Washington, off Poole, August 2d, 1783.
Sir,
In pursuance of the determination signified in the preceding copy of my last, of the 17th ult, I proceeded to Paris, and arrived there on the 23d. The despatches being finished for captain Barney, by advice of Dr Franklin and Mr Jay, I embarked in the Washington, and am presently going on shore at Poole, from whence I shall immediately proceed to London, and apply to the Ministers at that Court for learning their resolutions, respecting the long pending treaties, and particularly for information, whether a Minister from the United States will be properly received there. Had the wind been unfavorable, I should have detained Captain Barney for conveyance of such answers as I may receive, but I have recommended to him to profit by the present easterly gale, without losing a moment. I am from sea sickness unable to add more, except that I shall advise by the earliest opportunities, and that,
I have the honor to be, &c.
HENRY LAURENS.
TO L. R. MORRIS.
London, August 9th, 1783.
Sir,
On the 4th instant, I had the honor of receiving your very obliging letter of April the 18th, accompanied by “a state of Mr Laurens’s account with the United States,” &c. and a bill on Mr Grand for its apparent balance 7083 livres, 7s. which is said to be for three months’ salary from the 1st of January, to the 31st of March 1783. For former quarter’s salary, about 16,666 livres, 13s. had been remitted to me, wherefore I presume there is an error in the present article. I have not learned of any alteration made by Congress in the Ministers’ salaries, except in the mode of calculating the exchange of dollars. If there is an error you will cause it to be rectified. Be pleased, Sir, to accept this as an acknowledgment of the receipt of the said bill for seven thousand and eighty-three livres and seven sols, and also of my best thanks for your goodness in forwarding the remittance. Besides the above mentioned error, the account is partial, confined probably to the administration of Mr Robert R. Livingston, or of Mr R. Morris, and an adjustment of the whole therefore must be deferred to a future day. I would also remark another omission, the commission for agency, due either to Mr Livingston or yourself, which may be deducted from a future bill, and will be admitted on my part with alacrity and thankfulness for your trouble.