l a convention. Spain has
granted to Colonel Morgan, of New Jersey, a vast tract of land on the
western side of the Mississippi, with the monopoly of the navigation
of that river. He is inviting settlers, and they swarm to him. Even the
settlement of Kentucky is likely to be much weakened by emigrations to
Morgan's grant. Warville has returned, charmed with our country. He is
going to carry his wife and children to settle there. Gouverneur
Morris has just arrived here; deputed, as is supposed, to settle Robert
Morris's affairs, which continue still deranged. Doctor Franklin was
well when he left America, which was about the middle of December.

*****

I send Mr. Rutledge two letters by this post. Be so good as to present
him my esteem, and to be assured yourself, of the sincere esteem
and attachment with which I am and shall ever be? Dear Sir, your
affectionate friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXXIV.--TO M. DE VILLEDEUIL, February 10, 1789

TO M. DE VILLEDEUIL.

Paris, February 10, 1789.

Sir,

I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency with the following case,
which I understand to be within your department. Mr. Jay, secretary for
Foreign Affairs, to the United States of America, having occasion
to send me despatches of great importance, and by a courier express,
confided them to a Mr. Nesbitt, who offered himself in that character.
He has delivered them safely: but, in the moment of delivering them,
explained to me his situation, which is as follows. He was established
in commerce at L'Orient, during the war. Losses by shipwreck, by
capture, and by the conclusion of the peace at a moment when he did not
expect it, reduced him to bankruptcy, and he returned to America, with
the consent of his creditors, to make the most of his affairs there.
He has been employed in this ever since, and now wishing to see his
creditors, and to consult them on their mutual interests, he availed
himself of Mr. Jay's demand for a courier, to come under the safe
conduct of that character to Paris, where he flattered himself he might
obtain that of your Excellency, for the purpose of seeing his creditors,
settling, and arranging with them. He thinks a twelvemonth will be
necessary for this. Understanding that it is not unusual to grant safe
conducts in such cases, and persuaded it will be for the benefit of
his creditors, I take the liberty of enclosing his memoir to your
Excellency, and of soliciting you