Would you be so kind as to seal and send the enclosed letter to Lorient, via Mr. Barclay? You will find it very interesting. Mr. Bérenger, who has just been to see me, was happy to use the material in his dispatch for tomorrow.1

Our friends are asking, sir, if you can make every possible effort to support the negotiations of the Dutch plenipotentiaries, especially in regard to the compensations they are seeking, and to the total freedom of the seas. It would be very helpful if these gentlemen had cause to mention your good offices in their dispatches, and if our friends could take advantage of such mentions—not only to thwart the Anglomanes but to better extol to their constituents the benefits of America's fraternal friendship toward this nation. A brief answer from your excellency to this effect would greatly please 151them.2 Meanwhile, I am to present you their respects, and those of my wife and daughter, and to offer our compliments to Mr. Thaxter and Mr. Storer. I trust Mr. Thaxter has recovered from his cold and that Mr. Storer is as lively and cheerful as ever.

Mr. Holtzhey sent me a second medal for you, which is utterly delightful. I shall send it to you at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile I enclose his letter and description.3 The emblem of the cock reminded me of a witty sally, if I recall correctly, in the memoirs of Vargas. The French ambassador to the Council of Trent was speaking in a manner that displeased the papal envoy, who interrupted him loudly with the words Gallus cantat. The ambassador, without turning a hair, replied Utinam Petrus fleret.4

I remain, sir, with all the respect and sincere devotion you already know, your excellency's very humble and very obedient servant