livres_and_have_still_more_to_pay。_Forthe_greatestpart_of_thisI_have_beenobliged_to_anticipatemysalary_fromwhich_howeverI_shallneverbeableto_repay_it。_Ifind_thatbya_rigideconomy_，_bordering_howeveron_meannessI_can_save_
　　perhaps_$500_a_month_，at_least_in_thesummer。_The_residue_
　　goesfor_expences_somuchof_course_&of_necessitythatI_
　　cannot_avoid_them_withoutabandoningallrespect_to_mypubliccharacter。YetI_will_prayyoutotouch_this_string_，which_I
　　knowtobeatenderone_with_Congress_withtheutmost_delicacy。
　　I_had_ratherberuined_in_myfortune_，thanintheir_esteem。_Ifthey_allowmehalf_a_year’ssalary_asan_outfitI_can_getthroughmydebtsintime。Iftheyraise_the_salary_towhat_itwas，orevenpayourhouserent_&_taxes，I_can_livewithmoredecency。Itrust_that_Mr。A。’shouse_at_theHague_&_Dr。F。’satPassy_the_rent_ofwhichhadbeenalways_allowedhim_will_givejustexpectations_ofthe_sameallowance_to_me。Mr。Jay_
　　howeverdidnot_chargeit。Buthelivedoeconomically_and_laidupmoney。_IwilltakethelibertyofhazardingtoyousomethoughtsonthepolicyofenteringintotreatieswiththeEuropeannations，andthenatureofthem。Iamnotweddedtotheseideas，andthereforeshallrelinquishthemchearfullywhenCongressshalladoptothers，andzealouslyendeavortocarrytheirsintoeffect。Firstastothepolicyofmakingtreaties。Congress，bytheConfederationhavenooriginalandinherentpoweroverthecommerceofthestates。Butbythe9’th。articletheyareauthorizedtoenterintotreatiesofcommerce。ThemomentthesetreatiesareconcludedthejurisdictionofCongressoverthecommerceofthestatesspringsintoexistence，andthatoftheparticularstatesissupersededsofarasthearticlesofthetreatymayhavetakenupthesubject。TherearetworestrictionsonlyontheexerciseofthepoweroftreatybyCongress。
　　1’st。thattheyshallnotbysuchtreatyrestrainthelegislaturesofthestatesfromimposingsuchdutiesonforeignersastheirownpeoplearesubjectto。2’dly。norfromprohibitingtheexportationorimportationofanyparticularspeciesofgoods。Leavingthesetwopointsfree，Congressmaybytreatyestablishanysystemofcommercetheyplease。But，asIbeforeobserved，itisbytreatyalonetheycandoit。Thoughtheymayexercisetheirotherpowersbyresolutionorordinance，thoseovercommercecanonlybeexercisedbyformingatreaty，andthisprobablybyanaccidentalwordingofourConfederation。IfthereforeitisbetterforthestatesthatCongressshouldregulatetheircommerce，itisproperthattheyshouldformtreatieswithallnationswithwhomwemaypossiblytrade。Youseethatmyprimaryobjectintheformationoftreatiesistotakethecommerceofthestatesoutofthehandsofthestates，andtoplaceitunderthesuperintendenceofCongress，sofarastheimperfectprovisionsofourconstitutionwilladmit，anduntilthestatesshallbynewcompactmakethemmoreperfect。Iwouldsaythentoeverynationonearth，_bytreaty_，yourpeopleshalltradefreelywithus，&ourswithyou，payingnomorethanthemostfavourednation，inordertoputanendtotherightofindividualstatesactingbyfitsandstartstointerruptourcommerceortoembroiluswithanynation。Astothetermsofthesetreaties，thequestionbecomesmoredifficult。Iwillmentionthreedifferentplans。1。
　　thatnodutiesshallbelaidbyeitherpartyontheproductionsoftheother。2。thateachmaybepermittedtoequalizetheirdutiestothoselaidbytheother。3。thateachshallpayintheportsoftheothersuchdutiesonlyasthemostfavourednationspay。1。WerethenationsofEuropeasfreeandunembarrassedofestablishedsystemasweare，Idoverilybelievetheywouldconcurwithusinthefirstplan。Butitisimpossible。Theseestablishmentsarefixeduponthem，theyareinterwovenwiththebodyoftheirlaws&theorganizationoftheirgovernment&theymakeagreatpartoftheirrevenue；theycannotthengetridofthem。2。Theplanofequalimpostspresentsdifficultiesinsurmountable。Forhowaretheequalimpoststobeeffected?IsitbylayingintheportsofA。anequalpercentonthegoodsofB。withthatwhichB。haslaidinhisportsonthegoodsofA。?Buthowarewetofindwhatisthatpercent?
