Colo. Harmer with the ratification of the Definative treaty which was executed in Congress Jan. 14th got on board the French packet at N. York on the 20th of Jan. Colo. Frank took his passage on another vessel a few days after. Neither sailed till the 17th of Feb. being blocked up by the ice. They have then not got to Paris to exchange them this day as had been stipulated. In right this can make no difference. We executed the ratification in time, and its passage across the Atlantic was prevented by circumstances not under our controul. The accomodation of the Turks and Russians, leaving Europe in Peace and France of course at liberty, keeps us safe. This accomodation is said to have been effected by the interposition of France & Prussia. This does not come

from our ministers, from whom we have had no late intelligence on this subject, but is told me by Monsr. Marbois who sais he has it from good information. We are still farther insured against any ill effect from this accident if the news of the day be true. An English vessel, arrived at N. York, brings papers which say that L North & mr Fox carried their E. India bill triumphantly by of the voices through the house of commons, but lost it in the lords, when they resigned; and that mr Pitt & his friends would be at the head of the administration. The Prince of Wales voted against the bill & received a repremand from the King-so far the papers. The change would be fortunate for us, as L. North's hostility is notorious, and Pitt rather well disposed to us. The movements of the K. of Prussia to emancipate the navigation of the Vistula, and of the emperor to free that of the Scheld do not I believe threaten the peace of Europe. On the contrary they indicate that they have no great work on hand. This assertion then of the natural right of the inhabitants of the upper part of a river to an innocent passage through the country below is rather pleasing to us. It tends to establish a principle favorable to our right of navigating the Missisipi.

We are now engaged in making an estimate of the expences of the current year. It appears that the commissioners sent to the several states to settle their accounts add so unreasonable a proportion to the expences of the Finance department, that it is my opinion Congress will recall them after some not very

distant day. I mention this that your Excellency may keep an eye over the progress of the state-settlement with mr Turner & push it unremittingly to avoid the being obliged to send the vouchers, accounts &c to Philadelphia for such parts as shall not be completed before the recall.

REPORT ON REDUCTION OF CIVIL LIST.1

[March 5, 1784.]

The committee appointed to consider what reductions may be made in the civil list have agreed to the following resolutions : Resolved that the following offices be discontinued, to wit,

The Chargé des affaires at the Court of Madrid

whose salary is

Agent at the Hague.

2d Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs

The Secretary of the War offices

Agent of Marine

Paymaster

Commissary of prisoners

The Assistant to the Superintendant of finance.

3 Clerks in the Office of finance (meaning that 3

shall remain)

I Clerk to the Comptroller

4444 Dollars

920.

700.

1000.

1500.

1000

I 200

1850

1500

500

Endorsed: "Report of Mr. Wiliamson, M: Gerry, M! Tilton, M! Jefferson, M: M'Henry. Reduction of civil list. Ent read 5 March 1784." It was considered March 24th and again on May 5th.