On the 18 Inst I informed you of my having been reduced, by Mr Cabarrus’s want of good Faith to ^the mortifying necessity of^ protesting a number of bills which were then payable—1

Your Favor of the 16th. Inst. reached me three Days ago2 it made me very happy, and enabled me to retrieve the Credit which ^we had lost here by^ those Protests had injured. I consider your Letter as giving me sufficient authority fo to take the necessary arrangements with the Marqs. DYranda for paying the Residue of my Debt here as well as such of the protested Bills as may be returned here for that Purpose.3 The Account you request of all the Bills I have accepted is making out, and & when finished shall be transmitted by the first good opportunity that may offer.4 You may rely on my best Endeavour to render my Drafts as little inconvenient to You as possible.5

The british Parliament it seems begin to entertain less erroneous Ideas of us, and their Resolutions afford a useful Hint to the other Powers of Europe. If the Dutch are wise they will proffit of by it. As to this Court their System ^(if their Conduct deserves that appellation)^ with Respect to us, has been so opposite to the obvious Dictates of sound Policy that it is hard to Devine whether any thing but Experience will make ^can undecieve^ wiser them. For my Part I really think that a Treaty with them is not daily becomes less important to us; besides

That Britain should be desirous of a separate Peace with us is very natural; but as such a Proposal implies an Impeachment of our Integrity I think it ought to be rejected in such a Manner as to shew that6 our Feelings are hurt by such invidious Suspicions of our Honor ^we are not ignorant of the Respect due to our Feelings on that Head^. As long as France continues faithful to us I am clear that we ought to continue Hand in Hand with them in ^to prosecute^ the War until all their and ^as well as^ all our reasonable Objects are obtained can be attained by a peace—for I would rather see America ruined than dishonored— As to Spain and Holland we have ^as yet no^ Engagements with them and therefore are at present not further oblyged to consult either their Interest or their Inclinations further than may be convenient to us ourselves, or that ^than the^ Respect due to our good allies may render proper—

France in granting you six Million has acted with Dignity as well as Generosity— Such gifts, so given, command ^both^ Gratitude and Esteem, and I think our Country possesses sufficient Magnamity to recieve ^& to remember^ such a Marks of Friendship with all the ^a proper Degree of^ Sensibility—very different ^has^ been the Conduct of this Country pompous in Assurances niggardly in their Grants daily making promises & daily breaking them. All high & mighty in words, all mean and little in

I am pleased with your Idea of paying whatever we owe to Spain. Their pride perhaps would ^might^ forbid them to recieve our ^the^ Money—but my ^our^ Pride has been so much hurt by the littleness of their Conduct ^that^ I would in that Case, be for leaving it at the Gate of the Palace and quit take the Country— At Present such Conduct ^a Step^ would not be expedient, tho I think the Time may and will come when prudence will instead of re[s]training ^will^ urge us to hold no other Language ^or Conduct^ to this Court than that of a just, a free, and a brave People who have nothing to fear or ^from, nor^ to hope or expect ^request of^ from them— With perfect Regard & Esteem I am Dr Sr your obligd & afft Servt