firm reliance on the repeated promises of the Count de F. B. from the experience of this Minister's punctuality and regard to his word, in all the transactions that I have had with him during my mission here, that I think I can safely assert, that we may depend on the best offices of this Court, whenever it may be judged proper, to renew our overtures to Algiers.

I am

The Republic of Genoa is doing what its limited finances will permit, to protect its commerce. told that the King of Sardinia is doing the same. The Portuguese and Neapolitan Envoys have gone to Algiers. Their success is problematical. If I was informed of the obstacles attending our treaty with Portugal, I flatter myself that I might be of some utility. It is not improbable that the Portuguese Ambassador at this Court will be nominated Minister of State. I tell you beforehand that he is anti-gallican. I believe he is of a party opposed to the Chevalier Pinto.

I am assured, by what ought to be good authority, that the affairs of this Court and Naples are in a good train. This appears to want confirmation. I write freely and fully to you, and hope you will have the same confidence with respect to your Excellency's &c.

WM. CARMICHAEL.

Extract of a letter from William Carmichael to Thomas

Sir,

Jefferson.

St. Ildefonso, September 4, 1786.

Since I had the honor to inform your Excellency of the success of Mr. Barclay's mission, of which I was

advised by his Excellency, the Count de Florida Blanca, the treaty of this Court with Algiers has been ratified by his Catholic Majesty. This ratification was signed the 27th ultimo. The Count d'Espilly will set out for Algiers in a few weeks, with the presents given on this occasion to the Dey, and the principal officers of the Regency. The ransom of the Spanish prisoners is left for a distinct negotiation. There are also some arrangements to be taken with the Bey of Mascara or Constantine, that demands patience and money.

I am assured by the Counts de Florida Blanca and d'Espilly, that, until we have a treaty with the Porte, it will answer no purpose to attempt a negotiation with Algiers.

FROM JOHN JAY TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

New York, February 9, 1787.

Sir,

Since my last to you of the 14th December, I have been honored with yours of the 26th September last, which, with the papers that it enclosed, have been laid before Congress, but neither on that, nor any of your late letters, have any orders as yet been made.

The annual election produces much delay in affairs. From that time to this, scarcely any thing has been done. It was not until last week, that, seven States being represented, a President was elected, the choice fell on Major General St. Clair. They have much back business to despatch, several reports on important subjects from the different departments are to be considered and

decided upon. A form of government, so constructed, has inconveniences, which I think will continue to operate against the public or national interest, until some cause, not easily predicted, shall produce such a modification of it, as that the legislative, judicial and executive business of government may be consigned to three proper and distinct departments. The struggles for and against the impost remain, but promise little. The States, in general, pay little attention to requisitions, and I fear that our debts, foreign and domestic, will not soon be provided for in a manner satisfactory to our creditors. The evils to be expected from such delays are less difficult to be foreseen, than obviated. Our government wants energy, and there is reason to fear, that too much has been expected from the virtue and good sense of the people.

You will receive herewith enclosed, a letter from Congress to his most Christian Majesty, with a copy of it for your information. It is in answer to one received from him, and should have been of earlier date, had Congress sooner convened; be pleased to explain this circumstance to the Minister.

The public papers, herewith sent, contain all we at present know, respecting the troubles in Massachusetts. Whether they will soon be terminated, or what events they may yet produce, is perfectly uncertain; and the more so, as we are yet to ascertain whether, and how far they may be encouraged by our neighbors.

I enclose a copy of a letter from Mr. Otto, formally contradicting the report of an exchange, between France and Spain for the Floridas. That report had excited attention, and given pleasure to Anti-Gallicans.

Our apprehensions of an Indian war still continue; for

we are at a loss to determine, whether the present continuance of peace is to be ascribed to the season, or their pacific intentions.

We have not yet received the Morocco treaty. As soon as it arrives, I am persuaded that Congress will take the earliest opportunity of making their acknowledgments, to the friendly powers that promoted it. Mr. Lamb is still absent; he, doubtless, has received the order of Congress directing his return, either from you and Mr. Adams, or directly from me.

Congress has not yet given any orders respecting further negotiations with the Barbary States; nor can I venture to say what their sentiments will be on that head. I am equally at a loss to judge, what they will direct respecting treaties of commerce, with the Emperor and other European powers. For my part, I think, and have recommended, that commissions and instructions should be sent to you and Mr. Adams, for those purposes. In my opinion, such treaties for short terms, might be advantageous. The time is not yet come for us to expect the best. The distance of that period will, however, depend much on ourselves.

With very sincere esteem and regard, &c.
JOHN JAY.

FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO JOHN JAY.

Sir,

Paris, October 23, 1786..

In a letter of January 2nd, I had the honor of communicating to you the measures, which had been pursued here for the improvement of the commerce, between the

United States and France. The general view of that commerce, which I had presented to the Count de Vergennes, the circumstance of the renewal of the farms, which had obliged me to press separately, and in the first place, the article of tobacco, and that which had also brought forward that of whale oil; and in my letters of May 27th and 31st, I informed you of the result on the first of these articles. During the course of these proceedings, a Committee had been established for considering the means of promoting the general commerce with America, and the Marquis de Lafayette was named of that Committee, his influence in obtaining that establishment was valuable, but his labors and his perseverance as a member of it, became infinitely more so. Immediately after the Committee of Berni, of which my letter of May 27th gave an account, we thought it expedient to bring the general subject of the American commerce before the Committee: and as the members were much unacquainted, with the nature and value of our commercial productions, the Marquis proposed, that in a letter to him as a member, I should give as particular details of them, as I could, as a ground for that Committee to proceed on. I did so in a letter, a copy of which I have now the honor to enclose. The Committee were well disposed, and agreed to report not only the general measures which, they thought expedient to be adopted; but the form of the letter to be written by the Minister of Finance to me, for the communication of these measures. I have received his letter this morning, and have now the honor to enclose it. I accompany it with the one proposed by the Committee, of which you will perceive that it is almost a verbal copy; it furnishes a proof of the disposi