I address’d a few lines to you from Nantes in Feberuary last, informing you the object of my present voyage & future intentions.1 The events which have since taken place, in consequn. of the War becoming general in Europe, and a civil War kindled in this Country, renders the prossecution of my plan not only difficult, but dangerous—for altho’ I have not heard of the least violence offerd to any traveller, I shou’d not like to risk being in a village or Country place where an insurrection has or is likely to take place.

The various plans formd during the Winter by the friends of the old Government, have commenced their operation for some Weeks past— every thing seem’d favorable to them— their schemes in Brittany were deep & well form’d— Dumourier carried on his plott without suspicion— the Nation was much out of humor with the Convention for many unjust & unwise acts that they had made, particularly in prossecuting a forreign War—in putting the King to Death, in suffering the crimes of the 2 & 3d Septr. 2 to go unpunnishd—& in delaying so long the main object of their mission viz—the formation of a new constitution— In this Capital the antirepublicans are extremely numerous—and at this moment they are certain that Dumourier & the austrians will have possission of it in eight Days—that the English will make a descent in Brittany, & complete the counter-revolution in that quarter—& in short, that the Republic is at an end.

Notwithstanding all this, I am of opinion that Dumourier will be defeated in his plan—& that the insurrection in Brittany will in a short time be entirely done away— In support of the latter opinion I have this moment recd. a letter from my Friend Mr. Dobree of Nantes,3 who is by no means a Man of either a sanguine or sanguinary Character, & I shall quote you a paragraph of his letter dated the 30 March. “Our National Guard is all spirit, and altho’ continually on foot shews the greatest activity & courage; be assured that we shall get over all this— we want help, & atho’ not a neighbour is yet come to our relief, if put to the shift we will do without them.”

This revolt of the Peasants is owing to the imigrants, Nobles & clergy, who have (cheifly the latter) introduced themselves privately into the Country this last Winter, & wrought up their minds to that state of enthousiasm which has renderd them so formidable.

That this Country will long remain a Republic is with me a matter of some doubt—but that it will be brought back to the old form, which is the wish & aim of a great many here, is what I can not think possible— In which ever manner they chuse to Govern themselves, I hope we as a Nation will allways be in amity with them— And atho’ it be our mutual interest that we remain neuter, I hope no other power may be permitted tacitly to prevent us from bringing the produce of our soil into these Ports— Depend upon it that a commerce with this country may at all times be extremely advantageous to our citizens—& particularly at this moment, when our wheat, flour, Rice Tobo. Indigo Fish, oil, Whalebone & Pottash bear some double, some trebble their former prices, & the french Goods are none of them raised more than half of that proportion. I also wish that the Citizens of this Country were permitted a free intercourse with us— At this moment if that was the case, all the Vessels we coud send here woud be fill’d with Men & merchandise—& mostly active good Citizens, fond of Peace & industry.

Herewith I send you some news papers, having accidentaly met with a Gentleman bound to Philada.

With sentiments of Much respect & sincere attachment / I remain / Dear Sir / Your very Obt Servt.

un francois qui projete de devenir Américain, vous prie d’agréer L’homage de ses foibles productions. Les ouvrages cy joints, dont il est l’auteur, vous intéresseront, non par le maniere dont ils Sont traités, Mais par leur Sujets.1 c’est l’humanité qui en a déterminé Le choix.

Le premier est le plan d’un établissement, que La convention nationale est au moment de decreter. Le second est une notice qui avoit ete condamnée à ne jamais voir le jour, et que la loi des 194 circonstances a voulu que je fisse Paroitre; La convention elle même demandoit la manifestation de toutes les opinions cette notice lui a ete envoyée. le troisieme est un travail Sur la libération de la france, en adoptant l’evaluation que L’assemblée constituante avoit faite de sa dette. Le quatrieme enfin est des considérations sur L’amérique septentrionale, que je ne connois pas; mais, cela me paroit commun avec presque tous ceux qui en ont écrit dans Ma Langue, ou qui ont été traduits. J’en differe en un point, c’est que je Je declare au Public mon ignorance.

une Particularité poura vous étonner sur l’auteur de ces differens ouvrages. je Suis, avec feu M Adhenet, auquel vous accordiez votre amitié, et mon ami intime, le traducteur de votre Essai Sur le droit canon et Sur le droit féodal, ainsi que du Mémoire par lequel les Etats unis ont demandé au cabinet de Versailles l alliance de la france contre L’Angleterre. Je ne Sais point L’Anglois; Adhenet dégrossissoit; faisoit un mot à mot; me remettoit Son travail; et, en le lui dictant, je le Recomposois. j’ai encore en mon pouvoir Les deux Brouillons. Les traductions, que lui demandoit M Genet, Pere de notre envoyé aupres des Etats unis, etoient exécutées de La Même maniere. Mais, je dois observer que de La part d’Adenet, c’etoit défaut de confiance dans ses propres moyens; il pouvoit se passer d’un tel secours. Cependant, puis que j’ai eu L’avantage de Concourir à ces deux traductions; je mestimerai heureux, si, content de vos traducteurs, vous voulez bien m’accorder quelqu’interet, quand, arrivé dans votre Patrie, j’aurai à mériter quelle devienne La mienne.

Je Suis avec Respect / Monsieur.