MARSEILLES, May 6, 1787.
SIR,--A desire of seeing a commerce commenced between the dominions of
His Majesty, the King of Sardinia, and the United States of America,
and a direct exchange of their respective productions, without passing
through a third nation, led me into the conversation which I had the
honor of having with you on that subject, and afterwards with Monsieur
Tallon, at Turin, to whom I promised that I would explain to you, in
writing, the substance of what passed between us. The articles of your
produce wanted with us, are brandies, wines, oil, fruits, and
manufactured silks: those with which we can furnish you, are indigo,
potash, tobacco, flour, salt fish, furs and peltries, ships and
materials for building them. The supply of tobacco, particularly, being
in the hands of government solely, appeared to me to offer an article
for beginning immediately the experiment of direct commerce. That of
the first quality can be had, at first hand, only from James river, in
Virginia; those of the second and third, from the same place and from
Baltimore, in Maryland. The first quality is delivered in the ports of
France at thirty-eight livres the quintal, the second at thirty-six
livres, the third at thirty-four livres, weight and money of France, by
individuals generally. I send you the copy of a large contract, wherein
the three qualities are averaged at thirty-six livres. They may be
delivered at Nice for those prices. Indeed, it is my opinion, that by
making shipments of your own produce to those places, and buying the
tobaccos on the spot, they may be had more advantageously. In this
case, it would be expedient that merchants of Nice, Turin, and America,
should form a joint concern for conducting the business in the two
countries. Monsieur Tallon desired me to point out proper persons in
America, who might be addressed for this purpose. The house of the most
extensive reputation, concerned in the tobacco trade, and on the
firmest funds, is that of Messrs. Ross and Pleasants, at Richmond, in
Virginia. If it should be concluded, on your part, to make any attempt
of this kind, and to address yourselves to these gentlemen, or any
others, it would be the best to write them your ideas, and receive
theirs, before you make either purchases or shipments. A more hasty
conduct might occasion loss, and retard, instead of encouraging the
establishment of this commerce. I would undertake to write, at the same
time, to these, or any other merchants whom you should prefer, in order
to dispose them favorably, and as disinterestedly as possible, for the
encouragement of this essay. I must observe to you, that our vessels
are fearful of coming into the Mediterranean on account of the
Algerines; and that, if you should freight vessels, those of the French
will be most advantageous for you, because received into our ports
without paying any duties on some of those articles, and lighter than
others on all of them. English vessels, on the other hand, are
distinguished by paying heavier duties than those of any other nation.
Should you desire any further information, or to pass letters with
certainty to any mercantile house in America, do me the favor to
address yourselves to me, at Paris, and I shall do whatever depends on
me, for this object.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of high esteem and respect,
Sir, your most obedient humble servant.