he impost in any form,
and were she to pass it, Pennsylvania will not uncouple it from the
supplementary funds. These two States and Virginia, are the only ones,
my letters say, which have paid any thing into the Continental treasury,
for a twelvemonth past. I send you a copy of a circular letter from
Congress to the several States, insisting on their removing all
obstructions to the recovery of British debts. This was hurried, that it
might be delivered to the Assembly of New York before they rose. It was
delivered, but they did nothing in consequence of it. The convention to
be assembled at Philadelphia will be an able one. Ten States were known
to have appointed delegates. Maryland was about to appoint; Connecticut
was doubtful; and Rhode Island had refused. We are sure, however, of
eleven States. South Carolina has prohibited the importation of slaves
for three years; which is a step towards a perpetual prohibition.
Between six and seven hundred thousand acres of land are actually
surveyed into townships, and the sales are to begin immediately.
They are not to be sold for less than a dollar the acre, in public
certificates. I wrote you from Bordeaux on the subject of Colonel Smith.
I was sorry I missed him there, for other reasons as well as from a
curiosity to know his errand. The Notables have laid the foundation
of much good here: you have seen it detailed in the public papers. The
Prince of Wales is likely to recover from his illness, which was very
threatening. It is feared, that three powers have combined to lift the
Prince of Orange out of his difficulties. Have you yet the cipher of
which I formerly wrote to you, or any copy of it?

I am, with sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble
servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LIX.--TO J. BANNISTER, JUNIOR, June 19, 1787

TO J. BANNISTER, JUNIOR.

Paris, June 19, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I have received your favor of April the 23d, from New York, and am sorry
to find you have had a relapse. Time and temperance, however, will cure
you; to which add exercise. I hope you have long ago had a happy meeting
with your friends, with whom a few hours would be to me an ineffable
feast. The face of Europe appears a little turbid, but all will subside.
The Empress has endeavored to bully the Turk, who laughed at her,
and she is going back. The Emperor's reformations have occasioned the
appearance of insurrection in Flanders, and he, according to chara