　　Forthisisnottheusualformofimposts。Theygenerallypaybytheton，bythemeasure，bytheweight，¬bythevalue。BesidesifA。sendsamillion’sworthofgoodstoB。&takesbackbutthehalfofthat，andeachpaysthesamepercent，itisevidentthatA。paysthedoubleofwhatherecoversinthesamewaywithB。ThiswouldbeourcasewithSpain。ShallweendeavourtoeffectequalitythenbysayingA。maylevysomuchonthesumofB。’simportationsintohisports，asB。doesonthesumofA’simportationsintotheportsofB。?Buthowfindoutthatsum?Willeitherpartylayopentheircustomhousebookscandidlytoevincethissum?Doeseitherkeeptheirbookssoexactlyastobeabletodoit?ThispropositionwasstartedinCongresswhenourinstitutionswereformed，asyoumayremember，andtheimpossibilityofexecutingitoccasionedittobedisapproved。Besideswhoshouldhavearightofdecidingwhentheimpostswereequal。A。wouldsaytoB。myimpostsdonotraisesomuchasyours；Iraisethemtherefore。B。wouldthensayyouhavemadethemgreaterthanmine，Iwillraisemine，andthusakindofauctionwouldbecarriedonbetweenthem，andamutualimitation，whichwouldendinanythingsoonerthanequality，andright。3。I
　　confessthentoyouthatIseenoalternativeleftbutthatwhichCongressadopted，ofeachpartyplacingtheotheronthefootingofthemostfavourednation。IfthenationsofEuropefromtheiractualestablishmentsarenotatlibertytosaytoAmericathatsheshalltradeintheirportsdutyfreetheymaysayshemaytradetherepayingnohigherdutiesthanthemostfavourednation。Andthisisvaluableinmanyofthesecountrieswhereaverygreatdifferenceismadebetweendifferentnations。Thereisnodifficultyintheexecutionofthiscontract，becausethereisnotamerchantwhodoesnotknow，ormaynotknow，thedutypaidbyeverynationoneveryarticle。Thisstipulationleaveseachpartyatlibertytoregulatetheirowncommercebygeneralrules；whileitsecurestheotherfrompartialandoppressivediscriminations。Thedifficultywhicharisesinourcaseis，withthenationshavingAmericanterritory。AccesstotheWestIndiesisindispensablynecessarytous。Yethowtogainit，whenitistheestablishedsystemofthesenationstoexcludeallforeignersfromtheircolonies。Theonlychanceseemstobethis，ourcommercetothemothercountriesisvaluabletothem。WemustendeavorthentomakethisthepriceofanadmissionintotheirWestIndies，andtothosewhorefusetheadmissionwemustrefuseourcommerceorloadtheirsbyodiousdiscriminationsinourports。Wehavethiscircumstanceinourfavourtoo，thatwhatonegrantsusintheirislands，theotherswillnotfinditworththeirwhiletorefuse。Themisfortuneisthatwiththiscountrywegavethispricefortheiraidinthewar，andwehavenownothingmoretooffer。ShebeingwithdrawnfromthecompetitionleavesGr。Britainmuchmoreatlibertytoholdoutagainstus。Thisisthedifficultpartofthebusinessoftreaty，andIownitdoesnotholdoutthemostflatteringprospect——Iwishyouwouldconsiderthissubjectandwritemeyourthoughtsonit。Mr。Gherrywrotemeonthesamesubject。Willyougivemeleavetoimposeonyouthetroubleofcommunicatingthistohim?Itislong，andwillsavememuchlabourincopying。Ihopehewillbesoindulgentastoconsideritasananswertothatpartofhisletter，andwillgivemehisfurtherthoughtsonit。
　　ShallIsendyousomuchoftheEncyclopediaasisalreadypublishedorreserveitheretillyoucome?Itisabout40vols。
