I have received within a few days your obliging Favour of Nov: 22. The Removal of Congress to New York, where their residence will probably be uninterrupted for sometime will I hope have a good Effect, towards raising the Respect to that august Assembly, and reconciling the People, to such general Measures as are indispensable. The People will be less jealous, if Mr: Gerry’s aversion to an Establishment for Troops, in time of Peace, prevails, but there will never be a cordial Union while there are military Establishments in time of Peace. I wish that all Disputes may be decided, and terminated between Mass: & New York. the Harmony of the States depends much upon this.

It is probable the Duty upon Oil might be taken off, if Congress should send a Minister to London, but the British Ministry will not treat here upon any Thing The aversion of the United States to send a Minister to St: James’s is considered by the People of England, as a proof of our Dislike of them, of our Reluctance to binding ourselves to any Regulations of Trade with them, and of our being under French Influence, and of our Disinclination to have a British Minister in America— I think the best way to manage them is to shew that we have no fear of them, and they have gained no Advantage of us, in war or Politicks which need to make us dread to meet them either on the field of Battle or Negotiation: at least I think we ought to make ourselves certain that they will not treat with us upon Terms of Reciprocity, before we proceed to Retalliation, even though all the States were united in this measure.— We should not be surprized that the Ministry will not treat here, because it would be so unpopular a Measure, that they could hardly stand the Clamour, and they are most certainly, diplomatically in the Right to refuse to treat in France. I begin to doubt whether any Power will treat here excepting those which are so intimately in Friendship with this Court, as to be willing to make them a great Compliment.

I have been endeavouring to introduce the use of our Oil, Sperma Ceti Candles, Potash &c into this Country and I believe, that our Merchants if they would turn their attention this Way, and their Correspondences to these Objects, might do a good deal. There are many difficulties in the Way, one of which is a vain Dream of Mr: de Calonne, who as I am told means to found the Glory of his 557 Administration, on the Introduction of the Whale Fishery into France. The great Advantages obtained by the French, by the last War, have exalted the Imaginations of the Nation, and animated their spirit of Enterprize, but, their Merchants have no Faculty of discerning the true means of augmenting their Prosperity, which would be by favouring in every way the Trade between us and them. They on the contrary see no farther than themselves, like the English Merchants, and are obstructing the wiser Views of the Minister, Mr: de Castries. In my Opinion, an American Minister in London, and a british one at New York, nay even the very Report of their appointment, would have a good effect not only here but in all Europe, upon our affairs. The Opinions and Conduct of all the Nations of Europe, are determined by little Circumstances of Etiquette, and diplomatick Ceremonies which we in America have no Idea of. Courts, and consequently Nations, never reason directly upon publick Affairs. They draw their Inferences, wholly from Ceremonies, Coats of Arms, the salutations of Flaggs, the Motions and steps & Bows & smiles of Ministers & Ambassadors; in short from a most complicated system of Nonsense, in which they are entangled and enslaved. the Essences of Affairs are involved in deep and impenetrable Mystery: and judging by this System, they see so many Things, which they think unequivocal Marks of Coldness between us & England, that all those who have any affection for England, or hopes from her, which is half Europe are as much afraid of us as ever.

In our affairs with Europe, we must conform to this order of Things in some degree. We can change the Constitution of Nature, as easily as we can change this. it is so wrought into every scene of human Life, that there is hardly a Man in Europe whose bread does not depend upon it.

I am Sir with great Regard. &c.

The Dispute between New York & this State has been referred to Congress, a Federal Court has been appointed, the Judges have been chosen by the Parties and the Tryall will be had in June next at 558 Williamsburg.— Messrs. Lowell, Sullivan & Parsons are Agents in Behalf of this State and have a Power to join Docr. Johnson of Connecticut in Council and in Case of Sickness or otherwise any other Person they shall think proper—2

We are anxious and much worried to find that Rhode Island does not accede to the Impost, the Scituation of our foreign Debts gives us pain, this Court is disposed to do every thing to forward the Payment of them, and as Evidence of this a Bill has already passd. the lower House for laying 25 Pr. Ct. duty on all foreign Goods imported from any State that has not passed an Act granting the continental Impost— this Bill is now before the Senate— it is probable that it will not pass this Session if it does in a succeeding one—but should that State neglect much longer—I suspect there will be much Temper manifested by the complying States— several States have empowered Congress to levy this Duty, should Eleven of the States with theirs come into the Measure— The State of Vermont is at length recognized by Congress—3 as Your Residence will probably be in London hereafter, I hope to have more direct Conveyance and opportunities more frequent— Un Smith was so kind as to offer to enclose this in his Letter—which induced me to write, tho’ but a few Lines—4 However I cant break off, without telling you your Friends & the People in general lament you not being here at this Juncture— they wish to have you in the Chair of Government— Mr Hancock has resigned his Seat— this would have been an happy Opporty.— But as Congress have appointed you Minister to the Court of London, I despair of seeing you for some years— so I must break off by begging you to present my Affectionate Regards to your good Lady & Family Mr. Cranch who is present requests the same—and believe me to be with great Sincerity— / Your Affectionate Friend & H Ser