I am very glad to learn by your Kind favour of the 9th. 1 that Boylston has sold his oil to sangrains Correspondent because this will both shew the Bostonians that a Markett may be found in france, much better than in England, & the Parrissians that this oil is much better & Cheaper than any other

Mr. Barretts Contract bids fair to compleat the business & to introduce a regular Exchange of American for french productions— The french Nation cannot be interested in their Whaling Company so much, as they are in their general productions of agriculture and manufactures.— It is very pleasing to hear, that our naval stores & pot-ash have an undisputed Reputation and you may depend upon it that our timber, and masts will very soon, vindicate themselves from all the English slanders— I wish I had a Copy of Mr. Jefferson’s Letter upon tobacco— Brant is come for half pay, as it is given out— I believe his hopes of scalps at present is lost in the fear of loosing his own—

I will look up the writings you desire against the slavery of negroes, & send them by the first good oppertunity— The Laws passed in America are not to be found here— Mr. Howard is now, as I am told by my friend Dr. Price, at Marsailles—

there is not a possibility of forming an adequate Idea, of what is passing in the News papers, in this town without taking 7— or 8— of them daily— You find yourself encumbered in the Course of a few Day’s with an enormous pile of waste paper—which contains nothing of any value, tho’ it Cost you a large sum of Money—2

The morning Cronicle is the best for parliamentary debates, but is good for little else. The light Troops of the Ministry skirmish in the morning post—those of opposition in the Morning herald—but there is little in either but the battles of the sons of dulness—

tell Anastasia she must prepare herself to let papa go— there will not be time to wait for George to grow up—according to the latest advices—3

Mr. Hancock is president of Congress & in his absence Mr. Ramsay of So. Carolina fills the Chair— Mr. Temples Commission was before Congress, but not determined on, at the date of my Letter from Mr. Jay of the 26th. of Novr. 4

The ensuing season of parliament will be stormy opposition will have materials enough & ministry will be pressed from various quarters—

The taxes the last year have been very productive, and Mr. Pitt is purse proud, but in the opinion of the deepest men he is too sanguine, in presuming that the next Year, will be equally prosperous—

If france—the Emperor & America persevere, he will be terribly disappointed— The British Empire is now in the power of its Rivals, who will be weak indeed, if they again contribute to build it up to a dangerous height—

It was very pleasant the other day to see at the drawing room, how all Nations were of one blood, dwelling together in Love— there was Colonel Smith, and his Royal Majesty King Brant, who had been so lately in action against each other in the Wilderness—5 Brants Phisiognomy was much admired by the Ladies— They saw a remarkable goodness in his Countenance & I suppose were amused with that harmless play thing—his hatchett, in another part of the Room were seen the American Ambassador & King Pascall Paoli, in a familiar Conversation with each other—6 Who can immagine a more striking scene of gratification for Philanthropy

The Ladies are very sensible of your politeness and desire me to convey their best respects to you & Madam Lafayette & their affectionate remembrance of the little family—

I am Dr. sir

If I were as fortunate as you are and could pass the Water from Dover to Calais in 3 hours, I would go to Paris & dine with you in some of your American Parties but I can never get over from Harwich to Helveot nor from Dover to Calais in less than 17 hours, & sometimes not under three Day’s—

I have all the peices relative to the United Provinces excepting Le Pay’s de Drenthe. I have one peice upon slavery—one upon Woemen, & two introductions to the subject of fiefs. Voila tout que J’en ai—1

Among all my acquaintance I know not a greater Rider of Hobby Horses than Count Sarsefield— one of your Hobby Horses is to assemble uncommon Characters— I have dined with you 2 or 3. times at your House in Company with the oddest Collections of Personages that were ever put together— I am thinking if you were here, I would Invite you to a dinner to your taste— I would ask King Paoli— King Brant—Le Chevaleir DeEon,2 & if you pleased you might have Mr. & Mrs. ——— with whom you dined in America—3 How much speculation would this whimsical association afford you?—

How goes on your Enquiry into fiefs? if you do not make haste I may perhaps interfere with you I have half a Mind to devote the next ten Years to the making of a Book, upon the subject of Nobility— I wish to enquire into the practice of all Nations ancient & modern, civilized & savage, under all Religions Mahometan, Christian, & Pagan—to see how far the division of Mankind into Patricians & Plebeians, Nobles & simples is necessary & inevitable & how far it is not Nature has not made this discrimination. art has done it— Art may then prevent it— I believe would it do good or evil 112 to prevent it? I believe good think what you will of it— How can it be prevented? in short it is a splendid subject and if I were not too Lazy I would undertake it.

I want to see Nations in Uniform— No Church Canonicals: no Lawyers Robes—no ——— no distinctions in society, but such as sense and Honesty make.— What a fool? what an Enthusiast you will say— what then? why should not I have my Hobby Horse to ride as well as my friend— I’ll tell you what— I believe this many headed beast the people, will some time or other have wit enough to throw their riders—and if the should they will put an End to an Abundance of tricks with which they are now curbed & bitted, whiped & spurred