[49] This _plan of a treaty_ is contained at length in the _Secret Journals of Congress_, Vol. II. p. 7. It is accompanied with a draft of instructions to the commissioners, who were to propose it, in which modifications are suggested. * * * * * TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Passy, February 16th, 1778. Gentlemen, We have now the pleasure of sending you the treaties of amity and alliance, which France completed after long deliberation, and signed the 6th instant. This is an event, which will give our States such an appearance of stability, as must strengthen our credit, encourage other powers in Europe to ally themselves with us, weaken the hopes of our internal as well as our external enemies, fortify our friends, and be in many other respects so advantageous to us, that we congratulate you upon it most heartily. And we flatter ourselves, that the Congress will approve of the terms, and despatch the ratifications as soon as possible. It is understood that Spain is shortly to accede to the same treaties. We have in ours of December 18th, mentioned the reasons of her delay, which still subsist, but will probably not subsist much longer. These treaties continue a secret here, and may do so till the commencement of the war, which is daily expected. Our little fleet formerly mentioned, which has been long watched and detained in Nantes' river, by the English cruising off Belisle, is now on the point of sailing under the convoy of a French squadron. As the English are pretty strong in the Bay, it is probable that their attack, and the French defence of our ships, may be the prelude of a Declaration on both sides. Having received part of the 3,000,000 livres we formerly mentioned to you, we have furnished Mr W. Lee, and Mr Izard with 2,000 guineas each for the expenses of the missions to Germany and Italy. And as we have received intimations from Holland, that the appearance of one of us there might at this juncture have good effects, we have resumed the purpose formerly communicated to you, and as soon as our treaty with France is known, and the winter over, probably either Mr Deane or Mr Franklin will make a journey thither. But as we apprehend it may be known here, by some means or other, should we furnish the expense of these embassies out of the aids received from this Court, which we think not reputable to the Congress, we must again press you to make us the necessary remittances to replace what we have borrowed from the fund destined for your supplies. And particularly we pray more earnestly, that you would forward as soon as possible the 5,000 hhds of tobacco for the Farmers-General, who will soon be in want of it, and who long since advanced us a million for your use. Our honor is concerned in the fulfilment of this contract.