on tar, pitch, and turpentine, and, an
extension of the privileges of American _whale oil_, to their _fish
oils_ in general. I find that the quantity of cod-fish oil brought to
L'Orient is considerable. This being got off hand (which will be in a
few days), the chicaneries and vexations of the Farmers on the article
of tobacco, and their elusions of the order of Bernis, call for the next
attention. I have reasons to hope good dispositions in the new ministry
towards our commerce with this country. Besides endeavoring, on all
occasions, to multiply the points of contact and connection with this
country, which I consider as our surest mainstay under every event, I
have had it much at heart to remove from between us every subject of
misunderstanding or irritation. Our debts to the King, to the Officers,
and the Farmers, are of this description. The having complied with no
part of our engagements in these, draws on us a great deal of censure,
and occasioned a language in the _Assemblee des Notables_, very likely
to produce dissatisfaction between us. Dumas being on the spot in
Holland, I had asked of him some time ago, in confidence, his opinion of
the practicability of transferring these debts from France to Holland,
and communicated his answer to Congress, pressing them to get you to go
over to Holland, and try to effect this business. Your knowledge of the
ground, and former successes, occasioned me to take this liberty without
consulting you, because I was sure you would not weigh your personal
trouble against public good. I have had no answer from Congress; but
hearing of your journey to Holland, have hoped that some money operation
had led you there. If it related to the debts of this country, I
would ask a communication of what you think yourself at liberty to
communicate, as it might change the form of my answers to the eternal
applications I receive. The debt to the officers of France, carries an
interest of about two thousand guineas, so we may suppose its principal
is between thirty and forty thousand. This makes more noise against us,
than all our other debts put together.

I send you the _Arrets_ which begin the reformation here, and some
other publications respecting America; together with copies of letters
received from O'Bryan and Lambe. It is believed, that a naval armament
has been ordered at Brest, in correspondence with that of England.
We know, certainly, that orders are given to form a camp in the
neig