Dear Sir,

I have only time to inform you, that our objections to Mr Oswald's
first commission have produced a second, which arrived yesterday. It
empowers him to treat with the commissioners of the _Thirteen United
States of America_. I am preparing a longer letter on this subject,
but as this intelligence is interesting, I take the earliest
opportunity of communicating it.

With great regard and esteem, I am, &c.

JOHN JAY.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Paris, October 13th, 1782.

Dear Sir,

I hope my letter to you of the 18th of September, of which I also sent
a duplicate, has come safe to hand, for it contained important matter,
viz. a copy of a letter from M. Marbois to the Count de Vergennes,
against our sharing in the fishery.

This Court advised and persuaded us to treat with Mr Oswald under his
first commission. I positively refused.

Count d'Aranda will not or cannot exchange powers with me, and yet
wants me to treat with him; this Court would have me do it, but I
decline it.

I would give you details, but must not until I have an American to
carry my letters from hence.

Mr Oswald is well disposed. You shall never see my name to a bad
peace, nor to one that does not secure the fishery.

I have received many long letters from you, which I am as busy in
decyphering as my health will permit.

M. de Lafayette is very desirous to give us his aid; but as we have a
competent number of Commissioners, it would not be necessary to give
him that trouble.

I am, Dear Sir, with great esteem and regard, your most obedient
servant,

JOHN JAY.

_P. S._ General du Portail is to be the bearer of this. I believe he
goes by order of the Court.

* * * * *

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Paris, November 17th, 1782.

Dear Sir,

Although it is uncertain when I shall have an opportunity either of
finishing or transmitting the long particular letter, which I am now
undertaking to write, I think the matter it will contain is too
interesting to rest only in my memory, or in short notes, which nobody
but myself can well unfold the meaning of. I shall, therefore, write
on as my health will