Chapter XXVI: Part II: Continued (25)

DEAR SIR,--I wrote you last on the 9th instant. Yours of the 11th, came to hand yesterday evening. Some of its enquiries will have already been answered to you. We have no information from America down to the middle of January. Things were going on so well that our letters afford nothing interesting scarcely. The opposition to the new Constitution grows feebler. Everywhere the elections are federal. In New York they had not yet been able to agree in the choice of senators, nor even in the manner of choosing. The new government begins on Wednesday next. Its friends consent to some changes, and particularly to the annexation of a declaration of rights. This will probably be proposed by Congress to the several assemblies, and thus a new convention be avoided. The Virginia Assembly met October 23. They choose for their speaker, Thomas Mathews, (who is this?) They are furiously anti-federal. They have passed a bill rendering every person holding any federal office incapable of holding at the same time any State office. This is a declaration of war against the new Constitution. Mr. Adams is generally expected to be the Vice-President. Hancock is his only competitor. Others are sometimes talked of, but not with their own consent. I see in a Virginia paper of last summer, that George Nicholas advertised his departure to settle in Kentucky this present month of February. Great numbers of American vessels are now arriving in the ports of France with flour and wheat, in consequence of the demand of this country and of the bounty it gives. I have received a letter from Ladian, dated Grand Cairo, September 10. He was just then about to plunge into the terræ incognitæ of Africa. This morning, I received one from Admiral Paul Jones, dated St. Petersburg, January 30, he was just arrived there at the desire of the Empress. He has commanded hitherto on the Black Sea, but does not know whether the Empress destines him to return there or to take any other command.

There has been an affray in Britanny between the Noblesse and people, in which some few were killed. Things there are now quiet, and all the rest of the kingdom is going on well towards its object. In some places, as in Burgundy and Franche-compte, there is an opposition by the Noblesse indeed against the manifest sense of the nation, but I do not apprehend any serious evil from it. The States General are likely to meet under happy auspices. It would seem that the government thinks they will end well, because I observe in their communications with certain unfriendly courts they assume a tone which had been laid aside for some time. Their effects stand well. * * * * The King of England seems to be in a state of convalescence. The symptoms of a return of reason are such that on the 19th instant the House of Lords put off the reading of the Regency bill, and it is even thought there will be no regency, nor any change of ministry. There are not yet sufficient data to ground a judgment whether there will be peace or not between the Turks and the two empires, nor what part Russia will take in the affairs of Poland. The preparations of Sweden and Denmark so far announce a continuation of the war. You have heard, doubtless, of the revolution which took place in Geneva about the last of January. It was the work of three or four days only, and with little bloodshed their ancient constitution is almost completely re-established. Their exiles are to be recalled, the foreign garrison sent off, the Bourgeois guard the city, and the nomination of the Syndics is restored to the council of two hundred. I see no reason to doubt the permanence of this reformation. Here all your acquaintances are well. I continue to keep my house and on such terms as will induce me to keep it as long as I remain in Europe. I fear my departure in the spring may be retarded, as Governeur Morris tells me there would be no probability that the old Congress would re-assemble. In this case I cannot receive my leave of absence from the new government. I have proposed to them the naming you _Chargé des Affaires_ to take care of their business during my absence. You know that we must not be too sanguine on these occasions.

* * * * *

TO DR. BANCROFT.

PARIS, March 2, 1789.

DEAR SIR,--I have just received a letter of January 31st from Admiral Paul Jones, at Petersburg, in which, charging me with the execution of some commissions, and these requiring money, he tells me you will answer my drafts to the amount of four or five thousand livres, on his account. Be so good as to inform me whether you will pay such drafts.

A Monsieur Foulloy, who has been connected with Deane, lately offered me for sale two volumes of Deane's letter books and account books, that he had taken instead of money, which Deane owed him. I have purchased them on public account. He tells me Deane has still six or eight volumes more, and being to return soon to London, he will try to get them also, in order to make us pay high for them. You are sensible of the impropriety of letting such books get into hands which might make an unfriendly use of them. You are sensible of the immorality of an ex-minister's selling his secrets for money; and consequently that there can be no immorality in tempting him with money to part with them; so that they may be restored to that government to whom they properly belong. Your former acquaintance with Deane may, perhaps, put it in your power to render our country the service of recovering those books. It would not do to propose it to him as for Congress. What other way would best bring it about, you know best. I suppose his distresses and his crapulous habits, will not render him difficult on this head. On the supposition that there are six or eight volumes, I think you might venture as far as fifty guineas, and proportionably for fewer. I will answer your draft to this amount and purpose, or you may retain it out of any moneys you may propose to pay me for Admiral Jones. There is no time to lose in this negotiation, as, should Foulloy arrive there before it is closed, he will spoil the bargain. If you should be able to recover these books, I would ask the favor of you to send them to me by the Diligence, that I may carry them back with me to America. I make no apology for giving you this trouble. It is for our common country, and common interest.

I am, with sincere and great esteem and attachment, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

TO MR. SHIPPEN.

PARIS, March 11, 1789.

DEAR SIR,--I had wished to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of January the 19th, and February the 3d, by a private conveyance, but none such having occurred, nor being likely to occur, I must write you such a letter as may go through the inspection of both post offices.

The affairs of this country are still going on well. There are loud contestations indeed in one or two of the provinces, and in Brittany these have come to blows, and some three or four or five people have been killed. Still the opposition to the revolution which is working has been miraculously small, and he who would predict of its failure from the little obstacles which have happened, would be about as good a prophet as he who, from the loss of two or three skirmishes on our part, would have foretold our final failure in the American revolution. All the world here is occupied in electioneering, in choosing or being chosen; and, as far as Paris may be considered as affording a specimen of the public mind, we may say it is almost thoroughly ripe for a just decision of the great question of voting by orders or by persons. The difficulties which now appear threatening to my mind, are those which will result from the size of the Assembly. Twelve hundred persons of any rank and of any nation assembled together, would with difficulty be prevented from tumult and confusion. But when they are to compose an assembly for which no rules of debate or proceeding have been yet formed, in whom no habits of order have been yet established, and to consist moreover of Frenchmen, among whom there are always more speakers than listeners, I confess to you I apprehend some danger. However, I still hope that the goodness of the body, and the coolness and collectedness of some of their leaders, will keep them in the right way, and that this great Assembly will end happily.

