TO M. LA MOTTE.

Philadelphia, August 30, 1791.

Sir,

I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of February the 9th, March the 25th, and April the 24th; as also of the several packages of wine, carriages, &c. which came safe to hand, and for your care of which be pleased to accept my thanks.

I am sensible of the difficulties to which our Consuls are exposed by the applications of sailors, calling themselves Americans.  Though the difference of dialect between the Irish and Scotch, and the Americans, is sensible to the ear of a native, it is not to that of a foreigner, however well he understands the language; and between the American and English (unless of particular provinces) there is no difference sensible even to a native.  Among hundreds of applications to me, at Paris, nine-tenths were Irish, whom I readily discovered.  The residue, I think, were English:  and I believe not a single instance of a Scotchman or American.  The sobriety and order of the two last, preserve them from want.  You will find it necessary, therefore, to be extremely on your guard against these applications.  The bill of expenses for Huls is much beyond those aids which I should think myself authorized to have advanced habitually, until the law shall make express provision for that purpose.  I must, therefore, recommend to you, to hazard only small sums in future, until our legislature shall lay down more precise rules for my government.

The difference of duty on tobacco carried to France in French and American bottoms, has excited great uneasiness.  We presume the National Assembly must have been hurried into the measure, without being allowed time to reflect on its consequences.  A moment’s consideration must convince any body, that no nation upon earth ever submitted to so enormous an assault on the transportation of their own produce.  Retaliation, to be equal, will have the air of extreme severity and hostility.  Such would be an additional tonnage of twelve livres ten sous the ton burthen, on all French ships entering Our ports.  Yet this would but exactly balance an additional duty of six livres five sous the hogshead of tobacco, brought in American ships entering in the ports of France.  I hope, either that the National Assembly will repeal the measure, or the proposed treaty be so hastened, as to get this matter out of the way before it shall be necessary for the ensuing legislature to act on it.  Their measure, and our retaliation on it, which is unavoidable, will very illy prepare the minds of both parties for a liberal treaty.  My confidence in the friendly dispositions of the National Assembly, and in the sincerity of what they have expressed on the subject, induce me to impute, it to surprise altogether, and to hope it will be repealed before time shall be given to take it up here.

I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,