William MacCreery to John Adams, February 23, 1793

Nantes 23 Feb: 1793

Dear Sir

Previous to my departure from Baltimore for this place, I address’d a few lines to you at Philad a. but learn’d afterwards that you had not then come forward from the Eastward.

From the knowlege I had acquired of the commerce of this Country, during the late War, I was fully perswaded that a commercial intercource, to a much greater extent than has been carried on since the peace, might have been carried on by our Merchants to great advantage— Having myself lost nearly all my property towards the close of the War, I was not in a situation, ’till lately, to attempt any thing in support of my oppinion, except advising occasionaly some of my freinds to make the trial in the mode I pointed out—but it was in vain— A variety of circumstances concurr’d to give England the preference in nearly all our Trade— That England is, & perhaps ever will be unrival’d in many branches of manufactures, is not to be disputed—and it is natural that in all wherein she can serve us cheapest, she shou’d have the preference—but that we shou’d purchase in Engl d. Goods that are manufactured in France—and many
articles manufactured in Engl d. that are to be found cheaper here—is certainly highly unwise & impolitick— It also leads us into another equaly absurd error— We send to England a great proportion of our Exports, that we ought to send directly to this Country—in order that we may not serve the English Merch t. by halves—we allow him the greatest benefits on what we buy, & on what we sell.

Having quit the line of business in which I have lately been, with a view of confining myself to the importation of French Goods, suitable for our commerce & consumption, I have made this voyage with an intention of visiting the principal Manufacturing Towns, after which, it will be more in my power to elucidate to you what I have here advanced. I hope to return in September, when I shall take the liberty of writing to you again— This Letter goes by Capt Cowell of Boston, whom I have cherterd here to return to this place—shoud you think proper to dop me a line by him, send it to M r. Stephen Wilson at Baltimore; or if you write immediatly from Philad a. direct to me here, care of Schweighauser & Dobrée. 1

This Country is certainly capable, & from the present zeal and unanimity that prevails, will undoubtedly make an astonishing Campaign

There is now a report that Maestricht is taken—& Dumourier is confident of being at Amd m. by the middle of March. 2 There never was perhaps a tenth part of the number of Privateers fitted out of France, as are now preparing— This Town, that has never before done any thing in that way, has Twenty—some of them allready sail’d. The Municipality is very particular in the characters of the Officers—they allow none to go that cannot produce good certificates of their conduct & abilities— The Police of this Town is infinitely better than it was in 1778, when I was here before—and I have been several times witness of the respect & awe in which the civil power is held here.

The greatest misfortune attending this Country at present, is that of which all popular Goverments complain—viz—that those who ought to take the most pains in the choice of those who are to do the public business, take the least— Hence the present prejudice ags t. a Senate—in favor of which it woud perhaps be dangerous to speak—but to which they will undoubtedly be constrain’d to have recource before many Years—they must however, like us, feel the want & necessity of it first.

I sincerely hope that we shall be able to maintain a neutrality—it is the ardent wish of the Mercantile interest here—and you may rely on it that nothing can possibly contribute so much to the riches & prosperity of our Country.

With respectfull compliments to M rs. Adams I remain / Dear Sir / Your very Obed Serv t.

Will MacCreery