p.s. I have had a Conference with Mr. Fox, referring neither to commit nor pledge my self for any Opinion I might give Mr. Fox discover’d a Disposition to proceed to Business with us with Liberality and effect, I urged the Necessity of concluding the definitive Treaty and withdrawing the British Forces from the United States without Delay. In Answer to supposed Difficulties in obtaining Transport Ships, I proposed the Troops to be removed to Long or Staten Island and added, that we might not insist upon Hostages for their peaceable Behaviour and final Removal, tho’ some Powers would. That the State of New York ought immediately to be put in Possession of the City and Port—Upon the whole the Secretary of State asked if he might report, “That I believed there was a Disposition and Powers on the Part of the American Commissioners to open an Intercourse and Commerce of terms of reciprocity without delay. I assented as my belief and opinion. I hope for the honor of saluting you within ten Days—be pleas’d to communicate this p. s. to Mr. Adams and Mr. Jay.