is somewhat different. The
caper, for example, is the tenderest plant, yet, being so easily
protected, it is among the most certain in its fruit. The almond, the
hardiest, loses its fruit the oftenest, on account of its forwardness.
The palm, hardier than the caper and orange, never produces perfect
fruit here.

I had the honor of sending you, the last year, some seeds of the sulla
of Malta, or Spanish St. Foin. Lest they should have miscarried, I now
pack with the rice a canister of the same kind of seed, raised by
myself. By Colonel Franks, in the month of February last, I sent a
parcel of acorns of the cork oak, which I desired him to ask the favor
of the Delegates of South Carolina in Congress to forward to you.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect, Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.

TO FRANCIS HOPKINSON, ESQ.

PARIS, August 1, 1787.

DEAR SIR,--A journey into the southern parts of France and northern of
Italy must apologize to you for the length of time elapsed since my
last, and for the delay of acknowledging the receipt of your favors of
November 8 and December 9, 1786, and April 14, 1787. Your two phials of
essence de l'Orient arrived during that interval, and got separated
from the letters which accompanied them, so that I could not be sure
which was your first preparation, and which was your second. But I
suppose, from some circumstances, that the small phial was the first,
and the larger one the second. This was entirely spoiled, so that
nothing was distinguishable from it. The matter in the small phial was
also too much spoiled for use; but the pearl merchant, from whom I got
my details, said he could judge, from what remained, that it had been
very good; that you had a very considerable knowledge in the manner of
preparing, but that there was still one thing wanting which made the
secret of the art; that this is not only a secret of the art, but of
every individual workman who will not communicate to his fellows,
believing his own method the best; that of ten different workmen, all
will practice different operations, and only one of the ten be the
right one; that the secret consists only in preparing the fish, all the
other parts of the process in the pearl manufactory being known. That
experience has proved it to be absolutely impossible for the matter to
cross the sea without being spoiled; but that if you will send some in
the best