ns render an acquaintance with them desirable.
I have not yet seen either: but expect that honor from the Rhingrave
very soon. Your letters to Mr. Jay and Mr. Van Berkel, received in my
absence, will be forwarded by a gentleman who leaves this place for New
York, within a few days. I sent the treaty with Prussia by a gentleman
who sailed from Havre, the 11th of November. The arrival of that vessel
in America is not yet known here. Though the time is not long enough to
produce despair, it is sufficiently so to give inquietude lest it should
be lost. This would be a cause of much concern to me: I beg the favor
of you to mention this circumstance to the Baron de Thulemeyer, as an
apology for his not hearing from us. The last advices from America bring
us nothing interesting. A principal object of my journey to London was,
to enter into commercial arrangements with Portugal. This has been done
almost in the precise terms of those of Prussia. The English are still
our enemies. The spirit existing there, and rising in America, has
a very lowering aspect. To what events it may give birth, I cannot
foresee. We are young, and can survive them; but their rotten machine
must crush under the trial. The animosities of sovereigns are temporary,
and may be allayed: but those which seize the whole body of a people,
and of a people, too, who dictate their own measures, produce calamities
of long duration. I shall not wonder to see the scenes of ancient Rome
and Carthage renewed in our day; and if not pursued to the same issue,
it may be, because the republic of modern powers will not permit the
extinction of any one of its members. Peace and friendship with all
mankind is our wisest policy: and I wish we may be permitted to pursue
it. But the temper and folly of our enemies may not leave this in our
choice. I am happy in our prospect of friendship with the most estimable
powers of Europe, and particularly with those of the confederacy, of
which yours is. That your present crisis may have a happy issue, is the
prayer and wish of him, who has the honor to be, with great respect and
esteem, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER X.--TO WILLIAM DRAYTON, May 6, 1786

TO WILLIAM DRAYTON.

Paris, May 6, 1786.

Sir,

Your favor of November the 23rd came duly to hand. A call to England,
soon after its receipt, has prevented my acknowledging it so soon as I
should have done. I am very sensible of the honor