doi:10.7916/py9d-j319Document, 1785 May 08correspondencetextUnited States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783Jay, John, 1745-1829Ministry of Gr Britain will no doubt find Adams' letters of credence and commission sufficient authority, but as shown by a letter from the Duke of Dorset, Br cabinet doubt whether Congress have power to treat of commercial treaties. Adams supposes cabinet have put an "erroneous construction" upon the limitation article in confederation, anticipates difficulty and delay from this limitation. Proposes states confer upon Congress a power to make treaties of commerce either unlimited in time or limited in regard to single nations. Adams hopes to convince cabinet of necessity of surrender of posts, explanation of debts, restitution of Negroes. Despite prosperous period last year Us trade has been discouraged. America ought to attend to strength and defense; our situation is different than that in Europe, where countries can depend on mutual defense from neighbors, but the United States will become so strong in time no nation will feel it necessary to aid her in war. The strongest ties should be knit: systemized commerce and trade in for treaties