The war in the north will, I think, continue, and perhaps spread as far as Prussia. The present and probable situation of the Executive in England, will, I presume, prevent their engaging otherwise than by giving money. If so, this country will certainly not engage herself the present year, and after the present year, if her States General pass over well, she will be in a condition to do what she pleases. I have lately received a letter from Admiral Paul Jones, dated at Petersburg, about the last of January. He was just arrived there on the call of the Empress, and uninformed where he was to act the ensuing campaign. We have no news from America later than the 10th of January, when things were going on well. I find that the friends of the new Constitution are generally disposed to make such changes as may be requisite to guard liberty. This will probably reconcile the bulk of the opposition. Nothing would be more agreeable to me than your company on our voyage to Virginia, and I am sorry I am unable to give such an idea of the epoch of it, as might enable you to decide whether it suited you. Governeur Morris, who is here, informs me that not only there was no Congress when he came away, but that none was expected till the new government. My letters asking leave of absence were not then arrived, and consequently I cannot have that leave but from the new government, nor expect that even they will take it up among their first subjects. This renders the time of my receiving permission uncertain, and should it be so late as that I cannot go, do my business there, and return in the fall, I shall prefer postponing my departure hence to the fall, so that I may return in the spring, being quite decided against a winter passage. You see, therefore, my dear Sir, the impossibility of my fixing the epoch of my departure. Pray continue to me during your stay your interesting political information, and accept assurances of the esteem and respect with which I am, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

TO JOHN JAY.

PARIS, March 12, 1789.

SIR,--I had the honor of addressing you on the 1st instant, through the post. I write the present, uncertain whether Mr. Nesbitt, the bearer of your last, will be the bearer of this, or whether it may not have to wait some other private occasion. They have re-established their packet-boats here indeed; but they are to go from Bourdeaux, which, being between four and five hundred miles from hence, is too far to send a courier with any letters but on the most extraordinary occasions; and without a courier, they must pass through the post office. I shall, therefore, not make use of this mode of conveyance, but prefer sending my letters by a private hand, by the way of London. The uncertainty of finding private conveyances to London, is the principal objection to this.

On the receipt of your letter, advising me to purchase the two volumes of Deane's letters and accounts, I wrote to the person who had them, and after some offers and refusals, he let me have them for twenty-five louis, instead of twenty louis asked at first. He told me that Deane had still six or eight volumes more, and that when he should return to London, he would try to get them, in order to make himself whole for the money he had lent Deane. As I knew he would endeavor to make us pay dear for them, and it appeared to be your opinion and that of the members you had consulted, that it was an object worthy attention, I wrote immediately to a friend in London, to endeavor to purchase them from Deane himself, whose distresses and crapulous habits will probably render him more easy to deal with. I authorized him to go as far as fifty guineas. I have as yet no answer from him. I enclose you a letter which I wrote last month to our bankers in Holland. As it will itself explain the cause of its being written, I shall not repeat its substance here. In answer to my proposition, to pay bills for the medals and the redemption of our captives, they quote a resolution of Congress (which, however, I did not find in the printed journals) appropriating the loans of 1787 and 1788 to the payment of interest on the Dutch loans till 1790, inclusive, and the _residue_ to salaries and contingencies in Europe, and they argue that, according to this, they are not to pay anything in Europe, till they shall first have enough to pay all the interest which will become due to the end of the year 1790; and that it is out of personal regard, that they relax from this so far as to pay diplomatic salaries. So that here is a clear declaration they will answer no other demands, till they have in hand money enough for all the interest to the end of the year 1790. It is but a twelvemonth since I have had occasion to pay attention to the proceedings of those gentlemen; but during that time, I have observed, that as soon as a sum of interest is becoming due, they are able to borrow just that, and no more; or, at least, only so much more as may pay our salaries and keep us quiet. Were they not to borrow for the interest, the failure to pay that would sink the value of the capital, of which they are considerable sharers. So far, their interests and ours concur. But there, perhaps, they may separate. I think it possible, they may choose to support our credit to a certain point, and let it go no further, but at their will; to keep it so poised, as that it may be at their mercy. By this, they may be sure to keep us in their own hands. They write word to the treasury, that in order to raise money for the February interest, they were obliged to agree with the subscribers, that Congress should open no other loan at Amsterdam this year, till this one be filled up, and that this shall not be filled but by the present subscribers, and they not obliged to fill it. This is delivering us, bound hand and foot, to the subscribers, that is, to themselves. Finding that they would not raise money for any other purpose, without being pushed, I wrote the letter I enclose you. They answer, as I have stated, by refusing to pay, alleging the appropriation of Congress. I have written again, to press them further, and to propose to them the payment of thirty thousand florins only, for the case of our captives, as I am in hopes this may do. In the close of my letter to them, you will observe I refer them, as to the article of foreign officers, to the board of treasury. I had, in truth, received the printed journals a few days before, but had not yet had time to read them carefully, and particularly had not then noted the vote of Congress of August the 20th, directing me to attend to that article. I shall not fail to do what I can in it; but I am afraid they will consider this also as standing on the same ground with the other contingent articles.

