Grand, nor to the commissioners from Congress,
for we did not meet in France till the end of December, 1777. That
banker was not charged before with our affairs. By the Minister's
refusing him a copy of the receipt, I conjecture it must be money
advanced for our use to Mr. Beaumarchais, and that it is a _mystere
du cabinet_, which perhaps should not be further inquired into, unless
necessary to guard against more demands than may be just from that
agent: for it may well be supposed that if the court furnished him with
the means of supplying us, they may not be willing to furnish authentic
proofs of such a transaction so early in our dispute with Britain.
Pray tell me, has he dropped his demands, or does he still continue to
worry you with them?
I should like to have these original letters returned to me, but you
may, if you please, keep copies of them.
It is true, the million in question makes no difference in your accounts
with the King of France, it not being mentioned or charged as so much
lent and repaid, but stood as freely given. Yet if it was put into the
hands of any of our agents or ministers, they ought certainly to account
for it. I do not recollect whether Mr. Deane had arrived in France
before the 10th of June, 1776, but from his great want of money when I
joined him a few months after, I hardly think it could have been paid
him.
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