I think it probable that Vermont will be made independent, as I am told the State of New York is likely to agree to it.  Maine will probably in time be also permitted to separate from Massachusetts.  As yet, they only begin to think of it.  Whenever the people of Kentucky shall have agreed among themselves, my friends write me word, that Virginia will consent to their separation.  They will constitute the new State on the south side of Ohio, joining Virginia.  North Corolina, by an act of their Assembly, ceded to Congress all their lands westward of the Allegany.  The people inhabiting that territory thereon declared themselves independent, called their State by the name of Franklin, and solicited Congress to be received into the Union.  But before Congress met, North Carolina (for what reasons I could never learn) resumed their session.  The people, however, persist; Congress recommend to the State to desist from their opposition, and I have no doubt they will do it.  It will, therefore, result from the act of Congress laying off the western country into new States, that these States will come into the Union in the manner therein provided, and without any disputes as to their boundaries.

I am told that some hostile transaction by our people at the Natchez, against the Spaniards, has taken place.  If it be a fact, Congress will certainly not protect them, but leave them to be chastised by the Spaniards, saving the right to the territory.  A Spanish minister being now with Congress, and both parties interested in keeping the peace, I think, if such an event has happened, it will be easily arranged.

I told you when here, of the propositions made by Congress to the States, to be authorized to make certain regulations in their commerce; and, that from the disposition to strengthen the hands of Congress, which was then growing fast, I thought they would consent to it.  Most of them did so, and I suppose all of them would have done it, if they have not actually done it, but that events proved a much more extensive power would be requisite.  Congress have, therefore, desired to be invested with the whole regulation of their trade, and for ever; and to prevent all temptations to abuse the power, and all fears of it, they propose that whatever monies shall be levied on commerce, either for the purpose of revenue, or by way of forfeitures or penalty, shall go directly into the coffers of the State wherein it is levied, without being touched by Congress.  From the present temper of the States, and the conviction which your country has carried home to their minds, that there is no other method of defeating the greedy attempts of other countries to trade with them on unequal terms, I think they will add an article for this purpose to their Confederation.  But the present powers of Congress over the commerce of the States, under the Confederation, seem not at all understood by your ministry.  They say that body has no power to enter into a treaty of commerce;