Great Britain, and I think it will be right not to involve other nations in the consequences of her injustice.  I take for granted, that the commercial system wished for by Congress, was such a one, as should leave commerce on the freest footing possible.  This was the plan on which we prepared our general draught for treating with all nations.  Of those with whom we were to treat, I ever considered England, France, Spain, and Portugal as capitally important; the first two, on account of their American possessions, the last, for their European as well as American.  Spain is treating in America, and probably will give an advantageous treaty.  Portugal shows dispositions to do the same.  France does not treat.  It is likely enough she will choose to keep the staff in her own hands.  But, in the mean time, she gives us an access to her West Indies, which, though not all we wish, is yet extremely valuable to us:  this access, indeed, is much affected by the late Arrets of the 18th and 25th of September, which I enclose to you.  I consider these as a reprisal for the navigation acts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  The minister has complained to me, officially, of these acts, as a departure from the reciprocity stipulated for by the treaty.  I have assured him that his complaints shall be communicated to Congress, and in the mean time, observed that the example of discriminating between foreigners and natives had been set by the Arret of August, 1784, and still more remarkably by those of September the 18th and 25th, which, in effect, are a prohibition of our fish in their islands.  However, it is better for us, that both sides should revise what they have done.  I am in hopes this country did not mean these as permanent regulations.  Mr. Bingham, lately from Holland, tells me that the Dutch are much dissatisfied with these acts.  In fact, I expect the European nations, in general, will rise up against an attempt of this kind, and wage a general commercial war against us.  They can do well without all our commodities except tobacco, and we cannot find, elsewhere, markets for them.  The selfishness of England alone will not justify our hazarding a contest of this kind against all Europe.  Spain, Portugal, and France, have not yet shut their doors against us:  it will be time enough, when they do, to take up the commercial hatchet.  I hope, therefore, those States will repeal their navigation clauses, except as against Great Britain and other nations not treating with us.

I have made the inquiries you desire, as to American ship-timber for this country.  You know they sent some person (whose name was not told us) to America, to examine the quality of our masts, spars, &c.  I think this was young Chaumont’s business.  They have, besides this, instructed the officer who superintends their supplies of masts, spars, foe., to procure good quantities from our northern States; but I think they have made no contract:  on the contrary, that they await the trials projected, but with a determination to look to us for considerable supplies, if they find our timber answer.  They have on the carpet a contract for live-oak from the southern States.