I received the favour of your letter of July 27th, yesterday but I have not had the pleasure of seeing the bearer as he is gone into the Country for some days. But he left the very pleasing intelligence that he had seen you in perfect health seven weeks ago. I have often enquired of you by American correspondents but I am now doubly happy to hear from yourself, and to receive the testimonies of your kind remembrance of me. Such as we have known each other for many years we shall always remain, viz united in the most ardent desires and pursuit of peace. I shall be very much grieved if I should find that the firebrands of discord which you mention should be successfull in their malignant work. I hear many things which give me much uneasiness, as denoting unconciliatory dispostions. However I hope they will not proceed to such extremities as any actual infringement of peace. I trust that the recent recollection of all the horrors of the late war, will operate as a very serious warning to both parties. The general conversation of this country proceeds no farther than to observe that the two Countries seem to be jealous of each other with mutual complaints; but certainly there is no apprehension in this kingdom, that the misunderstandings which appear to subsist, should be aggravated into actual war. I hope there will be found many pacific compromises short of war, than which nothing could be more unwise on either side. It appears as if some superior will was at work, in the creation of the new world, in which the passions and projects of men operate as insturments. There may be troubles in the birth, but finally it will appear that there is a providence which shapes our ends rough-hew them how we will. Whatever may be the course of events between our two Countries you will always find me the friend of Peace.

I thank you very much for the order which you have been so good as to send to the Printer at New York, for Newspapers and the proceedings of Congress. I shall always be desirous to keep up with the times in point of information. I will settle a plan with Mr. Sansom, of returning Newspapers and pamphlets from hence. I shall expect soon to hear of the resolutions and report of the convention of the delegates for commerce. I know it is a principle of yours and I agree with you in it, that foreign commerce is premature in all new and rising states. Their land and sea are the proper objects of their first attentions; The restraining and prohibiting acts of any foreign nation, whose externel commerce consists of needless superfluities, will operate like       laws,   luxury, and augmenting those faculties which give intrinsic and permanent vigour. The metaphor of Anteeus receiving new strength from the touch of his parents, is forcibly and poetically expressed, but I would wish to restrain the metaphor to that part of the fable, with out carrying it on to my supposed wrestling with Hercules. There is no parallel between the character of Anteeus and that of America, and therefore I beg leave to drop that part of the fable, without wrestling, or fall on either side. As to our Quaker articles I did rejoice much when I saw them authentically introduced into a treaty. I did indeed regret at the same time, that my hand was not to the first signature. I I assure you when I transmitted the article in our project for a treaty in 1783, I gave with it a very cordial recommendation. I envy this last act of the K of Prussias life, more than all his antecendent glories. I think it will immortalize his name. I have the pleasure to inform you that my Sister is now in a very comfortable state of health, and we have the best prospects of its continuance and improvement. She always desires to be kindly remembered to you as likewise does my Brother. I need not tell you that my Brother remains, and ever will remain as he always has been, a joint friend with us to peace, and to the rights and liberties of mankind. I beg to hear of you as often as any occasion may offer. And I beg to be remembered to all friends Mr. Jay Mr. W T Franklin Mr Laurens &c &c. I am My Dear Friend Ever your most affectionate