to hazard it, the party in the ministry would not.  Something, therefore, like what I hinted in my letter of May the 12th, is still the most likely to take place.  While the Commons, either with or without their friends of the other two Houses, shall be employed in framing a constitution, perhaps the government may set the other two Houses to work on the same subject:  and when the three schemes shall be ready, joint committees may be negotiated, to compare them together, to see in what parts they agree; and probably they will agree in all, except the organization of the future States General.  As to this, it may be endeavored, by the aid of wheedling and intimidation, to induce the two privileged chambers to melt themselves into one, and the Commons, instead of one, to agree to two Houses of legislation.  I see no other middle ground to which they can be brought.

It is a tremendous cloud, indeed, which hovers over this nation, and he at the helm has neither the courage nor the skill necessary to weather it.  Eloquence in a high degree, knowledge in matters of account, and order, are distinguishing traits in his character.  Ambition is his first passion, virtue his second.  He has not discovered that sublime truth, that a bold, unequivocal virtue is the best handmaid even to ambition, and would carry him further, in the end, than the temporizing, wavering policy he pursues.  His judgment is not of the first order, scarcely even of the second; his resolution frail; and upon the whole, it is rare to meet an instance of a person so much below the reputation he has obtained.  As this character, by the post and times in which Providence has placed it, is important to be known, I send it to you as drawn by a person of my acquaintance, who knows him well.  He is not, indeed, his friend, and allowance must, therefore, be made for the high coloring.  But this being abated, the facts and groundwork of the drawing are just.  If the Tiers separate, he goes at the same time; if they stay together, and succeed in establishing a constitution to their mind, as soon as that is placed in safety, they will abandon him to the mercy of the court, unless he can recover the confidence which he has lost at present, and which, indeed, seems to be irrecoverable.

The inhabitants of St. Domingo, without the permission of the government, have chosen and sent deputies to the States General.  The question of their admission is to be discussed by the States.  In the mean time, the government had promised them an Assembly in their own Island, in the course of the present year.  The death of the Dauphin, so long expected, has at length happened.  Montmorin told Ternant the other day, that De Moustier had now asked a conge, which would be sent him immediately.  So that unless a change of ministry should happen, he will, probably, be otherwise disposed of.  The gazettes of France and Leyden accompany this.  I have the honor to be, with the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,