from England. I dine with him to-day (26th) and if any .... thing of importance occurs, I will add it in a postscript.

Be pleased to present my dutiful respects to the Congress, assure them of my most faithful services, and believe me to be, with great and sincere esteem, Sir, &e. B. FRANKLIN.

: SIR,

To R. R. LIVINGSTON, ESQ.

Passy, July 27, 1783.

The definitive treaties between the late belligerent powers are none of them yet completed. Ours has gone on slowly, owing partly to the necessity Mr. Hartley (successor of Mr. Oswald) thinks himself under of sending, every proposition, either his own or ours, to his Court for their approbation, and their delay in answering, through negligence perhaps, since they have heard our ports are open, or through indecision occasioned by ignorance of the subject, or through want of union among the ministers. We send you herewith copies of several papers that have passed between us. Mr. Hartley has for some time assured us that he is in hourly expectation of answers, but they do not arrive. The British proclamation respecting the commerce appears to vex him a good deal. We enclose a copy. And we are of opinion that finally we shall find it best to drop all commercial articles in our definitive treaty; and leave every thing of that kind to a future special treaty to be made either in America or in Europe, as Congress shall think fit to order. Perhaps it may be best to give powers for that purpose to the minis-, ter that probably will be sent to London. The opinion here is, that it will be becoming in us to take the first

step towards the mutual exchange of ministers; and we have been assured by the English minister who treats with' us here, that ours will be well received.

The Dutch preliminaries are not yet agreed on, and it seems to be settled that we are to sign all together, in the presence of the ministers of the two imperial courts who are to be complimented with the opportunity of signing as mediators, though they have not yet, and perhaps will not be consulted in the negociations. Mr. Adams is gone to Holland for three weeks, but will return sooner if wanted. The propositions you mention as made to us from that state, we suppose he has given you an account of. Nothing was or is likely to be done upon them here, and therefore it was less necessary to say any thing concerning them. A minister from that country has been gone some time to Congress, and if he has those propositions" in charge, they will best be considered there. With great esteem we have the honour to be, Sir, &c.'' "'

GENTLEMEN,

‹ Paris, August 12, 1783. -

I have the honor of transmitting to you a copy of a letter which I have received from Mr. Fox, contain ing an account of the Queen having been happily delivered of a princess, and that her Majesty and the young princess are as well as can be expected.

Since the reconciliation which has happily taken place

between our two countries, I am happy in the opportunity of communicating to you such an occasion of our joint congratulations, as to the first token, of that satisfaction which your country (and you, as the ministers of it in the present case) will receive from this, and from every event which may contribute to the happiness and honour of the King, the Queen, and all the royal family of Great Britain. I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect and consideration, your most obedient servant,

D. HARTLEY.

To D. HARTLEY, ESQ.

SIR,

We have received the letter which you did us the honour to write on the 12th instant, and shall take the first opportunity of conveying to Congress the agreeable information contained in it.

The sentiments and sensations which the re-establishment of peace between our two countries, ought to diffuse through both, lead us to participate in the pleasure which the birth of a princess must naturally give to the royal family and people of Great Britain; and we sincerely congratulate their Majesties on that addition to their domestic happiness. We have the honor to be with great regard and esteem, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servants, J. ADAMS,

B. FRANKLIN,
J. JAX.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY M, LE COMTE DE VERGENNES.

SIR,

A

Passy, Aug. 16, 1783.

I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that the English ministry do not agree to any of the propositions that have been made either by us, or by their minister here; and they have sent over a plan for the definitive treaty, which consists merely of the preliminaries formerly signed, with a short introductory paragraph, and another at the conclusion, confirming and establishing the said preliminary articles. My colleagues seem inclined to sign this with Mr. Hartley, and so to finish the affair. I am, with respect, Sir, your Excellency's, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

MONS. DE RAYNEVAL, (under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) A MONS. FRANKLIN.

A Versailles, le 29 Août, 1783.

J'ai rendu compte à M. le Comte de Vergennės, Monsieur, de la difficulté que fait M. Hartley de signer à Versailles, et ce ministre m'a chargé de vous mander que rien ne devoit vous empêcher de signer à Paris Mercredi prochain, jour désigné pour la signature des autres traités : mais il vous prie d'indiquer à Mr. Hartley 9 heures du matin, et d'envoyer ici un exprès, immédiatement après votre signature faite. M. de Vergennes veut être assuré que votre besogne est consommée en même tems que la sienne. Vous recevez pour Mercredi un billet d'invitation, ainsi que Messieurs vos collègues et Mons. Hartley; je présume que celui-ci n'y trouvera aucune difficulté.

J'ai l'honneur d'être avec un parfait attachement, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur,

DE RAYNEVAL.

DAVID HARTLEY, ESQ. TO THE AMERICAN

GENTLEMEN,

MINISTERS.

Paris, Aug. 29, 1783.

As the day is now fixed for the signatures of the definitive treaties between Great Britain, France and Spain, I beg leave to inform your Excellencies, that I am ready to sign the definitive treaty between Great Britain and the United States of America, whenever it shall be convenient to you. I beg the favour therefore of you to fix the day. My instructions confine me to Paris as the place appointed to me for the exercise of my functions, and therefore whatever day you may fix upon for the signature, I shall hope to receive the honour of your company at the Hôtel d' York. I-am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect and consideration, your most obedient servant, D. HARTLEY.

The American Ministers, plenipotentiaries for making peace with Great Britain, present their compliments to Mr. Hartley. They regret that Mr. Hartley's instructions will not permit him to sign the definitive treaty of peace with America at the place appointed for the signature of the others. They will nevertheless have the honor of waiting upon Mr. Hartley at his lodgings at Paris, for the purpose of signing the treaty in question, on Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock.

Passy, Aug. 30, 1783,