I had flattered myself that Chev. Jones wd. have been ready he been prepared to go in the french Packet wh. is to sail the Day after Tomorrow, but certain Circumstances make it necessary for him to postpone his Departure to some future Opportunity. Mr. It seems also that Mr. Jarvis who had given me Notice of his Intention of taking a ^his^ Passage in the Packet, finds it convenient to remain here until the first of next Month.

On the 24th. July last I had the Honor of writing you that further Dispatches ^on Subjects touched in yr Letters^ should soon be transmitted, and I flatter myself that the Reasons wh. have hitherto delayed them will soon cease. Your Letters of the 4 May & 21 June have since arrived, & been communicated to the President of Congress.1 As a Quorum Since their Arrival, a Quorum of the States has not been represented, so that as yet they have not been laid before Congress, and consequently have not given Occasion to any Acts or Instructions—I read them with Pleasure, for they exhibit strong Marks of Attention in my opinion they do Honor to the writer—

You will find herewith enclosed an Act of Congress of the 27 July, containing the Instructions you requested respecting the Medals, and also a Copy of a Letter from me to the Presidt. of congress, conveying [illegible] covering one I had recd. from the Gov of Rhode Island, respecting the Seizure & Condemnation of a Vessel of that State at Tobago—These Papers speake for themselves, and therefore do not require Explanation or Comments. The ^[in margin] enclosed Letter for Mr Pauly is from Gen. Varnum on that Subject.^2

The Convention will probably rise next Week, & their Proceedings will probably cause not only much Consideration, but also much Discussion, Debate, and perhaps Heat; for as docti indoctique scribimus,3 so docti in doctique will sit in ^great & [illegible]^ council and [illegible] as well as disinterested Patriots & interested Politicians will sit in Council & in Judgment, both within & without Doors. There is nevertheless a Degree of Intelligence & Information in the Mass of our People, wh. affords much Room for Hope that by Degrees our Affairs will assume a more consistant & pleasing Aspect. For my own part, I have long found myself in an awkward Situation, seeing much to be done & enabled to do very little—all we can do is to persevere—if Good results our Labor will not be in vain, if not we ^shall^ have done our Duty, and that Reflection is valuable—with the best wishes for your Health & Happiness, & with very sincere Esteem & Regard, I am Dr sir Yr most obt. & hble Servt.