RC (Adams Papers).

All of the documents referred to in this letter were carried by Col. Josiah Harmar. Franklin sent the president of Congress’ letter to the commissioners of 14 Jan. (vol. 15:455–456) with which were enclosed Congress’ 14 Jan. proclamation of the treaty and its 14 Jan. resolution recommending that the states comply with the treaty’s provisions regarding loyalists ( JCC , 26:29–31). The president’s letter and its enclosures are at 14 Jan. in the Adams Papers. While Franklin refers to “three Letters for yourself,” there were probably four. These were from Elbridge Gerry and Arthur Lee, both 14 Jan., and Samuel Osgood, 7 Dec. 1783 and [14 Jan. 1784] (vol. 15:398–414, 447–455). The endorsements on the letters from Lee and Osgood indicate that each was received on 5 April. While Gerry’s letter is not similarly endorsed, he indicates that it was to go with 106 Harmar, which is confirmed by JA in his reply to Gerry of 27 June, below.

Franklin and John Jay wrote to David Hartley on 31 March indicating that despite delays caused by bad weather, the ratified treaty had arrived and they were ready to exchange ratifications at Hartley’s convenience (Jay, Unpublished Papers , 2:707). Hartley replied on 9 April that measures to affect the exchange “with all convenient Speed” were under way (PCC, No. 85, f. 436). Replying to Franklin’s letter on 10 April, JA expressed his hope that the exchange would occur expeditiously, but it did not take place until 12 May (LbC, APM Reel 107; Miller, Treaties , 2:151).