Your Excellency’s Favor of the 5th July last, with the papers therewith enclosed, were delivered to me on the 29th. ulto: by Major Franks whom the procrastination of the minister still obliges me to detain.2

The new commissions ^with^ which Congress have honored me, argue a degree of confidence, which demands my warmest acknowlegments, and which so far as it may be founded on an opinion of my zeal & integrity, they may be assured will not prove misplaced—3

At the commencement of the present troubles, I determined to devote myself, during the continuance of them, to the Service of my Country in any station ^in^ which she might think proper to place me—this resolution for the first time now embarrasses me. i know it to be my duty as a public servant to be guided by my own judgment only in matters referred to my discretion, & in other cases faithfully to execute my instructions without questioning the policy of them. but there is one among those which accompanies these commissions, which occasions sensations i never before experienced & induced me to wish my that name had been omitted.

so far as personal pride and reluctance to humiliation may render this appointment contra agreeable i view it as a very [un?]important circumstance, and should congress on any occasion think it for the public good to place me in a station inferior & subordinate to the one I now hold they will find me ready to descend from the one & chearfully undertake the duties of the other. my ambition will always be more gratified in being useful than conspicuous for in my opinion the solid dignity of a man depends less on the height or extent of the sphere allotted to him than on the manner in which he may fulfil the duties of it.

But Sir, as an american i feel an interest in the dignity of my country which renders it difficult for me to reconcile myself to the idea of the Sovereign independent States of america submitting in the persons of their ministers to be absolutely governed by the advice and opinions of the servants of another Sovereign, especially in a case of such national importance—

that gratitude & confidence are due to our allies is not to be questioned & that it will probably be in the power of france almost to dictate the terms of peace for us is but too true. that such extraordinary extent of confidence may stimulate our allied to the highest efforts of generous friendship in our favor.—is not to be denied—and that this instruction receives some appearance of policy from this consideration may be admitted—

I must nevertheless take the liberty of observing that however our situation may in the opinion of congress render it necessary to relax their demands on every side, & even to direct their commissioners ultimately to concur (if nothing better could be done) in any peace or truce not subversive of our independence, which france be determined to accede to, yet that this instrucktion besides breathing a degree of complacency not quite Republican puts it out of the power of your ministers to improve those chances & opportunities which in the course of human affairs happen more or less frequently unto all men. nor is it clear that america thus casting herself into the arms of the king of france will advance either her interest or reputation with that or other nations.

what the sentiments of my colleagues on this occasion may be i do not as yet know, nor can i foresee how far the negotiation of the ensuing winter may call for the executeion of this commission, thus circumstanced at such a distance from america it would not be proper to decline this appointment. i will therefore do my best endeavor to fulfil the expectations of congress on this subject—but as for my own part i think it improbable that serious negotiations for peace will soon take place. i must entreat congress to take an early opportunity of releiving me from a station where in character of their minister i must necessarily receive (and almost under the name of opinions) the directions of those on whom I really think no american minister ought to be dependant & to whom in love for our country and zeal for her service i am sure that my colleagues and myself are at least equal.

I have the Honor to be with great Respect Your Excellency’s most obedt. & most h’ble Servant