months ago, threatens to deprive me in a great
measure. The surgeons have long insisted on this measure. I shall return
by Bordeaux, Nantes, and L'Orient, to get the necessary information for
finishing our commercial regulations here. Permit me, however, to ask,
as immediately as possible, an answer, either affirmative or negative,
as Congress shall think best, and to ascribe the delay on which I
venture, to my desire to do what is for the best.

I send you a copy of the late marine regulations of this country. There
are things in it, which may become interesting to us. Particularly,
what relates to the establishment of a marine militia, and their
classification.

You will have seen in the public papers, that the King has called an
Assembly of the Notables of this country. This has not been done for one
hundred and sixty years past. Of course, it calls up all the attention
of the people. The objects of this Assembly are not named: several are
conjectured. The tolerating the Protestant religion; removing all the
internal Custom-houses to the frontier; equalizing the _gabelles_ on
salt through the kingdom; the sale of the King's domains, to raise
money; or, finally, the effecting this necessary end by some other
means, are talked of. But, in truth, nothing is known about it. This
government practises secrecy so systematically, that it never publishes
its purposes or its proceedings, sooner or more extensively than
necessary. I send you a pamphlet, which, giving an account of the last
_Assemblee des Notable_, may give an idea of what the present will be.

A great desire prevails here of encouraging manufactures. The famous
Boulton and Watt, who are at the head of the plated manufactures
of Birmingham, the steam mills of London, copying presses and other
mechanical works, have been here. It is said, also, that Wedgewood has
been here, who is famous for his steel manufactories, and an earthen
ware in the antique style; but as to this last person, I am not certain.
It cannot, I believe be doubted, but that they came at the request
of government, and that they will be induced to establish similar
manufactures here.

The transferring hither those manufactures, which contribute so much to
draw our commerce to England, will have a great tendency to strengthen
our connections with this country, and loosen them with that.

The enfranchising the port of Honfleur at the mouth of the Seine, for
multiplying the connections with us