I have often wished for an occasion of saying a word to you on the subject of the Emperor of Russia, of whose character and value to us, I suspect you are not apprized correctly. A more virtuous man, I believe, does not exist, nor one who is more enthusiastically devoted to better the condition of mankind. He will probably, one day, fall a victim to it, as a monarch of that principle does not suit a Russian noblesse. He is not of the very first order of understanding, but he is of a high one. He has taken a peculiar affection to this country and its government, of which he has given me public as well as personal proofs. Our nation being, like his, habitually neutral, our interests as to neutral rights, and our sentiments agree. And whenever conferences for peace shall take place, we are assured of a friend in him. In fact, although in questions of restitution he will be with England, in those of neutral rights he will be with Bonaparte and with every other power in the world, except England; and I do presume that England will never have peace until she subscribes to a just code of marine law. I have gone into this subject, because I am confident that Russia (while her present monarch lives) is the most cordially friendly to us of any power on earth, will go furthest to serve us, and is most worthy of conciliation. And although the source of this information must be a matter of confidence with you, yet it is desirable that the sentiments should become those of the nation. I salute you with esteem and respect. TO MR. GAINES. WASHINGTON, July 23, 1807. Thomas Jefferson has re-examined the complaints in the memorial from Tombigbee, and Mr. Gaines' explanation. The complaints are: 1. That Mr. Gaines stopped a vessel having a legal permit. 2. That he arrested Col. Burr militarily. 3. That Mr. Small gave evidence against Col. Burr. 4. That he, Mr. Small, refused a passport to a Mr. Feu. 5. That he levies duties on Indian goods. 6. That the people of that settlement have not the free use of the Mobile. 2. That the arrest of Col. Burr was military has been disproved; but had it been so, every honest man and good citizen is bound, by any means in his power, to arrest the author of projects so daring and dangerous. 3. This complaint, as well as the preceding one, would imply a partiality for Col. Burr, of which he hopes the petitioners were not guilty. 5. The levy of duty on Indian goods is required by the laws of Congress. 6. There has been a constant hope of obtaining the navigation by negotiation, and no endeavors has been spared. Congress has not thought it expedient as yet to plunge the nation into a war against Spain and France, or to obtain an exemption from the duty levied on the use of that river. 1. On the subject of the first complaint, Mr. Gaines was giving a verbal explanation, which Thomas Jefferson asks the favor of him to repeat.