Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Volume 12 The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 12: August 1787 to March 1788 9780691184791, 9780691045443

Citation preview

T H E PAPERS OF

T H O M A S JEFFERSON

THE

PAPERS OF

Thomas Jefferson Volume 12 7 August 1787 to 31 March 1788 J U L I A N P. B O Y D , MINA R. B R Y A N

EDITOR

AND F R E D R I C K

ASSOCIATE

AANDAHL

EDITORS

PRINCETON, NEW J E R S E Y PRINCETON UNIVERSITY 1 9 5 5

PRESS

Copyright © 1955, by Princeton University Press London: Oxford University Press L.c.CARD

50-7486

Second Printing, 1966

Printed in the United States of America ISBN-13: 978-0-691-04544-3 (cloth)

D E D I C A T E D TO T H E MEMORY

ADOLPH

S.

OF

OCHS

P U B L I S H E R OF T H E N E W Y O R K T I M E S 1896-1935 WHO BY T H E E X A M P L E OF A R E S P O N S I B L E P R E S S E N L A R G E D AND THE JEFFERSONIAN OF A F R E E

FORTIFIED CONCEPT

PRESS

ADVISORY DAVID

COMMITTEE

K. E . B R U C E ,

FRANCIS

CHAIRMAN

L. B E R K E L E Y , JR.

SOLON J. BUCK L . H. B U T T E R F I E L D GILBERT

CHINARD

HENRY S T E E L E

COMMAGER

H A R O L D W. D O D D S LUTHER

H. E V A N S

A. W H I T N E Y

GRISWOLD

BRECKINRIDGE

LONG

A R C H I B A L D MAC L E I S H DUMAS

MALONE

BERNARD

MAYO

R I C A R D O A. M E S T R E S S A M U E L E . MORISON HOWARD DATUS

W. S M I T H

C. S M I T H , J R .

I P H I G E N E OCHS S U L Z B E R G E R W I L L I A M J. VAN S C H R E E V E N LAWRENCE JOHN

C. W R O T H

C. W Y L L I E

CONSULTANTS

AND

STAFF

PROFESSOR ARCHIBALD T . MAC ALLISTER, Consultant in Italian PROFESSOR RAYMOND S. W I L L I S , Consultant in Spanish FRANCE C. R I C E , Consultant in French HOWARD C. R I C E , JR., Consultant, Princeton University Library DOROTHY S. EATON, Consultant, The Library of Congress LAURA B. STEVENS, Assistant Editor

GUIDE TO

EDITORIAL

APPARATUS 1. TEXTUAL

DEVICES

The following devices are employed throughout the work to clarify the presentation of the text. [• • «L [••••] [.. [... -]

[ ] [roman]

[italic] {italic) [ ]

1

One or two words missing and not conjecturable. More than two words missing and not conjectur­ able; subjoined footnote estimates number of words missing. Number or part of a number missing or illegible. Conjectural reading for missing or illegible mat­ ter. A question mark follows when the reading is doubtful. Editorial comment inserted in the text. Matter deleted in the MS but restored in our text. Record entry for letters not found. 2. DESCRIPTIVE

SYMBOLS

The following symbols are employed throughout the work to describe the various kinds of manuscript originals. When a series of versions is recorded, the first to be recorded is the version used for the printed text. Dft Dupl MS N PoC PrC RC SC Tripl

draft (usually a composition or rough draft; later drafts, when identifiable as such, are designated "2d Dft," &c.) duplicate manuscript (arbitrarily applied to most docu­ ments other than letters ) note, notes (memoranda, fragments, &c.) polygraph copy press copy recipient's copy stylograph copy triplicate

All manuscripts of the above types are assumed to be in the hand of the author of the document to which the descriptive symbol pertains. If not^ that fact is stated. On the other hand, the follow[vii]

GUIDE

TO E D I T O R I A L

APPARATUS

ing types of manuscripts are assumed not to be in the hand of the author, and exceptions will be noted: FC Tr

file

copy (applied to all forms of retained copies, such as letter-book copies, clerks' copies, &c. ) transcript (applied to both contemporary and later copies; period of transcription, unless clear by implication, will be given when known) 3. LOCATION

SYMBOLS

The locations of documents printed in this edition from originals in private hands, from originals held by institutions outside the United States, and from printed sources are recorded in self-ex­ planatory form in the descriptive note following each document. The locations of documents printed from originals held by public institutions in the United States are recorded by means of the sym­ bols used in the National Union Catalog in the Library of Congress; an explanation of how these symbols are formed is given above, Vol. 1 : xl. The list of symbols appearing in each volume is limited to the institutions represented by documents printed or referred to in that and previous volumes. CLU

William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California at Los Angeles CSmH Henry E . Huntington Library, San Marino, California Ct Connecticut State Library, Hartford, Connecti­ cut CtY Yale University Library DLC Library of Congress DNA The National Archives G-Ar Georgia Department of Archives and History, Atlanta ICHi Chicago Historical Society, Chicago IHi Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield MB Boston Public Library, Boston MH Harvard University Library MHi Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston MHi:AMT Adams Family Papers, deposited by the Adams Manuscript Trust in Massachusetts Historical Society MdAA Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis MdAN U.S. Naval Academy Library [ viii]

GUIDE

TO E D I T O R I A L

APPARATUS

MeHi MiU-C

Maine Historical Society, Portland William L . Clements Library, University of Michigan MoSHi Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis MWA American Antiquarian Society, Worcester NBu Buffalo Public Library, Buffalo, New York NcU University of North Carolina Library NHi New-York Historical Society, New York City NK-Iselin Letters to and from John Jay bearing this symbol are used by permission of the Estate of Eleanor Jay Iselin. NN New York Public Library, New York City NNC Columbia University Libraries NNP Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City NNS New York Society Library, New York City NcD Duke University Library NjP Princeton University Library PBL Lehigh University Library PHC Haverford College Library PHi Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadel­ phia PPAP American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia PPL-R Library Company of Philadelphia, Ridgway Branch PU University of Pennsylvania Library RPA Rhode Island Department of State, Providence RPB Brown University Library Vi Virginia State Library, Richmond ViHi Virginia Historical Society, Richmond ViRVal Valentine Museum Library, Richmond ViU University of Virginia Library ViW College of William and Mary Library ViWC Colonial Williamsburg, Inc. WHi State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison 4.

