2294. DUMAS (C. W. F.), Holland and.—
Besides former applications to me in favor
of Dumas, the Rhingrave of Salm (the effective
minister of the government of Holland, while
their two embassadors here are ostensible, and)
who is conducting secret arrangements for them
with this court, presses his interests on us. It
is evident the two governments make a point
of it. You ask why they do not provide for
him themselves? I am not able to answer the
question, but by a conjecture that Dumas's
particular ambition prefers an appointment
from us. I know all the difficulty about this
application which Congress has to encounter.
I see the reasons against giving him the primary
appointment at that court, and the difficulty
of his accommodating himself to a subordinate
one. Yet I think something must be done
in it to gratify this court [France], of which
we must be always asking favors. In these
countries, personal favors weigh more than public
interest. The minister who has asked a
gratification for Dumas, has embarked his own
feelings and reputation in that demand. I do
not think it was discreet by any means. But
this reflection might, perhaps, aggravate a disappointment.
I know not really what you can
do; but yet hope something will be done.—
To James Monroe. Washington ed. i, 568.
Ford ed., iv, 226.
(P.
1786)
