get a tolerable one. I have been glad of it since I came here, as I find
them much better made here. I now deliver one, with this letter, into
the hands of Mr. Fulwar Skipwith, a merchant from Virginia, settled
here, who promises to send it to you, with one for Mr. C. Thomson. Of
this be pleased to accept, from me. It is now found, that they may be
used with almost any oil.

I expect to leave this place in about three days. Our public letters,
joint and separate, will inform you what has been done, and what could
not be done here. With respect to a commercial treaty with this country,
be assured, that this government not only has it not in contemplation
at present to make any, but that they do not conceive that any
circumstances will arise, which shall render it expedient for them to
have any political connection with us. They think we shall be glad of
their commerce on their own terms. There is no party in our favor here,
either in power or out of power. Even the opposition concur with the
ministry and the nation in this. I can scarcely consider as a party, the
Marquis of Lansdowne, and a half dozen characters about him, such as Dr.
Price, &c. who are impressed with the utility of a friendly connection
with us. The former does not venture this sentiment in parliament, and
the latter are not in situations to be heard. The Marquis of Lansdowne
spoke to me affectionately of your brother, Doctor Lee, and desired his
respects to him, which I beg leave to communicate through you. Were
he to come into the ministry (of which there is not the most distant
prospect), he must adopt the King's system, or go out again, as he did
before, for daring to depart from it. When we see, that through all the
changes of ministry, which have taken place during the present reign,
there has never been a change of system with respect to America, we
cannot reasonably doubt, that this is the system of the King himself.
His obstinacy of character we know; his hostility we have known, and