Each gave in memorials. The lease, indeed, was signed while I was
gone to England, but the discussions were, and still are continued in
the committee: from which we derive two advantages; 1. that of showing,
that the object is not to be relinquished; and 2. that of enlightening
government, as to its true interest. The Count de Vergennes is
absolutely for it; but it is not in his department. Calonne is his
friend, and in this instance his principle seems to be, _Amica
veritas, sed magis amicus Plato_. An additional hope is founded in the
expectation of a change of the minister of finance. The present one is
under the absolute control of the Farmers General. The committee's views
have been somewhat different from mine. They despair of a suppression of
the Farm, and therefore wish to obtain palliatives, which would coincide
with the particular good of this country. I think, that so long as the
monopoly in the sale is kept up, it is of no consequence to us, how they
modify the pill for their own internal relief: but, on the contrary, the
worse it remains, the more necessary it will render a reformation.
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