962 Memoires et Documents 
of new government with European powers : in war and peace ; 
proper French policy: maintain union among states, good 
offices to Spain and other powers, maintain her own dignity, 
show reasonableness on matter of debt repayment, secure 
influence in U.S., extend alliance, aid in building U.S. 
navy, grant commercial concessions, expand treaty of com- 
merce and negotiate consular convention; essential measures 
to secure French influence in U.S.: careful choice of 
ministers, subsidies, well-founded consular system, propa- 
ganda, establishment of packet service, welcome to Americans 
in French army and navy, wintering of French squadrons in 
American ports; considerable material on U.S. policy towards 
Florida and La. (ff. 65-155). 
[Sept.]. Moustier, memoir on U.S. debt to France, 
and on means of facilitating its payment; tabular statement 
of debt; criticism of various plans for payment; good effect 
of debt as constituting lien upon good-will, gratitude, and 
support of U.S.; proposal that debt be discharged in naval 
stores and provisions; details of plan, with remarks on its 
feasability and advantages (ff. 157-183). 
Nov. Moustier, memoir on state of American 
Confederation at time of establishment of Federal Govern- 
ment; finances; military forces; foreign affairs; secre- 
tariat of Congress; treaties with foreign powers; work of 
Continental Congress; situation of individual states; con- 
siderable material on American westward expansion and re- 
lations with Britain and Spain concerning northwest posts, 
Mississippi navigation, and New Orleans (ff. 285-384). 
1789, Apr. Extract from New York newspaper; summary 
of «present condition of U.S.; area, inhabitants, and other 
statistics for each state (ff . 387-391) . 
[See MVC, Aug. 4, Sept. 23, 1784; Sept., Nov., 1788.] 
8 (1783-1785) 
1784, Oct. Marbois, memoir on fur trade; trade with 
Indians along Hudson River; feasability and desirability 
of regaining French trade lost in 1763; Fort Schuyler; 
Lakes Ontario and Erie; Detroit; treaty with outlying 
Indian settlements (ff. 218-229). 
1785. Marbois, memoir on French trade with U.S.; 
detailed studies of trade and commerce of each state; 
ruination of trade of Pittsburgh; preference of Indians 
for French goods; trade with Illinois country; trade with 
New Orleans via Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; description 
of Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio Rivers; future 
of lands they drain; trade of U.S. with France, French 
Antilles, and French settlements in Indies (ff. 4-215). 
[This is a much-corrected and revised form of an earlier 
memoir written in Aug. 1782, and June and Dec, 1783. The 
earlier memoir is in volume 4, ff . 58-197, 210-238, 241- 
253, this series. See also Volume 14, ff. 27-70, 184-198, 
419-430; volume 17, ff. 13-149.] 
[See MVC, Aug., 1782; June 2, 1783; Oct., 1784.] 
