Notes on a Conversation with Comte de Vergennes, 1785 December 09, n.p.

Abstract

Summarizes the state of trade between the United States and France, which both he and Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes, wish to expand; as of now, American trade is chiefly with Great Britain; reviews the staples America could export to France, whale oil and tobacco being the most profitable and the most desired by the French; records French complaints about the alleged disregard by American merchants of trade regulations the "tardy" administration of justice by U.S. authorities; Jefferson hopes that the control of the tobacco trade will be removed from the Farrmers General; if "reasonable conditions of commerce" cannot be reached with Great Britain and equitable trade is thus impossible, it may have behoove the United States to trade exclusively with France.