received your letter of yesterday, and am sensible of your
favor in furnishing me with your observations on the statement of the
commerce between our two nations, of which I shall avail myself for the
good of both. The omission of our participation with your vessels, in
the exclusive transportation of our tobacco, was merely that of the
copy, as it was expressed in the original draught where the same
circumstance respecting our whale-oil was noted: and I am happy that
your notice of it has enabled me to reinstate it before the report
goes out of my hand. I must candidly acknowledge to you, that I do
not foresee the same effect in favor of our navigation, from the late
reduction of duties on our tobaccos in France, which you seem to expect.
The difference in favor of French vessels is still so great, as, in my
opinion, to make it their interest to quit all other branches of the
carrying business, to take up this; and as your stock of shipping is
not adequate to the carriage of all your exports, the branches which
you abandon will be taken up by other nations: so that this difference
thrusts us out of the tobacco carriage, to let other nations in to the
carriage of other branches of your commerce. I must therefore avail
myself of this occasion to express my hope, that your nation will again
revise this subject, and place it on more equal grounds. I am happy in
concurring with you more perfectly in another sentiment, that as the
principles of our governments become more congenial, the links of
affection are multiplied between us. It is impossible they should
multiply beyond our wishes. Of the sincere interest we take in
the happiness and prosperity of your nation, you have had the most
unequivocal proofs.

I pray you to accept assurances of sincere attachment to you personally,
and of the sentiments of respect and esteem, with which I am, Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXIII.--TO M. DE TERNANT, February 20, 1793

TO M. DE TERNANT.

Philadelphia, February 20, 1793.

Sir,

I have laid before the President of the United States your notification
of the 17th instant, in the name of the Provisory Executive Council
charged with the administration of your government, that the French
nation has constituted itself into a republic. The President receives
with great satisfaction this attention of the Executive Council, and the
desire they have manifested of making known to u