they would, of course, count what they should gain by this enlargement of right, and examine whether it would be worth to them, as much as their monopoly of their West India commerce.  If not, that commercial freedom which we wish to preserve, and which, indeed, is so valuable, leaves us little else to offer.  An expression in my letter to the Count de Vergennes, of November the 20th, wherein I hinted, that both nations might, perhaps, come into the opinion, that the condition of natives might be a better ground of intercourse for their citizens, than that of the most favored nation, was intended to furnish an opportunity to the minister, of parleying on that subject, if he was so disposed, and to myself, of seeing whereabouts they would begin, that I might communicate it to Congress, and leave them to judge of the expediency of pursuing the subject.  But no overtures have followed; for I have no right to consider, as coming from the minister, certain questions which were, very soon after, proposed to me by an individual.  It sufficiently accounts for these questions, that that individual had written a memorial on the subject, for the consideration of the minister, and might wish to know what we would be willing to do.  The idea that I should answer such questions to him, is equally unaccountable, whether we suppose them originating with himself, or coming from the minister.  In fact, I must suppose them to be his own; and I transmit them, only that Congress my see what one Frenchman, at least, thinks on the subject.  If we can obtain from Great Britain reasonable conditions of commerce (which, in my idea, must for ever include an admission into her islands), the freest ground between these two nations would seem to be the best.  But if we can obtain no equal terms from her, perhaps Congress might think it prudent, as Holland has done, to connect us unequivocally with France.  Holland has purchased the protection of France.  The price she pays is, aid in time of war.  It is interesting for us to purchase a free commerce with the French islands.  But whether it is best to pay for it, by aids in war, or by privileges in commerce; or not to purchase it at all, is the question.

LETTER CXLVII.—­TO T. HOPKINSON, January 3, 1786

TO T. HOPKINSON.

Paris, January 3, 1786.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 25th of September.  Since that I have received yours of October the 25th, enclosing a duplicate of the last invented tongue for the harpsichord.  The letter enclosing another of them, and accompanied by newspapers, which you mention in that of October the 25th, has never come to hand.  I will embrace the first opportunity of sending you the crayons.  Perhaps they may come with this, which I think to deliver to Mr. Bingham, who leaves us on Saturday, for London.  If, on consulting him, I find the conveyance from London uncertain, you shall receive