Mr Hartley remained here expecting instructions to treat with us on
the subject of commerce. The bustle attending a new election and
meeting of Parliament, he imagined might occasion the long delay of
those instructions. He now thinks that the affair of the American
trade, being under the consideration of Parliament, it is probable no
treaty will be proposed till the result is known. Mr Jay, who sailed
for America the first instant from Dover, and who saw there several of
our friends from London before his departure, and Mr Laurens who left
London the 6th to go on in the Falmouth packet, will be able to give
you more perfect informations than I can, of what may be expected as
the determination of the British government respecting our intercourse
with their Islands; and, therefore, I omit my conjectures, only
mentioning, that from various circumstances there seems to be some
lurking remains of ill humor there, and of resentment against us,
which only wants a favorable opportunity to manifest itself.