Mr. Adams, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jay, Mr. Laurens and Mr. Jefferson, are the Commissioners in Europe to treat for Peace.

Their Powers are to treat and conclude with the Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries or Commissioners of the States with whom it may concern. Each of them are vested with equal Power relative to the Establishment of Peace, and a Majority of them or any one (the others not being able to attend) can treat and conclude.

Mr. Adams cannot speak to any Propositions of a direct tendency to Truce or Peace from England, without consulting his Colleagues, and from them it must be expected to go to the French Minister; The other Belligerent Powers having as yet no Right to expect Information about any Propositions for Peace.

There may however Questions be asked Mr. Adams and his Colleagues that they may not think essentially necessary to communicate to the French Court; and any proper Messenger sent to ask such Questions will be answered with confidential Secrecy.

Mr. Digges read over Mr. Adams Commission, it is dated 15th June 1781, and his Powers (which are exactly the same as the other four) are as full as possible, and go to conclude as well as treat for Peace.

Mr. Adams’s first Commission appointed him to the Court of Great Britain, and this was in force untill about the beginning of Sept. 1781, when the above Commission jointly with the other four was received in Europe, and it was so alter’d by Congress for no other reason than some ill treatment of the Americans by the British Army in South Carolina and from the unfavourable Treatment shewn Mr. Laurens in the Tower.

Mr. Digges has Mr. Adams’s Assurance that any Questions put to him as to further consulting upon the mode of opening a Parley or entring into a Treaty should be confidentially and secretly answer’d, and altho’ his (Mr. Adams’s) Name stands first in the Commission any direct Propositions made to Dr. Franklin will be equally attended to.

Mr. Digges leaves these Memorandums with Lord Shelburne for the Purpose of his Lordship’s communicating them to any other of the present Administration whom Mr. L. has not the honour to know.