There is a cold tranquillity here, that bodes us no good. It is not possible to quicken this German indifference. From what I learn, we need be under no apprehensions from Russia. I hope you will not forget to sound the two Courts, whether they will join Prussia in declaring us independent. I am afraid this latter will not be obtained, unless they are in our favor. I am, dear Sirs, &c. ARTHUR LEE. TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Vienna, May 28th, 1777. Dear Sir, The post is in and nothing from you. I therefore shall proceed tomorrow, and hope to reach my destination in eight days. The chief purpose for giving money, stated in my Memorial,[17] was to pay the interest of our loans and support our funds. I added the paying for the ship we were obliged to build in Holland, in lieu of those requested. To these purposes therefore they will expect the money will be applied. Yours, &c. ARTHUR LEE. [17] Memorial to the Court of Spain, dated Burgos, March 8th.--See above, p. 41. TO BARON DE SCHULENBURG. Berlin, June 5th, 1777. Sir, In consequence of the letter, which I had the honor, in conjunction with the other deputies of Congress in Paris, of writing to your Excellency, on the 19th of April, I arrived here last night. I take the earliest opportunity to inform you of my arrival, and to request your Excellency to have the goodness to inform me, when I may have the honor of an interview with you, on the subject of this letter. I have the honor to be, &c. ARTHUR LEE. TO BARON DE SCHULENBURG. Berlin, June 7th, 1777. Sir, I have the honor of sending to your Excellency lists of the commodities on both sides, which will be the most suitable for the commerce which is projected. As to the exact price of the different articles, I cannot speak. But as European commodities are very dear in America, and our own are cheap, while at the same time they bear a high price in Europe, commerce on this footing cannot but be advantageous to Europeans. A musket, for example, which costs here twentytwo French livres, can be sold in America for at least fifty. With these fifty livres two hundred weight of tobacco can be bought, which in Europe will bring two hundred livres.