its passage.  The entrepot of whale-oil was not objected to by a single deputy at the conferences, and the excluding it is contrary to the spirit of encouragement the ministers have shown a disposition to give.  I trust, therefore, I may get it altered on the first occasion which occurs, and I believe one will soon occur.  In the mean time, we do not store a single drop for re-exportation, as all which comes here is needed for the consumption of this country; which will alone, according to appearances, become so considerable as to require all we can produce.

By a letter of the 8th instant, from our bankers, I learn that they had disposed of bonds enough to pay our June interest, and to replace the temporary advances made by Mr. Grand, and from a fund placed here by the State of Virginia.  I have desired them, accordingly, to replace these monies, which had been lent for the moment only, and in confidence of immediate repayment.  They add, that the payment of the June interest and the news from America, will, as they trust, enable them to place the remaining bonds of the last year’s million.  I suppose, indeed, that there is no doubt of it, and that none would have been expressed, if those two houses could draw better together than they do.  In the mean time, I hope the treasury board will send an order for so much as may be necessary for executing the purposes of Congress, as to our captives at Algiers.

I send you herewith, a Memoire of Monsieur Caseaux, whose name is familiar on the journals of Congress.  He prepared it to be delivered to the King, but I believe he will think better, and not deliver it.  The gazettes of France and Leyden accompany this.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

P. S. May 27, 1788.  I have kept my letter open to the moment of Mr. Warville’s departure (he being the bearer of it), that I might add any new incidents that should occur.  The refusal of the Chatelet and Grande Chambre of Paris to act in the new character assigned them, continues.  Many of the grandes bailliages accept, some conditionally, some fully.  This will facilitate greatly the measures of government, and may possibly give them a favorable issue.  The parliament of Toulouse, considering the edicts as nullities, went on with their business.  They have been exiled in consequence.  Monsieur de St. Priest left Paris for the Hague, on the 23rd.  I mention this fact, because it denotes the acquiescence of this government in the late revolution there.  A second division of a Spanish fleet will put to sea soon.  Its destination not declared.  Sweden is arming to a greater extent than was at first supposed.  From twelve so sixteen sail of the line are spoken of, on good grounds, Denmark, for her own security, must arm in proportion to this.  T. J.

LETTER CXXXVII.—­TO JOHN BROWN, May 26,1788