The Letters which since my arrival I have had the Honor of writing to you, are as follows.— 9th. June at Falmouth,1 left with our Consul2 there to transmit by the Active Captn. Blair for Phila.—3 & the 23d: June4 by Mr. Francis, of which I also sent a Duplicate by the Mohawk. Captn. Allan to New York,5 & 26 June by the same—6

On the 27th. June I had a conference with Lord Grenville, in the course of which all the Topics of Difference between the two Nations were touch’d.— This Conference I considered as intended for more particular discussions: It amounted ^however^ only to a friendly and informal conversation on these subjects:— He appeared to be liberal, candid & temperate, but did not commit himself or say any thing decisive on any point.— He observ’d that He wish’d first to be inform’d of the Extent of our Views and Objects, and that a consultation with the rest of the Kings Ministers would be necessary to enable him to be more explicit.—7 This appear’d to me to be perfectly fair and proper.

In conversing on the subject of Captures and Spoliations I was surpris’d that not a single case under the instructions of November had been laid before him—8 He requested me to furnish him with some of the strongest of those cases; and remarked that an accurate knowledge of facts should precede any measures on that Head:— He said very frankly that there might be such a state of things as to render the interposition of Government proper and necessary to satisfy Justice; and that He, was desirous of having such exact information as would enable Him to judge whether & how far the Captures in question were under that Predicament.9

On applying to Mr. Pinckney I learned that no such cases had been transmitted to him from America.

Mr. Crafts, a Gentleman from Boston, has furnished me with the case of the Charlotte decided at Antigua & from which decision an appeal was made.— it unfortunately happens that this is not among the strongest of those cases.—Mr. Crafts took the Opinion of Council on the subject. That Opinion is as follows.

The list of Captures with which I was furnished does not state the Principles or Pretexts on which the [con]demnations mention’d in it were grounded, & consequently is of little use on the present Occasion.— The Case of Marston Watson, which I rec’d from you before my departure, is a very strong one; but then it asserts only the Expectation, but not the certainty of condemnation.13

No Dispatches from Mr. Higginson (of whose instructions I have a Copy) have as yet reach’d me:— Those instructions are in my Opinion well devised, and if as well executed, will furnish me with all the Information which it seems has become so requisite.14

On the 3d. of this Month, I was in the usual form presented to the King, & the next day to the Queen.15 The reception I receiv’d from them both was affable & satisfactory; and perfectly calculated to create an opinion of the good will of this Government to the United States: The King seem’d to be well prepar’d for the occasion: He express’d his confidence in the assurances I gave him of the disposition of the United States to cultivate Peace and Harmony:— He intimated (but without any direct application) that it was expedient for all Nations who respected Order, good Government, morality and Religion, to be Friends:— on this topic He expressed many general sentiments that were liberal & proper:— How far these appearances will correspond with future Facts, Time only can decide:— they certainty afford some, tho’ not conclusive Evidence of a friendly disposition.

By the Arrival of the William Penn, your late correspondence with Mr. Hammond became known to the public.— what impression it has made on the Government here, I have not as yet been able to judge.16

In the conduct of this Negotiation, I shall proceed with as much Expedition as Prudence will permit: It appears to me expedient to be guided by Occasions & circumstances, and to give every conciliatory application a fair Experiment:— Conceiving it to be adviseable to afford the Minister an opportunity of increasing the Evidence of a friendly disposition, I prepared a Letter to him, which after having well considered I sent to him the next day:— it is in these words, viz.

To this letter I have not as yet receivd an Answer.21 nor did I expect one so early.— You will readily perceive that before it can be answer’d, the Administration will probably think it necessary to decide on their line of Conduct towards our Country.— whatever the Answer may be, it will unavoidably contain indications, either of Evasions or Suspence, or Irritation, or fair & liberal Conduct:— what the complexion will be, I cannot predict: as yet I have every reason to be satisfied, & it is but just and right that I should say it without Reserve.

I shall persevere in my Endeavors to acquire the Confidence & Esteem of the Government, not by improper Compliances, but by that Sincerity, Candor, Truth & Prudence, which in my opinion will always prove to be more wise & more effectual than Finesse & Chicane.

Formal discussions of disputed points should in my Judgement be postponed untill the case becomes desperate.— my present object is to accommodate rather than to convict or convince:— Men who sign their names to agreements seldom retract.

If however, my present plan should fail, and I am far from being certain that it will not, I shall then prepare and present such formal, & at the same time such temperate & firm Representations as may be necessary to place the Claims & Conduct of the two Governments in their proper points of View

On the 5th. July I receiv’d the following letter from Mr. Henry Waddell viz

I immediately sent that ^it^ to Lord Grenville enclos’d in the following Letter. viz

This Letter needs no comment, it will probably lead the Minister to observe, that all Descriptions of Persons among us are affected by the injuries of which we complain, and will naturally participate in the Resentments which those injuries cannot fail to excite— it is for the sake of this Idea, that I mention this Transaction: which in other respects may not be deem’d of sufficient importance to find a place in this Letter.

I have seen many respectable & influential characters here, and from their sentiments & conversation there certainly is reason to believe, that War with us would be an unpopular measure; provided nothing should occur, to fix the imputation of aggression on us.

In a late conversation with certain persons attached to the administration, and of weight in that Scale, the general Conduct of our Government receiv’d the most unreserved approbation, and the Character of the President was spoken of in terms of the highest respect.24

I have not heard that Carltons Speech25 or Simcoe’s Interference were defended by anybody, as yet I have neither heard or seen anything that looks like a hostile Disposition in the mass of this Nation towards ours, but the contrary.26

What designs may be or have been in the Cabinet is another matter:— information of that kind is not readily acquir’d, but I shall not be inattentive to it. Men are prone to suspect, sometimes too much and sometimes too little:—and to avoid both Extremes is more proper than it is easy.

On the Subject of the Affairs committed to me I have nothing further to add at present.

I have receiv’d a Letter from Mr. Bourne, which, together with my answer to it, should, I think be communicated to you.— they are as follows, viz.

I have been favor’d with yours of the 27th. of last Month, accept my thanks for the friendly congratulations contained in it.

That the President may be inform’d of the Facts you mention, I shall take the liberty of transmitting an Extract from ^copy of^ your letter to the Secretary of State.

Not being within the limits of my Commission I cannot with Propriety interfere by making any representations on these Subjects.

With the best wishes for your Health & Happiness I am Sir &c &c &c

8 July 1794. Nothing new has occurred since the aforegoing Letter was written— I have the Honor to be with great Respect Sir Your most obt. & h’ble Servt