unds or
mortgages equally solid, would produce something more than
seven thousand dollars a year perpetual income.

"If the French should fund their debt anew at one-half its
nominal value (which is possible), so that the part of your
property now vested in those funds should diminish in
proportion, still, taking the whole together, it will not
make a difference of more than one-third, and the annual
income may still be near five thousand dollars. Events
unforeseen by me may, however, reduce it considerably lower.
But, whatever may be the value of what I leave, it is left
simply and wholly to you.

"Perhaps some of my relations may think it strange that I
have not mentioned them in this final disposition of my
effects, especially if they should prove to be as
considerable as I hope they may. But, my dearest love, I
will tell you my reasons, and I hope you will approve them;
for if I can excuse myself to _you_ in a point in which your
generous delicacy would be more likely to question the
propriety of my conduct than in most others, I am sure my
arguments will be convincing to those whose objections may
arise from their interest.

"_First._ In a view of justice and equity, whatever we
possess at this moment is a joint property between
ourselves, and ought to remain to the survivor. When you
gave me your blessed self you know I was destitute of every
other possession, as of every other enjoyment: I was rich
only in the fund of your affectionate economy and the sweet
consolation of your society. In our various struggles and
disappointments while trying to obtain a moderate competency
for the quiet enjoyment of what we used to call the
remainder of our lives, I have been rendered happy by
misfortunes, for the heaviest we have met with were turned
into blessings by the opportunities they gave me to discover
new virtues in you, who taught me how to bear them.

"I have often told you since the year 1791, the period of
our deepest difficulties (and even during that period), that
I had never been so easy and contented before; and I have
certainly been happier in you during the latter years of our
union than I was in former years; not that I have loved you
more ardently or more exclusively, for that was impossible,
but I