e this conduct with regard to
the French, who may happen to be among us. Every means should be used
to remove ancient prejudices, and cultivate a friendship that must be
so useful to both nations. Some transactions here, during the last
four or five months, in the rigorous observance of treaties, with
regard to the equipments of our armed vessels in the ports, and the
selling of our prizes, have no doubt made ill impressions on the minds
of our seamen and traders, relative to the friendship of this Court.
We were then obliged to observe a secrecy, which prevented our
removing those prejudices, by acquainting our people with the
substantial aids France was privately affording us; and we must
continue in the same situation, till it is thought fit to publish the
treaties. But we can, with pleasure, now acquaint you that we have
obtained full satisfaction, viz. 400,000 livres for the owners of the
prizes confiscated here, for a breach of the laws by a false
declaration, (they being entered as coming from Eustatia) and the
payment will be made to the owners in America. We mean the prizes
taken by Captains Babson and Hendricks, in the Boston and Hancock
privateers, which prizes, after confiscation, were, from reasons of
state, restored to the English. This is a fresh proof of the good will
and generosity of this Court, and their determination to cultivate the
friendship of America.

The preparations for war continue in the ports with the utmost
industry; and troops are marching daily to the sea-coasts, where three
camps are to be formed. As France is determined to protect her
commerce with us, a war is deemed inevitable.

Mr William Lee, we suppose, acquaints you with the decease of Mr
Morris, his colleague in the commercial agency. On our application to
the ministry, an order was obtained to put Mr Lee in possession of his
papers. If that department has been found useful, and likely to
continue so, you will no doubt appoint one or more persons to take
care of the business, as Mr Lee has now another destination. Perhaps
the general commerce, likely to be soon opened between Europe and
America, may render such an appointment unnecessary.

We would just add, for the consideration of Congress, whether
considering the mention of Bermudas in one of the articles, it may not
be well to take possession, with the consent of the inhabitants of
that island, and fortify the same as soon as possible, and also to
reduce some, or all of