This country, being generally engaged in its elections, affords nothing new and worthy of communication. The hopes of accommodation between Turkey and the two empires, do not gain strength. The war between Russia and Denmark on the one hand, and Sweden on the other, is likely also to go on, the mediation of England being rendered of little force by the accident to its Executive. The progress of this war, and also of the broils in Poland, may possibly draw the King of Prussia into it, during the ensuing campaign; and it must, before it be finished, take in this country, and perhaps England. The ill humor on account of the Dutch revolution continues to rankle here. They have recalled their ambassador from the Hague, and manifestly to show their dissatisfaction with that court, and some very dry memorials have lately been exchanged, on the subject of the money this country assumed to pay the Emperor, for the Dutch. I send you very full extracts of these, which will show you the dispositions of the two courts towards each other. Whether, and when this country will be able to take an active part, will depend on the issue of the States General. If they fund their public debts judiciously, and will provide further funds for a war, on the English plan, I believe they will be able to borrow any sums they please. In the meantime, the situation of England will leave them at leisure to settle their internal affairs well. That ministry, indeed, pretend their King is perfectly re-established. No doubt they will make the most of his amendment, which is real, to a certain degree. But as, under pretence of this, they have got rid of the daily certificates of the physicians, and they are possessed of the King's person, the public must judge hereafter from such facts only as they can catch. There are several at present which, put together, induce a presumption that the King is only better, not well. And should he be well, time will be necessary to give a confidence, that it is not merely a lucid interval. On the whole, I think we may conclude, that that country will not take a part in the war this year, which was by no means certain before.

M. del Pinto, formerly minister of Portugal at London, and the same who negotiated the treaty with us, being now put at the head of the ministry of that country, I presume that negotiation may be renewed successfully, if it be the desire of our government. Perhaps an admission of our flour into their ports may be obtained now, as M. del Pinto seemed impressed with our reasoning on that subject, and promised to press it on his court, though he could not then venture to put it into the treaty. There is not the same reason to hope any relaxation as to our reception in Brazil, because he would scarcely let us mention that at all. I think, myself, that it is their interest to take away all temptations to our co-operation in the emancipation of their colonies: and I know no means of doing this, but the making it our interest that they should continue dependent, nor any other way of making this our interest, but by allowing us a commerce with them. However, this is a mode of reasoning which their ministry, probably, could not bear to listen to.

I send herewith the gazettes of France and Leyden, and have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant.

TO F. HOPKINSON.

PARIS, March 13, 1789.

DEAR SIR,--Since my last, which was of December the 21st, yours of December the 9th and 21st are received. Accept my thanks for the papers and pamphlets which accompanied them, and mine and my daughter's, for the book of songs. I will not tell you how much they have pleased us, nor how well the last of them merits praise for its pathos, but relate a fact only, which is, that while my elder daughter was playing it on the harpsichord, I happened to look towards the fire, and saw the younger one all in tears. I asked her if she was sick? She said "no; but the tune was so mournful."

The Editor of the Encyclopedie has published something as to an advanced price on his future volumes, which, I understand, alarms the subscribers. It was in a paper which I do not take, and therefore I have not yet seen it, nor can I say what it is. I hope that by this time you have ceased to make wry faces about your vinegar, and that you have received it safe and good. You say that I have been dished up to you as an anti-federalist, and ask me if it be just. My opinion was never worthy enough of notice to merit citing; but since you ask it, I will tell it to you. I am not a federalist, because I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction, is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all. Therefore, I am not of the party of federalists. But I am much farther from that of the anti-federalists. I approved, from the first moment, of the great mass of what is in the new Constitution; the consolidation of the government; the organization into executive, legislative, and judiciary; the subdivision of the legislative; the happy compromise of interests between the great and little States, by the different manner of voting in the different Houses; the voting by persons instead of States; the qualified negative on laws given to the executive, which, however, I should have liked better if associated with the judiciary also, as in New York; and the power of taxation. I thought at first that the latter might have been limited. A little reflection soon convinced me it ought not to be. What I disapproved from the first moment also, was the want of a bill of rights, to guard liberty against the legislative as well as the executive branches of the government; that is to say, to secure freedom in religion, freedom of the press, freedom from monopolies, freedom from unlawful imprisonment, freedom from a permanent military, and a trial by jury, in all cases determinable by the laws of the land. I disapproved, also, the perpetual re-eligibility of the President. To these points of disapprobation I adhere. My first wish was, that the nine first conventions might accept the constitution, as the means of securing to us the great mass of good it contained, and that the four last might reject it, as the means of obtaining amendments. But I was corrected in this wish, the moment I saw the much better plan of Massachusetts, and which had never occurred to me. With respect to the declaration of rights, I suppose the majority of the United States are of my opinion; for I apprehend, all the anti-federalists and a very respectable proportion of the federalists, think that such a declaration should now be annexed. The enlightened part of Europe have given us the greatest credit for inventing the instrument of security for the rights of the people, and have been not a little surprised to see us so soon give it up. With respect to the re-eligibility of the President, I find myself differing from the majority of my countrymen; for I think there are but three States out of the eleven which have desired an alteration of this. And indeed, since the thing is established, I would wish it not to be altered during the life of our great leader, whose executive talents are superior to those, I believe, of any man in the world, and who, alone, by the authority of his name and the confidence reposed in his perfect integrity, is fully qualified to put the new government so under way, as to secure it against the efforts of opposition. But, having derived from our error all the good there was in it, I hope we shall correct it, the moment we can no longer have the same name at the helm.

These, my dear friend, are my sentiments, by which you will see I was right in saying I am neither federalist nor anti-federalist; that I am of neither party, nor yet a trimmer between parties. These, my opinions, I wrote within a few hours after I had read the Constitution, to one or two friends in America. I had not then read one single word printed on the subject. I never had an opinion in politics or religion, which I was afraid to own. A costive reserve on these subjects might have procured me more esteem from some people, but less from myself. My great wish is, to go on in a strict but silent performance of my duty; to avoid attracting notice, and to keep my name out of newspapers, because I find the pain of a little censure, even when it is unfounded, is more acute than the pleasure of much praise. The attaching circumstance of my present office, is, that I can do its duties unseen by those for whom they are done. You did not think, by so short a phrase in your letter, to have drawn on yourself such an egotistical dissertation. I beg your pardon for it, and will endeavor to merit that pardon by the constant sentiments of esteem and attachment with which I am, dear Sir, your sincere friend and servant.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY COUNT DE MOUSTIER.

