Philadelphia, May 31st, 1783. Gentlemen, Congress yesterday passed the enclosed resolutions on the subject of the payment of British debts. The language they speak requires no comment. I complained in my last of your long silence, or rather laid before you the complaints of Congress. These, I think receive additional force from the intelligence that I have since had, that the negotiations are still going on; and that important propositions have been made you from Holland. As Congress have adjourned for two days, and the packet sails tomorrow, I cannot procure their instructions on this subject; though I think I may venture to say that they will not without reluctance go one step further than their honor requires of them in making new engagements which may involve them in the disputes of Europe, from which they wish to be totally disengaged. I make no observations on these propositions, or your power to accede to them, being well persuaded that you will take no step in this business without a full persuasion that important advantages will result therefrom to these States. The second proposition, in case France and Spain should decline acceding to the first, is more peculiarly delicate from the inability of the contracting powers to enforce them; if, which is hardly to be supposed, they should unite in wishing it. I cannot help lamenting since so much time has elapsed before any conclusion is formed, that you had not thought it advisable to write me on this subject, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the measure, and enabling me to take the sense of Congress thereon; for though they have the highest confidence in your judgment and knowledge of the true interests of this country, yet I am persuaded that they think it a duty to see with their own eyes; and to form their own conclusions on great national objects, where there is a possibility of so doing. The experience of the last war has shown that the propositions of the Empress of Russia were little more than a dead letter. Those whom England dared to offend derived no advantage from them. Our engagement therefore on this head will, in my opinion, add little weight to them, unless the great maritime powers of Europe agree to support them, and they may involve us in disagreeable discussions. These however are only my sentiments; those of Congress I am ignorant of. The fifth and sixth Articles of the provisional treaty excite much ferment here. For though the most dissatisfied spirits acknowledge the whole treaty taken together to answer their highest expectations, yet they wish to take only what they like, and leave out what they disapprove; and such is the relaxation of government, and so great the disorder and uneasiness introduced by the war, that it will be found very difficult to bridle the just resentments of some, and the unfounded apprehensions that others entertain of reimbursement that may effect their particular interests.