My thanks are due for the justice you did me, in beleiving I had written to some one or other of my Colleagus since my last return to London, altho’ it appears by the Letter you have honored me with under the 21st Inst. mine of the 9th. addressed to the whole had not reached them, an unlucky circumstance which gives me much concern. I say I wrot to the American Ministers on the 9th. made up my Letter with a Newspaper or two into a small packet which I delivered on Sunday Morning the 10th. to Mr. Barclay who assured me he would leave London on Tuesday the 12th. at latest—You say nothing and I have not heard any thing of his arrival at Paris wherefore I now transmit a Copy of my said Letter, tho’ with a slender prospect of its being serviceable since ’tis probable, that before this can arrive, your phoenix Treaty will be finished.

I was actually in Treaty for the Cabin of a Ship intending to have embarked very early in October for Philadelphia or New York, but three days ago I received a Letter from my Sister in Law in the South of France intimating that my Brother had desired her to inform me that he was growing weaker and weaker every day and found himself near his End and therefore earnestly wished to see me before I left Europe. I cannot refuse to gratify the wish of a dying friend. I dare not turn my back upon a Widowed Sister, a most valuable worthy Woman—so long a journey will be rather too heavy for me, but I must encounter it, therefore I shall once more have the honor of paying my Respects at Passy, perhaps about the 10th. September.

You may possibly have seen before this time a little printed paper, which the Mr. Jenings has been privately circulating under the Title—The Candor of Henry Laurens Esqr—poor Devil he is as weak as wicked, he has now compeled me to display his wickedness in a more public manner than ever I had intended—the most painful part to me is his involving a third person the friend he pretended to be so much attached to on your side.

My Son and Daughter unite with me in the most Respectful Cordial Salutes to yourself and Mr. Franklin and I have the honor to be with sincere Esteem and affection Dear sir Your obedient humble servant.