PARIS, March 13, 1789.

DEAR SIR,--I have now to acknowledge the honor of your several letters of Aug. 12th, Oct. 17th, and Nov. 27th, and your postscript to Madame de Brehan's of Dec. 29th. I have been discouraged from writing to you by the idea that your friends here must give you infinitely more exact information of what is passing, than I could do, who see things imperfectly only, as a stranger. But your complaints of the inexactitude of your friends in this point, will induce me hereafter to hazard more freely my communications, however imperfect. The affairs of this country go on more auspiciously than the most sanguine could have expected. The difficulties of procuring money, and of preventing a bankruptcy, continue always at such a point as to leave the administration no resource but that of an appeal to the nation, and the nation, availing itself of their advantageous position, presses on sufficiently to obtain reasonable concessions, and yet not so much as to endanger an appeal to arms. In fact, the King is altogether out of the dispute. He has said he is ready to agree to such and such articles, and the dispute is between the privileged and unprivileged orders, how they shall divide these concessions between them. An equal taxation is agreed to by everybody; the only question is on the mode of voting; and even in this I think there is already a majority of the nobles in favor of voting by persons. Should this be the case, and should it be found practicable to organize so numerous a body as twelve hundred, so as to avoid tumult, we may hope a happy issue from the approaching convocation. One of their great objects will be to fund the public debts, and if this operation be judiciously executed, and their expenses reduced within the limits of their revenue, I see nothing to prevent their possessing the first credit in Europe, and being, of course, in a condition to enter on the stage again more respectably than they ever yet did. But they must be left in quiet this year at least. Longer still would be still better. The present situation of the antagonist nation is favorable to the necessary repose of this country. It is impossible that England can venture to engage itself in a war this year. Were the King as well as his ministry untruly pretend him to be, time is necessary to give a confidence in his recovery, and to show that it is not merely a lucid interval. In the meanwhile, the glimmerings of accommodation between the Turks and two empires do not grow stronger. On the other hand, the war in the western parts of Europe will very possibly spread farther. The accident in England has benumbed her mediation between the Swedes and Danes, so that their war will probably go on, and, with the disturbances in Poland, may draw in the King of Prussia. This will so embroil matters, that it is impossible they should clear up but by a general war, in which France, if not England, must sooner or later take a part. Your ambassador at the Hague is recalled, and certainly on account of the ill-humor between this Court and that. Some very dry and unfriendly memorials have passed between them on the subject of the money which was to have been paid by this country for the late peace with the Emperor. These things suffice to show that France nourishes a resentment still of the treatment she has received, and to keep alive well-grounded apprehensions at the Hague that all is not done yet. Should there be a possibility of detaching the Turks from the war, so as to leave the two empires free to turn this way, or should England remain inactive, the contest in which this country may be engaged will not be difficult; but if the Turks, English, Dutch, Prussians, Poles and Swedes are all in activity, they will give warm employment to the two empires, France, Spain and Denmark, in the event of the war becoming general.

All the world here is electioneering. Paris is a desert, at least as to that description of persons who think they may be chosen themselves, or aid the choice of their friends. I hope to see this great meeting before my departure. Several elections are already over, but I am not able to give you a list of them. Mirabeau has been declared in his province not to be a noble, whereupon he offered himself for the people, and it is said he is elected. The D. de Orleans has lately rendered himself very popular by decided declarations in favor of the Tiers Etat in all their points. He has particularly declared he will pay taxes in proportion to his property, and he has relinquished all his Capitaineries. His daughter is to be married to the D. de Angouleme. The Dauphin is at the last extremity. He is lately removed from Versailles to Meudon. This is considered as preparatory to a removal to St. Dennis. We have had such a winter here as is not on record. The mercury was 18½ below freezing on Reaumur's scale, and I think it was nearly two months varying between that point and zero. It gave occasion for a display of the benevolent character of this nation, which, great as I had thought it, went beyond my expectations. There seems to be a very general apprehension of the want of bread this spring. Supplies are hoped from our country, and indeed they have already reduced the price of flour at Bordeaux from 36_l._ to 33_l._ the barrel. The funds, at a low ebb when Mr. Necker came in, recovered their ground by degrees, and have ever since remained stationary. The Court has had thoughts of coming to St. Cloud during the session of the States, but it is not yet decided. As I shall write to Madame de Brehan, I shall tender my respects to her myself. The next details I give you will be in New York, where I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in the summer, and of taking your orders for France. In the meantime, I am, with very sincere esteem and respect, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

TO MADAME DE BREHAN.

PARIS, March 14, 1789.

DEAR MADAM,--I had the honor of writing to you on the 15th of February; soon after which, I had the honor of receiving your favor of December the 29th. I have a thousand questions to ask you about your journey to the Indian treaty, how you like their persons, their manners, their costumes, _cuisine_, &c. But this I must defer till I can do it personally in New York, where I hope to see you for a moment in the summer, and to take your commands for France. I have little to communicate to you from this place. It is deserted; everybody being gone into the country to choose or be chosen deputies to the States General. I hope to see that great meeting before my departure. It is to be on the 27th of next month. A great political revolution will take place in your country, and that without bloodshed. A King with two hundred thousand men at his orders, is disarmed by the force of the public opinion and the want of money. Among the economies becoming necessary, perhaps one may be the opera. They say it has cost the public treasury an hundred thousand crowns the last year. A new theatre is established since your departure; that of the Opera Buffons, where Italian operas are given, and good music. It is in the Chateau des Tuilleries. Paris is every day enlarging and beautifying. I do not count among its beauties, however, the wall with which they have enclosed us. They have made some amends for this, by making fine boulevards within and without the walls. These are in considerable forwardness, and will afford beautiful rides round the city, of between fifteen and twenty miles in circuit. We have had such a winter, Madam, as makes me shiver yet, whenever I think of it. All communications, almost, were cut off. Dinners and suppers were suppressed, and the money laid out in feeding and warming the poor, whose labors were suspended by the rigor of the season. Loaded carriages passed the Seine on the ice, and it was covered with thousands of people from morning to night, skating and sliding. Such sights were never seen before, and they continued two months. We have nothing new and excellent in your charming art of painting. In fact, I do not feel an interest in any pencil but that of David. But I must not hazard details on a subject wherein I am so ignorant, and you such a connoisseur. Adieu, my dear Madam; permit me always the honor of esteeming and being esteemed by you, and of tendering you the homage of that respectful attachment with which I am, and shall ever be, dear Madam, your most obedient humble servant.

