The establishment of an Apostolical Vicar Bishop appears the most eligible, the more so as the Catholic subjects of the United States would find themselves in a situation to receive confirmation and orders in their own country, without being obliged to go for that purpose to the country of a foreign power. And as it might sometimes happen, that among the subjects of the United States, there might be no person in a situation to be charged with the spiritual government, either as Bishop or Apostolical Prefect, it would be necessary, in such circumstances, that Congress should consent to choose him from among the subjects of a foreign nation the most friendly with the United States. * * * * * TO COUNT DE VERGENNES. Passy, August 16th, 1783. Sir, I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that the English Ministry do not agree to any of the propositions that have been made, either by us or by their Minister here; and they have sent over a plan for the definitive treaty, which consists merely of the preliminaries formerly signed, with a short introductory paragraph, and another at the conclusion, confirming and establishing the said preliminary articles. My colleagues seem inclined to sign this with Mr Hartley, and so to finish the affair. I am, with respect, Sir, your Excellency's, &c. B. FRANKLIN. * * * * * M. DE RAYNEVAL TO B. FRANKLIN. Translation. Versailles, August 29th, 1783. Sir, I have informed the Count de Vergennes of the difficulty, which Mr Hartley has made to signing at Versailles, and this Minister has directed me to say, that nothing ought to prevent your signing at Paris on Wednesday next, the day proposed for the signature of the other treaties; but I request you to fix the hour with Mr Hartley at nine o'clock in the morning, and to send here an express immediately after your signature is completed. M. de Vergennes is desirous of being informed of the completion of your labors at the same time with his own. You receive for Wednesday a note of invitation, as well as for your colleagues and Mr Hartley; I presume that the latter will make no difficulty. I have the honor to be, Sir, with perfect consideration, your most obedient humble servant, DE RAYNEVAL. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Passy, August 31st, 1783. Sir,