Monsieur du Pont, (father
of the young gentleman gone to America with the Count de Moustier) to
reduce into one _Arret_, whatever concerned our commerce. I have found
him a man of great judgment and application, possessing good general
principles on subjects 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 service 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 Thoulouse, 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. Hi