f he be well, why do not they show him publicly to the nation, and
raise them from that consternation into which they have been thrown,
by the prospect of being delivered over to the profligate hands of the
Prince of Wales. In short, judging from little facts, which are known in
spite of their teeth, the King is better, but not well. Possibly he
is getting well, but still time will be wanting to satisfy even the
ministry, that it is not merely a lucid interval. Consequently, they
cannot interrupt France this year in the settlement of her affairs, and
after this year it will be too late.

As you will be in a situation to know when the leave of absence will be
granted me, which I have asked, will you be so good as to communicate
it, by a line, to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Eppes? I hope to see you in the
summer, and that if you are not otherwise engaged, you will encamp with
me at Monticello for a while.

I am, with great and sincere attachment, Dear Sir, your affectionate
friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER, CXCII.--TO THOMAS PAINE, March 17,1789

TO THOMAS PAINE.

Paris, March 17,1789.

Dear Sir,

My last letter to you extended from December the 23rd to January the
11th. A confidential opportunity now arising, I can acknowledge the
receipt of yours of January the 15th, at the date of which you could not
have received mine.

You knew, long ago, that the meeting of the States is to be at
Versailles, on the 27th of April. This country is entirely occupied
in its elections, which go on quietly and well. The Duke d'Orleans is
elected for Villers Cotterets. The Prince of Conde has lost the election
he aimed at; nor is it certain he can be elected any where. We have
no news from Auvergne, whither the Marquis de la Fayette is gone. In
general, all the men of influence in the country are gone into
the several provinces, to get their friends elected, or be elected
themselves. Since my letter to you, a tumult arose in Bretagne, in which
four or five lives were lost. They are now quieter, and this is the only
instance of a life lost, as yet, in this revolution. The public mind is
now so far ripened by time and discussion, that there seems to be but
one opinion on the principal points. The question of voting by persons
or orders is the most controverted; but even that seems to have gained
already a majority among the Nobles. I fear more from the number of
the Assembly, than from any other cause. Twelve hundred perso