The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

BALTIMORE, May 20.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Paris, to his friend in this town, dated February 3, 1788.

"I have much satisfaction in informing you, that the laws constituted by the Federal Convention, have made great noise in Europe. In England they are so much admired, that they have been printed, and are profitable to the Printer—every body praises them, but more than they otherwise would, did they not flatter their laws, which they esteem the most perfect. In France, they are highly esteemed also, and the sentiments upon them more liberal :--The parliaments of France, but particularly that of Paris, for some time past have endeavoured to clip the wings of their Monarch, to prevent his high flights, and in fact have been seeking after something, and at last, like a divine charm, have met with that which opens their eyes, and restores them to light; the late laws, of which we are speaking, have produced those effects-- they have been before the parliament of Paris as a model of wisdom, to be copied after--they were there amply discussed, and most ably defended by a majority of the house; however, there was one member violent in his opposition; but from one of his speeches you will find that prejudice influenced him. "Do you think," says he, "gentlemen, that an old nation like this, will take for its model the laws of an infant country, which does not yet know how to carry the bread to its mouth! No!" This you see is ridiculous, and not only repugnant to the opinions of some of the greatest politicians, but even to nature and common sense; and contradicted by innumerable facts, many of which were pointed out to him, the next day, by the Count de Mirabeau, who took an opportunity of exposing him in the public papers, and therefore of extolling America to the stars, by saying that, in less than thirty years, it would become the most renowned empire of the four parts of the world, and this I can tell you, is a very general opinion. The objections here to the constitution are, that the presidents ought not to be chosen during their good behaviour, but for a certain time only, that the honour may not be a matter of too much contention, which would generally be the cause of bloodshed, slaughter, anarchy, and confusion; that the executive and legislative powers ought to be separated, and there should be a bill of rights. The states of Holland, sensible of the rising progress of America, from considering its resources, its commerce, and the disposition of its inhabitants, have offered Congress, thro' the hands of Mr. Jefferson, the American ambassador at Paris, a loan of 80000l. sterling, to be delivered as soon as there is a permanent government established, --certain that their money will be more secure in the American funds, than in any other whatever.--Their reasoning is sensible, and founded upon just principles.-They say that America is large and extensive, and must soon become opulent from its commerce; that since the peace, they have sunk eight millions of their debt, and have still a principal to sink the capital entirely, that which no other country whatever thinks of, and that after that is once accomplished, America will be one of the most free and unembarrassed nations in the universe.-- To give you an idea more particularly of the opinions of the Hollanders, an American gentleman had purchased a number of continental certificates, at twelve per cent with which he went to Holland, not expecting to make any thing by them; but when he arrived there, he found the inhabitants so well disposed towards the Americans, and having so good an opinion of their property, that he sold his certificates at 60 per cent. to the amount of £150,000 sterling. This you may depend upon as fact, for I have it from the best authority."