France had effectually aided in detaching the U. S. of America
from the _force_ of Great Britain. But as yet they seemed to have
indulged only a silent wish to detach them from her _commerce_. They
had done nothing to induce that event. In the same year 1785, while
M. de Calonne was in treaty, with the Nantuckois, an estimate of the
commerce of the U. S. was submitted to the count de Vergennes, and it
was shewn that, of 3. millions of pounds sterling to which their
exports amounted, one third might be brought to France and exchanged
against her productions and manufactures advantageously for both
nations, provided the obstacles of prohibition, monopoly, and duty
were either done away or moderated as far as circumstances would
admit. A committee, which had been appointed to investigate a
particular one of these subjects, was thereupon instructed to extend
its researches to the whole, and see what advantages and facilities
the Government could offer for the encouragement of a general
commerce with the United States. The Committee was composed of
persons well skilled in commerce; and, after labouring assiduously
for several months, they made their report: the result of which was
given in the letter of his Majesty's Comptroller General of the 2d of
Octob.
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