The right of entrepot given by this article, is almost the
same thing, as the making all their ports, free ports for us. The ships
are, indeed, subject to be visited, and the cargoes must be reported in
ports of entrepot, which need not be done in the free ports. But the
communication between the entrepot and the country, is not interrupted
by continual search of all persons passing into the country, which has
proved so troublesome to the inhabitants of our free ports, as that a
considerable proportion of them have wished to give back the privilege
of their freedom.

Article 13. This article gives us the privileges and advantages of
native subjects, in all their possessions in Asia, and in the _scales
leading thereto_. This expression means at present the isles of France
and Bourbon, and will include the Cape of Good Hope, should any future
event put it into the hands of France. It was with a view to this, that
I proposed the expression, because we were then in hourly expectation
of a war, and it was suspected that France would take possession of
that place. It will, in no case, be considered as including anything
westward of the Cape of Good Hope. I must observe further, on this
article, that it will only become valuable on the suppression of their
East India Company; because, as long as their monopoly continues, even
native subjects cannot enter their Asiatic ports for the purposes of
commerce. It is considered, however, as certain, that this Company will
be immediately suppressed.

The article of tobacco could not be introduced into the _Arret_;
because it was necessary to consider the Farmers General as parties to
that arrangement. It rests, therefore, of necessity, on the basis of a
letter only. You will perceive that this is nothing more than a
continuation of the order of Berni, only leaving the prices unfixed;
and like that, it will require a constant and vexatious attention to
have its execution 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 t