country
and that, I should not despair of seeing that debt paid, in part, with
the productions of France, if our produce can obtain here a free course
of exchange for them. The distant prospect is still more promising. A
century's experience has shown, that we double our numbers every twenty
or twenty-five years. No circumstance can be foreseen, at this moment,
which will lessen our rate of multiplication for centuries to come. For
every article of the productions and manufactures of this country, then,
which can be introduced into habit there, the demand will double every
twenty or twenty-five years. And to introduce the habit, we have only to
let the merchants alone. Whether we may descend, by a single step,
from the present state to that of perfect freedom of commerce in this
article; whether any, and what, intermediate operation may be necessary
to prepare the way to this; what cautions must be observed for the
security of his Majesty's revenue, which we do not wish to impair, will
rest with the wisdom of his ministers, whose knowledge of the subject
will enable them to devise the best plans, and whose patriotism and
justice will dispose them to pursue them. To the friendly dispositions
of your Excellency, of which we have had such early and multiplied
proofs, I take the liberty of committing this subject, particularly,
trusting that some method may be devised of reconciling the collection
of his Majesty's revenues with the interests of the two nations; and
have the honor of assuring you of those sincere sentiments of esteem and
respect, with which I am your Excellency's most obedient and most humble
servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXXI.--TO MR. SKIPWITH, July 28, 1787

TO MR. SKIPWITH.

Paris, July 28, 1787.

Dear Sir,

A long journey has prevented me from writing to any of my friends for
some time past. This was undertaken with a view to benefit a dislocated
and ill-set wrist, by the mineral waters of Aix, in Provence. Finding
this hope vain, I was led from other views to cross the Alps as far as
Turin, Milan, Genoa; to follow the Mediterranean as far as Cette, the
canal of Languedoc, the Garonne, &c, to Paris. A most pleasing journey
it proved; arts and agriculture offering something new at every step,
and often things worth our imitation. But the accounts from our country
give me to believe, that we are not in a condition to hope for the
imitation of any thing good. All my letters are filled wi