I have waited hitherto, supposing that Congress might, possibly, appoint a secretary to the legation here, or signify their pleasure that I should appoint a private secretary, to aid me in my office.  The communications between the ministers and myself requiring often that many and long papers should be copied, and that in a shorter time than could be done by myself, were I otherwise unoccupied, other correspondences and proceedings, of all which copies must be retained, and still more the necessity of having some confidential person, who, in case of any accident to myself, might be authorized to take possession of the instructions, letters, and other papers of the office, have rendered it absolutely necessary for me to appoint a private secretary.  Colonel Humphreys finds full occupation, and often more than he can do, in writing and recording the despatches and proceedings of the general commissions.  I shall, therefore, appoint Mr. Short, on his return from the Hague, with an express condition, that the appointment shall cease whenever Congress shall think proper to make any other arrangement.  He will, of course, expect the allowance heretofore made to the private secretaries of the ministers, which, I believe, has been a thousand dollars a year.

An improvement is made here in the construction of muskets, which it may be interesting to Congress to know, should they at any time propose to procure any.  It consists in the making every part of them so exactly alike, that what belongs to any one, may be used for every other musket in the magazine.  The government here has examined and approved the method, and is establishing a large manufactory for the purpose of putting it into execution.  As yet, the inventor has only completed the lock of the musket, on this plan.  He will proceed immediately to have the barrel, stock, and other parts, executed in the same way.  Supposing it might be useful to the United States, I went to the workman.  He presented me the parts of fifty locks taken to pieces, and arranged in compartments.  I put several together myself, taking pieces at hazard as they came to hand, and they fitted in the most perfect manner.  The advantages of this, when arms need repair, are evident.  He effects it by tools of his own contrivance, which, at the same time, abridge the work, so that he thinks he shall be able to furnish the musket two livres cheaper than the common price.  But it will be two or three years before he will be able to furnish any quantity.  I mention it now, as it may have an influence on the plan for furnishing our magazines with this arm.

Every thing in Europe remains as when I wrote you last.  The peace between Spain and Algiers has the appearance of being broken off.  The French packet having arrived without Mr. Lambe, or any news of him, I await Mr. Adams’s acceding to the proposition mentioned in my last.  I send you the Gazettes of Leyden and France to this date, and have the honor to be, with the highest respect and esteem, Sir,