PARIS, August 4, 1787.
DEAR SIR,--I am favored with your letter of May the 2d, and most
cordially sympathise in your late immediate losses. It is a situation
in which a man needs the aid of all his wisdom and philosophy. But as
it is better to turn from the contemplation of our misfortunes to the
resources we possess of extricating ourselves, you will, of course,
have found solace in your vigor of mind, health of body, talents,
habits of business, in the consideration that you have time yet to
retrieve everything, and a knowledge that the very activity necessary
for this, is a state of greater happiness than the unoccupied one, to
which you had a thought of retiring. I wish the bulk of my extravagant
countrymen had as good prospects and resources as you. But with many of
them, a feebleness of mind makes them afraid to probe the true state of
their affairs, and procrastinate the reformation which alone can save
something, to those who may yet be saved. How happy a people were we
during the war, from the single circumstance that we could not run in
debt! This counteracted all the inconveniences we felt, as the present
facility of ruining ourselves overweighs all the blessings of peace. I
know no condition happier than that of a Virginia farmer might be,
conducting himself as he did during the war. His estate supplies a good
table, clothes himself and his family with their ordinary apparel,
furnishes a small surplus to buy salt, sugar, coffee, and a little
finery for his wife and daughters, enables him to receive and to visit
his friends, and furnishes him pleasing and healthy occupation. To
secure all this, he needs but one act of self-denial, to put off buying
anything till he has the money to pay for it. Mr. Ammonett did not
come. He wrote to me, however, and I am making inquiry for the town and
family he indicated. As yet, neither can be heard of, and were they to
be found, the length of time would probably bar all claims against
them. I have seen no object present so many desperate faces. However,
if inquiry can lighten our way, that shall not be wanting, and I will
write to him as soon as we discover anything, or despair of
discovering. Littlepage has succeeded well in Poland. He has some
office, it is said, worth five hundred guineas a year. The box of seeds
you were so kind as to forward me came safe to hand. The arrival of my
daughter, in good health, has been a source of immense comfort to me.
The injury of which you had heard, was a dislocated wrist, and though
it happened eleven months ago, was a simple dislocation, and
immediately aided by the best surgeon in Paris, it is neither well, nor
ever will be, so as to render me much service. The fingers remain
swelled and crooked, the hand withered, and the joint having a very
confined motion. You ask me when I shall return? My commission expires
next spring, and if not renewed, I shall return then. If renewed, I
shall stay somewhat longer; how much, will not depend on me altogether.
So far as it does, I cannot fix the epoch of my return, though I always
flatter myself it is not very distant. My habits are formed to those of
my own country. I am past the time of changing them, and am, therefore,
less happy anywhere else than there.
I shall always be happy to hear from you, being with very sincere
esteem, dear Sir, your friend and servant.