At 7 o’clock yesterday evening, Mr. Blaney delivered to me the very important dispatches, which you had consigned to his care. He arrived at Norfolk eight days ago, after having been beaten off from the capes of Virginia for some weeks by strong winds. His charge was in good order, and the seals and Envelope were unviolated.1

The Amiable for Liverpool having dropped down the Delaware, there is a chance of putting this letter on board of her until five o’clock, but no later.2 You will not therefore expect much more from me, than the acknowledgment of the treaty.

The last evening and this morning the President has been employed in perusing your dispatches; and they will occupy his attention, until he shall have come to some definitive judgment. Altho’ it is so extremely uncertain, whether you will be in England when this letter shall reach it, I should be happy to give you his opinion if he had been able in so short a time to mature it.

The Senate will meet, as I have stated to you in another letter by the Amiable, on the 11th. of June next.3 In the mean time the treaty will remain unknown thro’ the President or myself to any person upon earth.

I will only add, that the particulars of your oral negotiations would be of infinite value, in shewing what was unattainable— Be assured however, that whether they arrive or not in time, you shall find the same unvaried candor, which has been hitherto pursued: and especially in the documents, accompanying the treaty to the senate. It at present seems just, that no letters from this department, which we had reason to suppose would not reach you before the treaty should be concluded, will should be laid before them.

As this letter will be addressed to other gentlemen besides yourself, I shall only add my wishes for your happy return, and that I have the honor to be Sir, yr. mo. ob. serv.