46 



•♦ 6. The information which we possess of France, before and in the 

 early stages of the Revolution, must be considerably changed at this day. 

 You will therefore transmit to us, as soon as possible, an account of the 

 navy, the agriculture, and the commerce of France. It is desirable, 

 too, to know upon what footing religion really stands. These, however, 

 are general objects. But we are particularly concerned to understand 

 the true state of the different sects of politics. Are there any of the 

 old friends to the ancient regime remaining? Are any new friends 

 created by the course of things? Are the Brissotines extinguished? 

 Are the Dantonists overwhelmed ? Is Eobespierre's party firmly fixed ? 

 Is he capable, from talents and personal fortitude, to direct the storm ? 

 Is his character free from imputation as to money ? Is he friendly to 

 the U. S. ? How is the executive power administered now ? What 

 new accession of authority may have lately accrued to the Committee of 

 Public Safety ? "What relation do the twelve Commissions of Adminis- 

 tration, which have been lately established, bear to that committee ? 

 What is the true cause of the various changes which have lately taken 

 place, by one party rising upon the ruins of another ? What assurance 

 can be had, that any party can so long maintain itself as to promise 

 stability to the government ? Are the people sincerely affectionate to 

 their present government ; or are they restrained by the terror of the 

 revolutionary tribunal, or by the danger of having their country dis- 

 membered by the coalesced princes ? What species of executive will 

 probably be at last adopted ? What characters bid fair to take the helm 

 of affairs after the great destruction and banishment of able men? 

 These, and many other questions of the same nature, ought to be solved, 

 to enable us to see things in a true light. For, without doubting the 

 solidity of the French cause, we ought not to be unprepared for any 

 event. If, therefore, any very momentous turn should arise in French 

 affairs, upon which the conduct of our government may depend, you 

 need not hesitate at the expense of an advice boat, if no other satisfac- 

 tory opportunity should occur. But it is the wish of the President, 

 that, at the end of every week, you commit to a letter the transactions 

 of it, and embrace every proper conveyance, by duplicates, and in great 

 cases even by triplicates. 



"6. Should you be interrogated about the Treaty of Commerce, you 

 may reply that it has never been proposed to us by Mr. Fauchet. As 

 to anything else concerning it, you will express yourself not to be 

 instructed, it being a subject to be negotiated with the government 

 here. 



•' 7. In like manner, if a Treaty of Alliance, or the execution of the 

 guarantee of the French Islands by force of arms, should be propounded, 



