The first was in negotiation when I came away, and
was pursued by Mr. Short with prospects of success, till their general
tariff so unexpectedly deranged our commerce with them as to other
articles. Our commerce with their West Indies had never admitted
amelioration during my stay in France. The temper of that period did
not allow even the essay, and it was as much as we could do to hold the
ground given us by the Marshal de Castries' _Arret_, admitting us to
their colonies with salted provisions, &c. As to both these branches of
commerce, to wit, with France and her colonies, we have hoped they would
pursue their own proposition of arranging them by treaty, and that
we could draw that treaty to this place. There is no other where the
dependence of their colonies on our States for their prosperity is so
obvious as here, nor where their negotiator would feel it so much. But
it would be imprudent to leave to the uncertain issue of such a treaty,
the re-establishment of our commerce with France on the footing on which
it was in the beginning of their revolution. That treaty may be long on
the anvil; in the mean time, we cannot consent to the late innovations,
without taking measures to do justice to our own navigation. This
object, therefore, is particularly recommended to you, while you will
also be availing yourself of every opportunity which may arise, of
benefiting our commerce in any other part.
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