Dear Sir
Your esteemed favour of the 25th. Ulto. came only to hand yesterday. and am glade to hear from you & of your welfare. Your favour from Quiberon I received accompanying some letters for the Commissioners to which I gave course.1 Thank you for the services rendered Green. A report prevailed here about ten days since that he had lost Convoy the Second night not being able to carry Sail from the Vessel’s being too Light. The Commodore L_______2 left him in this Situation regardless of the consequences & his instructions to keep together if possible on the outward passage. if this comes to your hand & that your time permit, wish you woud inform Yourself from some of the officers of that Convoy whether this Report respecting Green is to be depended on or not, and if his Situation threatened any danger.3
You cannot doubt the happiness & advantages to be derived to the United States by our Connection & Treaty with this Kingdom. the Acknowledgement of our independence was generous, distinterested & friendly as one of our Commissioners writes who is in the Secrets and I, you may Suppose cannot doubt of every Advantage to both Countrys from it in the Political & Commercial Line—This is the result [of] injustice & Arbitrary Power, I don’t pity England nor requite every indignity to her, in consequence of her Cruelty & attempts of despotism
Whether the Commissioners have powers or not to appoint their Agents in France, I shall not contend, nor do I wish to have any connection in one Side or another with them that I can avoid—4 Yet, shoud any prizes be sent in here or Else where on Account of Your Officers & men You may refer them to me, as I shall take every possible Pains to see Justice done in the Sale, & recover their money to be at Your disposial when called for
Yesterday I received a Letter from Philada. of 20th. Jany. & a letter from Manheim of 20th Decemr. The former from Mr. Willing & the latter from Mr Morris, they regard business only having come via England.5
Nothing new here, nor nothing amusing for some time past, except the festivity & general Joy infused in the Minds of the Americans on the great æra of our acknowledged Independencey.
I don’t know if you remember Mr Robert Ritchie of Philada. Mr. Willing Mentions his death leaving a Wife & three infant Children. Be assured I shall be happie to hear frequently from You & as often as it may prove convenient—I am sincerely [&c.]
P:S. Mr Lloyde who has been Just now with me beg his Compliments to you in return to yours. Intreate you woud take the trouble to ask Your Liet. who was here whether he delivered the letters addressed to Mr. Stevenson commited to his care—Not haveing heard since from Mr Stevenson.6