To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 25 May 1793
From C. W. F. Dumas
The Hague, 25 May 1793. We receive neither letters nor papers from France and hear from there and elsewhere only what they wish us to know or delude us about. In Germany, as in Poland, the big despots are overwhelming the little ones and seizing peoples like flocks of sheep. All around him, commerce overthrown, treasury exhausted, imminent vexations to refill it, hypocrisy on the throne and all around. His only consolation is the conviction that God, as he unceasingly prays, will protect our fortunate states.
RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); in French; 1 p.; at head of text: “No. 98. A S. E. Mr. … Secretaire d’Etat, & pour les Affes. Etr. en Congres genl. des Et. Un. d’Am.” Dupl (same, MDC); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Sep. 1793 and so recorded in SJL.
According to SJL, Dumas wrote four letters to TJ during the next three months that have not been found. Two dated 22 June 1793 were received 24 Oct. and 2 Dec. 1793, respectively, although it is possible that the second was merely a duplicate of the first. One dated 13 July 1793 and another dated 14 Aug. 1793 were received 24 Oct. and 9 Nov. 1793, respectively.