(    308    )
the nature of your authority, you will be pleased to cor-
rect me.
I must also beg the favour of you to communicate to
me the dates of those decrees, to which your ins-
tructions refer. Perhaps I may be possessed of the
whole, or most of them. In that case, copies will be
asked of none, but those which are not in the office of
this department.
Your answer to this,1 letter will enable me to offer to
your consideration some arrangements, which may faci-
litate the discussions.
Permit me, however, to request, on this first oppor-
tunity of business, that when you give the dates of the
french calendar, you will be so obliging, as to add the
dates of our own. Experience has shewn that mistakes
and delays have arisen in our office from the want of
familiarity with the french calendar.
I have the honor to be, Sir, &c.
Edm. Randolph.
70.
Lettre de M. Randolph, adressée au Citoyen Adet, le
12 Juillet, 1795, pour l'inviter à faire quelque* Ouver-
tures au Sujet de la Négociation à entamer avec lui.
Mr. Randolph, Secretary of Slate, to Mr. Adet, Minis-
ter Plenipotentiary of the French Republic.
Department  of State, July 12. 1795.
Sir,
It is with great reluctance that I trouble you so often
Upon the same subject.    I   cannot  entertain a doubt, '
that, but for your indisposition, you would before now
have answered my letter, on the new négociation,-as*
you were obliging enough to promise me in conversation
several times.    But the President intending to leave this •'
city on Tuesday morning, and it being requisite as t
have had the honor of stating to you, that I should re- *
ceive his instructions before his departure, I will thank
you to enable me to present to him the subject of oui»?