　　whichprobablyisabouthalfthework。Giveyourselfnouneasinessaboutthemoney。PerhapsImayfinditconvenienttoaskyoutopaytriflesoccasionallyformeinAmerica。Isincerelywishyoumayfinditconvenienttocomehere。Thepleasureofthetripwillbelessthanyouexpectbuttheutilitygreater。Itwillmakeyouadoreyourowncountry，it’ssoil，it’sclimate，it’sequality，liberty，laws，people&manners。MyGod！howlittledomycountrymenknowwhatpreciousblessingstheyareinpossessionof，andwhichnootherpeopleonearthenjoy。IconfessIhadnoideaofitmyself。WhileweshallseemultipliedinstancesofEuropeansgoingtoliveinAmerica，IwillventuretosaynomannowlivingwilleverseeaninstanceofanAmericanremovingtosettleinEurope&continuingthere。Comethen&seetheproofsofthis，andonyourreturnaddyourtestimonytothatofeverythinkingAmerican，inordertosatisfyourcountrymenhowmuchitistheirinteresttopreserveuninfectedbycontagionthosepeculiaritiesintheirgovernment&
　　mannerstowhichtheyareindebtedfortheseblessings。Adieu，mydearfriend。Presentmeaffectionatelytoyourcollegues。Ifanyofthemthinkmeworthwritingto，theymaybeassuredthatintheepistolaryaccountIwillkeepthedebitsideagainstthem。Oncemoreadieu。
　　June19。Sincewritingtheabovewereceivethefollowingaccount。Mons。PilatredeRosiere，whohasbeenwaitingsomemonthsatBoulogneforafairwindtocrossthechannel，atlengthtookhisascentwithacompanion。ThewindchangedafterawhileandbroughthimbackontheFrenchcoast。Beingataheightofabout6000f。
　　someaccidenthappenedtohisbaloonofinflammableair。Itburst，theyfellfromthatheight&werecrushedtoatoms。TherewasaMontgolfiercombinedwiththebaloonofinflammableair。ItissuspectedtheheatoftheMontgolfierrarifiedtoomuchtheinflammableairoftheother&occasionedittoburst。TheMontgolfiercamedowningoodorder。
　　ROYALSCANDALANDTHIRD-RANKBIRDS
　　_ToAbigailAdams_
　　_Paris，June21，1785_
　　DEARMADAM——Ihavereceiveddulythehonorofyourletter，andamnowtoreturnyouthanksforyourcondescensioninhavingtakenthefirststepforsettlingacorrespondencewhichIsomuchdesired；forInowconsideritas_settled_andproceedaccordingly。
　　Ihavealwaysfounditbesttoremoveobstaclesfirst。IwilldosothereforeinthepresentcasebytellingyouthatIconsideryourboastsofthesplendourofyourcityandofit’ssuperbhackneycoachesasaflout，anddeclaringthatIwouldnotgivethepolite，self-denying，feeling，hospitable，goodhumouredpeopleofthiscountryandtheiramabilityineverypointofview，tho’itmustbeconfessedourstreetsaresomewhatdirty，andourfiacresratherindifferentfortensuchracesofrich，proud，hectoring，swearing，squibbing，carnivorousanimalsasthoseamongwhomyouare；andthatIdolovethis_people_withallmyheart，andthinkthatwithabetterreligionandabetterformofgovernmentandtheirpresentgovernorstheirconditionandcountrywouldbemostenviable。IprayyoutoobservethatIhaveusedtheterm_people_andthatthisisanounofthemasculineaswellasfemininegender。Imustaddtoothatweareaboutreformingourfiacres，andthatIexpectsoonanOrdonancethatalltheirdriversshallwearbreechesunlessanydifficultyshouldarisewhetherthisisasubjectforthepoliceorforthegenerallegislationofthecountry，totakecareof。Wehavelatelyhadanincidentofsomeconsequence，asitshewsaspiritoftreason，andaudaciousnesswhichwashardlythoughttoexistinthiscountry。SomeeightortenyearsagoaChevalier——wassentonamessageofstatetotheprincessof——of——ofbeforeIproceedaninchfurtherImustconfessmyprofoundstupidity；fortho’Ihaveheardthisstorytoldfiftytimesinallit’scircumstances，I
