We received the Letter you did us the Honour of writing to us the 3d Instant, and are happy to find that all Points of the proposed Treaty being thro’ the King’s Goodness and Condescension now agreed, nothing remains but to transcribe it fairly, and to sign and exchange the Copies according to our Powers and the usual Forms. But the Signatures of at least two of our Number being necessary and Mr. Adams who has acted with us in the whole Transaction, being called away by his Mission to the Court in the whole Transaction, being called away by his Mission to the Court of Great Britain and another of us render’d unable by Age and a painful Malady, to perform a Land Journey, there is a Difficulty in Meeting with your Excellency for the purpose, either at any intermediate Place, or at that of your Residence, which in respect to the King we might otherwise willingly do. We therefore propose it for your Consideration, whether, tho’ not usual, the Act would not be equally valid, if, in case it should not suit you to come to Paris, (where however we should be glad to see you) we were to sign separately the Instruments, dating our Signatures with Time and Place, and exchanging them by a special Messenger our Secretary, who might deliver to you that which shall be signed by us to be then signed and kept by you, and receive that signed by you, which we can sign here, he witnessing both. We request your Opinion and Determination, and are with great Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s &c