John Adams to Benjamin Franklin, December 5, 1783

London Dec. 5. 1783.

Sir

Commodore Jones is just arrived from Philadelphia with Dispatches. Those directed to the Ministers I opened. One contained nothing but Newspapers and Proclamations. The other contained a Letter to “the Commissioners” and a Sett of Instructions. The Letter bears Date the 1. of November the Instructions the 29 of Octr.— A remaining Packet is directed to you alone, but probably contains a Commission to Us all to treat of Commerce with Great Britain. 9

Mr Jay and Mr Laurens are at Bath, and the Bearer is inclined to go on to Paris. 1 I shall Send on the Dispatches and depend upon your Sending Us, the earliest Intelligence, if you find a Commission (in the Packet to you,) in Pursuance of the Resolution of the first of May last, 2 because that Parliament must do Something before they rise respecting the Trade, and their Proceedings may probably be Somewhat the less evil, for knowing beforehand that there is in Europe a Power to treat.

I Shall wait with Some Impatience to hear from you because, if there is no Commission under Cover to you, in which I am named, I Shall go to the Hague, and there take up my abode for some time. I have just recd a Letter from Willink & Co which Shews that Money is exhausted & Credit too. He incloses me his Letter to you, 3 but I fear you will not be able to assist him. With great respect &c