cated this paper to Dr Franklin, who, after
showing it to me, sent it to the Count de Vergennes. The Count wrote
to the Doctor the following letter on the subject.

Translation.

"I have received, Sir, the letter of today, with which you have
honored me, and the copy of the powers, which Mr Oswald communicated
to you. The form in which it is conceived, not being that which is
usual, I cannot form my opinion on the first view of it. I am going to
examine it with the greatest attention, and, if you will be pleased to
come here on Saturday morning, I shall be able to confer about it with
you and Mr Jay, if it should be convenient for him to accompany you.

"I have the honor to be, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

"_Versailles, August 8th, 1782._"

On the 10th of August, we waited upon the Count de Vergennes, and a
conference between him and us, on the subject of Mr Oswald's
commission, ensued.

The Count declared his opinion, that we might proceed to treat with Mr
Oswald under it, as soon as the original should arrive. He said it was
such a one as we might have expected it would be, but that we must
take care to insert proper articles in the treaty, to secure our
independence and our limits against all future claims.

I observed to the Count, that it would be descending from the ground
of independence to treat under the description of Colonies. He
replied, that names signified little; that the King of Great Britain's
styling himself the King of France was no obstacle to the King of
France's treating with him; that an acknowledgment of our
independence, instead of preceding, must in the natural course of
things be the effect of the treaty, and that it would not be
reasonable to expect the effect before the cause. He added, that we
must be mindful to exchange powers with Mr Oswald, for that his
acceptance of our powers, in which we were styled Commissioners from
the United States of America, would be a tacit admittance of our
independence. I made but little reply to all this singular reasoning.
The Count turned to Dr Franklin and asked him what he thought of the
matter. The Doctor said, he believed the commission would do. He next
asked my opinion. I told him that I did not like it, and that it was
best to proceed cautiously.

On returning, I could not forbear observing to Dr Franklin, that it
was evident the Count did not wish to see our