It was not before this morning that I was informed that the Bearer of this Letter was going to France and to sail Tomorrow, & Business and Company have not till now (late in the Evening) permitted me to sit down to write to You. I cannot however omit this opportunity of sending you a few Lines, which tho not very interesting will neither nevertheless in evince my attention to a Correspondance from wh. I promise myself much Pleasure as well as much Information—

The Removal of Congress to this Place necessarily occasioned a Suspension of Business, and delayed their maturing several matters which they had under Consideration. They have within a few Days past made a House, and as they possess both Talents and Temper, there is Reason to presume that the union will derive advantage from these measures.

Advices from Kentucky inform us that they are threatned with an Indian war,1 and there is some Room to conjecture that such an Event wd. not be disagreable to our western neighbours, who if they do interfere will certainly be more cunning than wise. that Settlement increases in ^with^ a Degree ^of Rapidity^ heretofore unknown in this Country, and increase it will notwithstanding any attempts of any body to prevent it—fœderal Ideas begin to thrive in this City, and I expect in a few Days to be able to communicate to you a Circumstance which will strongly manifest it.

Altho we are ^can^ not ^be^ immediately interested in the war which some think ^wh[ich] it is thought^ will take place between the Emperor & the Dutch, yet we may be affected by its Consequences ^&[press?]^ and therefore must wish to know who will, and who will not, probably take sides with this or that Party, in Case of a Rupture.

Have we any Reason to flatter ourselves that you will encourage us to drink your wines by ^permitting yr Islands to^ eating our Bread? Or will Bo^u^rdeaux (as is said) constrain Versailles to patronize a provincial monopoly at the Expence of a more liberal and more general policy. Commercial priviledges granted to us by France at this Season of british ill Humour who wd. be particularly grateful, and afford strong ^conclusive^ Evidence agt. its being the Plan of the two Kingdoms to exclude restrict our Trade to the Islands—You know how uneasy we are under these Restraints, and I am ^we^ confide fully in your Exertions to remove them—2

I write very fully freely, but you are my fellow Citizen & therefore it does not appear to me necessary to attempt to dress my Ideas a la Mode de Paris—

Be pleased to present Mrs. Jays & my respectful Compliments to your amiable Lady, and believe me to be Dear Sir with great Regard & Esteem Yr most obt. & very hble Servt