write you these two months, as I am to set out for Virginia the next
week. I now enclose you a copy of my letter of March the 12th, to Mr.
Carmichael, which you say was not in that of the same date to you.
There was no paper to accompany it but St. Marie's, which you say you
received. I enclose you also a copy of our census, written in black ink,
so far as we have actual returns, and supplied by conjecture in red ink,
where we have no returns: but the conjectures are known to be very near
the truth. Making very small allowance for omissions, which we know to
have been very great, we are certainly above four millions, probably
about four millions one hundred thousand.

There is a vessel now lying at Philadelphia, advertising to receive
emigrants to Louisiana, gratis, on account of the Spanish government. Be
so good as to mention this to M. de Montmorin, who will be a judge what
we must feel under so impudent a transaction.

You observe, that if Drost does not come, you have not been authorized
to engage another coiner. If he does not come, there will probably be
one engaged here. If he comes, I should think him a safe hand to send
the diplomatic die by, as also all the dies of our medal, which may be
used here for striking off what shall be wanting hereafter. But I would
not have them trusted at sea, but from April to October inclusive.
Should you not send them by Drost, Havre will be the best route. I have
not spoken with the Secretary of the Treasury yet, on the subject of the
presses, but believe you may safely consider two presses as sufficient
for us, and agree for no more without a further request.

The decree of the National Assembly, relative to tobacco carried in
French or American ships, is likely to have such an effect in our ports,
as to render it impossible to conjecture what may or may not be done.