Mr: Stevenson returns His Compliments to Messrs. Franklin and Deane and as He is well assur’d Mr. Arthur Lee has already done Him the Justice to acknowledge that He told Mr. Stevenson He had propos’d His taking charge of and delivering the Commissioners Dispatches to the Congress, which had been agreed to; Mr. Stevenson flatters Himself Messrs. Franklin and Deane will do Him equal Justice, in acquitting Him of the charge, that it was any supposition of His that They had chang’d their intention.

From what pass’d at Mr. Deanes Lodgings when Mr. S: call’d with Capt. Jones on Thursday Morning Mr. S. had no reason to imagine that it was meant He shou’d carry the Dispatches to Nantes only. On the contrary when Mr. Lee told him a few hours after that the Commissioners had agreed to his carrying their Dispatches to Congress, He reply’d that He had just understood the same from Mr. Deane. Mr. S: concluded it was so determin’d by the Commissioners: Mr. Stevenson readily acknowledges that nothing pass’d on the subject between Docr. Franklin and Him, but He is persuaded Messrs. Franklin and Deane will now be convinc’d that Mr. Ss refusal to carry the Dispatches to Nantes did not arise merely from a supposition of His being ungenteely treated and if there was any misapprehension about the matter, it did not originate with Him: Mr. Stevenson will venture to say that no Person wou’d be more happy to serve His Country on every occasion, without any views of Self Interest and He has only to regret that His ability to render it essential Services is not equal to His wishes. Had any pre-engagement been hinted on the first mention of this Business, Mr: S: wou’d certainly have given neither the Commissioners or Himself any trouble upon the occasion. Mr. Stevenson will only add that He is extreamly sorry He shou’d become the subject of an altercation on this occasion, as it is His constant wish to avoid every thing of that kind, but He thought it highly necessary in vindication of His conduct, to endeavor fully to explain the matter and He trusts that Messrs. Franklin and Deane will candidly acquit Him of having acted merely on supposition, as His expectations must appear to be well founded.