PARIS, February 7, 1788.
DEAR SIR,--I received duly your friendly letter of November the 12th.
By this time, you will have seen published by Congress the new
regulations obtained from this court, in favor of our commerce. You
will observe, that the arrangement relative to tobacco is a
continuation of the order of Berni for five years, only leaving the
price to be settled between the buyer and seller. You will see, too,
that all contracts for tobacco are forbidden, till it arrives in
France. Of course, your proposition for a contract is precluded. I fear
the prices here will be low, especially if the market be crowded. You
should be particularly attentive to the article, which requires that
the tobacco should come in French or American bottoms, as this article
will, in no instance, be departed from.
I wish with all my soul, that the nine first conventions may accept the
new constitution, because this will secure to us the good it contains,
which I think great and important. But I equally wish, that the four
latest conventions, whichever they be, may refuse to accede to it, till
a declaration of rights be annexed. This would probably command the
offer of such a declaration, and thus give to the whole fabric,
perhaps, as much perfection as any one of that kind ever had. By a
declaration of rights, I mean one which shall stipulate freedom of
religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce against monopolies,
trial by juries in all cases, no suspensions of the habeas corpus, no
standing armies. These are fetters against doing evil, which no honest
government should decline. There is another strong feature in the new
Constitution, which I as strongly dislike. That is, the perpetual
re-eligibility of the President. Of this I expect no amendment at
present, because I do not see that anybody has objected to it on your
side the water. But it will be productive of cruel distress to our
country, even in your day and mine. The importance to France and
England, to have our government in the hands of a friend or a foe, will
occasion their interference by money, and even by arms. Our President
will be of much more consequence to them than a King of Poland. We must
take care, however, that neither this, nor any other objection to the
new form, produces a schism in our Union. That would be an incurable
evil, because near friends falling out, never re-unite cordially;
whereas, all of us going together, we shall be sure to cure the evils
of our new Constitution, before they do great harm. The box of books I
had taken the liberty to address to you, is but just gone from Havre
for New York. I do not see, at present, any symptoms strongly
indicating war. It is true, that the distrust existing between the two
courts of Versailles and London, is so great, that they can scarcely do
business together. However, the difficulty and doubt of obtaining money
make both afraid to enter into war. The little preparations for war,
which we see, are the effect of distrust, rather than of a design to
commence hostilities. And in such a state of mind, you know, small
things may produce a rupture; so that though peace is rather probable,
war is very possible.
Your letter has kindled all the fond recollections of ancient times;
recollections much dearer to me than anything I have known since. There
are minds which can be pleased by honors and preferments; but I see
nothing in them but envy and enmity. It is only necessary to possess
them, to know how little they contribute to happiness, or rather how
hostile they are to it. No attachments soothe the mind so much as those
contracted in early life; nor do I recollect any societies which have
given me more pleasure, than those of which you have partaken with me.
I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage, with my books, my
family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the
world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which
any human power can give. I shall be glad to hear from you often. Give
me the small news as well as the great. Tell Dr. Currie, that I believe
I am indebted to him a letter, but that like the mass of our
countrymen, I am not, at this moment, able to pay all my debts; the
post being to depart in an hour, and the last stroke of a pen I am able
to send by it, being that which assures you of the sentiments of esteem
and attachment, with which I am, dear Sir, your affectionate friend and
servant.