2289. DUMAS (C. W. F.), Agency of.—[continued].
Mr. Dumas, very early
in the [Revolutionary] war, was employed first
by Dr. Franklin, afterwards by Mr. Adams, to
transact the affairs of the United States in
Holland. Congress never passed any express
vote of confirmation, but they opened a direct
correspondence with Mr. Dumas, sent him
orders to be executed, confirmed and augmented
his salary, made that augmentation retrospective,
directed him to take up his residence in
their hotel at the Hague, and passed such
other votes from time to time as established
him de facto their agent at the Hague. On the
change in the organization of our government
in 1789, no commission nor new appointment
took place with respect to him, though it did in
most other cases; yet the correspondence with
him from the office of Foreign Affairs has been
continued, and he has regularly received his
salary.—
To President Washington. Washington ed. iii, 331.
Ford ed., v, 437.
(Pa.,
1792)
