Agreable to appointment Mr: Adams and Mr: Smith waited on the Right Honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen at oneo Clock at his House in Grosvenors Square, and were immediately received Mr. Adams presented his original Commission which is as follows—

The United States of America in Congress assembled.—

To our trusty and well beloved John Adams Esquire send Greeting.—

We reposing special trust and confidence in your Integrity, Prudence and Ability have nominated constituted and appointed and by these Presents do nominate constitute and appoint you the said John Adams our Minister Plenipotentiary to reside at the Court of His britanic Majesty and do give you full Power and Authority there to Represent Us, and to do and perform all such Matters and Things as to the said Place or Office doth appertain, or as may by our Instructions be given unto you in charge. This Commission to continue in Force for the space of three Years from this Day, unless sooner revoked

In Testimony whereof—We have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency Richard Henry Lee our President at the City of New York this twenty fourth Day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five, and of our Sovereignty and Independence the Ninth—

Richard Henry Lee. P.

Chas. Thomson secry John Jay

Secretary for the Department of foreign Affairs—

Which His Lordship having read returned— Mr. Adams gave him an Authenticated Copy— Mr. Smith presented his Lordship with his original Commission as Secretary to the Legation—which is as follows.—

The United States of America in Congress assembled—

To our trusty and beloved William S. Smith Esquire, send Greeting.—

We reposing special trust and confidence in your Integrity Prudence and Ability have nominated constituted and appointed and by these Presents do nominate constitute and appoint you the said William S. Smith Secretary to our Legation to His britanic Majesty. This Commission to continue in Force for the space of three Years from this Day unless sooner Revoked—

In Testimony whereof We have caused the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed Witness His Excellency Richard Henry Lee our President at the City of New York this first Day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five, and of our Sovereignty and Independence the Ninth.—

Richard Henry Lee. P.

Cha Thomson Secry John Jay

Secretary for the Department of foreign Affairs—

Which His Lordship having read & returned Mr. Smith presented him with an Authenticated Copy. His Lordship appointed Wednesday next oneo Clock to introduce Mr. Adams at the Royal Levee, at the conclusion of which he should be introduced to His Majesty in his Closet for the purpose of presenting his Letter of Credence, and that on the next Levee Day Mr: Smith should be presented to His Majesty as Secretary to the Legation—1

I arrived Yesterday and have made my Visit to day, and been very politely recd, by the Marquis, but of this more hereafter. this is devoted to a smaller Subject.

Upon Enquiry I find, that I cannot, be exempted from paying duties upon my Wines, because no foreign Minister is. except for a less quantity than I have of the best qualities in my Cellar at the Hague.— so that I must stop all that I have in France if I can. to pay Six or Eight shillings sterling a Bottle upon the Small Wines I packed at Auteuil would be folly.— I must beg you then if possible to stop it all, except one Case of Madeira & Frontenac together. let me beg you too to write to Mr Garvey & stop the order for five hundred Bottles of Bourdeaux.1 all my other Things may be sent on to me, as proposed.

Coll Smith, has Letters for you, but waits a private Hand.— He sends his Respects to you & Coll Humphreys. if my Things are gone & cannot be stopped I must pay the Impost, heavy as it is. I am sorry to give you this Trouble but I beg you to take the Wine, at any Price you please let your own Maitre D’Hotel2 judge, or accept it as a present or sell it at Vendue, i.e let Petit3 dispose of it as he will give you an Acct of proceeds and give me Credit. and then order me to pay stockdale or any Body here for you to the Amount.

My Esteem, & Regards as due / yours affectionately