with them, if any thing makes its way from a seaport town to Paris, it must be by accident.  We have, indeed, agents in these seaports; but they value their offices so little, that they do not trouble themselves to inform us of what is passing there.  As a proof that these things do not transpire here, nor are easily got at, recollect that Mr. Adams, Dr. Franklin, and myself were all here on the spot together, from August, 1784, to June, 1785, that is to say, ten months, and yet not one of us knew of the Arret of August, 1784.  September the 18th and 25th, 1785, the second was passed.  And here alone I became responsible.  I think it was about six weeks before I got notice of it, that is, in November.  On the 20th of that month, writing to Count de Vergennes on another subject, I took occasion to remonstrate to him on that.  But from early in November, when the Fitzhughs went to America.  I had never a confidential opportunity of writing to Mr. Jay from hence, directly, for several months.  In a letter of December the 14th, to Mr. Jay, I mentioned to him the want of an opportunity to write to him confidentially, which obliged me at that moment to write by post via London, and on such things only, as both post-offices were welcome to see.  On the 2nd of January, Mr. Bingham setting out for London, I wrote to Mr. Jay, sending him a copy of my letter to Count de Vergennes, and stating something, which had passed in conversation on the same subject.  I prayed Mr. Bingham to take charge of the letter, and either to send it by a safe hand, or carry it himself, as circumstances should render most advisable.  I believe he kept it, to carry himself.  He did not sail from London till about the 12th of March, nor arrive in America till the middle of May.  Thus you see, that causes had prevented a letter, which I had written on the 20th of November, from getting to America till the month of May.  No wonder, then, if notice of this Arret came first to you by the way of the West Indies:  and, in general, I am confident, that you will receive notice of the regulations of this country, respecting their islands, by the way of those islands, before you will from hence.  Nor can this be remedied, but by a system of bribery, which would end in the corruption of your own ministers, and produce no good adequate to the expense.  Be so good as to communicate these circumstances to the persons who you think may have supposed me guilty of remissness on this occasion.

I will turn to a subject more pleasing to both, and give you my sincere congratulations on your marriage.  Your own dispositions, and the inherent comforts of that state, will insure you a great addition of happiness.  Long may you live to enjoy it, and enjoy it in full measure.  The interest I feel in every one connected with you, will justify my presenting my earliest respects to the lady, and of tendering her the homage of my friendship.  I shall be happy at all times to be useful to either of you, and to receive your commands.