OTHER

SYMBOLS

AND

ABBREVIATIONS

The following symbols and abbreviations are commonly em­ ployed in the annotation throughout the work. Second Series The topical series to be published at the end of this edition, comprising those materials which are best suited to a classified rather than a chronological arrangement (see Vol. 1: xv-xvi). [ix]

GUIDE

TO E D I T O R I A L

APPARATUS

T J Thomas Jefferson T J Editorial Files Photoduplicates and other editorial materials in the office of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University Library T J Papers Jefferson Papers (applied to a collection of manuscripts when the precise location of a given document must be furnished, and always preceded by the symbol for the institutional repository; thus "DLC: T J Papers, 4:628-9" represents a document in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, volume 4, pages 628 and 629) PCC Papers of the Continental Congress, in the National Archives R G Record Group (used in designating the location of documents in the National Archives) S J L Jefferson's "Summary Journal of letters" written and received (in D L C : T J Papers) SJPL "Summary Journal of Public Letters," an incomplete list of letters written by T J from 16 Apr. 1784 to 31 Dec. 1793, with brief summaries, in an amanuensis' hand (in D L C : T J Papers, at end of S J L ) V Ecu / Florin £ Pound sterling or livre, depending upon context (in doubtful cases, a clarifying note will be given) s Shilling or sou d Penny or denier Livre Tournois as fanciful writers have imagined. The moral sense, or conscience, is as much a part of man as his leg or arm. It is given to all human beings in a stronger or weaker degree, as force of members is given them in a greater or less degree. It may be strengthened by exercise, as may any particular limb of the body. This sense is submitted indeed in some degree to the guidance of reason; but it is a small stock which is required for this: even a less one than what we call Common sense. State a moral case to a ploughman and a professor. The former will decide it as well, and often better than the latter, because he has not been led astray by artificial rules. In this branch therefore read good books because they will encourage as well as direct your feelings. The writings of Sterne particularly form the best course of morality that ever was written. Besides these read the books mentioned in the in­ closed paper; and above all things lose no occasion of exercising your dispositions to be grateful, to be generous, to be charitable, to be humane, to be true, just, firm, orderly, couragious &c. Con­ sider every act of this kind as an exercise which will strengthen your moral faculties, and increase your worth. 4. Religion. Your reason is now mature enough to receive this object. In the first place divest yourself of all bias in favour of novelty and singularity of opinion. Indulge them in any other sub­ ject rather than that of religion. It is too important, and the con­ sequences of error may be too serious. On the other hand shake off all the fears and servile prejudices under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more ap­ prove the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. You will naturally examine first the religion of your own country. Read the bible then, as you would read Livy or Tacitus. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy and Tacitus. The testimony of the writer weighs in their favor in one scale, and their not being against the laws of nature does not t r u t

c

[15}

10 A U G U S T

1787

weigh against them. But those facts in the bible which contradict the laws of nature, must be examined with more care, and under a variety of faces. Here you must recur to the pretensions of the writer to inspiration from god. Examine upon what evidence his pretensions are founded, and whether that evidence is so strong as that it's falshood would be more improbable than a change of the laws of nature in the case he relates For example in the book of Joshua we are told the sun stood still several hours. Were we to read that fact in Livy or Tacitus we should class it with their showers of blood, speaking of statues, beasts &c, but it is said that the writer of that book was inspired. Examine therefore candidly what evidence there is of his having been inspired. The pretension is entitled to your enquiry, because millions believe it. On the other hand you are Astronomer enough to know how con­ trary it is to the law of nature that a body revolving on it's axis, as the earth does, should have stopped, should not by that sudden stoppage have prostrated animals, trees, buildings, and should after a certain time have resumed it's revolution, and that without a second general prostration. Is this arrest of the earth's motion, or the evidence which affirms it, most within the law of probabilities? You will next read the new testament. It is the history of a personage called Jesus. Keep in your eye the opposite pretensions. 1. Of those who say he was begotten by god, born of a virgin, suspended and reversed the laws of nature at will, and ascended bodily into heaven: and 2. of those who say he was a man, of illegitimate birth, of a benevolent heart, enthusiastic mind, who set out without pre­ tensions to divinity, ended in believing them, and was punished capitally for sedition by being gibbeted according to the Roman law which punished the first commission of that offence by whip­ ping, and the second by exile or death in furcâ. See this law in the Digest Lib. 48. tit. 19 § 28. 3. and Lipsius Lib. 2. de cruce, cap. 2. These questions are examined in the books I have mentioned under the head of religion, and several others. They will assist you in your enquiries, but keep your reasonfirmlyon the watch in reading them all. Do not be frightened from this enquiry by any fear of it's consequences. If it ends in a belief that there is no god, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in it's exercise, and the love of others which it will procure you. If you find reason to believe there is a god, a consciousness that you are acting under his eye, and that he approves you, will be a vast additional incitement. If that there be a future state, the hope 1

2

[16]

10 A U G U S T

1787

of a happy existence in that increases the appetite to deserve it; if that Jesus was also a god, you will be comforted by a belief of his aid and love. In fine, I repeat that you must lay aside all prejudice on both sides, and neither believe nor reject any thing because any other person, or description of persons have rejected or believed it. Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable not for the Tightness but uprightness of the decision. — I forgot to observe when speaking of the New testament that you should read all the histories of Christ, as well of those whom a council of ecclesiastics have decided for us to be Pseudo-evangelists, as those they named Evangelists, because these Pseudo-evange­ lists pretended to inspiration as much as the others, and you are to judge their pretensions by your own reason, and not by the reason of those ecclesiastics. Most of these are lost. There are some however still extant, collected by Fabricius which I will endeavor to get and send you. 5. Travelling. This makes men wiser, but less happy. When men of sober age travel, they gather knowlege which they may apply usefully for their country, but they are subject ever after to recollections mixed with regret, their affections are weakened by being extended over more objects, and they learn new habits which cannot be gratified when they return home. Young men who travel are exposed to all these inconveniences in a higher degree, to others still more serious, and do not acquire that wisdom for which a previous foundation is requisite by repeated and just observations at home. The glare of pomp and pleasure is analogous to the motion of their blood, it absorbs all their affection and attention, they are torn from it as from the only good in this world, and return to their home as to a place of exile and condemnation. Their eyes are for ever turned back to the object they have lost, and it's recol­ lection poisons the residue of their lives. Their first and most delicate passions are hackneyed on unworthy objects here, and they carry home only the dregs, insufficient to make themselves or any body else happy. Add to this that a habit of idleness, an in­ ability to apply themselves to business is acquired and renders them useless to themselves and their country. These observations are founded in experience. There is no place where your pursuit of knowlege will be so little obstructed by foreign objects as in your own country, nor any wherein the virtues of the heart will be less exposed to be weakened. Be good, be learned, and be industri­ ous, and you will not want the aid of travelling to render you [17]

10 A U G U S T

1787

precious to your country, dear to your friends, happy within your­ self. I repeat my advice to take a great deal of exercise, and on foot. Health is the first requisite after morality. Write to me often and be assured of the interest I take in your success, as well as of the warmth of those sentiments of attachment with which I am, dear Peter, your affectionate friend, T H : JEFFERSON P S . Let me know your age in your next letter. Your cousins here are well and desire to be remembered to you. 3

