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merchant was forced to carry his produce to London, it could not be expected he would make a voyage from thence to France, with the money, to lay it out here ; and, in like manner, that if he could bring his commodities, with advantage, to this country, he would not make another voyage to England, with the money, to lay it out there, but would take in exchange the merchandise of this country. The Count de Vergennes agreed to this, and par ticularly, that where there was no exchange of merchandise, there could be no durable commerce ; and that it was natural for mer chants to take their returns in the port where they sold their cargo. I desired his permission then, to take a summary view of the pro ductions of the United States, that we might see which of them could be brought here to advantage.
1. Rice. France gets from the Mediterranean a rice not so good indeed, but cheaper than ours. He said that they bought of our rice, but that they got from Egypt also, rice of a very fine quality. I observed that such was the actual state of their com merce, in that article, that they take little from us. 2. Indigo. They make a plenty in their own colonies. He observed that they did, and that they thought it better than ours. 3. Flour, fish, and provisions of all sorts, they produce for themselves. That these articles might, therefore, be considered as not existing, for com merce, between the United States and the kingdom of France.
I proceeded to those capable of becoming objects of exchange between the two nations. 1 . Peltry and furs. Our posts being in the hands of the English, we are cut off from that article. I arn not sure even, whether we are not obliged to buy of them, for our own use. When these posts are given up, if ever they are, we shall be able to furnish France with skins and furs, to the amount of two millions of livres, in exchange for her merchan dise : but, at present, these articles are to be counted as nothing. 2. Potash. An experiment is making whether this can be brought here. We hope it may, but at present it stands for nothing. He observed that it was much wanted in France, and he thought it would succeed. 3. Naval stores. Trials are also making on these, as subjects of commerce with France. They are heavy, and the voyage long. The result, therefore, is doubtful. At present, they are as nothing in our commerce with this country. 4. Whale oil. I told him I had great hopes, that the late diminution of duty, would enable us to bring this article, with advantage, to France : that a merchant was just arrived (Mr. Barrett) who proposed to settle at L Orient, for the purpose of selling the cargoes of this article, and choosing the returns. That he had informed me, that in the first year, it would be necessary to take one third in money, and
