I beg Leave to introduce to you Mr: Thaxter, and to recommend him to your Benevolence— If very hard Services constitute Merit he has it in great Perfection— When I was received in Holland it would have been natural for me to have recommended him to Congress for the Secretary to that Legation, But Mr: Dumas had been long there. and had behaved well— As Mr: Thaxter came out with me, when I was Sole in the Commission for Peace it would have been natural that he Should have been appointed Secretary for which he was extremely well qualified: but the Dr: who knows better than I do, how to provide for himself and his Connections got his Son appointed.1

I cannot expect that any Gentleman will serve the public with me if he Sees himself constantly neglected, and others appointed to honours. and Employments, who certainly have not more Merit. Mr: Thaxter has never till the last year, or rather this year been allowed enough for his Necessary Expences. The Dr: has allowed his Son three hundred a year—if this should be made up to Mr: Thaxter he would be satisfied or if Congress should think proper to appoint him Secretary to some Legation with a moderate Salary, one half of what has been given, it will be very well.— But I cannot desire any Gentleman to attach himself to me, and do the Drudgery of my Office, without Reward, when he sees others rewarded so amply.

With great and Sincere esteem I have the honour to be, Sir, your most / obedient and most humble Servant

Give me Leave to introduce to Your Acquaintance and Friendship, Mr Thaxter, who goes home with the definitive Treaty.

This Treaty which is but a Repetition of the Provisional Articles was all We could obtain, a poor Compensation for nine Months Negotiation; but I assure you We were very glad to get the Hand put to this.

I was in hopes to have Soon Seen you in Philadelphia, but Congress have had the Goodness to resolve upon a Commission, very honourable to me, which will detain me, I know not how long.

I hope the States are Settling fast into order, and that all will go well. There will be disputes for Sometime about the Refugees but I hope they will have no serious ill Effect.— it would have been better for them to have had no Article, but the Reputation of national Faith and Royal honour, induced the English to insist even on this. We could obtain no Peace without it, and therefore We could not hesitate.

The Interest upon Debts I hope will be made easy, but We could obtain no stipulation for it.

With great and sincere Esteem your Frid