TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.

Paris, May 7, 1786.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 11th of October. Soon after that, your favor
of the 12th of September came to hand. My acknowledgment of this is made
later than it should have been, by my trip to England. Your long silence
I ascribe to a more pleasing cause, that of devoting your spare time to
one more capable of filling it with happiness, and to whom, as well as
to yourself, I wish all those precious blessings which this change of
condition is calculated to give you.

My public letters to Mr. Jay will have apprized you of my journey to
England, and of its motives; and the joint letters of Mr. Adams
and myself, of its effects. With respect to Portugal, it produced
arrangements; with respect to England and Barbary, only information.
I am quite at a loss what you will do with England. To leave her in
possession of our posts, seems inadmissible; and yet to take them,
brings on a state of things, for which we seem not to be in readiness.
Perhaps a total suppression of her trade, or an exclusion of her vessels
from the carriage of our produce, may have some effect; but I believe
not very great. Their passions are too deeply and too universally
engaged in opposition to us. The ministry have found means to persuade
the nation, that they are richer than they were while we participated of
their commercial privileges. We should try to turn our trade into other
channels. I am in hopes this country will endeavor to give it more
encouragement. But what will you do with the piratical States? Buy a
peace at their enormous price; force one; or abandon the carriage into
the Mediterranean to other powers? All these measures are disagreeable.
The decision rests with you. The Emperor is now pressing a treaty with
us. In a commercial view, I doubt whether it is desirable: but in a
political one, I believe it is. He is now undoubtedly the second power
in Europe, and on the death of the King of Prussia, he becomes the first
character. An alliance with him will give us respectability in Europe,
which we have occasion for. Besides, he will be at the head of the
second grand confederacy of Europe, and may at any time serve us with
the powers constituting that. I am pressed on so many hands to recommend
Dumas to the patronage of Congress, that I cannot avoid it. Every body
speaks well of him, and his zeal in our cause. Any thing done for him
will gratify this court, and the patriotic party in