As Messrs. Hemes & Co. are writing You this evening I cannot omit the opportunity of expressing my grateful acknowledgement of the politeness & attention you were pleas’d to show my friend Mr. Ewart at his passage through Paris, of which he was highly sensible and has written to me in terms of the greatest thankfulness, begging that I would convey his Sentiments to You; but I have hitherto delayed it, partly in the fear of adding by uninteresting Correspondence to the trouble I have already presumed to Owe You, and partly in the expectation that I might Soon be in a Situation to ask your Commands for America It is however uncertain yet whether the plan I had in Mind will take place; and in the meantime I remain in the house of Messrs. Hemes & Co. of this City, where I should be proud that you would put it in my power to render you either pleasure or Service—

You are no doubt well informed of the political Situation of this Country. The new Parliament has every appearance of being Composed of a great majority of the Friends of the present Minister, and it is expected this advantage at least will attend their deliberations, that for a time the Business of the Nation will be carried on without interruption, and some System be formed of future Trades & Intercourse with America it is thought Lord Shelburne will again come into place when the Elections are over, and some say M. Charles Jenkinson also although at the risk of some loss of popularity

I know not whether the United States have yet resolved upon sending Consuls to the principal trading Ports of Europe, or whether in that case the Consulship of Barcelona is promised, but if it were not yet disposed of Mr. Ewart writes me that he would be glad to be permitted to aspire to it.—His partner Mr. Montagut being a Spanish Gentleman of considerable landed property & much respected in the Country while he himself has been long used to the Manners Customs of the people, are advantages which would enable him to acquit himself of the Charge much to the advantage of the States, and to the satisfaction of the Spanish Government. It is only however in Case of no previous promise being made, and of the expence not being considerable, that he would presume to solicit that honourable Office. The Success of his Establishment at Barcelona thus far exceeds his most sanguine expectations—

Our mutual Preceptor Mr. Elphinston, continues to labour at Language with unremitted ardour for the Cause of Grammar, but I fear with little Emolument to himself. He intends favoring my Young Countrymen who usually come to him this Season, with a Course of Lectures in Scotch & English Dialect, which deserves it—If he knew I were writing he would not fail to add the assurance of his attachment to that of the respectful regard of Sir Your most obedient & affectionate humble sert.