on the first of January of the present year.

Signed. Dorset Wm. Eden.

At Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.

COUNTER-DECLARATION.

It neither being, nor ever having been, the intention of his Majesty
to interpose by force in the affairs of the republic of the United
Provinces, the communication made to the court of London by M.
Barthelemy having had no other object than to announce to that court an
intention, the motives of which no longer-exist, especially since the
King of Prussia has made known his resolution, his Majesty makes no
difficulty in declaring, that he has no wish to act in pursuance of the
communication aforesaid, and that he entertains no hostile view in any
quarter, relative to what has passed in Holland.

Consequently, his Majesty, desiring to concur in the sentiments of his
Britannic Majesty, for the preservation of a good understanding between
the two courts, consents with pleasure to the proposition of his
Britannic Majesty, that the armaments, and, in general, all preparations
for war, shall be mutually discontinued, and that the marines of the two
nations shall be replaced upon the footing of the peace establishment,
as it existed on the first day of January of the present year.

Signed. Montmorin.

At Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.

LETTER CXI.--TO JOHN JAY, November 3, 1787

TO JOHN JAY.

(Private.) Paris, November 3, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I shall take the liberty of confiding sometimes to a private letter,
such details of the small history of the court or cabinet, as may be
worthy of being known, and yet not proper to be publicly communicated.
I doubt whether the administration is yet in a permanent form. The Count
de Montmorin and Baron de Breteuil are, I believe, firm enough in their
places. It was doubted whether they would wait for the Count de la
Luzerne, if the war had taken place: but at present I suppose they will.
I wish it also, because M. de Hector, his only competitor, has on some
occasions shown little value for the connection with us. Lambert, the
Comptroller General, is thought to be very insecure. I should be sorry
also to lose him. I have worked several days with him, the Marquis de
la Fayette, and Monsieur du Pont (father of the young gentleman gone to
America with the Count de Moustier), to reduce into one _Arret_ whatever
concerned our commerce. I have found him a man of great judgment and
application, possessing good general principles on s