On Wednesday, the Chevalier De Pinto informed me that he had written to Lisbon, for Explanations from his Court upon certain Points: that he expected an Answer, in a few days, and that as soon as he Should receive it, he would call upon me and proceed in the Negotiation.1 That in the meantime he would not disguise from me, the Solicitude of his Court to Send a Minister, to Congress. Ettiquette forbid, that the Court of Portugal should Send an Ambassador, Minister Plenipotentiary or Envoy, to America, untill the United 108 States would agree to Send one of equal Rank to Lisbon.— But if Congress had any Reasons for not sending Ministers of so high an Order, they might send a Resident or Chargé D’Affaires.— I answered him that I had heard it was the Intention of Congress to Send a Consul, but that I could Say no further.2

Lord Carmarthen on Thursday told me, he was at Work upon an Answer to my Memorial concerning the Posts, and should compleat it, as soon as he could collect Some further Information concerning the Debts, of the Obstructions to the Payment of which the Ministry had recd Complaints from Persons in this Country who were interested in them.— You may conclude from this as well as I, what kind of Answer it will be.— I am very glad that I am to have an Answer. Whatever it may be, it will lead to further Ecclaircissement and a final Accommoodation. Yet I think the Answer will not come before the Spring.— It will take Eighteen Months more to settle all Matters, exclusive of the Treaty of Commerce.

Mr. Eden has Said within a few Days, that he believed there would be a Treaty of Commerce with the United States of America, within a Year or two. He may wish to be employed in it, for however Sanguine he may be of his success at Versailles I shall loose my Guess if he ever accomplishes a commercial Treaty with that Court.— He may however.— This Nation would now crouch to France for the Sake of being insolent to Us. The Disposition to crush the Weak is almost always attended with that of cringing to the Strong. Arrogance to Inferiours is ever servile to superiours. But a Treaty with France, Such as She would accept, would be hurtfull to such Numbers and raise such an Opposition that I cannot yet believe Mr Eden will be permitted to sign one. The Term of two Years is expired and Del Campo, has done nothing.— Crawford is returned without doing any Thing as I Suppose.

The true Secret of the Appointment of Eden, as I conceive is the Court of Versailles was offended, that Crawford was not allowed to do any Thing and used Some Sharp Expressions, which intimidated the Ministry. Eden was appointed for two Ends first to appease the Wrath at Versailles and Secondly to keep up a misterious delusive hope in the English Nation. Perhaps too the Ministry are afraid of commercial Speculations between France & Ireland. These Conjectures are precarious, and no great Stress should be laid upon them.3

With great Respect I have the Honour / to be, dear sir, your most obedient / and most humble servant

I am very glad to learn by your Kind favour of the 9th. 1 that Boylston has sold his oil to sangrains Correspondent because this will both shew the Bostonians that a Markett may be found in france, much better than in England, & the Parrissians that this oil is much better & Cheaper than any other

Mr. Barretts Contract bids fair to compleat the business & to introduce a regular Exchange of American for french productions— The french Nation cannot be interested in their Whaling Company so much, as they are in their general productions of agriculture and manufactures.— It is very pleasing to hear, that our naval stores & pot-ash have an undisputed Reputation and you may depend upon it that our timber, and masts will very soon, vindicate themselves from all the English slanders— I wish I had a Copy of Mr. Jefferson’s Letter upon tobacco— Brant is come for half pay, as it is given out— I believe his hopes of scalps at present is lost in the fear of loosing his own—

I will look up the writings you desire against the slavery of negroes, & send them by the first good oppertunity— The Laws passed in America are not to be found here— Mr. Howard is now, as I am told by my friend Dr. Price, at Marsailles—

there is not a possibility of forming an adequate Idea, of what is passing in the News papers, in this town without taking 7— or 8— of them daily— You find yourself encumbered in the Course of a few Day’s with an enormous pile of waste paper—which contains nothing of any value, tho’ it Cost you a large sum of Money—2

The morning Cronicle is the best for parliamentary debates, but is good for little else. The light Troops of the Ministry skirmish in the morning post—those of opposition in the Morning herald—but there is little in either but the battles of the sons of dulness—

tell Anastasia she must prepare herself to let papa go— there will not be time to wait for George to grow up—according to the latest advices—3

Mr. Hancock is president of Congress & in his absence Mr. Ramsay of So. Carolina fills the Chair— Mr. Temples Commission was before Congress, but not determined on, at the date of my Letter from Mr. Jay of the 26th. of Novr. 4

The ensuing season of parliament will be stormy opposition will have materials enough & ministry will be pressed from various quarters—

The taxes the last year have been very productive, and Mr. Pitt is purse proud, but in the opinion of the deepest men he is too sanguine, in presuming that the next Year, will be equally prosperous—

If france—the Emperor & America persevere, he will be terribly disappointed— The British Empire is now in the power of its Rivals, who will be weak indeed, if they again contribute to build it up to a dangerous height—

It was very pleasant the other day to see at the drawing room, how all Nations were of one blood, dwelling together in Love— there was Colonel Smith, and his Royal Majesty King Brant, who had been so lately in action against each other in the Wilderness—5 Brants Phisiognomy was much admired by the Ladies— They saw a remarkable goodness in his Countenance & I suppose were amused with that harmless play thing—his hatchett, in another part of the Room were seen the American Ambassador & King Pascall Paoli, in a familiar Conversation with each other—6 Who can immagine a more striking scene of gratification for Philanthropy

The Ladies are very sensible of your politeness and desire me to convey their best respects to you & Madam Lafayette & their affectionate remembrance of the little family—

I am Dr. sir