hich reason the court had ordered their ports to be kept open,
and equally free to America, as to Britain. That, considering the good
understanding between the two courts of Versailles and London, they
could not _openly_ encourage the shipping of warlike stores, but no
obstruction of any kind would be given; if there should, as the custom
houses were not fully in their secrets in this matter, such
obstructions should be removed, on the first application. That I must
consider myself perfectly free to carry on any kind of commerce in the
kingdom, which any subject of any other state in the world might, as
the court had resolved their ports should be equally free to both
parties. That I was under his immediate protection, and should I meet
with any difficulty, either from their police, with the rules of which
he supposed me unacquainted, or from any other quarter, I had but to
apply to him and every thing should be settled. That as to
independency, it was an event in the womb of time, and it would be
highly improper for him to say any thing on that subject, until it had
actually taken place; mean time he informed me, that the British
ambassador knew of my arrival, and therefore advised me not to
associate with Englishmen, more than I was from necessity obliged; as
he doubted not I should have many spies on my conduct.

I then told him the precautions I had taken and should persevere in,
in coming from Bermuda, and that I did not mean in public to pass for
other than a merchant from that island, on speculation, during the
present cessation of commerce in America; but at the same time I told
his excellency, that I was well assured it was known in London, that I
was coming long before I arrived at Paris, and I doubted not, they
conjectured my errand, but at the same time, I should take every
precaution in my power; and most sincerely thanked him for his
protection and assistance so generously offered, which he might depend
I would never abuse. He was pleased with my having come by Bermuda,
and passing as an inhabitant of that island, and said, if questioned,
he should speak of me in that character. He then asked me many
questions with respect to the Colonies, but what he seemed most to
want to be assured of, was their ability to subsist without their
fisheries, and under the interruption of their commerce. To this I
replied, in this manner, that the fisheries were never carried on, but
by a part of the Colonies, and by them,