Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, July 4, 1784
Passy, July 4. 1784
Sir,
I have received the Letter your Excelly. did me the Honour of writing to me the 29th past.
The Annunciation directed by the Instruction you mention has not yet been made; some Circumstances and Considerations, not necessary to particularize at present, occasioned the Delay here; but it may now be done immediately by your Excellency, if you think proper, to the Imperial Minister at the Hague; or I will do it to Count Mercy, by presenting him a Copy of the Instruction itself.— 3
I hope the Report that Mr Jay is appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs will prove true.— Such an Officer has long been wanted, and he will make a good one. It is said here that Mr Jefferson was talk’d of to succeed me, of which I shall be glad on all Accounts; but I have no Letter, nor the least Hint from any one of the Congress relating to these Matters. I wrote to you a few Days since, 4 and sent you Copy of the last Dispatch, and the only one I have received since January.— Mr Hartley who has been here more than two Months, is in a similar Situation. He has expected Instructions by every late Courier to treat with us on commercial Points; but they do not arrive. He thinks the Delay occasion’d by the Report of the Committee of Council on the Subject not having been ready to lay before Parliament. 5 The Moment he is ready to treat, I shall acquaint your Excellency with it; for I make no doubt of its being “the Design and Expectation of Congress that we should join” 6 in that Transaction.
Montgomery of Alicant appears to have acted very imprudently in writing to Morocco without the least Authority from Congress or any of their Ministers.— 7 It might be well however to treat with that Prince 8 if we were provided with the proper & necessary Presents; in which Case this Court would assist our Negociations, agreable to their Treaty with Congress. 9
I have the honour to be, very respectfully, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B. Franklin
His Excellency John Adams Esqr