INDEX TO VOL. II.

ADAMS, JOHN--View of his character, 107.
His recall from England, 110.
Mr. Jefferson's view of his new work, 128, 282.

AGRICULTURE--Condition of in South of France, 135.

AMERICA--Habits of people in 1786, 13.
Current events, 19, 21, 148, 574. (See U. States.)

ANTIQUITIES--Monuments in South of France, 132, 133, 134.
In Western country, 176.

ANTOINETTE, MARIA--Her character, 154, 310.

AUSTRIA--Our commercial relations with, 28.
Relations between Austria and Netherlands, 289.
Relations between Austria, Russia, and France, 313, 344, 371.
Relations between Austria and Turkey, 392, 396, 510, 531, 552.

BANKS--Mr. Jefferson's views on banking system of England, 405.

BANK OF PHILADELPHIA--Its charter, 24.

BARBARY STATES--Hostile relations of with U. S., 10, 26, 27, 85.
Treaty with Morocco, 72, 94, 125.
Its ratification, 264.
Treaty with Algiers fails, 85.
Intervention of Mathurin Monks in favor of our Algerine prisoners,
93, 113, 270, 307, 386.
Redemption of our prisoners, 307, 380, 464, 564.

BARCLAY, MR.--His arrest at Bordeaux, 155, 158, 159, 226.
His return to U. S., 183.
His pecuniary embarrassments, 183, 210.
His character, 210, 211.

BED OF JUSTICE--Held to force Parliament to register decrees, 258.

BILLS OF RIGHTS--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 329, 358.

BRABANT--Revolutionary movement in, 212.

BRAZIL--Revolutionary movements in, 140.
Communicated to Mr. Jefferson, and his views thereon, 143.
Character of population, 140.

BRIENNE, CARDINAL--His influence over the Queen, 310.
His character, 311, 316.
His want of popularity, 316.
His dismissal, 471.

BRITTANY--Difficulties between Noblesse and people in, 577.

CALONNES, M. DE--His administration of finances of France, 298.

CANALS--The Erie and Ohio Canal, 250.
Practicability of canal through Isthmus of Panama, 325, 397.
Advantages of canal between the Cayahoga and Big Beaver, 370.
The Potomac canal, 283.
Santee and Cooper canal, 283.

CAPER, THE--Culture of in U. S., 198.

CARMICHAEL, MR.--His character, 107.

CAROLINA, SOUTH--Introduction of culture of grape, almond, caper,
olive, fig, &c., 197, 198, 199.

CARR, PETER--Advice as to his education, 237, 409.

CARRYING TRADE--Foreign vessels excluded from, between France and
her colonies, 338, 346.

CINCINNATI, SOCIETY OF--Dangers of the society, 61.

COMMERCE--Treaties of, with European powers, 5, 17.
Transfer of power over to Congress, 19, 21.
Commerce with Austria, 28.
" with West Indies, 112, 536.
" with Sardinia, 146.
" with France, 163, 169, 528, 529. (See France.)
Commercial policy of U. S., 321, 529, 537.

CONFEDERATION, ARTICLES OF--Powers of the government under, 23.
Reform of, 66.

COINAGE--The coinage of the U. S., 101.
Improvements in coinage, 75, 89, 111.

CONSTITUTION, FEDERAL--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 217, 249, 250, 256,
267, 316, 318, 328, 334, 365, 388, 404, 435, 465, 586.
His objections to, 316, 318, 329, 355, 358, 375, 399.
Description of, 324.
Opposition to by different States, 324.
Who for and who against it, 324, 358.
Best to adopt first and amend afterwards, 332, 355, 399, 404.
Vote of different States on adoption of, 384, 423.
Conduct of Massachusetts in relation to, 398, 399, 404, 550.
Nine States accede thereto, 455, 533.
Effect thereof, 533.
Virginia and New York accede, proposing amendments, 480, 533, 550.
N. Carolina follows lead of Va. and N. York, 492, 550.
Debates on Constitution in Va. Convention, 481.
Organization of government under, New Constitution, 550, 573, 576.
Character of first elections under Federal, 576.

CONSULS--Creatures of Convention, 17.
May be dispensed with, 420, 421.
Changes in Consular Convention with France, 416, 478, 493.
Relative to making foreigners Consuls, 495.
Copy of Convention, 498.

CONVENTION, FEDERAL--Its objects, 149, 211, 257, 264.
Distribution of powers of Federal Government, 152.
Scheme of New Constitution, 217, 249, 250, 256.
Place of Assembling, 480.

CORNWALLIS, LORD--His depredations on Mr. Jefferson's property, 426.

COTTON--Product of Southern States, 12.

CREDIT--Credit of the U. S. in Holland, 376.
In Austria, 376.
In England, 376.
In France, 376.
Mode of building up credit, 377.

DEAN, SILAS--Seizure of his letter books for debt, 454.
Purchase thereof for United States, 578, 582.

DEBT, DOMESTIC--Evil of transferring it to foreigners, 368.

