I am advised from very good authority that the Emperor is desirous of entering into a Treaty of Commerce with the United States of Ama., on terms of equality & mutual advantage, therefore shall be much obliged to you for informing me if there is any person in Europe authoriz'd by Congress to enter into such a Treaty with his Imperial Majesty.1

Altho’ I have no doubt of your being well inform'd in these Points, I hope you will excuse me for mentioning, that it is an invariable rule with the Court of Austria never to make Officially the first advances to any other Sovereign Power, therefore if Congress approve of a Commercial Treaty being enter'd into with his Majesty, it is necessary that the formal Proposition for that purpose shou'd be first made on the part of America.

I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect and / Esteem— / Dear Sir / Your most Obedt. & most / Humble Servant

I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a packet containing one hundred passports for American Vessels which I have this moment received by a Courier from England.

I take this opportunity of acquainting you that a proclamation was issued out in the King's Name on the 14th Instant, making known the cessation of hostilities which has been agreed upon between the several belligerent powers, and declaring farther that the several epochas at which the said armistice is to commence between His Majesty and the United States of North America are to be computed from the third day of this Instant February, being the day on which the Ratifications of the Preliminaries were exchanged between His Majesty and The Most Christian King. I must add that His Majesty was induced to take this step under the firm & just expectation that you, Gentlemen will correspond to it in your parts, by adopting the same measure reciprocally in the name of the States Your Masters.

I have the honour to be with great Regard and Esteem, / Gentlemen, / Your most obedient / and most humble Servant