I Have But a Little time to write to America, and Am taken Up from Morning Until late in the Night By the Business of our Assembly—I Have Some days Ago Given Some Account of it to Col Hamilton1 to Whom I Refer You as Well as to Mr de Stjean. The Archbishop of Toulouse2 a Man of the Finest Abilities and Great Honesty Has at last Been put at the Head of the finances—We are Now Collecting our ideas on the plans of Œconomy, and Measures to Be taken to prevent future depredations, which We ^the assembly^ Shall present to the King Before We Can think of Advising Him to New taxes—the Cause of liberty Will not upon the Whole Be a looser in the Bargain.

While Examining the Returns of the last Year, the Unpaid interest of the American debt Has Been Brought Before us, and as often Questions Have Been put to me, Which I answered in the Best Way I Could, But Wish I Could Have Answered in the Manner the Most Suitable to My feelings as an American—I Cannot Help observing, However, that the domestic debt, the debt to the Army, is still more Sacred and pressing

Some difficulties Have Arisen Respecting M. de Calonne’s letter, Which the Hurry of Business, Notwithstanding Our daily and Urging Exertions, Has prevented Being Set to Rights. But it Cannot Be Much Longer differ’d.3

This letter Will Be delivered By me to mr de Lotbiniere Who Has Claims on Some Lands Within the territory of Newyork—He Has Been ill used By the British, and I Assured Him He Would Have full justice done Him—4 His Situation, personal Honesty, and His friends Have induced me to Recommend Him Very particularly to Your patronage in His demands. With Mine and m. de Lafayette’s most Affectionate Compliments to Mrs. jay and to You I Have the Honour to Be Very Respectfully Yours,