Enclosing his remarks on the proposed articles of a basis for the negotiations.
To the President of Congress. Paris, July 15th, 1781,
Thinks there is no objection to sending a Minister of the United States to the proposed Congress at Vienna, without a previous acknowledgment of their independence.—Little prospect of obtaining anything by negotiation without successes in America, and the expulsion of the English from the United States.
To the Count de Vergennes. Paris, July 16th, 1781,
Further remarks on the proposed basis of negotiation.—The imperial Courts have omitted the two preliminaries of the British Court, to which the latter will probably adhere.—The English policy is to amuse the powers with a pretended desire for peace.—No objection to the presence of a Minister of the United States at Vienna without a previous acknowledgment of independence.—His instructions forbid him to agree to the armistice or statu quo.
To the President of Congress. Amsterdam, July 17th, 1781,
Memorial of Amsterdam against the Duke of Brunswick.
Count de Vergennes to John Adams. Versailles, July 18th, 1781,
The United States cannot appear in the proposed negotiation until certain preliminaries are settled.