I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the fourth ult. together with the one referred to in it.1

England has it seems declared war against the United Provinces, and that in a stile of such eminent Superiority as I am persuaded will remind your Countrymen, that the united Netherlands are not comprehended among the Territories depending on the Crown of G. Britain.

The English Ministry by charging the States with having acted under French influence, intend to alarm their national pride & by making Holland the particular object of their Resentment to sow the seeds of Dissensions among ^them^ and render that most important province obnoxious to the others. The Tone of the whole Declaration is that of a Nation going rather to give correction to disobedient vassals than to make war upon free and Independent People. It could have been assumed only from a Persuasion, that the same supposed Timidity, to which they ascribed the long forbearance of the Dutch under multiplied insults and Injuries would on this ostentatious display of Terror reduce them to the humiliating measure of Imploring forgiveness for having acted like Freemen, and purchasing Peace at the Expense of their honor and Liberty.

Every other Nation must expect better things of you and can never beleive that the present generation will want firmness to assert the rights and vindicate the honor of a Republic, which owes its very existence to the glorious Spirit and Magnanimity of its Ancestors. It gives me great Satisfaction to hear that Mr Adams has conversed with you on the Subject of a Loan, and I am persuaded that business will be much advanced by it. The impropriety of two Loans at a time is evident, my cheif motive in proposing one at the time I did was that no time might be lost by the Absence of Mr Laurens in prosecuting a measure which appeared to me highly useful to my Country. I have no views or objects Separate from her, and provided she is effectually served, I am well content that the honor of doing it should devolve on others. As the management of our Affairs in your Country is committed to Mr Adams, I request the favor of you to give him all the aid in your power. When that Gentleman went to Holland I was ignorant of the business which called him thither, the first knowledge I had of it was from America, long after Laurens Capture. It cannot now be necessary that my name should appear in the Affairs of the proposed Loan, but should it be in my Power to be useful, Mr Adams may rely on my Zealous endeavors to promote that and every other measure for the Public good. Indeed as matters now stand, Delicacy forbids me to Interfere further than as a mere auxiliary to Mr Adams to whom & to whose Affairs I beg you to extend the Influence of that Generous regard for America which had placed you so high in the Esteem of Gentlemen Your Most Obedt. & very humble Sert.