COUNT DE VERGENNES TO M. DE LAFAYETTE.
Translation.
Versailles, June 29th, 1783.
Sir,
I have received the letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 17th of this month. You desire to know what is meant by free port.
By this term, Sir, we mean a place to which all merchandises, as well foreign as domestic, may be imported, and from which they may be freely exported. You will judge, Sir, by this definition, that all the merchandises of the north, without exception, may be imported into L'Orient, and exported from it by the Americans. In a word, L'Orient will be reputed foreign with regard to France, as far as it respects commerce. The prohibitions and duties upon foreign merchandises will take effect only in case any person desires to introduce into the interior parts of the realm the merchandises subjected to the one or the other.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DE VERGENNES.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.