We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 27th day of Septr last, and we thank you for your care in 354 transmitting to your Court, the information of our appointment to treat with it.

You desire to be informed if one or more of us can repair to Madrid for the purpose of conducting & concluding the negotiation, because that it is the system of your Court in matters between its Crown & another power to treat in one of the two Governments.

In answer to this inquiry we have the honour to inform you, that the United States in Congress assembled, have thought fit to propose treaties with most of the maritime powers of Europe and for the accomodation of those powers have been willing that their Ministers should attend on this side the Atlantic. We have already communicated to many Courts through their Ministers at this, our residence here, in order to enter into negotiation with such as shall judge convenient to transmit full powers to treat with us. So that, however desirous we might be of showing our respect to the Court of Madrid by repairing thither, it will be difficult for us to leave this place until we shall have finished the business already begun which may take up much time. We therefore hope that considering the peculiarity of the circumstances, the Court of Madrid may find it convenient to make this case an exception to their general rule.

With great respect we have the honour to be / Your Excellencys / Most obedt & most humble Servants

The United States of america in Congress assembled judging that an intercourse between the Subjects of his Britannic Majesty & the Citizens of the Said States founded on the Principles of equality, reciprocity & friendship may be of mutual advantage to both nations, on the 12th. day of may last, issued their Commission under the Seal of the Said States to the Subscribers as their Ministers plenipotentiary, giving to them or the majority of them full power & authority, for them the Said States & in their name, to confer treat & negotiate With the ambassador, Minister or Commissioner of His 355 Said Britannic Majesty vested With full & Sufficient powers, of & concerning a Treaty of amity & commere, to make, & receive propositions for Such treaty & to conclude & Sign the Same, transmitting it to the Said United States in Congress assembled for their final ratification

Of the receipt of these powers and of our being ready to enter on the execution of them We gave information to Mr: Hartley Who had been appointed on the part of his Britannic Majesty to treat, on the Same Subjects With the Ministers of the United States, and We received through him assurances from his court of their ready & friendly disposition to receive proposals from the united States for the forming Such regulations as might tend to the mutual & reciprocal advantage of both countries the Subsequent return of this Minister to London renders it proper for us to repeat to your Excellency these Communications, to express to you the Satisfaction With Which, We have received assurances of the friendly Disposition of the Court of London, and to inform you that we Shall be ready to make proposals on our part so Soon as they shall be pleased to advise us of the person tho whom they would chuse to have them addressed.1 With great respect we have the honour to be / Your Excellencys / most obedient & most / humble Servants