I crave your Excellency's pardon for the length of this letter, and beg leave to subscribe myself, with the highest respect, and most perfect esteem, &c. FRANCIS DANA. FOOTNOTES: [18] This doubtless refers to France, but the suspicion was not well founded, for when a pacification was proposed through the mediation of Russia and Austria, the Court of France insisted on an express _preliminary condition_, that the United States should be represented by their Ministers as _an independent power_ in the negotiations for peace. It was on this account alone, that England refused to come into the plan of the mediation. * * * * * TO THE MARQUIS DE VERAC, FRENCH MINISTER AT ST PETERSBURG. St Petersburg, August 30th, 1781. Mr Dana begs leave to acquaint his Excellency, the Marquis de Verac, that he has arrived in town, and proposes to do himself the honor of paying his respectful compliments to his Excellency, as the Minister of the sovereign in alliance with his country, at any hour, which shall be most agreeable to him. Mr Dana is silent at present with regard to himself, presuming that his Excellency has been already informed by his Excellency, the Count de Vergennes, of his intended journey to this place, and of some circumstances, which have opened the nature of his business. * * * * * THE MARQUIS DE VERAC TO FRANCIS DANA. Translation. Thursday, August 30th, 1781. The Marquis de Verac has the honor to present his compliments to Mr Dana, and is very happy to hear of his arrival, which he had been prepared to expect by the Count de Vergennes; he will be flattered to make his acquaintance, and to assure him of his eagerness to render him any service in his power in this country. * * * * * TO THE MARQUIS DE VERAC, AMBASSADOR FROM FRANCE. St Petersburg, September 1st, 1781.[19] Sir,