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 United States was submitted to the Count de Vergennes, and it
was shown, that, of three 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 objects, 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 laboring 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 22nd of October, 1786, wherein he stated the
principles which should be established, for the future regulation of the
commerce between France and the United States.
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