the want of other occasions, has prevented me
from doing myself the honor of addressing you since the 29th ultimo. I
hope you will be persuaded that my time has been devoted to no other
pursuits than those which my duty dictates. Enclosed I have the honor
to send a particular relation of the most interesting circumstances
which have passed in this interval. I have had occasion to compare
this intelligence with that of others, and particularly with letters
written by a marine officer in this service, but at the same time
employed to convey information to another Court, and I find upon the
whole my correspondent conforms with others in the most material
points, and enters into more minute details than those I have seen
from other quarters.

My letters of the 26th and 29th will have advised you of the steps I
have taken to obtain redress on affairs interesting to individuals,
and to our commerce in general. The enclosed copy of a letter from his
Excellency the Count de Florida Blanca, will show that my endeavors
have not been entirely ineffectual. The affair of the duties is still
under deliberation. As soon as Mr Harrison shall have disposed of the
Lord Howe, I shall address the Minister on the subject of the Dover
cutter; there can then be no pretence for detention or delay. I have
since my last received advice from Paris, but not from our
commissioners, that the difficulties with respect to the powers of the
British Plenipotentiary have been obviated, and that a separate agent
has been named to treat with us. But on this head you will have more
ample information than it is in my power to give you.

I am also informed, that M. Rayneval, brother to M. Gerard, has gone
to London. This circumstance renders the appearance of the negotiation
more serious. I am persuaded the greatest obstacles to a pacification
will come from this quarter. It is difficult to relinquish favorite
ideas, of which to attain the accomplishment, so much treasure has
hitherto been spent in vain. Perhaps it will be best for us that we
have not concluded a treaty here, which we have so long solicited.

The expedition mentioned in my last, is certainly resolved on. The
Count d'Estaing it is said will have the command, and will sail from
Cadiz with between forty and fifty sail of the line, and ten or twelve
thousand troops. The squadron at Brest is fitting for sea, and is to
consist of eight or ten sail of the line. It is conjectured it will
sail as