the islands to us, and perhaps, during that war, they may see some price which might make them agree to keep them always open.  In the mean time, I have laid my shoulder to the opening the markets of this country to our produce, and rendering its transportation a nursery for our seamen.  A maritime force is the only one, by which we can act on Europe.  Our navigation law (if it be wise to have any) should be the reverse of that of England.  Instead of confining importations to home-bottoms, or those of the producing nation, I think we should confine exportations to home-bottoms, or to those of nations having treaties with us.  Our exportations are heavy, and would nourish a great force of our own, or be a tempting price to the nation to whom we should offer a participation of it, in exchange for free access to all their possessions.  This is an object to which our government alone is adequate, in the gross; but I have ventured to pursue it here, so far as the consumption of our productions by this country extends.  Thus, in our arrangements relative to tobacco, none can be received here, but in French or American bottoms.  This is employment for near two thousand seamen, and puts nearly that number of British out of employ.  By the Arret of December, 1787, it was provided, that our whale-oils should not be received here, but in French or American bottoms; and by later regulations, all oils, but those of France and America, are excluded.  This will put one hundred English whale vessels immediately out of employ, and one hundred and fifty ere long; and call so many of French and American into service.  We have had six thousand seamen formerly in this business, the whole of whom we have been likely to lose.  The consumption of rice is growing fast in this country, and that of Carolina gaining ground on every other kind.  I am of opinion, the whole of the Carolina rice can be consumed here.  Its transportation employs two thousand five hundred sailors, almost all of them English at present; the rice being deposited at Cowes, and brought from thence here.  It would be dangerous to confine this transportation to French and American bottoms, the ensuing year, because they will be much engrossed by the transportation of wheat and flour hither, and the crop of rice might lie on hand for want of vessels; but I see no objections to the extension of our principle to this article also, beginning with the year 1790.  However, before there is a necessity of deciding on this, I hope to be able to consult our new government in person, as I have asked of Congress a leave of absence for six months, that is to say, from April to November next.  It is necessary for me to pay a short visit to my native country, first, to reconduct my family thither, and place them in the hands of their friends, and secondly, to place my private affairs under certain arrangements.  When I left my own house, I expected to be absent but five months, and I have been led by events to an absence of five years.  I shall