very nearly two livres on the English hundred weight, or about a guinea and a half the ton.  But the oil must be brought in American or French ships, and the indulgence is limited to one year.  However, as to this, I expressed to Count de Vergennes my hopes that it would be continued; and should a doubt arise, I should propose, at the proper time, to claim it under the treaty on the footing gentis amicissimae.  After all, I believe Mr. Boylston has failed of selling to Sangrain, and from what I learn, through a little too much hastiness of temper.  Perhaps they may yet come together, or he may sell to somebody else.

When the general matter was thus arranged, a Mr. Barrett arrived here from Boston, with letters of recommendation from Governor Bowdoin, Gushing, and others.  His errand was to get the whale business here put on a general bottom, instead of the particular one which had been settled, you know, the last year, for a special company.  We told him what was done.  He thinks it will answer, and proposes to settle at L’Orient for conducting the sales of the oil and the returns.  I hope, therefore, that this matter is tolerably well fixed, as far as the consumption of this country goes.  I know not as yet to what amount that is; but shall endeavor to find out how much they consume, and how much they furnish themselves.  I propose to Mr. Barrett, that he should induce either his State, or individuals, to send a sufficient number of boxes of the spermaceti candle to give one to every leading house in Paris; I mean to those who lead the ton:  and at the same time to deposite a quantity for sale here, and advertise them in the petites affiches.  I have written to Mr. Carmichael to know on what footing the use and introduction of the whale-oil is there, or can be placed.

I have the honor to be, with very sincere esteem, Dear Sir,

your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXLI.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, December 11, 1785

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, December 11, 1785.

Dear Sir,

Baron Polnitz not going off till to-day enables me to add some information which I received from Mr. Barclay this morning.  You know the immense amount of Beaumarchais’ accounts with the United States, and that Mr. Barclay was authorized to settle them.  Beaumarchais had pertinaciously insisted on settling them with Congress.  Probably he received from them a denial:  for just as Mr. Barclay was about to set out on the journey we destined him, Beaumarchais tendered him a settlement.  It was thought best not to refuse this, and that it would produce a very short delay.  However, it becomes long, and Mr. Barclay thinks it will occupy him all this month.  The importance of the account, and a belief that nobody can settle it so well as Mr. Barclay, who is intimately acquainted with most of the articles, induce me to think we must yield to this delay.  Be so good as to give me your opinion on this subject.