　　declareIamunabletorecollectthenameoftheambassador，thenameoftheprincess，andthenationhewassentto；Imustthereforeproceedtotellyouthenakedstory，shornofallthosepreciouscircumstancessomechevalierorotherwassentonsomebusinessorothertosomeprincessorother。Notsucceedinginhisnegociation，hewroteonhisreturnthefollowingsong。
　　EnnivredubrillantposteQuej’occuperecemment，DansunechaisedeposteJemecampefierement：
　　EtjevaisenambassadeAunomdemonsouverainDirequejesuismalade，Etqueluiseportebien。
　　AvecunejoueenfleeJedebarquetouthonteux：
　　Laprincesseboursoufflee，Aulieud’une，enavoitdeux；
　　EtsonaltessesauvageSansdouteatrouvemauvaisQuej’eussesurmonvisageLamoitiedesesattraits。
　　Princesse，leroimonmaitreM’aprispourAmbassadeur；
　　JeviensvousfaireconnoitreQuelleestpourvoussonardeur。
　　Quandvousseriezsouslechaume，Ildonneroit，m’a-t-ildit，LamoitiedesonroyaumePourcelledevotrelit。
　　LaprincesseasonpupitreComposeunremerciment：
　　EllemedonneuneepitreQuej’emportelestement，Etjem’envaisdanslarueFortsatisfaitd’ajouterAl’honneurdel’avoirvueLeplaisirdelaquitter。
　　Thissongrunthroughallcompaniesandwasknowntoeverybody。Abookwasafterwardsprinted，witharegularlicense，called`Lesquatressaisonslitteraires’whichbeingacollectionoflittlethings，containedthisalsoandalltheworldboughtitormightbuyitiftheywould，thegovernmenttakingnonoticeofit。ItbeingtheofficeoftheJournaldeParistogiveanaccountandcriticismofnewpublications，thisbookcameinturntobecriticisedbytheredacteur，andhehappenedtoselectandprintinhisjournalthissongasaspecimenofwhatthecollectioncontained。Hewasseisedinhisbedthatnightandhasbeenneversinceheardof。OurexcellentjournaldeParisthenissuppressedandthisboldtraitorhasbeeninjailnowthreeweeks，andforoughtanybodyknowswillendhisdaysthere。Thusyousee，madam，thevalueofenergyingovernment；ourfeeblerepublicwouldinsuchacasehaveprobablybeenwraptintheflamesofwaranddesolationforwantofapowerlodgedinasinglehandtopunishsummarilythosewhowritesongs。
　　ThefateofpoorPilatredeRosierewillhavereachedyoubeforethisdoes，andwithmorecertaintythanweyetknowit。ThiswilldampforawhiletheardorofthePhaetonsofourracewhoareendeavoringtolearnusthewaytoheavenonwingsofourown。ItookatripyesterdaytoSannoisandcommencedanacquaintancewiththeoldCountessd’Hocquetout。Ireceivedmuchpleasurefromitandhopeithasopenedadoorofadmissionformetothecircleofliteratiwithwhichsheisenvironed。IheardtheretheNightingaleinallit’sperfection：andIdonothesitatetopronouncethatinAmericaitwouldbedeemedabirdofthethirdrankonly，ourmockingbird，andfox-colouredthrushbeingunquestionablysuperiortoit。ThesquibsagainstMr。AdamsaresuchasIexpectedfromthepolished，mildtempered，truthspeakingpeopleheissentto。Itwouldbeillpolicytoattempttoanswerorrefutethem。Butcounter-squibsI
　　thinkwouldbegoodpolicy。BepleasedtotellhimthatasIhadbeforeorderedhisMadeiraandFrontignactobeforwarded，andhadaskedhisorderstoMr。Garveyastotheresidue，whichIdoubtnothehasgiven，IwasafraidtosendanotherorderabouttheBourdeauxlestitshouldproduceconfusion。InstatingmyaccountswiththeUnitedstates，Iamatalosswhethertochargehouserentornot。