I thank you for your Letter & the Proceedings of Auvergne—1 The Provincial assemblies, if they act only as Councillors of the King must operate for the benefit of the Nation— Le nombre des personnes choises dans les deux premiers Orders ne puisse surposer le nombre des Personnes choiseis pour le trois etats et les voix seront recueillies par tête, alternativement entre les Membres des differents ordres. Edit Du Roi. Juin 1787. Art. 1.2

Pray do the 3 estates sett all together, in the same room & debate together? & is the vote determined by the Majority of Members, or by the Majority of Estates?

The Constitution of the Parochial assemblies, appears to be upon a very large and liberal scale—Ten Livres—& imposition fonciere ou personelle,3 appears to comprehend a good number— It seems a smaller qualification than our 40 shilling freehold or 40 pounds fortune—but perhaps I may not perfectly understand it— Let me congratulate you on the progress you make towards a good representation—

Mr. Appleton4 when he was here, & after him Mr. Paine informed me that you desired to have a dozen Copies of my Bouidoir, accordingly when I saw my Bookseller I ordered him to send them to the 201 address of Mr. Jefferson— This will be delivered you by Mr. Parker, a Bostonian who I beg leave to introduce to you, He Will tell you all the News. He is very intelligent & has much information—

Yours &.

I intended to have written to you previously to my departure from New York— Mr. Jay has undoubtedly transmitted to you the late Acts of Congress permitting your return to America after the expiration of your Commission to the English Court, and giving you the unequivocal thanks of the U.S. for the diligent, faithful, and able discharge of your various public Duties since your Residence in Europe— No minister of Congress having before received such Testimony of the public Approbation, you will naturally suppose the Truth, that the Partizans of those Ministers who have returned without any mark of public favor, were not entirely satisfied with the ample vote of Thanks in the present instance— this Distinction in my Judgment constitutes the principal value of the vote, since it proves that the measure was not of Course, but the Effect of singular merit.

Your last loan in Holland was approved and ratified; and as on your return you will probably take leave at the Hague as well as at London, Congress judged it proper that your Legation to the former, should terminate with your Commission to the latter— there did not seem to be a Disposition in Congress to appoint a successor to either of these Courts at present; Mr. Jefferson’s commission is renewed for Versailles, and I intend writing to Col. Smith by this Opportunity in reply to his last letter relative to the London Legation—1

Some Difficulties have heretofore taken place in an allowance to Mr. Dana for a private Secretary while at St. Petersburgh; I was very happy in Effecting the customay allowance to Mr. Dana on this point 202 previously to my leaving Congress, and the more so as it will ease you of an Expence incurred for your Son while in Russia—2

Massachusetts, Connecticut, & Pennsylvania have called conventions in their respective states to consider the Report of the late General Conventions— these are the only states, whose Legislatures have been in session since the publication of the Report—3

With the highest respect & Esteem I have the honor to be Dr. Sir your Obt. & very Hble Servt.