[Extract]

It seems to me, Sir, that our political interest, as well as our commercial interest, requires that we treat favorably the Americans who frequent our ports; indeed, if they succeed in establishing the freedom of their trade, they will have already developed the habit of dealing with our merchants, and if they fail, we will have entertained with them, at least momentarily, atrade exchange which is obviously to our advantage. Therefore I think, Sir, that we are in the position to show the greatest marks of favor to the American vessels and that the circumstances in which they find themselves should exempt them from the rigor of the decree of 1701 as well as from the decision of the Council of 1742. This last point presents less drawbacks since the English Colonists can only import their own produce into, ourcountry and since they have almost no merchandise or industrial products to bring us; but whatever their imports may be, I believe not only that we should not forbid them, but on the contrary, that it is advisable to relax the duties that we may be in a position to require from them. I also believe, Sir, that it would be proper to allow the Americans to export by way of other foreign vessels the articles which we could not admit: this is the method followed in England; besides the advantages it presents to the Americans, it may help to establish a store beteen the English Colonies and the European nations that need their products.... I think it would be necessary to take all the precautions that prudence might suggest so that our motives and our views and even our procedures remain hidden from the English; in this respect, I can only rely entirely upon the instructions which you will deem proper to issue.