Congress were yesterday pleased to pass the enclosed resolutions on the subject of the payment of British debts the language they speake requires no comment. I complained in my last of your long silence or rather laid before you the complaints of Congress these I think receive additional force from the intelligence that I have since had that the negotiations are still on and that important propositions have been made you from Holland. As Congress have adjourned for two days and the Packet sails tomorrow I can not procure their instructions on this subject tho I think I may venture to say that they will not without reluctance go one step further than their honor requires of them in making new engagements which may involve them in the dissputes of Europe from which they wish to be totally disengaged. I make no observations on these propositions or your power to accede to them being well persuade that you will take no steps in this business without a full persuation that important advantages will    there from to these states. The second proposition in Case France and Spain should decline acceding to the first is more peculiarly dellicate from the inability of the contracting powers to enforce them if which is hardly to be supposed they should unite in wishing it. I can not help remarking since so much time has elapsed before any conclusion is formed that you had not thought it adviseable to write to me on this subject explaining the advantages or disadvantages of the measure and enabling me to take the sense of Congress thereon. For tho they have the highest confidence in your judgment and knowledge of the true interest of this country yet I am persuaded that they think it a duty to see with their own eyes and to from their own conclusions on great national objects where there is a possibility of so doing. The experience of the last war has shewn that the propositions of the Congress of Russia were little more than a dead letter. Those whom England dared to offend derived no advantage from them. Our engagements therefore on this head will in my opinion add little weight to them unless the great maritime powers of Europe agree to respect them and they may involve us in disagreeable discussions. These however are only my sentiments those of Congress I am ignorant of.

The fifth and Sixth articles of the provisional treaty excite much ferment here for tho the most disatisfied spirit acknowledge the whole treaty taken together to answer their highest expectations yet they wish to take only what they like and leave out what they disapprove and such is the relaxation of government so great   the disorders and      introduc’d by the war that it will be found very difficult to bridle the just resentments of some and the unfounded apprehentions that others entertain of reimbursements that may offset their particular interests. I have the honor to be Gentlemen with the greatest respect and esteem your Most Obedient Humble