does not appear to be
mended since I left Paris, but, if possible, greatly increased for
dispute, and for the most vexatious altercation.

Could I take any pleasure on so disagreeable a subject, and one which
throws the affairs as well as reputation of these States into
confusion and disgrace, it would be to find that the universal
testimony of all who know the situation of our affairs in France,
confirms what I have in duty and justice to these States been obliged
to lay before Congress. Mr Lee's nephew, a son of the honorable
Richard Henry Lee, is in the house of Mons. Schweighauser, at Nantes,
as a clerk, or as a partner, I am informed the latter. Commercial
affairs, and the disposition of prizes, are put into the care of this
house, while a near connexion of M. Schweighauser, at Guernsey, or
Jersey, is employing himself in sending out cruisers on our commerce.
I know nothing of M. Schweighauser, except by reports; those have been
in his favor as a good merchant, but this circumstance, added to some
others, which Mr Cutler informs me of, has given cause for the
greatest uneasiness and distrust, which, added to the difficulties met
with at Paris from Mr Arthur Lee, prevents any thing being done to
effect, if really any thing at all towards sending out supplies to
these States.

SILAS DEANE.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, 12th October, 1778.

In a conference had with Mons. Gerard, in the month of January last,
at Versailles, he observed that the thirteenth article[15] in the
treaty proposed by Congress, which exempted the molasses purchased by
the inhabitants of the United States in any of the islands belonging
to, and subject to, his Most Christian Majesty, from any duties
whatever, was an unequal article, as he termed it, that without some
concession of equal importance on the part of the United States, it
could not be agreed to, as it would carry the appearance of
inequality, and as if Congress were taking the advantage and dictating
the terms in their own favor, that therefore it was expected, either
wholly to omit the article, or place an equivalent over against it on
our part.

On my return to Paris, I laid M. Gerard's proposals before my
colleagues, who agreed generally to the justice and propriety of them,
but we found it difficult