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the present with the Leyden Gazette and Gazette of France, from the date last sent you to the present time. I have the honor to be, with high esteem, Sir, your most obedient
and most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
LETTER XCII. TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.
Paris, August 15, 1785. SIR,
In the conversation which I had the honor of having with your Excellency, a few days ago, on the importance of placing, at this time, the commerce between France and America on the best foot ing possible, among other objects of this commerce, that of tobacco was mentioned, as susceptible of greater encouragement and ad vantage to the two nations. Always distrusting what I say in a language I speak so imperfectly, I will beg your permission to state, in English, the substance of what I had then the honor to observe, adding some more particular details for your consideration.
I find the consumption of tobacco in France, estimated at from fifteen to thirty millions of pounds. The most probable estimate, however, places it at twenty-four millions.
This costing eight sous the pound, delivered in
a port of France, amounts to 9,600,000 livres.
Allow six sous a pound, as the average cost of the
different manufactures 7,200,000
The revenue which the King derives from this, is
something less than 30,000,000
Which would make the cost of the whole 46,800,000
But it is sold to the consumers at an average of
three livres the pound 72,000,000
There remain then for the expenses of collection 25,200,000 livres.
This is within a sixth as much as the King receives, and so gives nearly one half for collecting the other. It would be presumption in me, a stranger, to suppose my numbers perfectly accurate. I have taken them from the best and most disinterested authorities
