ced, of continuing those duties on foreign oils, will not be
extended to us.

3. Rice. The duty on this, is only seven and a half deniers the quintal,
or about one quarter per cent, on its first cost. While this serves to
inform a government of the quantities imported, it cannot discourage
that importation. Nothing further, therefore, is necessary on this
article.

4. _Potasse_. This article is of principal utility to France, in her
bleacheries of linen, glass-works, and soap-works; and the potash of
America, being made of green wood, is known to be the best in the world.
All duty on it was, therefore, abolished by the King. But the city of
Rouen levies on it a duty of twenty sols the quintal, which is very
sensible in its price, brings it dearer to the bleacheries near Paris,
to those of Beauvais, Laval, &c. and to the glass-works, and encourages
them to give a preference to the potash or soude of other nations. This
is a counteraction of the views of the King, expressed in the letter,
which it is hoped will be prevented.

5. Turpentine, tar, and pitch were not decided on, on the former
occasion. Turpentine (_terebenthine_) pays ten sols the quintal, and ten
sols the livre, making fifteen sols the quintal; which is ten per cent,
on its prime cost. Tar (_goudron, braigras_) pays eight livres the
_leth_ of twelve barrels, and ten sols the livre, amounting to twenty
sols the barrel; which is twelve and a half per cent, on its prime cost.
Pitch (_brai sec_) pays ten sols the quintal, and ten sols the livre,
making fifteen sols the quintal; which is twenty per cent, on its prime
cost. Duties of from ten to twenty per cent., on articles of heavy
carriage, prevent their importation. They eat up all the profits of the
merchant, and often subject him to loss. This has been much the case
with respect to turpentine, tar, and pitch, which are principal articles
of remittance for the State of North Carolina. It is hoped, that it
will coincide with the views of government, in making the present
regulations, to suppress the duties on these articles, which, of all
others, can bear them least.

LETTER LXVII.--TO T. M. RANDOLPH, JUNIOR, July 6, 1787

TO T. M. RANDOLPH, JUNIOR.

Paris, July 6, 1787.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of April the 14th came here during my absence on a journey
through the southern parts of France and northern of Italy, from which I
am but lately returned. This cause alone, has prevented your receivin