The Continental goods left here by Commodore Gillon, are detained for freight and damages, and very unjustly as I conceive. I am doing all in my power to obtain possession of them, and send them to America, or dispose of them here, at as little loss as possible, according to the desire and advice of Dr Franklin. It is not necessary to trouble Congress to read a volume of letters upon the subject of these goods. All that can be done by me, has been and shall be done to save the public interest. This piece of business has been managed as ill as any that has ever been done for Congress in Europe, whether it is owing to misfortune, want of skill, or anything more disagreeable. The Court of Russia does not at present appear to be acting that noble part, which their former conduct gave cause to expect. Mr Dana is at Petersburg, but he prudently avoids writing. If he sees no prospect of advantage in staying there, he will be very silent, I believe, and not stay very long. I have the honor to be, &c. JOHN ADAMS. FOOTNOTE: [5] For these instructions, and Mr Adams' new commission to form a treaty of alliance with the United Provinces, see the _Secret Journals of Congress_, Vol. II pp. 470, 472. * * * * * THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO JOHN ADAMS. Translation. The Hague, December 7th, 1781. Sir, I have received the letter you did me the honor to write me, and the copy of the resolutions of Congress, of the 16th of August last. I flatter myself, that you will not doubt of my zeal to concert with you the ulterior measures, which they may require, as soon as the King has authorised me. But until his Majesty has transmitted to me his orders on this point, I can only repeat to you the assurances of my zeal for everything interesting to the common cause of France and North America, and the peculiar satisfaction I shall derive from my connexions with you in all circumstances. I have the honor to be, &c. DE LA VAUGUYON. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Amsterdam, December 13th, 1781. Sir, The answer of my Lord Stormont to M. Simolin is as follows.