except with a single company, one third of the exports of the United States are rendered uncommerciable here.  This production is so peculiarly theirs, that its shackles affect no other nation.  A relief from these shackles will form a memorable epoch in the commerce of the two nations.  It will establish at once a great basis of exchange serving, like a point of union, to draw to it other members of our commerce.  Nature, too, has conveniently assorted our wants and our superfluities to each other.  Each nation has exactly to spare the articles which the other wants.  We have a surplus of rice, tobacco, furs, peltry, potash, lamp-oils, timber, which France wants; she has a surplus of wines, brandies, esculent oils, fruits, and manufactures of all kinds, which we want.  The governments have nothing to do, but not to hinder their merchants from making the exchange.  The difference of language, laws, and customs, will be some obstacle for a time; but the interest of the merchants will surmount them.  A more serious obstacle is our debt to Great Britain.  Yet, since the treaty between this country and that, I should not despair of seeing that debt paid, in part, with the productions of France, if our produce can obtain here a free course of exchange for them.  The distant prospect is still more promising.  A century’s experience has shown, that we double our numbers every twenty or twenty-five years.  No circumstance can be foreseen, at this moment, which will lessen our rate of multiplication for centuries to come.  For every article of the productions and manufactures of this country, then, which can be introduced into habit there, the demand will double every twenty or twenty-five years.  And to introduce the habit, we have only to let the merchants alone.  Whether we may descend, by a single step, from the present state to that of perfect freedom of commerce in this article; whether any, and what, intermediate operation may be necessary to prepare the way to this; what cautions must be observed for the security of his Majesty’s revenue, which we do not wish to impair, will rest with the wisdom of his ministers, whose knowledge of the subject will enable them to devise the best plans, and whose patriotism and justice will dispose them to pursue them.  To the friendly dispositions of your Excellency, of which we have had such early and multiplied proofs, I take the liberty of committing this subject, particularly, trusting that some method may be devised of reconciling the collection of his Majesty’s revenues with the interests of the two nations; and have the honor of assuring you of those sincere sentiments of esteem and respect, with which I am your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LXXI.—­TO MR. SKIPWITH, July 28, 1787

TO MR. SKIPWITH.

Paris, July 28, 1787.

Dear Sir,