DEBT, FOREIGN--Relative to the funding of, 507.
Transfer of French debt to Holland, 28, 53, 79, 111, 120, 154,
161, 181, 209, 231, 329, 385.
Interest on foreign debt not paid, 101, 103, 181, 378.
Instalment laws, 216.
Debt to foreign officers, and their complaints, 301, 326, 333,
386, 422, 479.
Policy of paying interest punctually, 239, 351, 352, 377.
Negotiations in relation to, 351, 352.

DEBT, PUBLIC--Amount of, 358.
Public lands looked to as means of paying, 358.
Redeemed at price paid by holder of the script, 360.
Negotiations in Holland for loan, 367, 373.
Certainty that the whole will ultimately be paid, 422.

DEMOCRACY--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 100, 105, 166, 249.
Self government by the people, 166, 249.

DENMARK--Claim against for prize money, 13, 348, 410.

DUMAS, M.--Protection for his official character asked of
Netherlands, 287.
His claim against U. S., 366.

EARTH, THE--Theory of, 68.

EASTERN STATES--(See Riots).

EDUCATION--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 175, 192, 227, 245, 429.

EMIGRANTS--German emigrants best, 235.

ENGLAND--Her calumnies against U. S., 36, 204, 318.
England and France compared, 161.
Scheme for conquest of U. S., 306.
Indisposition of King of England, 490, 532, 577.
Relations between England and France, 303, 308, 356.
Between England, Spain and Russia, 365.

EUROPE--Political condition of, 3, 7, 9, 11, 76, 77, 150, 157, 170,
191, 206, 212, 215, 222, 234, 248, 263, 267, 315, 334, 336, 371,
381, 392, 396, 405, 422, 429, 436, 448, 468, 491, 508, 532, 558,
580, 583, 588.
Hostilities threatened, 270, 272, 281, 283, 290.
Difficulties adjusted, 303, 308.
Social and political degradation of, 7.
Relations between Turkey and Russia, 262, 263, 272, 288.
War between Turkey and Russia, 436, 441, 453, 459, 460, 462,
468, 510, 533, 552, 568.
Relations between Russia and Holland, 279, 281, 288, 289, 303,
308, 476, 483.
Relations between Austria and Netherlands, 289.
Relations between England and France, 356.
Relations between Spain, England and Russia, 355.
Relations between Austria and Turkey, 392, 396, 510, 531, 552.
Relations between Sweden and Russia, 453, 459, 460, 462, 476, 483,
510.
Relations between Naples and Papal See, 454.

FARMERS, GENERAL--Enjoy monopoly of tobacco trade of France, 14, 70,
89, 183, 186, 193.
Difficulties with, 182.

FEDERALIST, THE--Mr. Jefferson's opinion of, 506.

FINANCE--Condition of our European finances, 147, 385.
Financial embarrassments of France, 222, 230, 570.

FISEAUX, M.--His loan, 339, 351, 352, 368.

FLOUR--New mode of preserving, 236.

FOURQUEUX, M. DE--Succeeds Calonnes as minister of finance, 138.

FRANCE--Military preparations by, 3.
Importations of whale oil, 27, 47, 157, 312, 341, 393, 488, 515,
516, 537, 539, 565, 567.
Note on whale oil by Mr. Jefferson, 516.
Commercial relations with, 45, 47, 50, 65, 88, 163, 169, 260, 274,
278, 298, 312, 341, 487.
Description of South of France, 71, 109.
Consular convention with, 90.
Changes therein, 416, 478, 493, 498.
Assembly of Notables, 91, 95, 99, 119, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131.
Organization of, 133.
Her friendship for U. S., 109.
Character of King and Queen of, 154, 301.
Commerce with South of, 157.
Commercial negotiations, 172, 312, 342.
Political condition of, 209, 222, 230, 231, 234, 382.
Financial embarrassments of, 222, 230, 510.
Ministerial changes, 258, 309, 471.
Division of ministry on question of war, 294.
Call of States General inevitable, 372.
Violent measures of the King, 390.
Reforms in constitution granted, 390, 448, 457, 466.
Concessions by the King, 448, 450, 506.
French revolution begins with aristocratic orders, 457, 459, 490.
States General convened, 458, 461, 463, 467, 509.
Difficulties as to how they shall be constituted, 468, 485, 491,
492, 511, 551, 561.
The question referred to the decision of Notables, 463, 511, 535.
Their decision thereon, 535, 548, 556, 561.
The court dissatisfied with decision, 536, 561.
Riots, 471.
Reforms by States General, 535, 562.
What reforms practicable, 544, 548.
Elections to States General, 580, 589.
Severity of winter of 1788-9, 541, 558, 590, 591.
Mr. Jefferson's views on rise and progress of French revolution,
554, 591.

FUR TRADE--Establishment of depot at Alexandria, 60.

GEOLOGY--Relative to rock formations, &c., 276.

GEORGE IV.--His character, 558.

GORDON, DR.--His history of U. States, 167, 425.

GRAND, MR.--His advances to U. S., 223.

HASTINGS, WARREN--His trial, 349.
Mr. Jefferson's views on, 349.

HEAD AND HEART--Dialogue between, 32.

HENNIN, M.--His character, 110.

HENRY, PATRICK--His conduct in Va. Assembly, 574.

HISTORY, NATURAL--The deer, elk, &c., 74, 285, 288.
Moose, mammoth, &c., 474.

HOLLAND--Political condition of, 212, 215, 234.
Division of parties, 228.
Relations between Holland and Prussia, 279, 281, 288, 289.
Amicably adjusted, 303, 308, 476, 483.

HONFLEUR--Its establishment as a free port, 53, 92, 96, 126.

HOSTAGE--Case of one confined at Dunkirk, 312.

HYGROMETER--Invented by Dr. Rittenhouse, 83.

INDIANS--Our policy towards, 3.
The origin of the aborigines of America, 434.

INDIES, WEST--Trade with, 536.

INTERNATIONAL LAW--(See Law of Nations).

INVENTIONS, MECHANICAL--Improvement in making wheels, 97.

