I got a knowledge of this resolution the 1st of May, in the evening. The next day I apprized the French Ambassador, who would not believe it at first. I gave him a copy, and sent a translation to Passy. The secrecy with which they adopted it, and kept it unknown many days, shows that they wished to prevent its publicity, and as it is yet a little deceptive as to ship timber, which is neither named nor excepted, it will not be, probably, communicated to the French Ambassador. It is important, as serving to support the Province of Holland against the other Provinces, all devoted to the Court. On the 11th of May, the body of merchants of Amsterdam presented an address to the Admiralty to hasten the convoy in consequence of the above resolve of the 26th of April, on the faith of which they had already made their speculations and taken their measures, especially as to ship timber. On the 14th I learned that the Admiralty not having answered satisfactorily the above address of the merchants of Amsterdam, the latter had prepared an address to their High Mightinesses, to remonstrate more strongly than ever. On the other side, the excitement and murmurs increasing at Rotterdam, whence the merchants threaten to withdraw and establish themselves at Amsterdam, the Deputies of Rotterdam have made a proposition to the Provincial Assembly, that they shall finally adopt, in concert with the other Provinces, or, in case of their default, with Holland alone, a decided resolution, and measures to put an end to all these differences, and to prevent the total ruin of the city of Rotterdam. The proposition has been committed. I have the honor to be, &c. DUMAS. * * * * * M. CHAUMONT TO C. W. F. DUMAS. Passy, September 2d, 1779. Sir, I desire you may repair immediately to Amsterdam to render all the services that may depend on you to a squadron under command of Mr Jones, bearing the American flag, which is bound to the Texel. The vessels which compose this squadron are, Bon Homme Richard, Capt. Jones, 42 guns. Alliance, Capt. Landais, 36 guns. Pallas, Capt. Cottineau, 30 guns. Cerf, Capt. Varages, 18 guns. Vengeance, Capt. Ricot, 12 guns. Vessels which may have joined. Monsieur, Capt. ----, 40 guns. Grandville, Capt. ----, 12 guns. Mifflin, Capt. ----, 22 guns. It is necessary that you require of the commandants of these vessels the greatest circumspection not to offend the Dutch and not to afford subject for any complaint. If this squadron has need of any refreshments or aid, you will address yourself to M. De Neufville to procure them.