I told him our government had not yet had time to settle a plan of
foreign arrangments; that with respect to Denmark particularly, I
might safely express to him those sentiments of friendship which our
government entertained for that country, and assurances that the King's
subjects would always meet with favor and protection here; and in
general, I said to him those things which, being true, might be said
to any body. You can perhaps learn something of him from the Baron de
Blome. If he be an unauthorized man, it would be well it should be known
here, as the respect which our citizens might entertain, and the credit
they might give to any person supposed to be honored by the King's
appointment, might lead them into embarrassment.
You know the situation of the new loan of three millions of florins
going on at Amsterdam. About one half of this is destined for an
immediate payment to France; but advantage may be gained by judiciously
timing the payment. The French colonies will doubtless claim, in their
new constitution, a right to receive the necessaries of life from
whomever will deliver them cheapest; to wit, grain, flour, live stock,
salted fish, and other salted provisions. It would be well that you
should confer with their deputies, guardedly, and urge them to this
demand, if they need urging.
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