[No 3] [1] Hague 18^th July 1797. [28] My dear Sir, Since I wrote the other day I have got you a second hand Request — and enclose it with a paper or two from England V.B. M^r [undecipherable] of Philad. brought over to this place — Nothing yet transpired as to the actual Dispositions of the Negotiators at Lisle — What is singularly [undecipherable], though this Republic has provisionally appointed three commissiners to treat in conjunction w^th France, yet they wait for an invitation before they venture to send them! — There is most secret sensibility to their humiliating Situation — I really do wish to see my friends the Dutch, happy, independent & strong — Spain also has it is said been checkt on her sending on [interlinear: M^r Labarrus] another minister to join — The ordinary minister [margin: Marquis] del Campo I believe is not yet admitted to the negotiation — Probably France will make more money out of both — If she chooses she can say to them, when the negotiation has advanced you are both to take care of your selves, unless you will do so also for me — & force there the Dutch particularly into further sacrifices — The extent of the means of France [undecipherable] invention [undecipherable] one she has a peoples affairs in her power — Y revolutionary — & with the French as a confidential man with them — I wished this channel to carry an impression to the French minister who is of a conciliating disposition agreeable to [underline: the principles of] French conciliation & is considered as among the most moderate men among them — Since, I saw him — He exprest a wish that matters will be made up — & his decided expectation that they would be, that he could say so because he had the day before (This was yesterday) received dispatches from the Govern't to that effect — I assurd him that while the United States sought Justice, He would find that they did it in a Spirit so perfectly conciliating that it would not be their fault if every sentiment of amity were not only revived, but very much encreased — God forbid that the very same official sentiment of amity should 'even revived, much less be encreased! — All this however on the part of the French & their friends here I consider as you certainly will — as used for the purpose of abating our exertions — of diminishing in our eyes the appearances that lead to Preparation on our side — all this flummery is meted out too at a moment When they go on with unceased vivacity in both taking and condemning our Vessels — & when they Publish in the Redacteur (the Official Paper) the intelligence of the petition of the owners of Privateers at Nanty in support of the hostile proceedings of the directory as a complete Answer to Pastores arguments against the directory on our relations. — Were it not monstrous it would be ridiculous, to hear this language of complacation under such circumstances of extreme insult & Provocation — But they will come down in their language because they see we rise in ours — they will do this though they do not alter their conduct — & if they find it politic to do justice, they will then say, we always held this language since we heard of the new negotiation that was intended & S.Shew'd that the U.S. meant to explain — The expence of Preparation though hard upon us all will be a tax upon them, as it will be in the amount of national sentiment against them & will lead to that glorious independence of all European states which will make us a nation. If it were as honourably from a war — and nothing but that can it will be a trifle — If it do not it will have made us ready to meet it. —— I write in great haste. Doubts are entertained of the adoption of the new constitution of this country — M^t Noel, the French Minister yesterday wrote a note to the National Assembly, informing them that the directory of France felt the most earnest wish that the new constitution may be adopted — This is Internal Sovereignty for the national assembly — I hear that while they were upon the constitution he used to send to them to hasten the work — This was & is kind — But not respectful to their exercise of Sovereignty — A westerly wind actually came up to have appearances & prevent the Fleet from getting out of the Texel — But they can not attempt it — I wish they were as independent & as strong in marine as in the good days of Tromp! * I shall write soon — very soon — of my dispatch for the Secretary of State V.S. I have kept open should not arrive then this does you need not say ought of this — yours always my dear Sir & most affectionately [signature] To the Honourable James M^cHenry [right margin: 18 July 1797 W[illiam] V[ans] M[urray?]]