I have received your Favour of the fifth of this Month and wish it were in my Power to inform you precisely whether I am to reside in future at the Hague, or not. But it is not.— Congress have Sent, by Capt. Jones, Powers to me jointly with the other Ministers At the Peace to treat with all the Powers of Europe, that may be disposed to treat, and this together with the difficult Work of treating with this Country, where I now am will oblige me to be with my Colleagues, for Sometime: Nevertheless, when my Family arrives, it is my Intention to reside with them at the Hague, and it will be necessary for Us to have the whole House.

This is all I can Say, untill I know more clearly the Intentions of Congress.

I have a Letter from the President of Congress of Nov. 1. in which he Says “Yesterday We gave a public Audience to Mr Van Berckel. just before the Ceremony began Coll Ogden arrived with the News of the Completion of the Definitive Treaty. This gave a great Addition to the General Joy that prevailed on the Occasion of the Day. Mr Van Berckel appears to be a Person, very much Suited to the manners of our People, and I am much mistaken if he does not do great Honour to his Commission.[”]1

Thomas Mifflin Esq is the new President, & Congress have adjourned to Anapolis.

With much Esteem &c

The Day before Yesterday, Mr: Boudinot called upon me, with Dispatches from the President of Congress, his Brother. There were two Letters addressed to the “Ministers” and these I opened but found little or Nothing but Duplicates of Dispatches, receiv’d by you before I left Auteuil.

There are two letters, and one large Packet addressed to you, which I have the Honour to transmit by Mr: Little page.

Mr: Jay and I are waiting, for Advices from your Excellency. if this Packet or that by Captn: Jones contains a Commission to treat with Great Britain, it will be necessary that we should return, to Paris, or that you should come to London very soon— I am also very anxious to hear whether it is possible for you to Save Mr: Morris’s Bills at Amsterdam from a Protest for Non payment.1 If it is not, many Individuals will be disappointed, and the Catastrophe to American Credit must come on.

With the greatest Respect, I have the Honour to be, Sir, your / Most obedt:

I have received your Letter of the Second of December and am extreamly Sorry to learn, that a Number of Mr Morris’s Bills have been protested.

You did very prudently in writing immediately to Mr Franklin, to 428enquire if Mr Grand could afford you, any Assistance. I hope you have received a favourable Answer.

I am waiting for Answers from Mr Franklin to Letters written to him, to determine whether I am to return to Paris or the Hague. But I dont know that I could be of any Service to you, if I were in Holland.

With much Esteem &c