University of Virginia Library

TO EDMUND RANDOLPH.

My Dear Sir,—We hear nothing from Europe that
can be depended on relative to the definitive Treaty,
nor any thing from N. York as to the time it will be
evacuated. A Pamphlet has lately come over from
G. Britain which appears to be well adapted to retard
if not prevent a commercial Treaty, & which is said
to be much attended to. It urges an adherence to
the principle of the Navigation Act by which American
Vessels will be excluded from the trade between
the separate parts of the Empire, and from all intercourse
with the dependent territories. It undertakes
to shew from an enumeration of the produce of the U.
S. & the manufactures consumed by them, that those

of G. B. recommended by the superior credit which
her Merchants can give, will be sufficiently sure of a
preference in the American Market. And lastly it
maintains that the interests of the States are so
opposite in matters of Commerce, & the authority of
Congs so feeble that no defensive precautions need be
feared on the part of the U.S. and threatens that in case
they should refuse to let British Vessels exclusively
carry on a Commerce between the U. S. and the W.
Indies as far as the interest of the Islands may require,
the vessels of one State shall not be permitted to carry
the product of another to any British Port. The
Whole tenor of the reasoning supposes that France
will not permit Vessels of the U. S. to trade with their
Islands in which there is good reason to believe they
are not mistaken. The object of the French Administration
is said to be to allow a direct trade between
the U. S. & their W. India possessions, but to confine
it to French Bottoms.

The Legislature of Penna have unanimously adopted
the Recom̃endations of Congs both as to Revenue & a
change of the fœderal rule for apportioning the common
burdens. They will also present an invitation to
Congs. we understand, to resume their Sessions at
Philada, if that place be judged most fit for the despatch
of public business, untill a permanent seat be
chosen & prepared; giving at the same time explicit
assurances of support in case it should on any occasion
be needed. What effect this conciliatory proposition
may have on the temper of Congs is precarious.
With some the complaisance shewn to the late recommendations

of Congs. will be far from softening the
dislike. With others Philada will ever be obnoxious
while it contains and respects an obnoxious Character.
Annapolis has seized the present occasion to forward
her views with respect to Congs., and has courted their
presence in the most flattering terms. During this
contest among the rival seats, we are kept in the most
awkward situation that can be imagined; and it is the
more so as we every moment expect the Dutch Ambassador.
We are crowded too much either to be
comfortable ourselves or to be able to carry on the
business with advantage. Mr. Jones & myself on our
arrival were extremely put to it to get any quarters at
all, and are at length put into one bed in a room not
more than 10 feet square.