Sir,
I snatch a moment to pay my last respects to your Excellency, and to mention a matter, which has occurred to me since my being on board. I have frequently reflected upon the mention, which your Excellency has made of retiring from your present important station, and have never varied the opinion, which I took the liberty of giving you once at the Count de Vergennes', viz. that the best arrangement would be to give your Excellency an active, intelligent Secretary of the Embassy, who might relieve you from the drudgery of office; and that your country should not be deprived of the advantages of your wisdom and influence. The difficulty hitherto has been to find a person properly qualified. The advantages, which your grandson derives from his knowledge of the language, and manners of the people, and his having been so long in your office, and with your Excellency, are very great. The prejudices, which have been entertained against him, may be removed by a personal introduction to Congress, especially if it is combined with rendering a popular service. I take the liberty of proposing to your Excellency, therefore, if you can spare Mr Franklin for the purpose, to commit to his care the second remittance of money, and to hasten his departure with that, and as much of the public supplies of clothing, &c. as may be ready to accompany it. I am persuaded, that in public bodies, the want of a personal acquaintance is a great objection to appointing a man to any important office.
The Engageante's boat demands my letter. I have written in the greatest haste upon a subject, which I hope your Excellency will turn to public utility.
I am, &c.
JOHN LAURENS.
[3] The sense is broken here, owing to the omission of three lines in cypher, the key to which could not be found.
[4] Copy of the Fourth Article of his Majesty's instructions to Richard Oswald, for his government in treating with the Commissioners of the Thirteen United Colonies of America for a truce or peace, the said instructions being dated the 31st day of July, 1782, viz.
"4th Article. In case you find the American Commissioners are not at liberty to treat on any terms short of independence, you are to declare to them, that you have authority to make that concession. Our ardent wish for peace, disposing us to purchase it at the price of acceding to the complete independence of the Thirteen Colonies, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Three lower Counties on the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, in North America."
[5] This refers to Mr Oswald's commission, which will be found in the Correspondence of the Commissioners for negotiating peace.
[6] This was not merely to pay a balance, but an excess on account of contingencies. Note by Mr Livingston.