Your information relative to the transactions at Petersburgh and in Denmark are very interesting, and afforded me a good deal of satisfaction, particularly the former. Mr Searle will have the pleasure of seeing you. I recommend him warmly to your civilities. He is much your friend, and will advise Mr Laurens to make you his secretary, which I hope you will accept. I have given it as my opinion, that Mr L. can nowhere find one better qualified, or more deserving. The choice is left to that Minister, and he is empowered to give a salary of £500 sterling a year. I am in pain on account of his not being yet arrived, but I hope you will see him soon. I request you would find means to introduce Mr Searle to the Portuguese Ambassador. Pray consider the enclosed papers, and after advising with your friend, give me your opinion as to the manner of the application to the States-General, whether I should make it through their Ambassador, or directly with a letter to the Grand Pensionary, or in what other manner. You know we wrote to him formerly, and received no answer. With great esteem, I am, &c. B. FRANKLIN. _P. S._ You say nothing of Mr Adams? How do you stand with him? What is he doing? * * * * * JAMES LOVELL TO B. FRANKLIN. Philadelphia, October 28th, 1780. Sir, A Committee was appointed on the 6th to draft "a letter to our Ministers at the Courts of Versailles and Madrid, to enforce the instructions given by Congress to Mr Jay, by their resolutions of the 4th instant, and so to explain the reasons and principles on which the same are founded, that they may respectively be enabled to satisfy those Courts of the justice and equity of the intentions of Congress." That Committee reported a draft of a letter to Mr Jay, "and that a copy of it be communicated to Doctor Franklin, together with the resolution directing the draft." There is no member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs attending Congress but myself, nor have the Committee had a secretary or a clerk since T. Paine's resignation. I must entreat you, therefore, Sir, to excuse the economy of my request, that you would transmit to Mr Jay all the papers which happen to reach you directed for him, taking copies of such as are left open, for your information. I persuade myself you will readily communicate to Mr Adams what appears so much connected with his commission, though it has not been specially ordered by the report of the Committee on the draft. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, JAMES LOVELL, _For the Committee of Foreign Affairs_. * * * * * TO SIR GREY COOPER, BARONET, SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY OF GREAT BRITAIN. Passy, November 7th, 1780. Sir,