I suspect this stroke came from
the Count de la Luzerne, minister of marine; but I cannot affirm it
positively. As soon as I was apprized of this, which was several days
after it passed (because it was kept secret till published in their
seaports), I wrote to the Count de Montmorin a letter, of which the
enclosed is a copy, and had conferences on the subject, from time to
time, with him and the other ministers. I found them prepossessed by the
partial information of their Dunkirk fishermen; and therefore thought it
necessary to give them a view of the whole subject in writing, which
I did, in the piece, of which I enclose you a printed copy. I therein
entered into more details, than the question between us seemed
rigorously to require. I was led to them by other objects. The most
important was to disgust Mr. Necker, as an economist, against their new
fishery, by letting him foresee its expense. The particular manufactures
suggested to them, were in consequence of repeated applications from
the shippers of rice and tobacco: other details, which do not appear
immediately pertinent, were occasioned by circumstances which had arisen
in conversation, or an apparent necessity of giving information on the
whole matter.
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