I was Yesterday honored with your Lordship’s Letter of the 30th. of August, with the Projects & map,1 which accompanied it.— I consider the articles in these Projects, like those in our conversations, as being merely for mutual consideration—

In these Projects several parting points present themselves— some of them I presume may be easily accommodated; but there are others which create in my mind serious apprehensions. one of these articles, being without the Limits of my authority, I think I ought now to particularize— it is the one which respects a cession of Territory in the northwestern corner of the united States. It is proper also that I should say with Frankness, that in my opinion many circumstances and considerations, which shall be submitted to your Lordship, will restrain the united States from such a cession.2

This article would entirely frustrate my Hopes, if I had not Reason to persuade myself, that the enlarged and enlightened Policy of excluding secondary, from a competition with primary objects, will always harmonize with your Lordship’s mind.

The present occasion is great, and tho’ critical, yet auspicious to the Establishment of confidence and Friendship between the two Countries: with the magnitude and Importance of these objects, the Projects in question really do not appear to me to be commensurate. I am aware that in forming them, your Lordship had many Difficulties growing out of the Subject, and probably some others, to encounter; and that your attention was constantly divided between a multitude of great and pressing affairs. As soon as I shall have more maturely considered these Projects, I shall take the Liberty of requesting the favor of your Lordship to name a Day for me to communicate the Result of my Reflections—

The negociation now becomes delicate, and I should experience more than proportionate Embarrassments, were it not for my confidence in your Lordship’s candor and Liberality, and for those Sentiments of Esteem, as well as Respect, with which I have the Honor to be my Lord Your Lordship’s most obedient & most h’ble Servant,