your commercial regulations, at a loss to say why this is preferable to L’Orient, which, you know, is a free port and in great latitude, which is nearer to both parties, and accessible by a less dangerous navigation.  I make no doubt, however, that the reasons of the preference are good.  You find by this essay, that I am not likely to be a very instructive correspondent:  you shall find me, however, zealous in whatever may concern the interests of the two countries.  The system into which the United States wished to go, was that of freeing commerce from every shackle.  A contrary conduct in Great Britain will occasion, them to adopt the contrary system, at least as to that island.  I am sure they would be glad, if it should be, found practicable, to make that discrimination between Great Britain and Ireland, which their commercial principles, and their affection for the latter, would dictate.

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect for yourself and the company for whom you write, Sir,

your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Tm:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXIV.—­TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES, November 14,1785

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Paris, November 14,1785.

Sir,

I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency on behalf of six citizens of the United States, who have been for some time confined in the prison of St. Pol de Leon, and of referring for particulars to the enclosed state of their case.  Some of the material facts therein mentioned, are founded on the bill of sale for the vessel, her clearance from Baltimore, and her log-book.  The originals of the two last, and a copy of the first, are in my hands.  I have, also, letters from a merchant in Liverpool to Asquith, which render it really probable that his vessel was bound to Liverpool.  The other circumstances depend on their affirmation, but I must say that in these facts they have been uniform and steady.  I have thus long avoided troubling your Excellency with this case, in hopes it would receive its decision in the ordinary course of law, and I relied, that that would indemnify the sufferers, if they had been used unjustly:  but though they have been in close confinement now near three months, it has yet no appearance of approaching to decision.  In the mean time, the cold of the winter is coming on, and to men in their situation, may produce events which would render all indemnification too late.  I must, therefore, pray the assistance of your Excellency, for the liberation of their persons, if the established order of things may possibly admit of it.  As to their property and their personal sufferings hitherto, I have full confidence that the laws have provided some tribunal where justice will be done them.  I enclose the opinion of an advocate, forwarded to me by a gentleman whom I had desired to obtain, from some judicious person of that faculty,