E N C L O S U R E

Antient history. Herodot. Thucyd. Xenoph. hellen. Xenoph. Anab. Q. Curt. Just. Livy. Polybius. Sallust. Caesar. Suetonius. Tacitus. Aurel. Victor. Herodian. Gibbons' decline of the Roman empire. Milot histoire ancienne. Mod. hist. English. Tacit. Germ. & Agricole. Hume to the end of H.VL then Habington's E.IV.—Sr. Thomas Moor's E.5. & R.3.—Ld. Ba­ con's H.7.—Ld. Herbert of Cherbury's H.8.—K. Edward's journal (in Burnet) Bp. of Hereford's E.6. & Mary.—Cambden's Eliz. Wil­ son's Jac.I. Ludlow (omit Clarendon as too seducing for a young republican. By and by read him) Burnet's Charles 2. Jac.2. Wm, & Mary & Anne.—Ld. Orrery down to George 1. & 2.—Burke's G.3. Robertson's hist, of Scotland. American. Robertson's America.—Douglass's N. America.—Hutcheson's Massachusets, Smith's N. York.—Smith's N. Jersey.—Franklin's re­ view of Pennsylvania. Smith's, Stith's, Keith's, & Beverley's hist, of Virginia. Foreign. Mallet's Northn. Antiquities by Percy.—PufFendorfs histy. of Europe & Martiniere's of Asia, Africa & America.—Milot histoire Moderne. Voltaire histoire universelle.—Milot hist, de France.—Mari­ ana's hist, of Spain in Spa[nish.]—Robertson's Charles V.—Watson's Phil. II. & III.-Grotii Belgica. Mosheim's Ecclesiastical history. Poetry. Homer—Milton—Ossian—Sophocles—Aeschylus—Eurip.—Metastasio—Shakesp.—Theocritus—Anacreon [. . .] Mathematics. Bezout & whatever else Mr. Madison recommends. Astronomy. Delalande &c. as Mr. Madison shall recommend. Natural Philosophy. Musschenbroeck. Botany. Linnaei Philosophia Botanica—Genera Plantarum—Species plantarum—Gronoviiflora[Virginica.] Chemistry. Fourcroy. Agriculture. Home's principles of Agriculture—Tuli &c. Anatomy. Cheselden. Morality. The Socratic dialogues—Cicero's Philosophies—Kaim's principles of Natl, religion—Helvetius de l'esprit et de l'homme. Locke's Essay.—Lucretius—Traité de Morale & du Bon[heur] Religion. Locke's Conduct of the mind.—Middleton's works—Boling[18]

10 A U G U S T

1787

broke's philosoph. works—Hume's essays—Voltaire's works—Beattie. Politics & Law. Whatever Mr. Wythe pleases, who will be so good as to correct also all the preceding articles which are only intended as a ground work to befinishedby his pencil. PrC ( D L C ) . Fragment of RC (ViU). Enclosure (PrC in D L C ) . This letter was not sent until 28 May 1788; see T J to Peter Carr of that date.

i The preceding two words interlined in substitution for "it," deleted. 2 Fragment of RC begins at top of page with "lieve there is." 3 Fragment of RC ends at this point.

From Bourdon des Planches MONSIEUR Paris, le 10. aoust 1787. rue de l'Echelle, N. 12. Dans le courant du mois de novembre dernier, Votre Excellence a bien voulu se charger d'une lettre pour le Général Washington, à laquelle j'avois joint un certificat de M. Le Comte de Grasse, dont l'objet etoit d'affirmer que j'avois été premier Secrétaire de l'armée qu'il commandoit lors de la prise d'York-Town et de Glocester. Mon but, Monsieur, etoit d'obtenir des Etats unis, une concession, et Votre Excellence, sans me donner aucun espoir de succès, eut cependant la bonté de me promettre d'Envoyer mon paquet. Permettes moy, Monsieur, de vous demander si vous y avés reçu réponse et daignés croire que tel sort qu'ait pû avoir ma demande, il ne peut influer en rien sur les sentiments de reconnoissance et de respect avec lesquels j'ai l'honneur d'etre, Monsieur De Votre Excellence Le très humble et très obéissant serviteur, BOURDON RC ( D L C ) . Recorded in S J L as received 12 Aug. 1787. On 8 Jan. 1788 George Washington acknowledged a letter from Bourdon des Planches of 8 Dec. 1786 {Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, xxrx, 363); Bourdon again wrote T J on this matter on 29 Mch. 1788, q.v.

From André Limozin Le Havre, 10 Aug. 1787. After writing on 9 Aug., Limozin learned that Dr. Gibbons "found him self in Such distress for want of Money" that Limozin feared "he Should be obliged to remain here, and could never go forward." Gibbons applied to Limozin for funds, but the latter, "having never seen him before . . . did not chuse to comply with his beseech." Apparently Gibbons "met with some generous friend" for he is setting out this day; the packages delivered by TJ's servant have been turned over to him and he has given a receipt for them. RC (MHi); 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in S J L as received 12 Aug. 1787.

[19]

From Vaudreuil au chateau de vaudreuil par castelnaudarry, le 10e. août 1787 J'ai l'honneur de m'adresser à vous, Monsieur, avec une entière confiance pour de pauvres gens auxquelles je prens beaucoup d'intérêt, et dont le bien est situé dans une de mes terres. Le petit mémoire ci-joint vous apprendra leurs noms et l'objet de leur demande: il s'agit d'une succession qui leur appartient, qui leur serait toujours chère, et qui est encore plus prétieuse à raison de leur peu de fortune. J'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer aussi, Monsieur, les papiers qui peuvent être nécessaires dans cette circonstance. L a justice de leur demande, leur étroite position, et la perspective d'un sort plus heureux qui semble les attendre me font désirer que cette succession leur parvienne, et qu'il en soit distrait le moins de fraix possible. J'ai cru, Monsieur, ne pouvoir mieux venir à bout de ces deux objets qu'en m'adressant à vous. Je conserverai une reconnaissance infinie des soins que va vous donner cette affaire, et j'ajouterai ce sentiment à celui de l'attachement vrai et respectueux avec lequel j'ai l'honneur d'être, Monsieur, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur, L E MIS. DE VAUDREUIL RC ( D L C ) . T r and PrC ( D L C ) ; in the hand of William Short. Recorded in SJL as received 20 Aug. 1787. The enclosed papers (missing) were forwarded by T J to John Langdon in a letter of 18 Sep. 1787, q.v.

From Wilt, Delmestre 8c Cie. UOrient, 10 Aug. 1787. Acknowledge TJ's letter of 14 July; have just found a safe opportunity for forwarding the "paccan nuts"; Bisson, who sets out for Paris tomorrow, has taken charge of the box and has been requested to deliver them himself. The box in which they arrived was so large that for convenience and safety they have been repacked; the quantity of nuts is considerably less than was "Juged atfirstby the Size of the Case They came in." RC ( D L C ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in SJL as received 22 Aug. 1787.

To Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr. DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 11. 1787.

Mr. Ammonit sent me your favor of May 7. which you expected he would have brought. He furnished me with the name of the family to whose property he supposes himself entitled, and the [20]

11 A U G U S T

1787

name of the town where it lies. I have endeavored to have them searched out, but as yet neither family nor town is discovered: if they can be found, the estate will then be to be searched for; the laws for limitation of actions will form the next opposition to him, and probably the laws of forfeiture against the protestants who were the subject of the revocation of the edict of Nantes, which laws have never been repealed, nor probably ever will be, even should the future condition of Protestants here be mitigated. I shall proceed in the enquiry for him and let him know the result. Your son Thomas, at Edinburgh has done me the favor to open a little correspondence with me. He has sometimes asked my advice as to the course of his studies, which I have given to him the more freely as he informed me he was not tied down to any particular plan by your instructions. He informed me in his last letter that you proposed he should come to Paris this fall, stay here the winter and return to Virginia in the spring. I understand him as proposing to study the law, so that probably on his return you will place him at Williamsburgh for that purpose. On this view of his destination I venture to propose to you another plan. The law may be studied as well at one place as another; because it is a study of books alone; at least till near the close of it. Books can be read equally well at Williamsburg, at London, or Paris. The study of the law is an affair of 3. years, the last of which should be spent in attending Mr. Wythe's lectures. Upon the plan he has now in expectation, his residence here 6. months as a traveller must cost him 100 guineas, and 3 years study at Williamsburg 450. guineas more, making 550. guineas in the whole. My proposition is that he shall pass his two first years of legal study in some one of the villages within an hour's walk of Paris, boarded with some good family wherein he may learn to speak the language, which is not to be learned in any other way. By this means he will avoid the loss of time and money which would be the consequence of a residence in the town, and he will be nigh enough to come to dine, to make acquaintances, see good company, and examine the useful details of the city. With very great oeconomy he may do this on 100. guineas a year, but at his ease for 150 guineas. At the end of 2. years I would propose him a journey through the Southern parts of France, thence to Genoa, Leghorn, Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan, Turin, Geneva, Lyons and Paris. This will employ him 7. months and cost him 300. guineas if he goes alone, or 230. guineas if he finds a companion. Then he should return to Virginia [21]

11 A U G U S T

1787

and pass his third year of legal study in attending Mr. Wythe's lectures. This whole plan would take 3. years and 7. months and cost from 700. to 750. guineas which would be one month longer, and 150 or 200 guineas dearer than the one proposed. The ad­ vantages of this would be his learning to speak French well, his acquiring a better acquaintance here with men and things, and his having travelled through the most interesting parts of Europe, advantages which he will for ever think cheaply purchased for 150. or 200 guineas, even were a deduction of that sum to be made from the establishment you mean to give him. But in every case, whether you decide that he shall return to study in Virginia, or remain here for that purpose, I would recommend that he should not be tied down to quit Edinburgh this fall precisely, but only when he shall havefinishedhis courses of lectures in those sciences with which he should not be unacquainted. I have taken the liberty of noting these to him. I perceive by his letters that he has good genius, and every body bears witness to his application, which is almost too great. It would be a pity therefore he should miss of giving them full improvement. I must beg your pardon for thus intruding myself into a business belonging to yourself alone, and hope you will find it's excuse in the motives from which it pro­ ceeds, friendship for yourself, for Mrs. Randolph, and your son, a wish to see you gratified and to be gratified myself in seeing him act the advantageous part which will naturally result from his talents, his merit, and the favorable ground from which he will start, a fear of seeing this endangered by a too early return to our own country where the examples of his cotemporaries may so possibly lead him from the regular pursuits his friends may chalk out for him, all these considerations have impelled me to take this liberty and to rely for pardon on the assurance of the sincere at­ tachment and respect with which I am, dear Sir, your affectionate friend & servant, T H : JEFFERSON PrC ( D L C ) .

Y O U R F A V O R O F M A Y 7: Not found but recorded in S J L as received 30 June 1787. See John Ammonet to T J , 10 May 1787. I W O U L D P R O P O S E H T M A J O U R N E Y : The following undated memorandum (ViWC), entirely in TJ's hand, undoubtedly represents the calculations on which T J based the estimates of time and money necessary for the journey he proposed (the superscript numerals attached to place names are in MS and indicate the number of days allocated to each): "Plan of journey for TMR. Paris. Orleans. Nantes.2 Bordeaux.* Thoulouse. Cette. Montpelier. Nismes.2 Avignon. Marseilles.* Toulon. Hieres. Nice.i Genoa.7 Pisa.i Leghorn.8 Florence.** Rome.so Naples. > Rome. Ancona. Bologna. Padua. Venice.7 Padua. Mantua. Verona. Milan.7 Turin.7 M. Cenis. Chamberri. Genevan Lyon.2 Dijon. Paris. 3(

8

[22]

12 A U G U S T

1787

4000. miles @ 50. miles a day & 16s a mile 80 days travelling expences (3 6* 131 days residence in the cities @ 12.*

days 80 131 211 = 7. months

Disbursemt. of money to servants Theaters purchase of Cabriolet repairs of do. (servant 131 days @ 2* Contingencies

If a twelvemonth employed it adds If he has a companion it will lessen the sum £70."

days 154

Louis 133 20 65 10 10 30 6 11) 26 300 77

To Bourdon des Planches [Paris, 12 Aug. 1786. Recorded in S J L as written on this date. Not found.]

To Wilson Miles Cary DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 12. 1787.

Your favor of Mar. 28. has been duly received and I thank you for the kind enquiries after my health and that of my daughter, still more for the information that the several members of your family are well. The distance to which I am removed renders that kind of intelligence more interesting, more welcome, as it seems to have given a keener edge to all the friendly affections of the mind. Time, absence, and comparison render my own country much dearer, and give a lustre to all it contains which I did not before know that it merited. Fortunatus's wishing cap was always the object of my desire, but never so much as lately. With it I should soon be seated at your fireside to enjoy the society of your­ self and family. I congratulate you on the additions to it which my neice is making; but tell her she has chosen a bad model for their heads. Neither the outside nor the in is worth her copying. I am in hopes therefore to hear that the hair of the next will indi­ cate a better taste in the choice of the original from which she copies. You ask if we know a merchant in Bourdeaux who may be recommended for a consignment of tobacco. My acquaintance there is not extensive. There is a Mr. John Bondfeild of whom I [23]

