The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
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The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
DEAR SIR,--I received three days ago your favor of April the 12th.
You therein speak of a former letter to me, but it has not come to
hand, nor any other of later date than the 14th of December. My last
to you was of the 11th of May by Mr. Adams, who went in the packet
of that month. These conveyances are now becoming deranged. We have
had expectations of their coming to Havre, which would infinitely
facilitate the communication between Paris and Congress; but their
deliberations on the subject seem to be taking another turn. They
complain of the expense, and that their commerce with us is too small
to justify it. They therefore talk of sending a packet every six weeks
only. The present one, therefore, which should have sailed about this
time, will not sail till the 1st of July. However, the whole matter is
as yet undecided. I have hopes that when Mr. St. John arrives from New
York, he will get them replaced on their monthly system. By-the-bye,
what is the meaning of a very angry resolution of Congress on his
subject? I have it not by me, and therefore cannot cite it by date,
but you will remember it, and oblige me by explaining its foundation.
This will be handed you by Mr. Otto, who comes to America as Chargé
des Affaires, in the room of Mr. Marbois, promoted to the Intendancy
of Hispaniola, which office is next to that of Governor. He becomes the
head of the civil, as the Governor is, of the military department.
I am much pleased with Otto's appointment; he is good-humored,
affectionate to America, will see things in a friendly light when
they admit of it, in a rational one always, and will not pique himself
on writing every trifling circumstance of irritation to his court. I
wish you to be acquainted with him, as a friendly intercourse between
individuals who do business together produces a mutual spirit of
accommodation useful to both parties. It is very much our interest to
keep up the affection of this country for us, which is considerable.
A court has no affections; but those of the people whom they govern
influence their decisions, even in the most arbitrary governments.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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