Sir

We have this day received from the Honorable Congress of Delegates of the United States of America the important papers that accompany this letter being,

first, a Treaty of Commerce & Alliance between the Court of France & these Statesー

Second, Instructions to their Commissioners relative to the said Treatyー

lastly, A Commission, whereby you will see that Doctr. Franklin, The Honorable Thos Jefferson Esqr & yourself are appointed Commissioners for Negotiating said Treaty at the Court of France.

These papers speak for themselves & need no Strictures or remarks from us, neither is it our business to make any. You will observe that in case of absence or disability of any one or two of the Commissioners the other has full Power to Act.

We therefore think it proper to inform you that Doctr Franklin & Mr Jefferson will take Passage with all Speed, but it is necessary that their appointment on this business remain a profound Secret and we do not choose even to trust this paper with their rout. suffice it therefore, that you expect them soon after this reaches your hands, but by different conveyances. And if you do not see some evident advantage will arise by Communicating this Commission to the French Ministry immediately, We give it as our opinion You had best suspend it, until the arrival of one or both these Gentlemen, because you will then benefit of each others advice & abilities, and we apprehend their arrival will give additional Importance to the Embassy

But should you be of opinion that delay will be in the least degree injurious to our Country or its Cause, you must by all means use your own discretion in this matter, wherein we are not authorised to instruct or advise; we only offer our own thoughts on the Subject. Shou'd you think proper to disclose this Commission to the Ministers of France, enjoin the Stricktest Secrecy respecting the Names, or rather insist that it be not made known to any Persons, but those whose office and employments entitle them to the communication that any others are joined with you in it because if that Circumstance reaches England before their arrival it will evidently endanger their Persons. The Congress have ordered the Secret Committee to lodge Ten thousand Pounds Sterling in France subject to the drafts or orders of the Commissioners for their support, and you may depend that remittances will be made for that purpose with all possible dilligence. We can also inform you, that you may expect instructions for forming Treaties with other Nations. Consequently you will Cultivate a good understanding with all the Foreign Ministers.

We have Committed these Important dispatches to the care of Mr Wm Hedge junr who we hope will in due time have the pleasure to deliver them in person, he knows nothing more of their Contents, than that they are Important and in case of Capture his orders are to sink them in the Sea. This Young Gentlemans Character, Family, & alertness in the Publick Service, all entitle him to your Notice. He is also charged with some business from the Secret Committee wherein your Countenance & assistance may be usefull you will no doubt extend it to him and also engage Mr [Thomas] Morris's exertions therein

You will please to advance Mr Hodge the Value of One hundred & fifty pounds Sterling for his Expences & transmit us his receipt for the same. We most fervently pray for a successfull negotiation & are with the utmost attention & regard Dear Sir [&c.]

P.S Mr Hodge has some instructions from the Secret Committee which he will lay before you & if the Negotiation of Monsr Hortalez respecting Arms & Ammunition has been Conducted with success it will be needless for Mr Hodge to make Contracts for those Articles. You will know how that Matter is and direct Mr Hodge accordingly, And if you shoud think it of more Consequence to send him immediately back here with dispatches than to employ him in the business that Committee have proposed he will obey your orders & Mr Morris may do the otherー