Autograph copy of a letter signed with initials : the Hague, to John Adams, 1796 Aug. 13.

Describing, at length and in detail, the state of relations with France, including France's ambitions in Europe and France's threats to the United States with regard to the relationship between the U.S. and Great Britain; saying "It may therefore be expected that the french Government and their pamphleteers will from the same batteries only change the direction of their Artillery. The object will remain the same; to force us out of our neutrality; to deprive us at least of all connection with Britain and to alter our Constitution to such a form, as shall give them a more certain and effectual influence over our national Executive.....they mean to resume the system of terror, in their external relations....they imagine that these new measures will throw the American Government into such a profound consternation that they will think themselves fortunate to obtain forgiveness by unqualified submission. They tell me of the rage of the french Government at our Treaty with Britain, of their inflexible determination to resent it by some determined act, of their raising their tone as they advance in victory, of the dreadful consequences to be apprehended from their resentments, and which nothing under Heaven can avert, unless it be peradventure the extreme prudence of Mr. Monroe, in whom they have very great confidence;" discussing, at length and in detail, the French position with regard to neutral vessels in European waters; referring to the relationship between France and Denmark and Prussia; commenting on the "internal enemies" facing the Directory; discussing a possible U.S. Ministry in Denmark but saying that he "had no inclination to promote the multiplication of the American foreign Missions unnecessarily; and the second, because I thought it might tend to raise a suspicion of a personal motive on my part, founded upon the desire to enlarge our diplomatic field.