12 A U G U S T

1787

have a good opinion. He is an American, and is Agent there for the United states. If wine is your object, he is a good judge of that. He supplies me, as he had before done Doctr. Franklin, with very good. They cost now 30 sous a bottle, and 2 livres when 3. years old, which is the age before which they should not be drank. If you like white wines, ask for Sauterne which is the best in that country, and indeed is excellent. Mrs. Oster is arrived here, and is gone to settle herself among her friends in Lorraine. My younger daughter is arrived also, tho by a different route, and is in good health as well as her sister. It is difficult to say which of them is most anxious to get back to their own country.—We are here in a crisis of unknown issue. All the indications are of war, yet the desperate state of finances in the two principal parties, England and France, renders it so impossible for them to furnish supplies for a war, that we still presume they will come to an arrangement. They are endeavouring to do it, this country heartily, England thro' compulsion from the voice of the nation and the wisest part of her ministry. A war between those two powers would, at the first blush, promise advantage to us. But it might perhaps do us more injury on the whole by diverting us from agriculture, our wisest pursuit, by turning us to privateering, plunging us into the vortex of speculation, engaging us to overtrade ourselves, and injuring our morals and in the end our fortunes. A steady applica­ tion to agriculture with just trade enough to take off it's superfluities is our wisest course. I beg leave to be presented to Mrs. Cary the elder and younger, to Mr. Cary, and the young ladies in the most affectionate terms, and that you will be yourself assured of the sentiments of esteem and respect with which I have the honour to be Dear Sir your most obedient humble servant, T H : JEFFERSON PrC ( D L C ) .

28.: Not found but recorded in S J L as received 22 June 1787 and as dated at "Caley's," Elizabeth City co. M Y N E I C E : Jane Carr, YOUR FAVOR

OF MAR.

daughter of Martha Jefferson Carr, married Wilson Cary, son of Wilson Miles Cary, in 1782 (Randolph, The Randolphs, p. 119).

To George Gilmer Paris Aug. 12. 1787.

DEAR DOCTOR

Your letter of Jan. 9. 1787. came safely to hand in the month of June last. Unluckily you forgot to sign it, and your hand writing [24]

12 A U G U S T

1787

is so Protean that one cannot be sure it is yours. To increase the causes of incertitude it was dated Pen-park, a name which I only knew as the seat of John Harmer. The hand writing too being somewhat in his style made me ascribe it hastily to him, indorse it with his name, and let it lie in my bundle to be answered at leisure. That moment of leisure arriving, I set down to answer it to John Harmer, and now for the first time discover marks of it's being yours, and particularly those expressions of friendship to myself and family which you have ever been so good as to entertain, and which are to me among the most precious possessions. I wish my sense of this, and my desires of seeing you rich and happy may not prevent my seeing any difficulty in the case you state of George Harmer's wills: which as you state them are thus. 1. A will dated Dec. 26. 1779. written in his own hand and devising to his brother the estates he had received from him. 2. Another will dated June 25. 1782. written also in his own hand, devising his estate to trustees to be conveyed to such of his relations J.H. J . L . or H . L . as should become capable of acquiring property, or, on failure of that, to be sold and the money remitted them. 3. A third will dated Sep. 12. 1786. devising all his estate at Marrowbone and his tracts at Horsepasture and Poison feild to you, which will is admitted to record and of course has been duly executed. You say the learned are divided on these wills. Yet I see no cause of division, as it requires little learning to decide that 'the first deed, and last will must always prevail.' I am afraid therefore the difficulty may arise on the want of words of inherit­ ance in the devise to you: for you state it as a devise to 'George Gil­ mer' (without adding 'and to his heirs') of 'all the estate called Marrowbone' 'the tract called Horsepasture' and 'the tract called Poisoned feild.' If the question is on this point, and you have copied the words of the will exactly, I suppose you take an estate in fee simple in Marrowbone, and for life only in Horsepasture and Poisoned feild, the want of words of inheritance in the two last cases being supplied as to the first by the word 'estate' which has been repeatedly decided to be descriptive of the quantum of inter­ est devised, as well as of it's locality. I am in hopes however you have not copied the words exactly, that there are words of inherit­ ance to all the devises, as the testator certainly knew their necessity, and that the conflict will be only between the different wills, in which case I see nothing which can be opposed to the last. I shall [25]

12

AUGUST 1787

be very happy to eat at Pen-park some of the good mutton and beef of Marrowbone, Horsepasture and Poisoned feild, with your­ self and Mrs. Gilmer and my good old neighbors. I am as happy no where else and in no other society, and all my wishes end, where I hope my days will end, at Monticello. Too many scenes of happi­ ness mingle themselves with all the recollections of my native woods and feilds, to suffer them to be supplanted in my affection by any other. I consider myself here as a traveller only, and not a resident. My commission expires the next spring, and if not re­ newed, I shall of course return then. If renewed, I shall remain here some time longer. How much I cannot say; yet my wishes shorten the period. Among the strongest inducements will be that of your society and Mrs. Gilmer's, which I am glad to find brought more within reach by your return to Pen-park. My daughters are importunate to return also. Patsy enjoys good health, and is grow­ ing to my stature. Polly arrived here about a month ago, after a favorable voiage, and in perfect health. My own health has been as good as ever, after the first year's probation. The accident of a dislocated wrist, badly set, has I fear deprived me for ever of almost every use of my right hand. Nor is the extent of the evil as yet known, the hand withering, the fingers remaining swelled and crooked, and losing rather than gaining in point of suppleness. It is now eleven months since the accident. I am able however to write, tho for a long time I was not so. This inability was succeeded by a journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy, which added to the length of the chasm in my correspondence with my friends. If you knew how agreeable to me are the details of the small news of my neighborhood, your charity would induce you to write frequently. Your letters lodged in the post office at Richmond (to be forwarded to N. York) come with certainty. We are doubtful yet whether there will be war or not. Present me with warm affection to Mrs. Gilmer and be assured yourself of the un­ varying sentiments of esteem and attachment with which I am Dear Doctor your sincere friend & servant, TH: PrC ( DLC ). Gilmer's letter of J A N . 9. 1787 is endorsed "Gilmer George" and there is no evidence on it that T J had first endorsed it with the name of JOHN H ARMER. This may have been

JEFFERSON

done on the address cover, but probably was not—TJ habitually removed the address covers of letters as received and placed his endorsements on what remained.

[26]

To Lewis Littlepage SIR Paris Aug. 12. 1787. I had the honour to inform you in a former letter that until we should know whether your uncle should have replaced to the Gov­ ernor of Virginia the money you had desired him to replace, we would decline availing ourselves here of the bill of exchange you have been pleased to forward to the M. de la Fayette on Messrs. Tourton & Ravel. Having lately received a letter from the Governor informing me that your uncle refused to replace it in Virginia, I presented the bill on Messrs. Tourton & Ravel, who duly honoured it, paying the sum of five thousand three hundred livres tournois into the hands of Mr. Grand for the state of Virginia, of which I have now the pleasure to inform you. You have heard doubtless of disturbances in Massachusets which had taken place the last year. These are all happily terminated. A federal convention is now sitting at Philadelphia, of which Geni. Washington is President. It's object is to amend the confederation by strengthening more the hands of Congress. Much good is hoped from it. It is composed of the greatest characters in America, every state having appointed to it except Rhode-island. They will go on without her. Congress are beginning the sale of our Western lands, which I hope will pay our debts. I have the honour to be with much esteem and respect Sir, your most obedient & most humble servant, TH:

JEFFERSON

PrC ( D L C ) .

