The British Ratification of the Treaty not having arrived and consequently the time for appointing the Commissioners mentioned in it not being come, I have this long postponed replying to yours of 21 last month. 1

It certainly is important that the Commissioners relative to the Debts, and also the Captures, be men the best qualified for those places.

Probably it would be adviseable to appoint one Lawyer and one Merchant for each of them. The capture Cases are to be decided in London. From much that I have heard, and the little I have observed of Mr. Higginson2 of Boston I am induced to think him as a Merchant, the best qualified of any I am acquainted with, and the Mass of the Captures being from the Eastern & middle States, it perhaps would be most satisfactory that the Commissioners should be from those Countries; with him I should be inclined to join Mr King or Mr. Dexter,3 or perhaps Mr Smith of So. Carolina.4

For the Debts, it seems to me best to take some sensible Merchant north of the Potomack, and particularly of Philada., if one of acknowledged Weight and Character could be found willing to serve— if not I should think of Col. Wadsworth, or some other like him and associate with him Judge Paterson, or Mr Benson, or Mr Marshall.

I am really very much at a Loss about Sir John Sinclair’s Plan—5 it pleases me and I wish that our Country would offer Bounties for useful Discoveries whenever made.

Perhaps no Inconvenience could arise from recommending such a Measure to Congress in general Terms, without having any Reference whatever to Great Britain—but even this I think had better be postponed untill the Treaty Business shall have been dispatched— With perfect Respect Esteem & attachmt. I am Dear Sir your obliged & affecte. Servt.