Your Favour of the 23 of December never reached me, till to day. The Souvereignty of the United States of America, is indeed recognized by Great Britain, Holland and France explicitly, and will probably be So Soon by all the Nations of the Earth. Much remains however to be done, I agree with you. To remove all Causes of Disunion and cement the Affections and Confederation of the States, to give Stability and Authority to the Laws, to extend our Commerce and regulate our Finances, to preserve Intelligence and Virtues in the People and at the Same time a martial Spirit and military Establishments So that our Liberties may neither be in danger at home nor from abroad; to regulate the system of foreign Affairs So that We may be as Usefull to Europe, and derive as much benefit from it as our natural Situation and Circumstances will admit, without being duped by its Artifices or infested with its faults; is Occupation Sufficient for all the Talents and Virtues which our Country affords.

Europe is indeed as you observe an excellent School, but it is a detestible one at the Same time, and I confess to you, I Sometimes fear We shall be better Schollars at learning its Vices and Follies than its usefull Institutions and commendable Qualities.

I am not able to give you any Information respecting Peace or War. my private opinion is, that there will not be another Campain though the Peace may not be determined on, long before the Time for opening one.— But this opinion is founded upon Reasons so uncertain even in my own mind that I cannot depend much upon it, nor pretend to advise you.— I am, sir your humble servant

I have yet to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favours of the 26. 27. 30. & 31 of Decr. and 2 of January. Your Dispatches are sent along as you desire.— I hope you are, quite recovered from your Indisposition.

I can give you no Information concerning Peace. it is given out that the point will be decided here to day or Tomorrow: others Say that the Duke de la Vauguion is to make the Peace at the Hague.

inclosed is a Copy of our Preliminaries, but I must intreat you not to permit them to be published or Copied, without further Information from me.1 You may communicate them in Confidence to our Friends, but it is thought best, to let the British Ministry lay them first before Parliament, and take their own Time for it.

The great Points of Independance, the Fisheries, the Missisippi and the Boundaries are Settled to our Satisfaction. But in Point of Compensation for Damages, We must put our Hands in our own Pockets.

With great Regard, I have the Honour to be &c

You favour of the 30 of December, I have recd, as well as the Letter mentioned in it.—1

I am obliged to you Gentlemen, for paying the Interest you mention, which if you please Messrs Willinks Van staphorsts and De la Lande and Fynje will repay you, on Account of the United States.

In order to Save you the Trouble for the future would it not be best to desire the Holders of those Seven obligations, to deliver them to Messrs Willinks &c and take others in stead of them from them.? or at least you may refer them in future to those Houses to receive the Interest.2

I have the Honour to be, very respectfully, Gentlemen your most / obedient &c