I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * GOVERNOR MARTIN TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. North Carolina, December 23d, 1782. Sir, I am favored with your two letters of the 12th and 15th of September last, and your circular, in which you announce the acknowledgment of the independence of the United States by the States of Holland; an event that will greatly add to the national importance of America, not only in the councils of Europe, but through the world. The resolution of Congress respecting damages, which the inhabitants of this State have received from the British enemy, I cannot carry into effect until I have an Act of Assembly for this purpose, to point out the particular mode in obtaining the same; the account of which, as soon as it can be procured from the different parts of the State, shall be transmitted to you, without loss of time. I have the honor to be, &c. ALEXANDER MARTIN. * * * * * CIRCULAR TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES. Philadelphia, December 23d, 1782. Sir, The steps that may lead to so important an event as peace upon safe and honorable terms, are too interesting to be withheld from you; I have the honor, therefore, to enclose a copy of Mr Oswald's commission to treat with the Thirteen United States of America, which will certainly smooth the way to it, though the variety of interests to be adjusted at a general Congress (and, perhaps, too, the success of the British arms at Gibraltar) may place it further off than our wishes would otherwise lead us to imagine. Your Excellency will see the propriety of not suffering copies of this commission to be taken for the press, and of accompanying the communication you may think proper to make of it, with such recommendations to exertion and vigilance, as prudence and the critical state of our affairs may require, since on a review of the conduct of the enemy, it will not appear extravagant to suppose, that this may be another of those artifices so often practised to deceive and put us off our guard. Though we have no official accounts, yet we have every reason to believe, that the treaty of commerce with the United Provinces was signed on the 7th of October. I have the honor to be, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * TO WILLIAM GREENE, GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND. Philadelphia, January 4th, 1783. Sir,