It is with the utmost Reluctance that I can prevail upon myself, to draw your Excellency’s Attention from the great objects that perpetually engage ^it.^—but the Liberality, Frankness, and Candor which distinguished your Conduct towards me the last Evening has impressed me with such correspondent Sentiments of Delicacy, as to place me in a most disagreable Situation.

Deeply sensible of the Benefits recieved by my Country from their illustrious Ally, prompted by Duty and Inclination to act, not only with the highest Integrity, but the greatest Frankness towards him & his ministers, and influenced by the good opinion I have imbibed of the Talents Attachment & Prudence of the Count De Montmorin, I have given him and his Court assurances that he should recieve from me all that Confidence, which these Considerations dictate. These assurances were sincere— I have most strictly conformed to them and as no Circumstances of Delicacy forbid it, I have communicated to him the Information I gave your Excellency relative to American Affairs, & the Resolution of Congress for drawing Bills upon me— These being the only Transactions within my Knowledge & Department, which related to that proposed Connection between Spain and America, for the Accomplishment of which, the King of France has been pleas’d to interpose his kind offices with his catholic Majesty—

But Sir! my Feelings will not allow me to permit the Confidence due to one Gentleman, to interfere with that which may be due to another— Honor prescribes Limits to each, which no Consideration can tempt me to violate. You spoke to me last Evening in the Character of a private Gentleman as well as a public Minister, & in both without Reserve. Let me entreat your Excellency therefore, to inform me whether I am to consider your Conferences with me either in the whole or in Part, as confidential? I am apprized of the Delicacy of this Question, I wish I could know your Sentiments without putting it— I assure you my Esteem & Respect is too Sincere and too great, not to make me regret every measure that can give you an uneasy Sensation— On this occasion I am urged by Justice to you as well as to myself, and that must be my Apology.—

Unpractised in the ways of Courts, I rejoice in finding that I am to transact the Business committed to me with a Gentleman who adorns his exalted Station with Virtues as well as Talents, and looks down on that System of Finesse and Chicane which, however prevalent, Wisdom rejects and Probity disapproves— With Sentiments of Attachment & Esteem, I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient & most humble Servant