29th, 1783, as still in full force.  I do not give you the trouble of this discussion, to save myself the trouble of the negotiation.  I should have no objections to this part:  but it is to avoid the impropriety of meddling in a matter wherein I am unauthorized to act, and where any thing I should pretend to conclude with the court of Denmark, might have the appearance of a deception on them.  Should it be in my power to render any service in it, I shall do it with cheerfulness; but I repeat, that I think you are the only person authorized.

I received, a few days ago, the Nuova Minuta of Tuscany, which Colonel Humphreys will deliver you.  I have been so engaged that I have not been able to go over it with any attention.  I observe, in general, that the order of the articles is entirely deranged, and their diction almost totally changed.  When you shall have examined it, if you will be so good as to send me your observations by post, in cipher, I will communicate with you in the same way, and try to mature this matter.

The deaths of the Dukes of Orleans and Praslin, will probably reach you through the channel of the public papers, before this letter does.  Your friends the Abbes are well, and always speak of you with affection.  Colonel Humphreys comes to pass some time in London.  My curiosity would render a short trip thither agreeable to me also, but I see no probability of taking it.  I will trouble you with my respects to Dr. Price.  Those to Mrs. Adams, I witness in a letter to herself.

I am, with very great esteem, Dear Sir,

your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXVI.—­TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES, November 20, 1785

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Paris, November 20, 1785.

Sir,

I found here, on my return from Fontainebleau, the letter of October the 30th, which your Excellency did me the honor there of informing me had been addressed to me at this place; and I shall avail myself of the first occasion of transmitting it to Congress, who will receive, with great pleasure; these new assurances of the friendly sentiments, which his Majesty is pleased to continue towards the United States.

I am equally persuaded they will pay the most serious attention to that part of your Excellency’s letter, which mentions the information you have received of certain acts or regulations of navigation and commerce, passed in some of the United States, which are injurious to the commerce of France.  In the mean time, I wish to remove the unfavorable impressions which those acts seem to have made, as if they were a departure from the reciprocity of conduct, stipulated for by the treaty of February the 6th, 1776.  The effect of that treaty is, to place each party with the other, always on the footing of the most favored nation.  But those who framed the acts, probably did not consider