2019. DEBT (French), Complaints of officers.—
A second year's interest is become
due [to the French officers]. They have presented
their demands. There is not money here
[Paris] to pay them; the pittance remaining in
Mr. Grand's hands being only sufficient to pay
current expenses three months longer. The dissatisfaction
of these officers is extreme, and
their complaints will produce the worst effect.
The Treasury Board has not ordered their payment,
probably because they knew there would
not be money. The amount of their demand is
about forty-two thousand livres, and Mr. Grand
has in his hands but twelve thousand. I have
thought it my duty, under this emergency, to
ask you whether you could order that sum for
their relief from the funds in Holland? If you
can, I am persuaded it will have the best of
effects.—
To John Adams. Washington ed. i, 510.
(P.
1786)
