A Letter in Secy Thompson’s Hand writing directed to the American Ministers for Peace, & [illegible] ^& hinting^ the Expediency of of an Article for extending the Term assigned by the Treaty for the Exchange of Ratifications, arrived last Month & was communicated to me by Dr. Franklin—1 shortly afterwards we were both confined, he by the Gout & I by the Rheumatism—on at the first ^subsequent^ visit I paid him he informed me, that not being able to see me he had written a Letter to to you reqestin requesting you to negociate ^for^ such an article—2 I approved of the Measure, and now mention these Circumstances to account for my not havg joined in the Letter—

Col. Harmar last Week brought us the Am. Ratification & thereupon we wrote a joint Letter to the Doctr. agreed to prepare Letters on the occasion to you & Mr. Hartley— He sent me the Latter, and I signed it3 ^He^ [illegible] for on after Consideration he thought it best that as He has written a private Letter to Mr. Adams on that Subject & I presume has done the same to You—4 These Informalities do not Strike ^me^ as of any Importance; for provided Business be done, I am content that the Trouble arising from Forms shd. be avoided— The Doctr I am sure means nothing else— I think it best notwithstanding that these Matters shd. be explained—

It wd give me great Pleasure to hear that your Health is reestablished—that of myself and Family continues delicate—the youngest Child being far from well & Mrs. Jay frequently indisposed—my english sore Throat continues ^is still^ obstinate—we shd. by this Time have been on the Road to one of the Ports to embark for America; but the late arrival of Mr. Carmichael whom I expected sooner, with the public Accounts, & the absence of Mr Barclay who is to settle them, detain me.

Be pleased to present our best Compliments to Miss & Mr Laurens— With great Respect & Esteem ^Regard^ I have the Honor to be Sir your most obt & very h’ble Servt.