F. I understood from Mr Hartley’s letter, which you sent me, that it was, but he does not speak positively.
L. No, Sir, the only business I have in charge, is to inquire, whether a Minister from the United States of America would be properly received at this Court.
F. Most undoubtedly, Sir; I could wish that there was one here at present; I think we have lost much time from a want of a Minister from your side.
L. Then, Sir, will you be so good as to ask his Majesty, and inform me?
F. I will take the King’s pleasure tomorrow, and you shall hear from me; I suppose there is already a conditional appointment of some person now in Europe.
L. Not that I know of, though I do not know the contrary, but I have an excellent opportunity of writing to Congress, and I have no doubt an appointment will be made immediately.
F. That is unlucky; there must be two crossings of the ocean then; if a Minister of Congress had been here, we might have done our business in half the time we have already spent, but I shall certainly inform you tomorrow; this is the very time a Minister from your people is most necessary.
L. Though I have nothing particularly in charge except the business already mentioned, I regret the delay of both the commercial and definitive treaty. We had flattered ourselves with hopes in March and April, that both would have been finished in a few days.
F. Why, as to a definitive treaty, I cannot see any necessity for one, or not immediately. The provisional articles are to be inserted, and to constitute a treaty; a ratification of those, I apprehend, will answer all the purposes of a definitive treaty; they may be made definitive. The case with respect to France and Spain differs widely; several articles in our preliminaries with them refer to a definitive treaty.
L. I agree with you, Sir, that the provisional articles, mutually ratified, may, by the consent of the parties, be made definitive; but there may be additional articles suggested and agreed to for mutual benefit.