Count de Montauto Governor of this City has informed me of the Commissioners having made propositions to the Court of Tuscany respecting a Treaty of Commerce between this Country and America:

The Governor requests me to inform the Commissioners, that he has lately received instructions from the Grand Duke relative thereto, which leaves him no doubt but a commercial Treaty may be formed to the satisfaction of both parties, particularly as it is exceeding Agreeable to the Sovereign, who has ordered that all American Vessels coming hither shall have the same protection &c as those of the Rep. of Holland.

Perhaps your Excellency may conceive it officious in me to address you on a subject of a public natüre; however my only View in doing it, is to render service to my Country, being well persuaded that great advantages might accrue to America from mercantile connections with this Country.

Leghorn is the emporium of every Species of merchandize coming from the Levant, as well as from Italy, Sicily & Barbary— the Oil made at Florence is better calculated for our market than any other— The Hemp that is exported from hence is good and cheap— Various Silk Stuffs proper for our market are made in the Neighbourhood Very Cheap— But what will make a trade here advantageous to us, is the Vending the principal products of our Country— Codfish, Spermecitie, wheat, flour Tobacco, & indigo will sell well in this City— Vessels from the East & every part of the Mediterranian Supply themselves here with those articles.—

It is the opinion of the first men here, that there would be no dificulty in Settleing a treaty of Amity with the Algeriens &c, provided, application was made to them, by Congress or the Commisioners in Europe— It is clear to me that it is against the interest of France & Holland, for us to have a free & unmolested Navigation in the Medeterranian Sea, therefore their exertions in our favour cannot but be feeble.— I leave this Tomorrow for Florence, where I shall have an interview with the Grand Duke, and if I can give him any 516 information relative to our Commerce, which may aid Your Negociations, I shall do it wth peculiar pleasure.

I beg to present my best Compliments to your Lady and Family, and am with Respect Your Excellency’s / Most Obt. Huml Sert—

It was with very great Pleasure, that I learn’d your Return to Congress, and Election to the Chair.1 indeed So many names that are familiar to me make me wish myself with you. a Congress So respectable as the present must have great Weight both at home and abroad. it is only by Sending to that Assembly, the best Men and most respectable Characters, that the People can expect to have their Union cemented, and Authority Supported as it ought to be

Our joint Letter will inform Congress of the State of our Negotiations under our new Commissions, and whatever I may say Seperately Should pass for nothing.2 But I really dont expect that any of the great Powers will treat with Us, here. Spain and England, to be sure will not, and I dont believe the Empires will. Prussia will. Denmark and Portugal possibly may if the Gout or the Lethargy dont remain too long upon their Ministers.

The Barbary Powers, I presume would make no difficulty, which their Eagerness for money would not Soon get over.— Will Congress order Us to advance Money enough? and may We use, what remains in my Bank at Amsterdam? Or has Mr Morris drawn for all of that? I expect every day the Ratification of my last Loan, and orders what to do with the Cash in Bank, and also orders whether I am to open a new Loan.

Will you be so good as to convey the inclosed to your Brother,3 with my best Respects to Francis Lightfoot &c

With the greatest Respect and Esteem / I am dear sir your most obedient / sert