, is at present an object. It meets
with opposition in the ministry; but I am in hopes it will prevail.
If natural causes operate, uninfluenced by accidental circumstances,
Bordeaux and Honfleur, or Havre, must ultimately take the greatest part
of our commerce. The former, by the Garonne and canal of Languedoc,
opens the southern provinces to us; the latter, the northern ones and
Paris. Honfleur will be peculiarly advantageous for our rice and whale
oil, of which the principal consumption is at Paris. Being free, they
can be re-exported when the market here shall happen to be overstocked.

The labors of the ensuing summer will close the eastern half of the
harbor of Cherbourg, which will contain and protect forty sail of the
line. It has from fifty to thirty-five feet of water next to the
cones, shallowing gradually to the shore. Between this and Dunkirk, the
navigation of the channel will be rendered much safer in the event of a
war with England, and invasions on that country become more practicable.

The gazettes of France and Leyden, to the present date, accompany this.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect respect,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XL.--TO JOHN ADAMS, January 11, 1787

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, January 11, 1787.

Dear Sir,

Mr. Jay, in his last letter to me, observes they hear nothing further of
the treaty with Portugal. I have taken the liberty of telling him that
I will write to you on the subject, and that he may expect to hear from
you on it, by the present conveyance. The Chevalier del Pinto being at
London, I presume he has, or can inform you why it is delayed on their
part. I will thank you also for the information he shall give you.

There is here an order of priests called the Mathurins, the object
of whose institution is, the begging of alms for the redemption of
captives. About eighteen months ago, they redeemed three hundred,
which cost them about fifteen hundred livres a piece. They have agents
residing in the Barbary States, who are constantly employed in searching
and contracting for the captives of their nation, and they redeem at
a lower price than any other people can. It occurred to me, that
their agency might be engaged for our prisoners at Algiers. I have had
interviews with them, and the last night a long one with the General
of the order. They offer their services with all the benignity and
cordiali