I hope in God that no fatal step has yet been taken between America and the Court of France, which will defeat the hope of a reunion between Great Britain and America. I told you that better times would come. They are come. I hardly can describe to you the Substance of what passed in the House of Commons last Night. Ld. North laid before the house an explanation of his propositions, in which he has done justice to those dispositions for peace and for a settlement of America, which he expressed in the course of a late negotiation upon a subordinate point. (I mean the Affair of the prisoners.) There are no propositions before the house, but only his explanation of the intent of two bills, which are to be brought in. One of the bills is expressly to relinquish parliamentary taxation. The other is to appoint Commissioners to treat with any persons whatsoever and upon any topicks. I think we understood that they are to be, or in effect to be, plenipotentiaries. In short if the bill corresponds to what has been announced, it will give full powers to the Commissioners to proceed to a cessation of hostilities, treaty, peace, and perpetual union with America. The order for bringing in the bill passed nemine Contradicente. I hope in God that it not come too late.

In my opinion, I cannot help attributing in some degree the present change of measures, to the effect of your wise and temperate counsels, and to the knowledge of your friendly—I must add—your magnanimous affection to this Country, which was explained to Lord North on a late occasion. He was at all the time thro common sense possessed of a very high opinion and respect for your person and character; and so I found him upon the opening of our conferences. But when I expressed to him the reality of your Character and that you had stood in the gap to prevent the rupture to the very last point of defence, and that the only hopes of peace rested upon your prudent and temperate management, the manner of his Communication with me was totally altered to a full and friendly confidence. He allowed me to read to him my letter to you of the 25 of December which Mr. Thornton brought over to you. He gave me full assurances that I should not be interrupted in any Correspondence with you. He told me that I could not serve my country more essentially than by cultivating every intercourse that might forward peace. He expressed his approbation of my going to Paris to have a conference with you. In short in everything he expressed the sincerest dispositions for peace, and by his Conduct yesterday he has avowed them to the Public. If it be still in your power to arrest the fatal act of separation, I am confident that peace is now practicable. If this be still in your power, I know no Sentiment of the heart that can rival the reward due to yours. That good old man may compose his heart to a blessed rest, who leaves behind him peace to his Country and to Mankind. Yours most affectionately