Documents

A friend and fellow Phi Beta Kappa member writes to William Short, describing his travels in Europe and discussing sexual encounters.

A friend and fellow Phi Beta Kappa member discusses love, courtship and marriage, as well as his travel plans.

An American agent in the Dutch Republic writes to William Short about setting up a meeting with Baron von Thulemeier, the Prussian emissary at The Hague.

The Prussian emissary in The Hague informs William Short of the required formalities to be completed previous to the conclusion of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Prussia and the United States.

The Prussian emissary at The Hague informs William Short that he is sending two copies of the U.S.-Prussia Treaty, an original and one with errors to be corrected. 

The U.S. agent at The Hague writes out a receipt for Short's reimbursement of his expenses in that city .

Receipt for the medicines William Short purchased in Paris.

The American agent in The Hague reiterates that he remains at William Short's disposal for anything he might need and also expresses his hope of seeing Thomas Jefferson in Holland next summer.

Ed. notes: The transcription of the beginning of this letter can be found in the notes of “Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, with Enclosure, 30 September 1786,” published by Founders Online.      

Dumas mentions this letter when he writes to Jefferson a few days before, “C. W. F. Dumas to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1786,” published by Founders Online.

The agent for the United States in The Hague informs William Short that he has received the payment of the second semester of his salary amounting to $650. 

The agent for the United States in The Hague informs that the chargé d'affaires for the United Provinces and France, who is traveling to Paris, will be able to provide Short with reliable news about the Dutch and French republics and Dumas himself.