PARIS, July 22, 1787.
GENTLEMEN,--I was honored, in the month of January last, with a letter
from the honorable the Delegates of Rhode Island in Congress, enclosing
a letter from the corporation of Rhode Island College to his most
Christian Majesty, and some other papers. I was then in the hurry of
preparation for a journey into the south of France, and therefore
unable, at that moment, to make the inquiries which the object of the
letter rendered necessary. As soon as I returned, which was in the last
month, I turned my attention to that object, which was the
establishment of a professorship of the French language in the College,
and the obtaining a collection of the best French authors, with the aid
of the King. That neither the College nor myself might be compromitted
uselessly, I thought it necessary to sound, previously, those who were
able to inform me what would be the success of the application. I was
assured, so as to leave no doubt, that it would not be complied with;
that there had never been an instance of the King's granting such a
demand in a foreign country, and that they would be cautious of setting
the precedent: that, in this moment, too, they were embarrassed with
the difficult operation of putting down all establishments of their
own, which could possibly be dispensed with, in order to bring their
expenditures down to the level of their receipts. Upon such information
I was satisfied, that it was most prudent not to deliver the letter,
and spare to both parties the disagreeableness of giving and receiving
a denial. The King did give to two colleges in America copies of the
works printing in the public press. But were this to be obtained for
the College of Rhode Island, it would extend only to a volume or two of
Buffon's works, still to be printed, Manilius' Astronomicon, and one or
two other works in the press, which are of no consequence. I did not
think this an object for the College, worth being pressed. I beg the
favor of you, gentlemen, to assure the corporation, that no endeavors
of mine should have been spared, could they have effected their wish;
and that they have been faithfully used in making the preliminary
enquiries which are necessary, and which ended in an assurance that
nothing could be done. These papers having been transmitted to me
through your delegation, will, I hope, be an apology for my availing
myself of the same channel, for communicating the result.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect, Gentlemen, your most obedient, and most humble servant.