(Private.) PARIS, October 8, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--The Count de Moustier, Minister Plenipotentiary from the
Court of Versailles to the United States, will have the honor of
delivering you this. The connection of your offices will necessarily
connect you in acquaintance; but I beg leave to present him to you, on
account of his personal as well as his public character. You will find
him open, communicative, candid, simple in his manners, and a declared
enemy to ostentation and luxury. He goes with a resolution to add no
aliment to it by his example, unless he finds that the dispositions of
our countrymen require it indispensably. Permit me, at the same time,
to solicit your friendly notice, and through you, that also of Mrs.
Jay, to Madame la Marquise de Brehan, sister-in-law to Monsieur de
Moustier. She accompanies him, in hopes that a change of climate may
assist her feeble health, and also, that she may procure a more
valuable education for her son, and safer from seduction, in America
than in France. I think it impossible to find a better woman, more
amiable, more modest, more simple in her manners, dress, and way of
thinking. She will deserve the friendship of Mrs. Jay, and the way to
obtain hers, is to receive her and treat her without the shadow of
etiquette.
The Count d'Aranda leaves us in a day or two. He desired me to recall
him to your recollection, and to assure you of his friendship. In a
letter which I mean as a private one, I may venture details too minute
for a public one, yet not unamusing, or unsatisfactory. I may venture
names, too, without the danger of their getting into a newspaper. There
has long been a division in the Council here, on the question of war
and peace. Monsieur de Montmorin and Monsieur de Breteuil have been
constantly for war. They are supported in this by the Queen. The King
goes for nothing. He hunts one half the day, is drunk the other, and
signs whatever he is bid. The Archbishop of Thoulouse desires peace.
Though brought in by the Queen, he is opposed to her in this capital
object, which would produce an alliance with her brother. Whether the
Archbishop will yield or not, I know not. But an intrigue is already
begun for ousting him from his place, and it is rather probable it will
succeed. He is a good and patriotic minister for peace, and very
capable in the department of finance. At least, he is so in theory. I
have heard his talents for execution censured. Can I be useful here to
Mrs. Jay or yourself, in executing any commissions, great or small? I
offer you my services with great cordiality. You know whether any of
the wines in this country may attract your wishes. In my tour, last
spring, I visited the best vineyards of Burgundy, Cote-rotie,
Hermitage, Lunelle, Frontignan, and white and red Bordeaux, got
acquainted with the proprietors, and can procure for you the best crops
from the vigneron himself. Mrs. Jay knows if there is anything else
here, in which I could be useful to her. Command me without ceremony,
as it will give me real pleasure to serve you, and be assured of the
sincere attachment and friendship, with which I am, dear Sir, your most
obedient, and most humble servant.