ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Paris, September 28th, 1782. Dear Sir, I have only time to inform you, that our objections to Mr Oswald's first commission have produced a second, which arrived yesterday. It empowers him to treat with the commissioners of the _Thirteen United States of America_. I am preparing a longer letter on this subject, but as this intelligence is interesting, I take the earliest opportunity of communicating it. With great regard and esteem, I am, &c. JOHN JAY. * * * * * TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Paris, October 13th, 1782. Dear Sir, I hope my letter to you of the 18th of September, of which I also sent a duplicate, has come safe to hand, for it contained important matter, viz. a copy of a letter from M. Marbois to the Count de Vergennes, against our sharing in the fishery. This Court advised and persuaded us to treat with Mr Oswald under his first commission. I positively refused. Count d'Aranda will not or cannot exchange powers with me, and yet wants me to treat with him; this Court would have me do it, but I decline it. I would give you details, but must not until I have an American to carry my letters from hence. Mr Oswald is well disposed. You shall never see my name to a bad peace, nor to one that does not secure the fishery. I have received many long letters from you, which I am as busy in decyphering as my health will permit. M. de Lafayette is very desirous to give us his aid; but as we have a competent number of Commissioners, it would not be necessary to give him that trouble. I am, Dear Sir, with great esteem and regard, your most obedient servant, JOHN JAY. _P. S._ General du Portail is to be the bearer of this. I believe he goes by order of the Court. * * * * * TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Paris, November 17th, 1782. Dear Sir, Although it is uncertain when I shall have an opportunity either of finishing or transmitting the long particular letter, which I am now undertaking to write, I think the matter it will contain is too interesting to rest only in my memory, or in short notes, which nobody but myself can well unfold the meaning of. I shall, therefore, write on as my health will permit, and when finished, shall convey this letter by the first prudent _American_ that may go from hence to Nantes or L'Orient.