My last particular Letter to your Excellency, was dated the 3d. of October last, by Major Franks.1 I now transmit a Duplicate of it by Mr. Stephen Codman, a Young Gentleman of Boston, who is passing through this City to Cadiz, from whence he will either be the bearer of it himself to America, or forward it by some Person of Confidence.

From the Date of that Letter to this Day, the Minister has found it convenient to continue the System of Delay mentioned in it. I have not been able to obtain any thing more than Excuses for Procrastination, and these Excuses are uniformly want of Health, or want of Time.

There is little prospect of our receiving speedy Aids from this Court, and Doctor Franklin gives me reason to fear that a great number of the Bills drawn upon me, must, after all our Exertions to save them, be finally protested for non-payment. I have from Time to Time given the Doctor a great Deal of Trouble on this Subject, and I ought to acknowledge that I am under many and great Obligations to him for his constant attention to our Affairs here.2

As soon as I get a little the better of the Rheumatism, with which I am now, and have for some Time past, been much afflicted, I shall write your Excellency another long and particular Letter.

I have just received through the Hands of the Minister’s Secretary, a letter from Mr. Livingston dated the 13th. December, marked No. 3.3 It is in Cypher, but I cannot read it, nor a duplicate of No. 2, enclosed in it, for want of a Key, which, though mentioned to have been enclosed, is missing. None of his other Letters have reached me.4 A duplicate of Mr. Thomson’s Cypher, brought by Mr. Barclay, came to me through the Post Office, with such evident marks of Inspection that it would be imprudent to use it hereafter.5

Notwithstanding all our Difficulties here, I think we should continue to oppose Obstacles by Perseverance and Patience, and my Recall should Rather be the result of cool Policy than of Resentment. I am somewhat inclined to think that it may become politic to suspend it on the Reply of the Court to a Demand of a categorical Answer. Unless the Minister’s System should change (for they still give me Hopes) it might perhaps also be proper for me to consult with Doctor Franklin, and Mr. Adams on the Subject, and send Congress the Result. For this Purpose I submit to Congress the Propriety of giving me Permission to go to France, or Holland.6

Advantages are certainly to be derived from preserving the Appearance of being well here; and such is the general Opinion at present. But I am still much inclined to think it advisable to push this Court by a Demand of a categorical Answer. I doubt their venturing to break with us. The French Ambassador thinks it would be rash, and opposes it. Hence principally arises my Suspense.7 I have the Honor to be, &c.