Virginia Fairfax County, Gunston Hall July 21st. 1788.
I wrote you on the 26th. of May last, by my Son John, via Bourdeaux; to which I beg Leave to refer.
I intended to have given you the fullest Information in my Power upon the present gloomy State of American Politics, but the Ship, this Letter goes by, sails to-morrow; and I have had so severe an Attack of the Gout in my Stomach, for two or three Days past, that I have not been able to sit up, & now write in so much Pain, that I must defer it, to another Opportunity. I enclose you however the last two or three Days proceedings of the Virginia Convention; which will shew you by how small a Majority, the new plan of Government has been ratified here.
I have desired Capt. James Fenwick (the Partner of the House in Bourdeaux, who transacts their Business here) to send over some Patterns of coarse Goods (as per List on the other side) to his Brother & my Son; to see if such can't be manufactured in France, as cheap as in Great Britain. The Consumption of these Articles in the Middle & Southern States is immense; and nothing wou'd contribute more to encrease the commercial Intercourse between America & France, more than her being able to furnish them upon equal Terms with Great Britain. In this Light, perhaps it may be an Object worthy the Attention & Patronage of the French Ministry. If you think it so, and will write to my Son at Bourdeaux on the Subject, he will wait upon you at Paris, with the Patterns. You will observe that the coarse Woolens are what we buy for our Slaves; most of the coarse french Woolens I have seen are buttered with a great deal of Paste, or some such thing which shou'd be avoided; the nearer those Woolens, to which our Slaves have been accustomed, are imitated, the better; the Width too shou'd be minutely attended to, & must be full 3/4th of an English Yard.
I am not able to sit up longer than to assure you, that I am with the greatest Esteem & Respect, dear Sir, Your most obdt. Servt.
Patterns of the following Articles
White Welsh plains or Negroe's Cotton, nap'd & unnap'd
coarse half thicks—coarse Duffield or Bearskin
twill'd white Scotch plaiding—Dutch Blankets 6/4 wide-15 in a piece Scotch plaid Hose—coarse Yarn Hose for Negroes—coarse felt Hats for Do. Ozenbrig thread—strong coarse Shoe thread— weeding & hilling Hoes—Sweed's falling Axes—flat pointed Nails- 30d-20d-10d-8d. & 6d.—Sharp pointed 4d. Nails. NB. the Axes must be well steel'd.