To John Blair DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 13. 1787.

I received the letter with which you were pleased to honor me by Mrs. Oster, and immediately waited on her with a tender of my services. She had however so far got her matters arranged as to be no longer in fear of any disagreeable measure, and is since gone to establish herself with her friends in Lorraine. I wish she may not there have alarms of a different nature. We have hitherto been in hopes that the desperate state of thefinancesof France and England would indispose those powers to war, and induce them by an armed mediation to quiet the affairs of Holland. The actual march how­ ever of the Prussian troops, the departure of the British squadron [27]

13 A U G U S T

1787

somewhere Westwardly, and the preparations for a naval arma­ ment at Brest and a land one in the neighborhood of the Nether­ lands render war at present more expected than it has been. Still we look to the necessities of the two principal powers as promising efficacy to the negotiations not yet broken off. Tho we shall be neuters, and as such shall derive considerable pecuniary advantages, yet I think we shall lose in happiness and morals by being launched again into the ocean of speculation, led to overtrade ourselves, tempted to become sea-robbers under French colours, and to quit the pursuits of Agriculture the surest road to affluence and best preservative of morals. Perhaps too it may divert the attention of the states from those great political improvements which the hon­ ourable body of which you are a member will I hope propose to them. What these may be I know not, but I am sure they will be what they should be. My idea is that we should be made one nation in every case concerning foreign affairs, and separate ones in what­ ever is merely domestic. That the Federal government should be organized into Legislative, executive and judiciary as are the state governments, and some peaceable means of enforcement devised for the federal head over the states. But of all these things you are a better judge. I have delivered your message to Mr. Mazzei who is still here. Be so good as to present me respectfully to Mrs. Blair and to be assured yourself of the sentiments of esteem and respect with which I have the honor to be, dear Sir your most obedient & most humble servant, T H : JEFFERSON PrC ( D L C ) .

From Thomas Blanchard Bordeaux, 13 Aug. 1787. Hopes that being presented by Mr. Barclay is sufficient excuse for writing; if not, "being an american may; for we are told that your Excellency's goodness and attention, extend to the most inconsiderable of your Countrymen." Has established himself at Bordeaux as an American ship broker with the advice and approval of Bondfield who vouches for him and suggested that he write; hopes T J will give him his approbation. RC ( D L C ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in S J L as received 22 Aug. 1787.

From John Bondfield Bordeaux, 13 Aug. 1787. Introduces "Mr. Lennox," of Charleston, S.C., who has been in Bordeaux, is now proceeding to Paris, and is an [28]

13 A U G U S T

1787

American travelling as a private citizen with a view to enlarging his commercial connections. RC ( D L C ) ; 2 p.; endorsed. Recorded in S J L as received 12 Sep. 1787, "by Lenox."

To Richard Cary DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 13. 1787.

I am to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Mar. 21. and to correct a most unfortunate error in mine of Dec. 26. 1786. wherein I have written the word Lorient instead of Havre, praying you to send plants and seeds to Lorient only, to the care of M. Limozin, instead of Havre only to the care of M. Limozin, for it is at Havre he lives, and that is much the surest port for me. Plants especially come best by that port because from thence they come up the Seine, whereas from the other ports they must come by land. By the packet which will sail from Havre the 20th. of September I shall be sending a box of books, directed to Mr. Wythe. In this I will put the seeds and bulbs which I was disappointed in sending you the last year, as well as a repetition of those I sent. They will go to Mr. Madison at New York, and if you know of any particularly sure conveiance from thence to your river you would do well to drop him a line on the subject. I will send you also some plants of the Melon Apricot, a variety of fruit obtained in France only 8. or 10. years ago and as yet known no where else. It is an Apricot with the high flavor of a muskmelon, and is certainly the best fruit in this country. You have never yet told me what seeds &c. you wish for most, so I am obliged still to go on the old edition in Mazzei's hands. Peace and war have for some time hung in equal balance. A late movement of England and Prussia seem to give a momentary preponderance to the scale of war, but the state of finances both in England and France induce a presumption that they will stillfindsome other mode of settling the Dutch differences. I am with very great esteem Dear Sir your friend & servant, TH: PrC ( D L C ) .

[29]

JEFFERSON

To the Rev. James Madison DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 13. 1787.

I have been long, very long, without answering your favor of Mar. 2 7 . 1 7 8 6 . and since that I have received those of Dec. 2 8 . and by Mrs. Oster. The reason of this has been that the genius of invention and improvement in Europe seems to be absolutely taking a nap. We have nothing to communicate to you but of the small kind, such as the making the axle tree turn with the wheel, which has been proposed here, adopted by some, and thought to be proved best by experiment, tho' theory has nothing to urge in it's favor. A hydrostatic waistcoat is lately announced, which a person puts on either above or below his cloaths in a minute and fills with air by blowing with the mouth in 1 2 . seconds. It is not yet shewn however, so I cannot tell you either the manner or matter of it's construction. It may be useful when the loss of a vessel is foreseen. Herschel's discovery of two satellites to his planet you have heard of ere this. He first saw them in January last. One revolves round it's principal in about a week, the other in about a fortnight. I think your conjecture that the periodical variation of light in certain fixed stars proceeds from Maculae is more probable than that of Maupertuis who supposes those bodies may be flat, and more probable also than that which supposes the star to have an orbit of revolution so large as to vary sensibly it's degree of light. The latter is rendered more difficult of belief from the short­ ness of the period of variation. I thank you for the shells you sent me. Their identity with marine shells and their vicinity to the sea argue an identity of cause. But still the shells found in the moun­ tains are very imperfectly accounted for. I have lately become acquainted with a Memoire on a petrification mixed with shells by a Monsr. de la Sauvagere giving an exact account of what Voltaire had erroneously stated in his Questions Encyclopédiques, article Coquilles, from whence I had transferred it into my notes. Having been lately at Tours I had an opportunity of enquiring into de la Sauvagere's character, and the facts he states. The result was entirely in his and their favor. This fact is so curious, so circum­ stantially detailed, and yet so little like any known operation of nature, that it throws the mind under absolute suspense. The Memoire is out of print. But my bookseller is now in search of it, and if he can find it I will put a copy of it into a box of books I shall send by the September packet addressed to Mr. Wythe. In the [30]

13 A U G U S T

17 8 7

same box I will put for you the Bibliothèque Physico oeconomique for 1786. 1787. the Connoissance des terns, Fourcroy's chemistry, wherein all the later discoveries are digested, and a number of my Notes on Virginia, a copy of which you will be pleased to accept. It is a poor crayon, which yourself and the gentlemen who issue from your school must fill up.—We are doubtful here whether we are to have peace or war. The movements of Prussia and England indicate war, the finances of England and France should indicate peace. I think the two last will endeavor to accomodate the Dutch differences. Be pleased to present me respectfully to Mrs. Madison, and after repeating the recommendations of my nephew to you, I take the liberty of assuring you of the sincerity of that esteem with which I am Dear Sir your friend & servant, TH: PrC ( D L C ) . The

MEMOIRE

. . .

