I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 25th. November, and was so well pleased to find you had not intirely forgot Me, that I did Not recollect you had passed so long a time in silence— The truth is that I know you have so Many Matters of Consequence to think and write about, that I shou'd be very sorry you wou'd ever Endeavour at any kind of punctuality with Me

I am sure I need not tell you that it will give me great pleasure to hear every Now and then that you are well, and to receive and forward your Commands on All occasions

I Congratulate you on your relief from that Source of Plague, vexation, and Torment the Money, and I heartily wish you were not so singular on that subject,—1 I do not wish your sentiments alterd, but that there were More people like you in that respect. The Heer Adams arrived last Evening in four weeks from the Delaware, and brought the Inclosed Dispatches for you and Mr. Dana, I thought it proper to send those for Mr. Dana to you, as you perhaps will incline to put them under an other Cover, and know the best Manner of forwarding them—2

The subjects of Peace and War have Engross'd the attention of every person here for some weeks, and we are still in suspence Concerning the Issue of your Negociations— I am forwarding the public supplies as fast as in My power, this seeming to be the properest step I Can take— If any thing Definitive is done, you or My friend Mr. Thaxter will oblige Me much by Informing me of it, as soon as it Can be done with propriety, as My knowing it as earlie as my 190Neighbours may be of great use in the Government of myself respecting the public Matters under my Care— God bless and prosper you My Dear Sir, is the True wish of Your affectionate

I have read your preliminary treaty with some attention and much satisfaction. You will suffer me however to suggest whether it might not be expedient in the definitive Treaty, to ascertain more particularly the property of all the Islands in the Lakes, but especially those situated in, or near the entrance of, their several water communications; as also the right of navigating on either side of the imaginary line drawn thrô the middle of the Lakes, and of their communications, as shall be necessary and most convenient for the full enjoyment of a free navigation from one of them to the other. Suppose it shou'd be alleged as it may be with some plausibility, that this imaginary line passes thrô the communications at an equal distance from their main shores—and suppose there are two passages formed by an Island lying on one side of such a Line, the one fit for canoes or small boats only, and the other for large Battoes or vessels. Wou'd there not be room for one party to claim an exclusive right of passage thro the great channel? You will at once see the effect of such a pretension upon the Interests of the other, if persisted in. The intention of both parties may be that this imaginary line thrô the communications, shoud pass along the middle of the best and largest channels, and that the property in the Islands lying within them shou'd be settled accordingly. Yet if this shou'd be clearly explained in the definitive Treaty, may it not be advisable to secure a right of passage up and down any of the water passes; as those may become 191more or less convenient according to the changes they may undergoe in the several seasons, as well as the size of the boats or vessel which may pass them. It is sometimes necessary in those routes to transport effects over carrying places, which may not only be in fact made, but be feasible on one shore of the communication—and to land from time to time for drawing boats and vessels up and down the communication—as well as to put into places for shelter from storms, and for other necessary purposes. Without mutual liberty in those respects (in time of peace) a communication from Lake to Lake may be absolutely impracticable for one or both of the parties.— As the Indians on the North of the Lakes frequently pass them to trade on the South, might it not be expedient to secure a free passage for them, and liberty to trade with either party as they may think proper— The exception at the end of the second article may be a source of continual contests, as there has been repugnant claims subsisting between those Neighbours. The Line is certain, the exception leaves all at loose— I submit these reflections to your candour and friendship. You will pay what attention to them you may think they deserve.1 I had at first intended to have addressed them to all the Commissioners, but I thought it wou'd be rather too formal a mode; and that every beneficial purpose might as well be answered in this private Course. I make no apology for this liberty, knowing that we are embarked in the same cause, and wish to promote its success by all means in our power—

I am, my dear Sir, with the most perfect esteem & sincere regard / your much obliged Friend, & most obedient humble Servant