His Excellency the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister of France at this place, in consequence of orders from his Court, has authorised me to draw bills of exchange on Paris to a very considerable amount; and being sensible of the propriety of my proceedings, he will give you assurances, that they shall be punctually paid. I transmit a bill for five hundred thousand livres to Robert Smith, now appointed agent for these United States at your port, in order that he may negotiate it, and ship the money back to my address. Should it in any manner promote the interest of your Court he will certainly give your Excellency a preference in the purchase; and I am confident, that if this should not be convenient to you, you will countenance and promote his negotiations with private persons. I have also transmitted to Mr Smith certain bills, drawn some time past by order of Congress, on his Excellency John Jay, to the amount of one hundred and twenty thousand, three hundred and eightyone dollars. I am to request, and have strong hopes, that when Mr Smith shall have deposited these bills with you, your Excellency will advance that sum, so that he may immediately ship it to my address. We are convinced that these bills, if sent forward, would have been paid by your Court; but as such a negotiation would bring no money into the treasury, I propose that you keep them in your possession until the pleasure of the Court shall be known. I will write very fully to Mr Jay on this subject, and obtain the earliest information. But lest the Court should not choose that these bills be finally accepted by you in discharge of the moneys advanced on them, I have empowered Mr Smith for your perfect security to enter into conditional stipulations to repay your Excellency that money by a delivery of flour to the amount, at such price as you and he may agree for; the payment to commence as soon after the pleasure of the Court shall be known as circumstances will admit. I hope, Sir, you will find it agreeable to your inclinations, and perfectly consistent with the duties of your station to gratify my desires. They are very moderate considering the necessities of this country, and your ability to minister to its relief. Besides, your Excellency's good sense will readily perceive, that money granted to invigorate the operations of America will weaken and distress the common enemy much more than the same sums expended in Europe, because the enemy must prosecute the war here at more than four times the expense at which it must be carried on there. Assuring myself of assistance from your Excellency I have ordered one of the continental frigates to proceed with these despatches for Havana. She will take with her some flour, which I have ordered returns for in dollars.