Question. What is necessary to be done immediately so to satisfy the Congress and the People of America with the Utility and Certainty of the Friendship of France and Spain, in securing their Independence that they also will reject all Propositions from England for Peace inconsistant with that Independency.

Answer. The Commissioners think that an immediate engagement on the Part of these Kingdoms to guarantee the present possessions of the Congress in America, with such others as they may acquire on the Continent during the War; and either to enter into a War against England, or to furnish the Congress with Money (if they do not) to carry on the War, untill a safe Peace can be obtained, and untill all that the English now possess on the Continent shall be conquered, which will be necessary both for the weakning of their Power, and for securing the Fisheries to the United States and their Allies. And that the Treaty containing Engagements to this Effect be directly communicated to the Congress.

If France and Spain, or either of them as Auxiliary would furnish us with a Fleet of Six or Eight Sail of the Line or more, this would give the Congress and the People of America their most certain Prospect, of a favorable, and speedy End of the War, to their full Satisfaction, and prevent their listening to any Accomodation on Terms, short of absolute Independency.