I have the honor to return you the commission appointing Thomas Barclay consul of the United States, to reside in France, and I endorse the exequatur, which is requisite for the exercise of his functions. I must inform you, that the latter of these will require the Admiral's signature previously to its being registered, either by the Secretary of the Admiralty at L'Orient, where Mr Barclay intends to fix his residence, or by those of other ports of the kingdom, where commercial considerations may require his presence. I have the honor to be, &c. DE VERGENNES. * * * * * DAVID HARTLEY TO B. FRANKLIN. Bath, October 4th, 1782. My Dear Friend, I only write one line to you, to let you know that I am not forgetful of you, or of our common concerns. I have not heard anything from the Ministry yet; I believe it is a kind of vacation with them, before the meeting of Parliament. I have told you of a proposition, which I have had some thoughts to make as a kind of copartnership in commerce. I send you a purposed temporary convention, which I have drawn up. You are to consider it only as one I recommend. The words underlined are grafted upon the proposition of my Memorial, dated May 19th, 1778. You will see the principle, which I have in my thoughts to extend for the purpose of restoring our ancient copartnership generally. I cannot tell you what event things may take, but my thoughts are always employed in endeavoring to arrange that system upon which the _China Vase_, lately shattered, may be cemented together, upon principles of compact and connexion, instead of dependence. I have met with a sentiment in this country which gives some alarm, viz. lest the unity of government in America should be uncertain, and the States reject the authority of Congress. Some passages in General Washington's letter have given weight to these doubts. I do not hear of any tendency to this opinion; _that the American States will break to pieces, and then we may still conquer them_. I believe all that folly is extinguished. But many serious and well disposed persons are alarmed, lest _this should be the ill-fated moment for relaxing the powers of the union, and annihilating the cement of confederation_, (_vide_ Washington's letter,) and that Great Britain should thereby lose her best and wisest hope of being reconnected with the American States _unitedly_. I should for one think it the greatest misfortune. Pray give me some opinion upon this. You see there is likewise another turn, which may be given to this sentiment by intemperate and disappointed people, who may indulge a passionate revenge for their own disappointments, by endeavoring to excite general distrust, discord, and disunion. I wish to be prepared and guarded at all points.