short's letter to me of the 18th March last; copies of an act of Congress of the 2nd June, instant, respecting de la Lande and Fynje; and of an act of the 3rd instant, forming Kentucky into an independent State, will likewise be enclosed.

By the newspapers herewith sent, you will perceive that South Carolina has adopted the proposed constitution. The Convention of this State will convene on Tuesday, at Poughkeepsie; and as this city and county has elected me one of their deputies to it, I shall be absent from hence until it rises. There is reason to believe that the majority of this Convention are decidedly opposed to the constitution, so that whether they will venture to reject it, or whether they will adjourn and postpone a decision on it, is uncertain.

Accounts from Virginia and New Hampshire, render it probable that those States will adopt it; and if so, it may be presumed that North Carolina, and even this State, will follow the example.

Being exceedingly engaged in despatching a variety of matters, preparatory to my going out of town, I must postpone the pleasure of writing to Mr. Short by this opportunity.

With great and sincere esteem and regard, I am, &c. JOHN JAY.

FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Sir,

Amsterdam, March 29, 1788.

I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 14th, 15th and 23rd instant. I would have preferred doing it in person, but the season, and the desire of seeing what I have not yet seen, invite me to take the route of the Rhine. I shall leave this place to-morrow morning, and probably not reach Paris till the latter end of April. In the moment we were to have conferred on the subject of paying the arrears due to you, a letter of the 20th of February, from the Board of Treasury was received forbidding the application of money to any purpose, (except our current claims) till the June interest should be actually in hand. Being by the letter tied up from giving an order in your favor, I return you the letter you had written to Mr. Jay, on the supposition that the order for your arrears was given. It has been suggested however that if you could receive bonds of the loan, you could make them answer your purpose, and the commissioners say, this would in no wise interfere with the views of the Treasury Board, nor the provision for the June interest. I have, therefore, recommended to them in writing, to give you bonds to the amount of your balance, if you choose to take them rather than to wait. I wish this may answer your purpose. I remember that in the conversation which I had the honor of having with you on the evening I was at the Hague, you said that your enemies had endeavored to have it believed, that Congress would abandon you, and withdraw your appointments. An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes,