never been able to see that these free ports were worth one copper to us.  To Bayonne our trade never went, and it is leaving L’Orient.  Besides, the right of entrepot is a perfect substitute for the right of free port.  The latter is a little less troublesome only, to the merchants and captains.  I should think, therefore, that a thing so useless to us and prejudicial to them might be relinquished by us, on the common principles of friendship.  I know the merchants of these ports will make a clamor, because the franchise covers their contraband with all the world.  Has Monsieur de Moustier said any thing to you on this subject?  It has never been mentioned to me.  If not mentioned in either way, it is rather an indecent proceeding, considering that this right of free port is founded in treaty.  I shall ask of M. de Montmorin, on the first occasion, whether he has communicated this to you through his minister; and if he has not, I will endeavor to notice the infraction to him in such manner, as neither to reclaim nor abandon the right of free port, but leave our government free to do either.

The gazettes of France and Leyden, as usual, will accompany this.  I am in hourly expectation of receiving from you my leave of absence, and keep my affairs so arranged, that I can leave Paris within eight days after receiving the permission.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble

servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXCIX.—­TO GENERAL WASHINGTON, May 10, 1780

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Paris, May 10, 1780,

Sir,

I am now to acknowledge, the honor of your two letters of November the 27th and February the 13th, both of which have come to hand since my last to you of December the 4th and 5th.  The details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Potomac and Ohio, are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers, as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern and western sides of our confederacy.  It will, moreover, add to the commerce of Virginia, in particular, all the upper parts of the Ohio and its waters.  Another vast object, and of much less difficulty, is to add also, all the country on the lakes and their waters.  This would enlarge our field immensely, and would certainly be effected by an union of the upper waters of the Ohio and lake Erie.  The Big Beaver and Cayahoga offer the most direct line, and according to information I received from General Hand, and which I had the honor of writing you in the year 1783, the streams in that neighborhood head in lagoons, and the country is flat.  With respect to the doubts which you say are entertained by some, whether the upper waters of Potomac can be rendered capable of navigation, on account of the