ITALY--Description of Northern Italy, 136, 137.

JEFFERSON, THOMAS--His visit to South of France, 71, 109, 121, 126.
His views of South of France, 132, 135, 136, 266.
His visit to Northern Italy, 136, 137, 266.
Settlement of his accounts as minister, 225, 400, 401.
His domestic tastes, 243, 356.
His visit to Hague, 361.
His outfit as foreign minister, 401, 406.
Effort to take him prisoner in Albemarle, 425.
Tarleton's conduct at Charlottesville, 425.
The depredations of Cornwallis, 425.
Petitions for leave of absence to visit U. S., 513, 552.
His relations to parties under New Constitution, 586.
His views on Hastings' trial, 349.
His views on democracy, 100, 105, 106, 249.

JONES, PAUL--Prize money due him, 1.
Takes employment in Russian navy, 372, 381, 382.
His victory over Turks, 441, 443, 448, 451, 454, 467.

KLEIN, M.--His claim against U. States, 569.

LA FAYETTE--Bust of presented to City of Paris, by Virginia, 30, 44,
118, 123.
His services to U. S., 108.

LAMBE, MR.--His equivocal conduct, 73, 85.

LANDS, PUBLIC--Disposal of, 86.
Sales of, 325.
Disposition of proceeds, 325.

LAWS--Evil of their instability, 333.

LAW OF NATIONS--Establishment by treaty of rule Free ships free
goods, Enemy's ships enemy's goods, 280.
Property of one Sovereign cannot be seized in territory of another,
477, 486.

LEDYARD, J. MR.--His travels, 151.
Arrested by Empress of Russia, 433.

LITERATURE--New literary works, 95.

LIVY--Arabic translation of, 483.

LOUIS XVI.--His character, 154, 310.

LUZERNE, CHEVALIER DE--His return to United States, as minister,
106, 112.
Appointed Ambassador to England, 314.
His domestic affairs, 445.

MADISON, JAMES--Books for him, 207.

MAMMOTH--Account of, 474.

MANSFIELD, LORD--Mr. Jefferson's opinion of his decisions, 487.

MANUFACTURES--Improvement of U. S. in, 91.
Reason why U. S. do not prosper in, 412.
Domestic manufactures of Va., 412.

MARSEILLES--Our trade with, 138.

MEDALS--For revolutionary officers, 123.

MEXICO--Classification of population of, 143.
Revolutionary movements in, 144.

MINISTERS, FOREIGN--Their salaries insufficient, 401, 406.
Entitled to outfit, 402, 406.
Have no power to authenticate writings, 542.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER--Navigation of, 106, 378, 396, 398, 416.

MONARCHY--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 221, 249, 253.

MONEY--Redemption of paper money of U. S., 51, 64.
The money Unit of U. S., 52.

MOOSE, THE--Account of, 474.

MONTMORIN, CT. DE--Appointed successor of Ct. de Vergennes, 122.
His character, 131.

MONTICELLO--Its beautiful scenery, 35.

MOUSTIER, CT. DE--His character, 293.
His mission to U. S., 295.
Relative to his recall, 571.

MUSIC--The Harmonica, 75.

NAPLES--Relations with the Papal See, 454.

NATURAL HISTORY--(See History).

NECKAR, M.--Appointed Director General of Finance, 473.

NEUTRALITY--The true policy of U. S., 253, 291.
Treaties with France obstacle to neutrality, 223.

NOTABLES--Assembly of in France, 91, 95, 99, 119, 127, 128, 129, 131.
Organization of, 133.
Question of organization of States General referred to, 463, 511,
535.
Their decision thereon, 535, 562.
Reforms by, 257.

OFFICE--Rotation is the true principle, 330.

OLIVE, THE--Its culture in U. States, 359, 414.
Olive oil, 359.

PAINE, THOMAS--His bridge, 204, 546.

PANAMA, ISTHMUS OF--Practicability of canal through, 325.

PARIS--Parisian and American every-day life compared, 116.
Improvement in city, 253.

PARLIAMENT OF PARIS--Resists the crown, 254, 255, 439.
Removed to Troyes, 258.
Bed of Justice, 258.

PEARLS--Manufacture of, 203.

PEDOMETER--379.

PERU--Insurrectionary movements in, 147.
Our sympathy with, 145.

PLENARY COURTS--Mr. Jefferson's views of, 388, 391, 438.

POPE, THE--Relations between Papal See and Naples, 454.

PORTUGAL--Commercial relations with, 5, 89.

PRESIDENT--Mr. Jefferson's views on Question of re-eligibility, 330.

PRISONERS--Redemption of our Algerine prisoners, 307, 380, 386, 464,
564.
Intervention of Mathurin Monks in their behalf, 93, 113, 270, 307,
386.

PROTESTANTS--Edict of, 13.

PRUSSIA--Death of King of, 28.
Relations of with Holland, 279, 281, 288, 289, 303, 308, 476, 488.

RAMSAY, DR.--His history, 216.

RANDOLPH, THOMAS--His education, 245.

RELIGION--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 237.
Reception in Europe of Va. Act of Religious Freedom, 67.

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT--Its superiority over Monarchical, 221, 249,
253.

REVOLUTIONS--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 332.

REVOLUTION, AMERICAN--History of by M. Chas, 63.

REVOLUTION, FRENCH--(See France).

REYNEVAL, M.--Views of his character, 109.

RHODE ISLAND, COLLEGE OF--Declines to apply to King of France for
donation of books for, 184.

RICE--Consumption of in France, 48, 434.
Rice trade, 138, 537.
Mode of preparation, 138, 434.
The rice of Lombardy, 139.
Attempt to introduce its culture in South Carolina, 139, 178, 347.
Difference between Carolina and Piedmont rice, 162, 178, 195.
Rice trade of France, 194, 205, 320.
Rice of Cochin China, 197.

RIOTS--In Eastern States, 78, 81, 99, 104, 124, 165, 318, 322, 399.
In New York, 415.

