this country, to a
certain amount, and of thus producing some equilibrium in our commerce,
which at present lies all in the British scale. It would cement an union
with our friends, and lessen the torrent of wealth which we are pouring
into the laps of our enemies. For my part, I think that the trade with
Great Britain is a ruinous one to ourselves; and that nothing would
be an inducement to tolerate it, but a free commerce with their West
Indies: and that this being denied to us, we should put a stop to
the losing branch. The question is, whether they are right in their
prognostications, that we have neither resolution nor union enough for
this. Every thing I hear from my own country, fills me with despair as
to their recovery from their vassalage to Great Britain. Fashion
and folly are plunging them deeper and deeper into distress: and the
legislators of the country becoming debtors also, there seems no hope
of applying the only possible remedy, that of an immediate judgment and
execution. We should try, whether the prodigal might not be restrained
from taking on credit the gewgaw held out to him in one hand, by seeing
the keys of a prison in the other. Be pleased to present my respects to
Mrs. Pleasants, and to be assured of the esteem with which I am,

Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XV.--TO COLONEL MONROE, May 10,1786

TO COLONEL MONROE.

Paris, May 10,1786.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of January the 27th. Since that, I have received
yours of January the 19th. Information from other quarters gives me
reason to suspect you have in negotiation a very important change in
your situation. You will carry into its execution all my wishes for your
happiness. I hope it will not detach you from a settlement in your
own country. I had even entertained hopes of your settling in my
neighborhood: but these were determined by your desiring a plan of a
house for Richmond. However reluctantly I relinquish this prospect, I
shall not the less readily obey your commands, by sending you a plan.
Having been much engaged since my return from England, in answering the
letters and despatching other business which had accumulated during my
absence, and being still much engaged, perhaps I may not be able to send
the plan by this conveyance. If I do not send it now, I will surely by
the next conveyance after this. Your _Encyclopedie_, containing eighteen
_livraisons_, went off last night for Havr