g, the 31 st of January, where he had just arrived, at the
desire of the Empress. He has hitherto commanded on the Black Sea. He
does not know whether he shall be employed there, or where, the ensuing
campaign. I have no other interesting intelligence, which would not
lead me into details, improper for the present mode of conveyance. After
observing, therefore, that the gazettes of France and Leyden, to the
present date, accompany this, I shall only add assurance of the sincere
esteem and respect, with which I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, your
most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXXII.--TO JOHN JAY, February 4, 1789

TO JOHN JAY.

Paris, February 4, 1789.

Sir,

Your favor of November the 25th, by Gouverneur Morris, is duly received.
I must beg you to take the trouble of deciphering yourself what follows,
and to communicate it to nobody but the President, at least for the
present.

We had before understood, through different channels, that the conduct
of the Count de Moustier was politically and morally offensive. It was
delicate for me to speak on the subject to the Count de Montmorin.
The invaluable mediation of our friend, the Marquis de la Fayette, was
therefore resorted to, and the subject explained, though not pressed.
Later intelligence showing the necessity of pressing it, it was
yesterday resumed, and represented through the same medium to the Count
de Montmorin, that recent information proved to us, that his minister's
conduct had rendered him personally odious in America, and might even
influence the dispositions of the two nations; that his recall was
become a matter of mutual concern; that we had understood he was
instructed to remind the new government of their debt to this country,
and that he was in the purpose of doing it in very harsh terms; that
this could not increase their desire of hastening payment, and might
wound their affections: that, therefore, it was much to be desired that
his discretion should not be trusted to, as to the form in which the
demand should be made, but that the letter should be written here, and
he instructed to add nothing but his signature: nor was his private
conduct omitted. The Count de Montmorin was sensibly impressed. He very
readily determined that the letter should be formed here, but said that
the recall was a more difficult business: that as they had no particular
fact to allege against the Count de Moustier, they co