ed to pay the Emperor for the
Dutch. I send you very full extracts of these, which will show you the
dispositions of the two courts towards each other. Whether, and when
this country will be able to take an active part, will depend on
the issue of their States General. If they fund their public debts
judiciously, and will provide further funds for a war, on the English
plan, 1 believe they will be able to borrow any sums they please. In the
mean time, the situation of England will leave them at leisure to settle
their internal affairs well. That ministry, indeed, pretend their King
is perfectly re-established. No doubt they will make the most of his
amendment, which is real, to a certain degree. But as, under pretence of
this, they have got rid of the daily certificate of the physicians, and
they are possessed of the King's person, the public must judge hereafter
from such facts only as they can catch. There are several at present,
which, put together, induce a presumption that the King is only better,
not well. And should he be well, time will be necessary to give a
confidence, that it is not merely a lucid interval. On the whole, I
think we may conclude that that country will not take a part in the war
this year, which was by no means certain before.

M. del Pinto, formerly minister of Portugal at London, and the same who
negotiated the treaty with us, being now put at the head of the ministry
of that country, I presume that negotiation may be renewed successfully,
if it be the desire of our government. Perhaps an admission of our flour
into their ports may be obtained now, as M. del Pinto seemed impressed
with our reasoning on that subject, and promised to press it on his
court, though he could not then venture to put it into the treaty. There
is not the same reason to hope any relaxation as to our reception in
Brazil, because he would scarcely let us mention that at all. I think,
myself, it is their interest to take away all temptations to our
cooperation in the emancipation of their colonies; and I know no means
of doing this, but the making it our interest that they should continue
dependant, nor any other way of making this our interest, but by
allowing us a commerce with them. However, this is a mode of reasoning
which their ministry, probably, could not bear to listen to. I send
herewith the gazettes of France and Leyden, and have the honor to be,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson