Paris, August 14, 1785.

Sir,

I was honored, on the 22nd ultimo, with the receipt of your letter of June the 15th; and delivered the letter therein enclosed, from the President of Congress to the King.  I took an opportunity of asking the Count de Vergennes, whether the Chevalier Luzerne proposed to return to America.  He answered me that he did; and that he was here, for a time only, to arrange his private affairs.  Of course, this stopped my proceeding further in compliance with the hint in your letter.  I knew that the Chevalier Luzerne still retained the character of minister to Congress, which occasioned my premising the question I did.  But, notwithstanding the answer, which indeed was the only one the Count de Vergennes could give me, I believe it is not expected that the Chevalier will return to America:  that he is waiting an appointment here, to some of their embassies, or some other promotion, and in the mean time, as a favor, is permitted to retain his former character.  Knowing the esteem borne him in America, I did not suppose it would be wished, that I should add any thing which might occasion an injury to him; and the rather, as I presumed that, at this time, there did not exist the same reason for wishing the arrival of a minister in America, which perhaps existed there at the date of your letter.  Count Adhemar is just arrived from London, on account of a paralytic disease with which he has been struck.  It does not seem improbable, that his place will be supplied, and perhaps by the Chevalier de la Luzerne.

A French vessel has lately refused the salute to a British armed vessel in the channel.  The Charge des Affaires of Great Britain at this court (their ambassador having gone to London a few days ago) made this the subject of a conference with the Count de Vergennes, on Tuesday last.  He told me that the Count explained the transaction as the act of the individual master of the French vessel, not founded in any public orders.  His earnestness, and his endeavors to find terms sufficiently soft to express the Count’s explanation, had no tendency to lessen any doubts I might have entertained on this subject.  I think it possible the refusal may have been by order:  nor can I believe that Great Britain is in a condition to resent it, if it was so.  In this case, we shall see it repeated by France and her example will then be soon followed by other nations.  The news-writers bring together this circumstance with the departure of the French ambassador from London, and the English ambassador from Paris, the manoeuvring of the French fleet just off the channel, the collecting some English vessels of war in the channel, the failure of a commercial treaty between the two countries, and a severe Arret here against English manufacturers, as foreboding war.  It is possible that the fleet of manoeuvre, the refusal of the salute, and the English fleet of observation, may have a connexion with one another.  But I