PARIS, June 14, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--Having got back to Paris three days ago, I resume
immediately the correspondence with which you have been pleased to
honor me. I wish I could have begun it with more agreeable information
than that furnished me by Mr. Grand, that the funds of the United
States here are exhausted, and himself considerably in advance; and by
the Board of Treasury at New York, that they have no immediate prospect
of furnishing us supplies. We are thus left to shift for ourselves,
without previous warning. As soon as they shall replenish Mr. Grand's
hands, I will give you notice, that you may recommence your usual
drafts on him; unless the board should provide a separate fund for you,
dependent on yourself alone, which I have strongly and repeatedly
pressed on them, in order to remove the indecency of suffering your
drafts to pass through any intermediate hand for payment.
My letters from America came down to the 24th of April. The
disturbances in the Eastern States were entirely settled. I do not
learn that the government had made any examples. Mr. Hancock's health
being re-established, the want of which had occasioned him to resign
the government of Massachusetts, he has been re-elected to the
exclusion of Governor Bowdoin. New York still refuses to pass the
impost in any form, and, were she to pass it, Pennsylvania will not
uncouple it from the supplementary funds. These two States and Virginia
are the only ones, my letters say, which have paid anything into the
Continental treasury, for a twelve month past. I send you a copy of a
circular letter from Congress to the several States, insisting on their
removing all obstructions to the recovery of British debts. This was
hurried, that it might be delivered to the Assembly of New York before
they rose. It was delivered, but they did nothing in consequence of it.
The convention to be assembled at Philadelphia will be an able one. Ten
States were known to have appointed delegates. Maryland was about to
appoint; Connecticut was doubtful; and Rhode Island had refused. We are
sure, however, of eleven States. South Carolina has prohibited the
importation of slaves for three years; which is a step towards a
perpetual prohibition. Between six and seven hundred thousand acres of
land are actually surveyed into townships, and the sales are to begin
immediately. They are not to be sold for less than a dollar the acre,
in public certificates. I wrote you from Bordeaux on the subject of
Colonel Smith. I was sorry I missed him there, for other reasons as
well as from a curiosity to know his errand. The Notables have laid the
foundation of much good here; you have seen it detailed in the public
papers. The Prince of Wales is likely to recover from his illness,
which was very threatening. It is feared that three powers have
combined to lift the Prince of Orange out of his difficulties. Have you
yet the cypher of which I formerly wrote to you, or any copy of it?
I am, with sincere esteem, dear Sir, your most obedient, and most
humble servant.