PARIS, August 1, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--A journey into the southern parts of France and northern of
Italy must apologize to you for the length of time elapsed since my
last, and for the delay of acknowledging the receipt of your favors of
November 8 and December 9, 1786, and April 14, 1787. Your two phials of
essence de l'Orient arrived during that interval, and got separated
from the letters which accompanied them, so that I could not be sure
which was your first preparation, and which was your second. But I
suppose, from some circumstances, that the small phial was the first,
and the larger one the second. This was entirely spoiled, so that
nothing was distinguishable from it. The matter in the small phial was
also too much spoiled for use; but the pearl merchant, from whom I got
my details, said he could judge, from what remained, that it had been
very good; that you had a very considerable knowledge in the manner of
preparing, but that there was still one thing wanting which made the
secret of the art; that this is not only a secret of the art, but of
every individual workman who will not communicate to his fellows,
believing his own method the best; that of ten different workmen, all
will practice different operations, and only one of the ten be the
right one; that the secret consists only in preparing the fish, all the
other parts of the process in the pearl manufactory being known. That
experience has proved it to be absolutely impossible for the matter to
cross the sea without being spoiled; but that if you will send some in
the best state you can, he will make pearls of it, and send to you that
you may judge of them yourself. He says the only possible method of
making anything of it would be for a workman to go over. He would not
engage in this, nor would he buy, because he says it is their custom to
have contracts for nine years' supply from the fishermen, and that his
contract furnishes him with as much as he can sell in the present
declining state of the pearl trade; that they have been long getting
out of fashion, polite people not wearing them at all, and the poor not
able to give a price; that their calling is, in fact, annihilating;
that when he renews his contract he shall be obliged to reduce the
price he pays twenty-five per cent.; that the matter sells from five to
eight livres the French pound, but most generally at six livres. He
showed me a necklace of twelve strands, which used to sell at ten
livres, and now sells for two and a half. He observed that the length
of time the matter will keep depends on the strength of the spirit of
wine. The result is, then, that you must send me a sample of your very
best, and write what you would propose after weighing these
circumstances. The leg and feathers of the bird are also arrived; but
the comb, which you mention as annexed to the foot, has totally
disappeared. I suppose this is the effect of its drying. I have not yet
had an opportunity of giving it to Monsieur de Buffon, but expect to do
it soon. I thank you for the trouble you have taken with Madame
Champne's letters, and must give you another, that of enquiring for
James Lillie, belonging to the privateer General Mercer, of
Philadelphia, the property of Iroon, Carsons and Semple. Richard Graham
& Co., merchants of Philadelphia, seem to have been also interested;
and Isaac Robinson, Graham's son-in-law, to have commanded her. For the
details I refer you to the enclosed paper I received from a Madame
Ferrier, sister to James Lillie, from which you will perceive he has
not been heard of since 1779. I receive many of these applications
which humanity cannot refuse, and I have no means of complying with
them but by troubling gentlemen on the spot. This, I hope, will be my
apology. I am obliged to you for subscribing to the Columbian Magazine
for me. I find it a good thing, and am sure it will be better from the
time you have undertaken it. I wish you had commenced before the month
of December, for then the abominable forgery inserted in my name in the
last page, would never have appeared. This, I suppose, the compilers
took from English papers, those infamous fountains of falsehood. Is it
not surprising that our newswriters continue to copy from those papers,
though every one who knows anything of them, knows they are written by
persons who never go out of their garret nor read a paper? The real
letter alluded to was never meant to have been public, and therefore
was hastily and carelessly dictated while I was obliged to use the pen
of another. It became public, however. I send you a genuine copy to
justify myself in your eyes against the absurd thing they have fathered
upon me in the Magazine. Mr. Payne is here with his bridge, which is
well thought of. The Academy, to whom it is submitted, have not yet
made their report. I have shipped on board the Mary, Captain Howland,
bound from Havre to New York, a box containing the subsequent
livraisons of the Encyclopedie for yourself and Doctor Franklin from
those formerly sent you to the twenty-two inclusive. I think there are
also in it some new volumes of the Bibliotheque physico-économique for
you. I had received duplicates of some books (in sheets) for the
colleges of Philadelphia and Williamsburg. Whether I packed one copy in
your box, and one in Madison's, or both in his, I do not remember. You
will see and be so good as to deliver the one to the College of
Philadelphia, if in your box. The box is directed to Doctor Franklin,
and will be delivered to Mr. Madison at New York. I will send you
either by this occasion or the next, the cost, expenses, etc., etc.
Present me in the most respectful and friendly terms to Dr. Franklin
and his grandson, to Mr. Rittenhouse and family, Mrs. Hopkinson the
elder and younger. My daughter (my elder one I mean, for both are here
now) presents her respects also to your mother. I am, with sentiments
of sincere affection, dear Sir, your friend and servant.