ubjects of commerce,
and friendly dispositions towards us. He passed the _Arret_ in a very
favorable form, but it has been opposed in the Council, and will,
I fear, suffer some alteration in the article of whale-oil. That
of tobacco, which was put into a separate instrument, experiences
difficulties also, which do not come from him. M. du Pont has rendered
us essential services on these occasions. I wish his son could be so
well noticed, as to make a favorable report to his father; he would, I
think, be gratified by it, and his good dispositions be strengthened,
and rendered further useful to us. Whether I shall be able to send you
these regulations by the present packet, will depend on their getting
through the Council in time. The Archbishop continues well with his
patroness. Her object is, a close connection with her brother. I suppose
he convinces her, that peace will furnish the best occasion of cementing
that connection.

It may not be uninstructive to give you the origin and nature of
his influence with the Queen. When the Duke de Choiseul proposed the
marriage of the Dauphin with this lady, he thought it proper to send a
person to Vienna, to perfect her in the language. He asked his friend,
the Archbishop of Toulouse, to recommend to him a proper person. He
recommended a certain Abbe. The Abbe, from his first arrival at Vienna,
either tutored by his patron, or prompted by gratitude, impressed on
the Queen's mind the exalted talents and merit of the Archbishop, and
continually represented him as the only man fit to be placed at the helm
of affairs. On his return to Paris, being retained near the person of
the Queen, he kept him constantly in her view. The Archbishop was named
of the _Assembly des Notables_, had occasion enough there to prove his
talents, and Count de Vergennes, his great enemy, dying opportunely, the
Queen got him into place. He uses the Abbe even yet, for instilling all
his notions into her mind. That he has imposing talents and patriotic
dispositions, I think is certain. Good judges think him a theorist only,
little acquainted with the details of business, and spoiling all his
plans by a bungled execution. He may perhaps undergo a severe trial. His
best actions are exciting against him a host of enemies, particularly
the reduction of the pensions, and reforms in other branches of economy.
Some think the other ministers are willing he should stay in, till he
has effected this odious, yet necessa