expectation of a change of the minister of finance. The present one is
under the absolute control of the Farmers General. The committee's views
have been somewhat different from mine. They despair of a suppression of
the Farm, and therefore wish to obtain palliatives, which would coincide
with the particular good of this country. I think, that so long as the
monopoly in the sale is kept up, it is of no consequence to us, how they
modify the pill for their own internal relief: but, on the contrary, the
worse it remains, the more necessary it will render a reformation. Any
palliative would take from us all those arguments and friends, that
would be satisfied with accommodation. The Marquis, though differing in
opinion from me on this point, has, however, adhered to my principle
of absolute liberty or nothing. In this condition is the matter at this
moment. Whether I say any thing on the subject to Mr. Jay, will depend
on my interview with the Count de Vergennes. I doubt whether that will
furnish any thing worth communicating, and whether it will be in time.
I therefore state thus much to you, that you may see the matter is not
laid aside.

I must beg leave to recommend Colonel Humphreys to your acquaintance and
good offices. He is an excellent man, an able one, and in need of some
provision. Besides former applications to me in favor of Dumas, the
Rhingrave of Salm (the effective minister of the government of Holland,
while their two ambassadors here are ostensible), who is conducting
secret arrangements for them with this court, presses his interests on
us. It is evident the two governments make a point of it. You ask, why
they do not provide for him themselves. I am not able to answer the
question, but by a conjecture, that Dumas's particular ambition prefers
an appointment from us. I know all the difficulty of this application,
which Congress has to encounter. I see the reasons against giving
him the primary appointment at that court, and the difficulty of his
accommodating himself to a subordinate one. Yet I think something must
be done in it, to gratify this court, of which we must be always asking
favors. In these countries, personal favors weigh more than public
interest. The minister who has asked a gratification for Dumas, has
embarked his own feelings and reputation in that demand. I do not
think it was discreet, by any means. But this reflection might perhaps
aggravate a disappointment. I know not really what