of Monsieur de Castries, who has resigned.  The Archbishop of Toulouse is appointed ministre principal, and his brother Monsieur de Brienne, minister of war, in the place of Monsieur de Segur.  The department of the Comptroller has had a very rapid succession of tenants.  From Monsieur de Calonne it passed to Monsieur de Forqueux, from him to Villedeuil, and from him to Lambert, who holds it at present, but divided with a Monsieur Cabarrus (whom I believe you knew in Spain), who is named Directeur du tresor royal, the office into which M. Necker came at first.  I had the honor to inform you, that before the departure of the Count de Luzerne to his government in the West Indies, I had pressed on him the patronage of our trade with the French islands; that he appeared well disposed, and assured me he would favor us as much as his instructions, and the laws of the colonies, would permit.  I am in hopes, these dispositions will be strengthened by his residence in the islands, and that his acquaintance among the people there will be an additional motive to favor them.  Probably they will take advantage of his appointment, to press indulgences in commerce with us.  The ministry is of a liberal complexion, and well disposed to us.  The war may add to the motives for opening their islands to other resources for their subsistence, and for doing what may be agreeable to us.  It seems to me at present, then, that the moment of the arrival of the Count de la Luzerne will be the moment for trying to obtain a freer access to their islands.  It would be very material to do this, if possible, in a permanent way, that is to say, by treaty.  But I know of nothing we have to offer in equivalent.  Perhaps the payment of our debt to them might be made use of as some inducement, while they are so distressed for money.  Yet the borrowing the money in Holland will be rendered more difficult by the same event, in proportion as it will increase the demand for money by other powers.

The gazettes of Ley den and France, to this date, are enclosed, together with some pamphlets on the internal affairs of this country.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XCIII.—­TO CHARLES THOMSON, September 20, 1787

TO CHARLES THOMSON.

Paris, September 20, 1787.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of April the 28th did not come to my hands till the 1st instant.  Unfortunately, the boxes of plants, which were a day too late to come by the April packet, missed the packet of June the 10th also, and only came by that of July the 25th.  They are not yet arrived at Paris, but I expect them daily.  I am sensible of your kind attention to them, and that as you were leaving New York, you took the course which bade fair to be the best.  That they were