Charles William Frederick Dumas to John Adams, May 13, 1781

The Hague, 13 May 1781

Sir

After the letter that I had the honor to send to you yesterday, my intention was not to write again until next week since there is no news to relay. This exercise of personal reserve, a consequence of what you had the honor to tell me the last time this was a cause for concern, is an arrangement that I hope will please you, and will smooth out the difficulties which could oppose your good intentions for me. 1 What has made me take up my pen today is the attached enclosure from his excellency the French ambassador just sent to me by his secretary, with the request that I send it to you at once. 2 The name of the minister on the cover makes me believe that it is of interest and I hope it will be only good news for you. I remain, with as much attachment as respect, hastily, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant

Dumas

Please have the kindness, sir, to acknowledge the receipt of the enclosure. 3