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That as little time as possible may be lost in this negotiation, I will communicate to you, at once, my sentiments as to the altera tions in the draught sent them, which will probably be proposed by them, or which ought to be proposed by us, noting only those articles.
Article 3. They will probably restrain us to their dominions in Europe. We must expressly include the Azores, Madeiras, and Cape de Verd islands, some of which are deemed to be in Africa. We should also contend for an access to their possessions in Ame rica, according to the gradation in the 2nd article of our instruct ions, of May the 7th, 1784. But if we can obtain it in no one of these forms, I am of opinion we should give it up.
Article 4. This should be put into the form we gave it, in the draught sent you by Dr. Franklin and myself, for Great Britain. I think we had not reformed this article, when we sent our draught to Portugal. You know, the Confederation renders the reforma tion absolutely necessary ; a circumstance which had escaped us at first.
Article 9. Add, from the British draught, the clause about wrecks.
Article 13. The passage nevertheless, &c. to run as in the British draught.
Article 18. After the word accident, insert or wanting sup plies of provisions or other refreshments. And again, instead of take refuge, insert come, and after of the other insert in any part of the world. The object of this, is to obtain leave for our whaling vessels to refit and refresh on the coast of the Brazils ; an object of immense importance to that class of our vessels. We must acquiesce under such modifications as they may think neces sary, for regulating this indulgence, in hopes to lessen them in time, and to get a pied a terre in that country.
Article 19. Can we get this extended to the Brazils ? It would be precious in case of a war with Spain.
Article 23. Between places and l whose, insert and in general, all others, as in the British draught.
Article 24. For necessaries, substitute 6 comforts.
Article 25. Add but if any such consuls shall exercise com merce, &ic. as in the British draught.
We should give to Congress as early notice as possible, of the re-institution of this negotiation ; because, in a letter by a gentleman who sailed from Havre, the 10th instant, I communicated to them the answer of the Portuguese minister, through the ambassador here, which I sent to you. They may, in consequence, be making other arrangements which might do injury. The little time which VOL. i. 47
