I was duely honored with your Favor of the 19th. January.1 Accept my best Thanks for your kind Wishes respecting my Health. I have now the pleasure to inform you that it is much better than when I wrote you last.

As I hope soon to pay you my Respects in person you shall not at this time be troubled with a long Letter. I expect to sail for Maryland the 1st. of June.

Matters go on here much after the usual mode. You will doubtless have heard of the appointment of Temple as Consul for America.2 By what I can learn Ministry themselves are not satisfied with it; and it is more than probable he will be superceded with the Indemnification of a Pension. Every advance on the part of our Gentlemen to begin a Commercial Treaty has been ineffectual & I understand the last Answer given was that “They could not see the advantage for Security for, entering into a Commercial Treaty with Congress, whilst it’s Powers if not disputed, were doubted, & that the measures pressing by different states for restricting Trade with England might strike at the Root of any Treaty made with the Ministers of Congress—That the States reserved to themselves the seperate powers of restraining Laws & therefore unless they would surrender those Powers to Congress for the purpose of forming a Commercial Treaty Ministry here could not see the utility of negotiating upon one, which if carried into Effect in Europe, might be rendered ineffectual in America from the opposition of any one of the States.”3

We are informed that Mr Adams is appointed to come here.4 Malignity already shows her pointed Fangs in News Paper Paragraphs.—Such as “an Ambassador from the mighty the United States to the poor Court of Little Britain &ca”—

I have sent to France for the particulars of Articles had at Rouen, and if found right, will pay it.

By Kittys Letter I learn you were all well at which I sincerely rejoice—Pray present my Respects to Mrs. Jay & all your Family. With Respect & Esteem I am Dear Sir Your Affect: huml Servt