RUSSIA--Relations with Turkey, 261, 263, 272, 285.
War with Turkey, 436, 441, 453, 450, 460, 465, 468, 510, 553, 552,
568.
Relations with Austria and France, 315, 344, 371.
Relations with Sweden, 453, 459, 460, 462, 476, 483, 510.

SAFE CONDUCT--One asked for Mr. Nesbitt, 575.

SCIENCE--Scientific news of Europe, 247, 270, 429.
Theory of vegetation, 430.
Astronomical discoveries, 429.
The Rainbow, 430.
The progress of Chemistry, 431.

SEA, THE--The currents of, 58.

SLAVERY--Mr. Jefferson's views on, 357.

SLAVE TRADE--Its abolition, 357.

STATES GENERAL--(See France).

STEAM--Its use as a motive power, 67, 69.
Description of new steam mill, 277.

TARLETON--His conduct at Charlottesville and Monticello, 425.

THEATRE--The establishment of one at Richmond, Va., 346.

TOBACCO--Trade in to France a monopoly in hands of Farmers General,
14, 70, 89, 183, 186, 193.
Tobacco trade of France, 320, 353.

TREASURY--Funds in hands of Mr. Grand, 2.

TRUMBULL--His paintings, 10.

TURKEY--Relations with Russia, 262, 263, 272, 288.
War with Russia, 436, 441, 453, 459, 460, 462, 468, 510, 533, 552,
568.
Relations with Austria, 392, 396, 510, 531, 552.

UNITED STATES--Habits of people in 1786, 13.
Current events, 19, 21, 148, 574.
Climate of, 82.
Extravagance of people of, 191, 193, 215, 219.
The instalment laws of, 216.
Minister to, 227, 274.
Histories of, 256.
Coinage of, 101.
Money Unit of, 52.
Paper money of, how redeemed, 52.
Public debt of, (See Debt.)

VERGENNES, CT. DE--View of his character, 108.
His ill-health, 113.
His death, 122.

VICE PRESIDENCY--Candidates for first Vice Presidency, 465, 490, 573.

VIRGINIA--Notes on, 6.
Circumstances of their publication, 170, 180.
Revisal of Code of, 6.
The sea breezes on her coast, 54.
Arms and ammunition for, 215.

WAR--Effect of European war on U. S., 252.

WASHINGTON, GEN.--His statue by Houdon, 250.
His vast popularity, 465.
Looked to as first President, 465, 587.
Mr. Jefferson's views of, 587.

WESTERN COUNTRY--Its antiquities, 176.
Danger of its separation from East, 106, 153, 395.
Our policy towards, 395.

WEST INDIES--Our commerce with, 536.

WHALE FISHERY--Note on by Mr. Jefferson, 516.

WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE--Ability of its Faculty, 428.

WILLS--Construction of G. Harmer's will, 242.

WRITING MACHINE--A new invention, 110.

WYOMING--Account of the massacre of, 102, 114.

Transcriber's Note:

Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved.
Minor typographical errors were corrected without note, including
n/u reversals, b/h reversals and ,/. reversals.

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

Letters Written While in Europe is dated '1785-1790' on one page,
and '1784-1790' on the next page and the Table of Contents.

The following possible typos noted by the proofreaders were left
uncorrected:

page 12: dans la Eaie de Massachusetts
page 22: Etat Unis
page 24: 7 1-2 per cent.
page 46: multiply the bans
page 91: Boulton and Watts
page 91: Wedgewood
page 116: coeffeur's
page 118: nonplused
page 267: State sovereignities
page 278 and 290: deux vingtiemes, but vingtièmes on page 272
page 279: Utretcht
page 330: reigns of government
page 331: would probable produce
page 461: it had too sides
page 471: wave the benefit
page 477: question decided by abitrators
page 506 and others: Etats Genereux
page 522: twelvemonth/twelve month
page 556: Tiers Etats/Tiers Etat
page 581: not only there was
page 591: Opera Buffons
page 591: Chateau des Tuilleries
various pages: Connoissance des Temps/des tems

The following possible spelling inconsistencies in proper nouns
noted by the proofreaders were left uncorrected:

page 16: O'Bryan, and page 386 O'Brian
page 122: Colonel Humpreys and Colonel Humphreys
page 157: Toulouse (Thoulouse elsewhere)
page 179: Vercilli (Vercelli elsewhere)
page 225: Fisseaux (Fiseaux elsewhere)
page 247: Herschell (Herschel elsewhere)
page 261: M. Limosin (Limozin elsewhere)
page 269: Fourcroi (Fourcroy elsewhere)
page 274: Forqueux (Fourqueux elsewhere)
page 281: Cabarus (Cabarrus elsewhere)
page 290: Albert de Rioms (Rions elsewhere)
page 315: Willinks (Willincks elsewhere)
page 351: Stanetshi (Stanitski elsewhere)
page 381: Mogadore and Mogador
page 397: Burgoine (Bourgoine elsewhere)
page 416: Count del Verme (Vermi elsewhere)
page 433: Kamtschatka (Kamschatka elsewhere)
page 465: Trincomcale (Trincomale elsewhere)
page 476: M. de Lamorignon (Lamoignon elsewhere)
page 481: Chiappe (Chiappi elsewhere)
page 489: Mr. McCay and McClay
page 505: Colonel Blachden (Blackden elsewhere)
page 541: Bryenne (Brienne elsewhere)
page 544: Barthelemi (Barthelemy elsewhere)
page 590: Necker (Neckar elsewhere)
various pages: Moutier, Mourtier and Moustier
various pages: d'Aubertueil and d'Auberteuil
various pages: Crevecœur, Creve-cœur, and Creve-coeur
various pages: Cayohoga and Cayahoga
various pages: Borysthenes and Boristhenes
various pages: Monsieur de Calonne and Calonnes
various pages: Monsieur Limosin and Limozin