I must beg leave to recommend Colonel Humphreys to your acquaintance and
good offices. He is an excellent man, an able one, and in need of some
provision. Besides former applications to me in favor of Dumas, the
Rhingrave of Salm (the effective minister of the government of Holland,
while their two ambassadors here are ostensible), who is conducting
secret arrangements for them with this court, presses his interests on
us. It is evident the two governments make a point of it. You ask, why
they do not provide for him themselves. I am not able to answer the
question, but by a conjecture, that Dumas's particular ambition prefers
an appointment from us. I know all the difficulty of this application,
which Congress has to encounter. I see the reasons against giving
him the primary appointment at that court, and the difficulty of his
accommodating himself to a subordinate one. Yet I think something must
be done in it, to gratify this court, of which we must be always asking
favors. In these countries, personal favors weigh more than public
interest. The minister who has asked a gratification for Dumas, has
embarked his own feelings and reputation in that demand. I do not
think it was discreet, by any means. But this reflection might perhaps
aggravate a disappointment. I know not really what you can do: but yet
hope something will be done. Adieu, my Dear Sir, and believe me to be

yours affectionately,

Th: Jefferson.




LETTER XVI.--TO JOHN ADAMS, May 11, 1786