de in America, especially if the rice States will
introduce the culture of the Piedmont and Egyptian rices also, both of
which qualities are demanded here in concurrence with that of Carolina.
I have procured for them the seed from Egypt and Piedmont. The
indulgences given to American whale oil will ensure its coming here
directly. In general, I am in hopes to ensure here the transportation
of all our commodities which come to this country in American and
French bottoms exclusively, which will countervail the effect of the
British navigation act on our carrying business. The returns in French
instead of English manufactures, will take place by degrees. Supposing
that these details cannot but be agreeable to you as a merchant and as
an American, I trouble you with them; being with much sincerity, and on
all occasions, dear Sir, your friend and servant.

TO MONSIEUR DUMAS.

PARIS, December 9, 1787.

SIR,--Your letter of November 27, showing that mine of November 14, had
not then got to hand, had given me alarm for its fate, and I had sat
down to write you a second acknowledgment of the receipt of your two
favors of October 23 and 26, and to add the receipt, also, of those of
November 14, 22 and 27. A copy of my answer of November 14 was prepared
to be enclosed to you, but in that moment came your favors of November
30, December 2d and 4th, by which I perceived that the original had at
length got safe to hand. By that you have seen all that interference,
direct or indirect, on the part of Mr. Adams and myself in the business
you had done me the honor to suggest, would be improper. Your
despatches for Mr. Jay shall go with mine in the packet of this month.
These will bring the matter into the view of Congress. In the meantime
I think it would be well to avoid exciting at Brussels or anywhere else
the least expectation thereon, because it is impossible for us to know
what that body may, in its wisdom and with all circumstances under its
eye, decide should be done. They had, in the year 1784, made up their
minds as to the system of commercial principles they wished to pursue.
These were very free. They proposed them to all the powers of Europe.
All declined except Prussia. To this general opposition they may now
find it necessary to present a very different general system to which
their treaties will form cases of exception, and they may wish to
lessen rather than multiply those cases of exception. Add to this, that