B Y A MONSR.

DE

L A S A U V A G E R E was Felix François de la Sauvagère's Recueil de Dissertations . . . avec de nouvelles assertions sur la végétation spontanée des coquilles du chateau des Places, des dessins d'une

JEFFERSON

collection de coquilles fossiles de la Touraine et de ï'Anjou, de nouvelles idées sur la Falunière de Touraine et plusieurs lettres de M. de Voltaire, relatives a ces différents objets, Paris, 1776 (Sowerby, No. 647).

To Marbois DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 13. 1787.

Mr. Derby, a citizen of Massachusets, thinking he has just grounds to complain of the condemnation of a vessel in your island, proposes to institute a suit against the persons by whose fraud he supposes the cause for that condemnation was contrived. Knowing the embarrassments of a stranger when entering the lists of law in any country against a native, I take the liberty of recommending him to such good offices as you can render him consistently with the justice due to the adverse party. To protect him against combination, to see that he has fair play, is so consistent with your dispositions to justice, that the recommending his case to your notice with this view will need no apology. I do it with the more readiness as it gives me a new occasion of assuring you of those sentiments of esteem and respect with which I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient & most humble servant, TH:

JEFFERSON

PrC ( D L C ) . For the complaint of M R . D E R B Y , see Elias Hasket Derby to T J , 1 Mch. 1787. This letter was carried by Derby himself.

[31]

To David Humphreys DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 14. 1787.

I remember when you left us, it was with a promise to supply all the defects of correspondence in our friends, of which we com­ plained, and which you had felt in common with us. Yet I have received but one letter from you which was dated June 5. 1 7 8 6 . and I answered it Aug. 1 4 . 1786. Dropping that however and beginning a new account, I will observe to you that wonderful im­ provements are making here in various lines. In architecture the wall of circumvallation round Paris and the palaces by which we are to be let in and out are nearly compleated, 4 hospitals are to be built instead of the old hotel-dieu, one of the old bridges has all it's houses demolished and a second nearly so, a new bridge is begun at the Place Louis X V . the Palais royal is gutted, a consid­ erable part in the center of the garden being dug out, and a sub­ terranean circus begun wherein will be equestrian exhibitions &c. In society the habit habillé is almost banished, and they begin to go even to great suppers in frock: the court and diplomatic corps however must always be excepted. They are too high to be reached by any improvement. They are the last refuge from which etiquette, formality and folly will be driven. Take away these and they would be on a level with other people. The assemblée des Notables have done a great deal of good here. Various abolitions of abusive laws, have taken place and will take place. The government is allotted into subordinate administrations, called Provincial assemblies, to be chosen by the people; great reductions of expence in the trap­ pings of the king, queen, and princes, in the department of war &c. Notwithstanding this, the discovery of the abuses of public money, some expences of the court not in unison with the projects of reform, and the new taxes, have raised within a few weeks a spirit of discontent so loud and so general as I did not think them sus­ ceptible of. They speak in all companies, in coffee-houses, in the streets, as if there was no Bastile: and indeed to confine all offenders in this way, the whole kingdom should be converted into a Bastile. The parliament of Paris puts itself at the head of this opposition. The king has been obliged to hold a bed of justice to enforce the registering the new taxes. The parliament proposes to forbid their execution, and this may possibly be followed by their exile. The mild and patriotic spirit of the new ministry, and the impossibility of finding subjects to make a new parliament, may perhaps avoid [32]

14 A U G U S T

1787

this extremity. It is not impossible but that all the domestic dis­ turbances may be calmed by foreign difficulties. War has within a few days past become more probable. Tho the kings of England and Prussia had openly espoused the views of the Stadholder, yet negotiations were going on which gave hopes of accomodation. But the stoppage of the Princess of Orange, on her way to excite commotions at the Hague, kindled the kingly pride of her brother, and without consulting any body, he ordered 20,000 men to march instantly to revenge this insult. The stoppage of the sister of a king then is sufficient cause to sacrifice the lives of hundreds of thousands of better people and to lay the most fertile parts of Europe in ashes. Since this hasty movement, which is pertinaciously pursued, the English squadron has sailed Westwardly, and will be followed by a squadron from Brest, while a land army moves on to the confines of Holland. Still however the négociations are continued, and it is thought that the fiscal distresses of the principal powers may yet prevent war. So much for the blessings of having kings, and magistrates who would be kings. From these events our young republics may learn many useful lessons, never to call on foreign powers to settle their differences, to guard against heredi­ tary magistrates, to prevent their citizens from becoming so es­ tablished in wealth and power as to be thought worthy of alliance by marriage with the neices, sisters &c. of kings, and in short to besiege the throne of heaven with eternal prayers to extirpate from creation this class of human lions, tygers and mammouts called kings; from whom, let him perish, who does not say 'good lord deliver us,' and that so we may say, one and all, or perish is the fervent prayer of him who has the honor to mix with it sincere wishes for your health and happiness, and to be with real attach­ ment and respect dear Sir your affectionate friend & humble servant, TH:

JEFFERSON

PS. Aug. 15. The Parliament is exiled to Troyes this morning. PrC ( D L C ) . The W A L L O F C I R C U M V A L L A T I O N was the new wall of the farmers-general; see Map of Paris, Vol. 10: xxviii and facing p. 211. For the H O U S E S . . . D E M O L I S H E D , see illustration in this volume.

To Joseph Jones DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 14. 1787.

I have never yet thanked you, but with the heart, for the act of assembly confirming the agreement with Maryland, the pamphlet [33}

14 A U G U S T

1787

and papers I received from you a twelvemonth ago. Very soon after their receipt I got my right wrist dislocated which prevented me long from writing and as soon as that was able to bear it I took a long journey from which I am but lately returned. I am anxious to hear what our federal convention recommends, and what the states will do in consequence of their recommendation. I wish to see our states made one as to all foreign, and several as to all domestic matters, a peaceable mode of compulsion over the states given to Congress, and the powers of this body divided, as in the states, into three departments legislative, executive, and judiciary. It is my opinion the want of the latter organization has already done more harm than all the other federal defects put together, and that every evil almost may be traced to that source. But with all the defects of our constitutions, whether general or particular, the comparison of our governments with those of Europe are like a comparison of heaven and hell. England, like the earth, may be allowed to take the intermediate station. And yet I hear there are people among you who think the experience of our governments has already proved that republican governments will not answer. Send those gentry here to count the blessings of monarchy. A king's sister for instance stopped in the road, and on a hostile journey, is sufficient cause for him to march immediately 20,000 men to revenge this insult, when he had shewn himself little moved by the matter of right then in question. I apprehend this hasty movement of the king of Prussia may perhaps decide the crisis of Europe to war, when it was before doubtful. The English squadron has sailed Westwardly: the French will doubtless do the same, and they are moving an army into the neighborhood of Holland. Still however the négociations are not broken off, and the desperate state of finances both in England and France give a hope they will yet arrange matters. In this country a great and sudden dis­ content has arisen, since the separation of the assemblee des Notables. It is not easy to fix the causes, since it is certain that great improvements of their laws and constitution have actually taken place and others are promised; great reforms in expence have been effected and are effecting. But the investigation of the horrid depredations in the late administration of theirfinances,some new and inconsiderate expences of the court, and the new taxes have probably excited this discontent. The opposition of the parliament to the new taxes is carried to it's last point, and their exile is a measure which may very possibly take place. The principal security [34]

Demolition of houses on the Pont Notre-Dame. (See p. xxxiv.)

The Salon of 1787. (See p. xxxiv.)

14 A U G U S T

1787

against it is the mild and patriotic character of the new ministry. From all these broils we are happily free, and that god may keep us long so, and yourself in health and happiness is the prayer of, dear Sir, your most obedient & most humble servant, TH:

JEFFERSON

E S . Aug. 15. The Parliament is exiled to Troyes this morning. PrC ( D L C ) .

To John Stockdale SIR Paris Aug. 14. 1787. The books you have last sent me are this moment come to hand, and all right except that the 'Historical remarks on the taxation of free states' printed by Richardson 1781. is not among them. I will still trouble you therefore to send it by some opportunity. I thank you for the dozen copies of the Notes on Virginia. The remaining 34. shall be sold so as to pay the 8d. steri, a vol. their transporta­ tion costs, the commission for selling and your 5/4. Upon the whole they must be sold at about 7.* 15s. Unless you are very sure of your information of the printing the Notes on Virginia in America, I doubt it. I never sent but six copies to America, and they were in such hands as I am sure would not permit them to be published. I have letters from Philadelphia as late as the 6th. of June, and certainly no such publication was then suspected by my friends. On the contrary Mr. Hopkinson, one of those to whom I had given a copy, and who is concerned in compiling the Columbian magazine, tells me he hopes I will not object to his publishing a few extracts from it, particularly the passages in which M. de Buffon's work is controverted. So that unless you are very certain on the point, I shall disbelieve it. I am Sir your very humble servant, TH: PrC ( D L C ) . Actually there were more than Six COPIES of Notes on Virginia in America at the time this letter was written. Three of these—those belonging to Franklin, Humphreys, and Otto—had been presented in France and subsequently carried to America by their recipients, Also, T J erred in thinking that he had sent only six, for it is certain that copies belonging to James Currie, Francis

JEFFERSON

Hopkinson, James Monroe, James Madison, John Page, David Rittenhouse, and Charles Thomson had been sent before mid-August 1787. T J was right in thinking that a separate edition had not appeared in America in 1787; Stockdale had probably been misinformed as a result of the appearance of some parts of Notes on Virginia in American newspapers (see Barlow to T J , 15 June 1787).

[35]

To George Washington DEAR SIR

Paris Aug. 14. 1787.

I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1. 1786. which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul and Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius with a periwig and chapeau bras. I remember having written to you while Congress sat at An­ napolis on the water communications between ours and the Western country, and to have mentioned particularly the information I had received of the plain face of the country between the sources of Big beaver and Cayohoga, which made me hope that a canal of no great expence might unite the navigations of L . Erie and the Ohio. You must since have had occasion of getting better information on this subject and, if you have, you would oblige me by a communica­ tion of it. I consider this canal, if practicable, as a very important work. I remain in hopes of great and good effects from the decisions of the assembly over which you are presiding. To make our states one as to all foreign concerns, preserve them several as to all merely domestic, to give to the federal head some peaceable mode of enforcing their just authority, to organize that head into Legis­ lative, Executive, and Judiciary departments are great desiderata in our federal constitution. Yet with all it's defects, and with all those of our particular governments, the inconveniencies resulting from them are so light in comparison with those existing in every other government on earth, that our citizens may certainly be con­ sidered as in the happiest political situation which exists.—The assemblée des Notables has been productive of much good in this country. The reformation of some of the most oppressive laws has taken place and is taking place. The allotment of the state into subordinate governments, the administration of which is com­ mitted to persons chosen by the people, will work in time a very beneficial change in their constitution. The expence of the trappings of monarchy too are lightening. Many of the useless officers, high and low, of the king, queen, and princes are struck off. Notwith­ standing all this the discovery of the abominable abuses of public money by the late comptroller general, some new expences of the [36]

14 A U G U S T

1787

court, not of a peice with the projects of reformation, and the im­ position of new taxes, have in the course of a few weeks raised a spirit of discontent in this nation, so great and so general, as to threaten serious consequences. The Parliaments in general, and particularly that of Paris put themselves at the head of this effer­ vescence, and direct it's object to the calling the states general, who have not been assembled since 1614. The object is to fix a constitution, and to limit expences. The king has been obliged to hold a bed of justice to enforce the registering the new taxes: the parliament on their side propose to issue a prohibition against their execution. Very possibly this may bring on their exile. The mild and patriotic character of the new ministry is the principal dé­ pendance against this extremity. The turn which the affairs of Europe will take is not yet de­ cided. The Emperor, on his return to Vienna, disavowed the retro­ cessions made by his governors general in the low countries. He at the same time called for deputies to consult on their affairs. This, which would have been the sole measure of a wise sovereign, was spoiled by contrary indications resulting from his Thrasonic char­ acter. The people at first refused to send deputies. At last however they sent them without powers, and go on arming. I think there is little doubt but the Emperor will avail himself of these deputies to tread back his steps. He will do this the rather that he may be in readiness to take part in the war likely to be produced by the Dutch differences. The kings of England and Prussia were abetting the cause of the Stadholder, France that of the Patriots: but nego­ tiations were going on to settle them amicably, when all of a sudden, the Princess of Orange, undertaking a secret journey to the Hague to incite an insurrection of the people there, is stopped on the road, writes an inflammatory letter to her brother, he without consulting England, or even his own council, or any thing else but his own pride, orders 20,000 men to march into the neighborhood of Holland. This has been followed by the sailing of the English squad­ ron somewhere Westwardly, and that will be followed by a squad­ ron from Brest, and an army to the confines of Holland from this country. Appearances therefore are within a few days past more like war than they had been. Still however the negotiations are going on, a