n
enforced.

The States who have much to carry, and few carriers, will observe,
perhaps, that the benefits of these regulations are somewhat narrowed,
by confining them to articles brought hither in French or American
bottoms. But they will consider, that nothing in these instruments moves
from us. The advantages they hold out are all given by this country to
us, and the givers will modify their gifts as they please. I suppose it
to be a determined principle of this court not to suffer our carrying
business, so far as their consumption of our commodities extends,
to become a nursery for British seamen. Nor would this, perhaps, be
advantageous to us, considering the dispositions of the two nations
towards us. The preference which our shipping will obtain on this
account, may counterpoise the discouragements it experiences from the
aggravated dangers of the Barbary States. Nor is the idea unpleasing,
which shows itself in various parts of these papers, of naturalizing
American bottoms, and American citizens in France and in its foreign
possessions. Once established here, and in their eastern settlements,
they may revolt less at the proposition to extend it to those westward.
They are not yet, however, at that point; we must be contented to go
towards it a step at a time, and trust to future events for hastening
our progress.

With respect to the alliance between this and the two imperial courts,
nothing certain transpires. We are enabled to conjecture its progress,
only from facts which now and then show themselves. The following may be
considered as indications of it. 1. The Emperor has made an attempt to
surprise Belgrade. The attempt failed, but will serve to plunge him into
the war, and to show that he had assumed the character of mediator, only
to enable himself to gain some advantage by surprise. 2. The mediation
of France is probably at an end, and their abandonment of the Turks
agreed on; because they have secretly ordered their officers to quit the
Turkish service. This fact is known to but few, and not intended to be
known: but I think it certain. 3. To the offer of mediation lately made
by England and Prussia, the court of Petersburg answered, that having
declined the mediation of a friendly power (France), she could not
accept that of two courts, with whose dispositions she had reason to be
dissatisfied. 4. The States General are said to have instructed their
ambassador here, lately, to ask of M. de Montmori