I shall trouble your Excellency to apprize me of the steps, that may be taken in consequence of this information, that I may embrace the earliest opportunity, by placing this matter in its true light, to do that justice to the integrity and good faith of the State, which they will undoubtedly merit. I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * TO THOMAS BARCLAY. Philadelphia, November 26th, 1782. Sir, I have the pleasure of transmitting a resolution of Congress, by which you are appointed a Commissioner for adjusting their accounts in Europe. I flatter myself, that this fresh mark of their confidence in you will be highly acceptable, and that you will take the earliest opportunity to enter upon the task assigned you, since not only the interest, but the honor of the United States, has greatly suffered by the delay, which this necessary business has heretofore experienced. I am, Dear Sir, &c. ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. * * * * * THOMAS JEFFERSON TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON. Chesterfield, November 26th, 1782. Sir, I received yesterday the letter, with which you have been pleased to honor me, enclosing the resolution of Congress of the 12th instant, renewing my appointment as one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace, and beg leave through you to return my sincere thanks to that august body, for the confidence they are pleased to repose in me, and to tender the same to yourself for the obliging manner in which you have notified it. I will employ in this arduous charge, with diligence and integrity, the best of my poor talents, which I am conscious are far short of what it requires. This I hope will ensure to me from Congress a kind construction of all my transactions; and it gives me no small pleasure, that my communications will pass through the hands of a gentleman, with whom I have acted in the earlier stages of this contest, and whose discernment and candor I had the good fortune then to approve and esteem. Your letter finds me at a distance from home, attending on my family under inoculation. This will add to the delay which the arrangement of my particular affairs would necessarily occasion. I shall lose no moment, however, in preparing for my departure, and shall hope to pay my respects to Congress and to yourself some time between the 20th and the last of December. I have the honor to be, &c. THOMAS JEFFERSON. * * * * * TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Philadelphia, December 2d, 1782. Sir,