Signed.  Dorset Wm. Eden.

At Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.

COUNTER-DECLARATION.

It neither being, nor ever having been, the intention of his Majesty to interpose by force in the affairs of the republic of the United Provinces, the communication made to the court of London by M. Barthelemy having had no other object than to announce to that court an intention, the motives of which no longer-exist, especially since the King of Prussia has made known his resolution, his Majesty makes no difficulty in declaring, that he has no wish to act in pursuance of the communication aforesaid, and that he entertains no hostile view in any quarter, relative to what has passed in Holland.

Consequently, his Majesty, desiring to concur in the sentiments of his Britannic Majesty, for the preservation of a good understanding between the two courts, consents with pleasure to the proposition of his Britannic Majesty, that the armaments, and, in general, all preparations for war, shall be mutually discontinued, and that the marines of the two nations shall be replaced upon the footing of the peace establishment, as it existed on the first day of January of the present year.

Signed.  Montmorin.

At Versailles, the 27th of October, 1787.

LETTER CXI.—­TO JOHN JAY, November 3, 1787

TO JOHN JAY.

(Private.) Paris, November 3, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I shall take the liberty of confiding sometimes to a private letter, such details of the small history of the court or cabinet, as may be worthy of being known, and yet not proper to be publicly communicated.  I doubt whether the administration is yet in a permanent form.  The Count de Montmorin and Baron de Breteuil are, I believe, firm enough in their places.  It was doubted whether they would wait for the Count de la Luzerne, if the war had taken place:  but at present I suppose they will.  I wish it also, because M. de Hector, his only competitor, has on some occasions shown little value for the connection with us.  Lambert, the Comptroller General, is thought to be very insecure.  I should be sorry also to lose him.  I have worked several days with him, the Marquis de la Fayette, and Monsieur du Pont (father of the young gentleman gone to America with the Count de Moustier), to reduce into one Arret whatever concerned our commerce.  I have found him a man of great judgment and application, possessing good general principles on subjects of commerce, and friendly dispositions towards us.  He passed the Arret in a very favorable form, but it has been opposed in the Council, and will, I fear, suffer some alteration in the article of whale-oil.  That of tobacco, which was put into a separate instrument, experiences difficulties also, which do not come from him.  M. du Pont has rendered us essential services on these