I received the Honour of your Letter dated the 12th of March, when I lay very ill of my painful Distemper, which rendered me incapable of writing. The Letter yours enclos’d related to an Affair between a M. Thomas of Paris, and Messrs. Bache and Shee. I communicated it to Mr. Bache, who promis’d to examine the old Papers of the Partnership, and write to Mr. Thomas. This took some time, but he has now done it, and will give you a Letter for that Gentleman which I presume will satisfy him, that he has had no just reason to complain of those Messieurs. I also enclose a Letter for Mr. Thomas.

I regret with you that the new Congress was so long in Assembling. The Season of the Year was not well chosen for their Meeting, and the uncommon Length of the Winter made it the more inconvenient. But this could hardly excuse the extreme Neglect of some of the Members, who not being far distant might have attended sooner, and whose Absence not only prevented the public Business from being forwarded, but put those States, whose Members attended punctually, to a vast Expence which answered no purpose. I hope however that now they are assembled the Wisdom of their Councils will repair what has been amiss, promote effectually our national Interests, and do honour to their own Characters.

My best Wishes also attend the Deliberations of your great Council the States General of France which meets this Day. God grant them Temper and Harmony; Wisdom they must have among them sufficient if Passions will suffer it to operate. I pray sincerely that by means of that Assembly the public Interests may be advanced and secured, and the future Welfare and Glory of the French Nation be firmly established. I have the honour to be, with sincere and great Esteem and Respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant,