commenced. That valuable fund for the immediate extinction of our debt
will, I fear, be suffered to slip through our fingers. Every day exposes
it to events, which no human foresight can guard against. When we
consider the temper of the people of that country, derived from the
circumstances which surround them, we must suppose their separation
possible, at every moment. If they can be retained till their
governments become settled and wise, they will remain with us always,
and be a precious part of our strength and our virtue. But this affair
of the Mississippi, by showing that Congress is capable of hesitating
on a question, which proposes a clear sacrifice of the western to the
maritime States, will with difficulty be obliterated. The proposition
of my going to Madrid, to try to recover there the ground which has
been lost at New York, by the concession of the vote of seven States, I
should think desperate. With respect to myself, weighing the pleasure of
the journey and bare possibility of success in one scale, and the strong
probability of failure and the public disappointment directed on me, in
the other, the latter preponderates. Add to this, that jealousy might be
excited in the breast of a person, who could find occasions of making me
uneasy.
The late changes in the ministry here, excite considerable hopes. I
think we gain in them all. I am particularly happy at the reentry of
Malesherbes into the Council. His knowledge and integrity render his
value inappreciable, and the greater to me, because, while he had
no views of office, we had established together the most unreserved
intimacy. So far, too, I am pleased with Montmorin. His honesty proceeds
from the heart as well as the head, and therefore may be more surely
counted on. The King loves business, economy, order, and justice, and
wishes sincerely the good of his people; but he is irascible, rude, very
limited in his understanding, and religious bordering on bigotry. He has
no mistress, loves his queen, and is too much governed by her. She is
capricious, like her brother, and governed by him; devoted to pleasure
and expense; and not remarkable for any other vices or virtues.
Unhappily the King shows a propensity for the pleasures of the table.
That for drink has increased lately, or at least it has become more
known.
For European news in general, I will refer you to my letter to Mr. Jay.
Is it not possible, that the occurrences in Holland may excite a desire
in many of leaving that country, and transferring their effects out of
it, and thus make an opening for shifting into their hands the debts
due to this country, to its officers, and Farmers? It would be surely
eligible. I believe Dumas, if put on the watch, might alone suffice; but
he surely might, if Mr. Adams should go when the moment offers. Dumas
has been in the habit of sending his letters open to me, to be forwarded
to Mr. Jay. During my absence, they passed through Mr. Short’s hands,
who made extracts from them, by which I see he has been recommending
himself and me for the money-negotiations in Holland. It might be
thought, perhaps, that I have encouraged him in this. Be assured, my
Dear Sir, that no such idea ever entered my head. On the contrary, it is
a business which would be the most disagreeable to me of all others,
and for which I am the most unfit person living. I do not understand
bargaining, nor possess the dexterity requisite for the purpose. On the
other hand, Mr. Adams, whom I expressly and sincerely recommend, stands
already on ground for that business, which I could not gain in years.
Pray set me to rights in the minds of those, who may have supposed me
privy to this proposition. _En passant_, I will observe with respect to
Mr. Dumas, that the death of the Count de Vergennes places Congress more
at their ease, how to dispose of him. Our credit has been ill treated
here in public debate, and our debt here deemed apocryphal. We should
try to transfer this debt elsewhere, and leave nothing capable of
exciting ill thoughts between us. I shall mention in my letter to Mr.
Jay, a disagreeable affair which Mr. Barclay has been thrown into,
at Bordeaux. An honester man cannot be found, nor a slower, nor more
decisive one. His affairs, too, are so embarrassed and desperate, that
the public reputation is, every moment, in danger of being
compromitted with him. He is perfectly amiable and honest, with all his
embarrassments.
By the next packet, I shall be able to send you some books, as also your
watch and pedometer. The two last are not yet done. To search for books,
and forward them to Havre, will require more time than I had between
my return and the departure of this packet. Having been a witness,
heretofore, to the divisions in Congress on the subject of their foreign
ministers, it would be a weakness in me to suppose none with respect to
myself, or to count with any confidence on the renewal of my commission,
which expires on the 10th day of March next; and the more so, as instead
of requiring the disapprobation of seven States, as formerly, that of
one suffices for a recall, when Congress consists of only seven States,
two, when of eight, &c. which I suppose to be habitually their numbers
at present. Whenever I leave this place, it will be necessary to begin
my arrangements six months before my departure; and these, once fairly
begun and under way, and my mind set homewards, a change of purpose
could hardly take place. If it should be the desire of Congress that I
should continue still longer, I could wish to know it, at farthest, by
the packet which will sail from New York in September. Because, were
I to put off longer the quitting my house, selling my furniture, he,
I should not have time left to wind up my affairs; and having once
quitted, and sold off my furniture, I could not think of establishing
myself here again. I take the liberty of mentioning this matter to you,
not with a desire to change the purpose of Congress, but to know it in
time. I have never fixed in my mind, the epoch of my return, so far as
shall depend on myself, but I never supposed it very distant. Probably
I shall not risk a second vote on this subject. Such trifling things may
draw on me the displeasure of one or two States, and thus submit me to
the disgrace of a recall.
I thank you for the paccan nuts, which accompanied your letter of March.
Could you procure me a copy of the bill for proportioning crimes and
punishments, in the form in which it was ultimately rejected by the
House of Delegates? Young Mr. Bannister desired me to send him regularly
the _Mercure de France_. I will ask leave to do this through you, and
that you will adopt such method of forwarding them to him, as will save
him from being submitted to postage, which they would not be worth. As
a compensation for your trouble, you will be free to keep them till you
shall have read them. I am, with sentiments of the most sincere esteem,
Dear Sir, your friend and servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXI.--TO JOHN JAY, June 21,1787
TO JOHN JAY.
Paris, June 21,1787.
Sir,
I had the honor of addressing you in a letter of May the 4th, from
Marseilles, which was to have gone by the last packet. Bat it arrived
a few hours too late for that conveyance, and has been committed to a
private one, passing through England, with a promise that it should go
through no post-office.
I was desirous, while at the sea-ports, to obtain a list of the American
vessels which have come to them since the peace, in order to estimate
their comparative importance to us, as well as the general amount of our
commerce with this country, so far as carried on in our own bottoms.
At Marseilles, I found there had been thirty-two, since that period; at
Cette, not a single one; at Bayonne, one of our free ports, only one.
This last fact I learned from other information, not having visited that
place; as it would have been a deviation from my route, too considerable
for the importance of the object. At Bordeaux, Nantes, and L’Orient, I
could not obtain lists in the moment; but am in hopes I shall be able
to get them ere long. Though more important to us, they will probably be
more imperfect than that of Marseilles. At Nantes, I began with Monsieur
Dobrée an arrangement of his claims. I visited the military stores,
which have been detained there so long, opened some boxes of each
kind, and found the state of their contents much better than had been
represented. An exact list of the articles is to be sent me.
The importations into L’Orient of other fish-oils, besides those of the
whale, brought to my notice there a defect in the letter of Monsieur de
Calonne, of October the 22nd, which letter was formerly communicated to
you. In that, whale oil only was named. The other fish-oils, therefore,
have continued to pay the old duties. In a conference with Monsieur de
Villedeuil, the present Comptroller General, since my return, I proposed
the extending the exemption to all fish-oils, according to the letter
of the Hanseatic treaty, which had formed the basis of the regulations
respecting us. I think this will be agreed to. The delays of office
first, then the illness of Monsieur de Colonne, and lastly, his removal
and the throng of business occasioned by the _Assemblée des Notables_,
have prevented the reducing the substance of the letter into the form
of an _Arrêt_, as yet though I have continued soliciting it as much
as circumstances would bear. I am now promised that it shall be done
immediately, and it shall be so far retrospective to the date of the
letter, as that all duties paid since that, shall be refunded.
The new accessions of the ministry are valued here. Good is hoped from
the Archbishop of Toulouse, who succeeds the Count de Vergennes as _Chef
du Conseil de finance_. Monsieur de Villedeuil, the Comptroller General,
has been approved by the public, in the offices he has heretofore
exercised. The Duke de Nivernois, called to the Council, is reckoned
a good and able man; and Monsieur de Malesherbes, called also to the
Council, is unquestionably the first character in the kingdom, for
integrity, patriotism, knowledge, and experience in business. There is a
fear that the Marechal de Castries is disposed to retire.
The face of things in Europe is a little turbid, at present; but
probably all will subside. The Empress of Russia, it is supposed, will
not push her pretensions against the Turks to actual war. Weighing
the fondness of the Emperor for innovation, against his want of
perseverance, it is difficult to calculate what he will do with his
discontented subjects in Brabant and Flanders. If those provinces alone
were concerned, he would probably give back; but this would induce an
opposition to his plan, in all his other dominions. Perhaps he may be
able to find a compromise. The cause of the Patriots in Holland is a
little clouded at present.
England and Prussia seem disposed to interpose effectually. The former
has actually ordered a fleet of six sail of the line, northwardly, under
Gore; and the latter threatens to put her troops into motion. The
danger of losing such a weight in their scale, as that of Prussia, would
occasion this court to prefer conciliation to war. Add to this, the
distress of their finances, and perhaps not so warm a zeal in the new
ministry for the innovations in Holland. I hardly believe they will
think it worth while to purchase the change of constitution proposed
there, at the expense of a war. But of these things, you will receive
more particular and more certain details from Mr. Dumas, to whom they
belong.
Mr. Eden is appointed ambassador from England to Madrid. To the hatred
borne us by his court and country, is added a recollection of the
circumstances of the unsuccessful embassy to America, of which he made a
part. So that I think he will carry to Madrid, dispositions to do us all
the ill he can.
The late change in the ministry is very favorable to the prospects
of the Chevalier de la Luzerne. The Count de Montmorin, Monsieur de
Malesherbes, and Monsieur de Lamoignon, the _Garde des Sceaux_, are his
near relations. Probably something will be done for him, and without
delay. The promise of the former administration to the Count de Moutier,
to succeed to this vacancy, should it take place, will perhaps be
performed by the present one.
Mr. Barclay has probably informed you of his having been arrested
in Bordeaux, for a debt contracted in the way of his commerce. He
immediately applied to the parliament of that place, who ordered his
discharge. This took place after five days’ actual imprisonment. I
arrived at Bordeaux a few days after his liberation. As the Procureur
General of the King had interested himself to obtain it, with uncommon
zeal, and that too on public principles, I thought it my duty to wait
on him and return him my thanks. I did the same to the President of the
parliament, for the body over which he presided; what would have been an
insult in America, being an indispensable duty here. You will see by the
enclosed printed paper, on what grounds the Procureur insisted on Mr.
Barclay’s liberation. Those on which the parliament ordered it, are not
expressed. On my arrival here, I spoke with the minister on the subject.
He observed, that the character of Consul is no protection in this
country, against process for debt: that as to the character with
which Mr. Barclay had been invested at the court of Morocco, it was
questionable whether it would be placed on the diplomatic line, as it
had not been derived immediately from Congress; that if it were,
it would have covered him to Paris only, where he had received his
commission, had he proceeded directly thither, but that his long stay at
Bordeaux, must be considered as terminating it there. I observed to him,
that Mr. Barclay had been arrested almost immediately on his arrival at
Bordeaux. But, says he, the arrest was made void by the parliament, and
still he has continued there several weeks. True, I replied, but his
adversaries declared they would arrest him again, the moment he should
be out of the jurisdiction of the parliament of Bordeaux, and have
actually engaged the _Maréchausée_ on the road, to do it. This seemed
to impress him. He said he could obtain a letter of safe conduct which
would protect him to Paris, but that immediately on his arrival here,
he would be liable to arrest. I asked him, if such a letter could not
be obtained to protect him to Paris, and back to Bordeaux, and even to
America? He said, that for that, the consent of the greater part of his
creditors would be necessary; and even with this, it was very doubtful
whether it could be obtained: still, if I would furnish him with that
consent, he would do what should depend on him. I am persuaded he will,
and have written to Mr. Barclay to obtain the consent of his creditors.
This is the footing on which this matter stands at present. I have
stated it thus particularly, that you may know the truth, which will
probably be misrepresented in the English papers, to the prejudice
of Mr. Barclay. This matter has been a great affliction to him, but no
dishonor where its true state is known. Indeed he is incapable of doing
any thing not strictly honorable.
In a letter of August the 30th, 1785, I had the honor of mentioning
to you what had passed here, on the subject of a convention for the
regulation of the two post offices. I now inclose you a letter from the
Baron D’Ogny, who is at the head of that department, which shows that
he still expects some arrangement. I have heard it said, that M. de
Creve-coeur is authorized to treat on this subject. You doubtless know
if this be true. The articles may certainly be better adjusted there,
than here. This letter from the Baron D’Ogny was in consequence of an
application from a servant of mine, during my absence, which would not
have been made had I been here. Nor will it be repeated; it being my
opinion and practice to pay small sums of money, rather than to ask
favors.
I have the honor to inclose you also, copies of a letter and papers
from the Marechal de Castries, on the claim of an individual against the
State of South Carolina, for services performed on board the Indian;
and the petition of another, on a like claim: also copies of letters
received from O’Bryan at Algiers, and from Mr. Lambe. A letter of the
26th of May, from Mr. Montgomery, at Alicant, informs me, that by a
vessel arrived at Carthagena from Algiers, they learn the death of the
Dey of that republic. Yet, as we hear nothing of it through any other
channel, it may be doubted. It escaped me at the time of my departure to
Aix, to make arrangements for sending you the gazettes regularly, by the
packets. The whole are now sent, though a great part of them are so old
as to be not worth perusal. Your favor of April the 24th, has been duly
received.
I have the honor,to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect. Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXII.--TO MADAME DE CORNY, June 30,1787
TO MADAME DE CORNY.
Paris, June 30,1787.
On my return to Paris, it was among my first attentions to go to the rue
Chaussée d’Antin, No. 17, and inquire after my friends whom I had left
there. I was told they were in England. And how do you like England,
Madam? I know your taste for the works of art gives you little
disposition to Anglomania. Their mechanics certainly exceed all others
in some lines. But be just to your own nation. They have not patience,
it is true, to set rubbing a piece of steel from morning to night, as a
lethargic Englishman will do, full charged with porter. But do not their
benevolence, their cheerfulness, their amiability, when compared with
the growling temper and manners of the people among whom you are,
compensate their want of patience? I am in hopes that when the splendor
of their shops, which is all that is worth seeing in London, shall
have lost the charm of novelty, you will turn a wishful eye to the good
people of Paris, and find that you cannot be so happy with any others.
The Bois de Boulogne invites you earnestly to come and survey its
beautiful verdure, to retire to its umbrage from the heats of the
season. I was through it to-day, as I am every day. Every tree charged
me with this invitation to you. Passing by la Muette, it wished for you
as a mistress. You want a country-house. This is for sale; and in the
Bois de Boulogne, which I have always insisted to be most worthy of
your preference. Come then, and buy it. If I had had confidence in your
speedy return, I should have embarrassed you in earnest with my little
daughter. But an impatience to have her with me, after her separation
from her friends, added to a respect for your ease, has induced me to
send a servant for her.
I tell you no news, because you have correspondents infinitely more _au
fait_ of the details at Paris than I am. And I offer you no services,
because I hope you will come as soon as the letter could, which should
command them. Be assured, however, that nobody is more disposed to
render them, nor entertains for you a more sincere and respectful
attachment, than him, who, after charging you with his compliments to
Monsieur de Corny, has the honor of offering you the homage of those
sentiments of distinguished esteem and regard, with which he is, Dear
Madam, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXIII.--TO JOHN ADAMS, July 1, 1787
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Paris, July 1, 1787.
Dear Sir,
I returned about three weeks ago from a very useless voyage; useless,
I mean, as to the object which first suggested it, that of trying the
effect of the mineral waters of Aix, in Provence, on my hand. I
tried these, because recommended among six or eight others as equally
beneficial, and because they would place me at the beginning of a tour
to the seaports of Marseilles, Bordeaux, Nantes, and L’Orient, which I
had long meditated, in hopes that a knowledge of the places and persons
concerned in our commerce, and the information to be got from them,
might enable me sometimes to be useful. I had expected to satisfy myself
at Marseilles, of the causes of the difference of quality between the
rice of Carolina, and that of Piedmont, which is brought in quantities
to Marseilles. Not being able to do it, I made an excursion of three
weeks into the rice country beyond the Alps, going through it from
Vercelli to Pavia, about sixty miles. I found the difference to be, not
in the management, as had been supposed both here and in Carolina, but
in the species of rice; and I hope to enable them in Carolina, to begin
the cultivation of the Piedmont rice, and carry it on, hand in hand,
with their own, that they may supply both qualities which is absolutely
necessary at this market. I had before endeavored to lead the depot of
rice from Cowes to Honfleur, and hope to get it received there on such
terms, as may draw that branch of commerce from England to this country.
It is an object of two hundred and fifty thousand guineas a year. While
passing through the towns of Turin, Milan, and Genoa, I satisfied
myself of the practicability of introducing our whale-oil for their
consumption, and suppose it would be equally so in the other great
cities of that country. I was sorry that I was not authorized to set the
matter on foot. The merchants with whom I chose to ask conferences met
me freely, and communicated fully, knowing I was in a public character.
I could, however, only prepare a disposition to meet our oil-merchants.
On the article of tobacco, I was more in possession of my ground; and
put matters into a train for inducing their government to draw their
tobaccos directly from the United States, and not, as heretofore, from
Great Britain. I am now occupied with the new ministry here, to put
the concluding hand to the new regulations for our commerce with this
country, announced in the letter of Monsieur de Calonne, which I
sent you last fall. I am in hopes, in addition to those, to obtain
a suppression of the duties on tar, pitch, and turpentine, and, an
extension of the privileges of American _whale oil_, to their _fish
oils_ in general. I find that the quantity of cod-fish oil brought to
L’Orient is considerable. This being got off hand (which will be in a
few days), the chicaneries and vexations of the Farmers on the article
of tobacco, and their elusions of the order of Bernis, call for the next
attention. I have reasons to hope good dispositions in the new ministry
towards our commerce with this country. Besides endeavoring, on all
occasions, to multiply the points of contact and connection with this
country, which I consider as our surest mainstay under every event, I
have had it much at heart to remove from between us every subject of
misunderstanding or irritation. Our debts to the King, to the Officers,
and the Farmers, are of this description. The having complied with no
part of our engagements in these, draws on us a great deal of censure,
and occasioned a language in the _Assemblée des Notables_, very likely
to produce dissatisfaction between us. Dumas being on the spot in
Holland, I had asked of him some time ago, in confidence, his opinion of
the practicability of transferring these debts from France to Holland,
and communicated his answer to Congress, pressing them to get you to go
over to Holland, and try to effect this business. Your knowledge of the
ground, and former successes, occasioned me to take this liberty without
consulting you, because I was sure you would not weigh your personal
trouble against public good. I have had no answer from Congress; but
hearing of your journey to Holland, have hoped that some money operation
had led you there. If it related to the debts of this country, I
would ask a communication of what you think yourself at liberty to
communicate, as it might change the form of my answers to the eternal
applications I receive. The debt to the officers of France, carries an
interest of about two thousand guineas, so we may suppose its principal
is between thirty and forty thousand. This makes more noise against us,
than all our other debts put together.
I send you the _Arrêts_ which begin the reformation here, and some
other publications respecting America; together with copies of letters
received from O’Bryan and Lambe. It is believed, that a naval armament
has been ordered at Brest, in correspondence with that of England.
We know, certainly, that orders are given to form a camp in the
neighborhood of Brabant, and that Count Rochambeau has the command of
it. Its amount I cannot assert. Report says fifteen thousand men. This
will derange the plans of economy. I take the liberty of putting under
your cover a letter for Mrs. Kinloch, of South Carolina, with a packet,
and will trouble you to inquire for her, and have them delivered. The
packet is of great consequence, and therefore referred to her care, as
she will know the safe opportunities of conveying it. Should you not be
able to find her, and can forward the packet to its address, by any very
safe conveyance, I will beg you to do it.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect friendship
and esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LXIV.--TO DAVID HARTLEY, July 2,1787
TO DAVID HARTLEY.
Paris, July 2,1787.
Dear Sir,