from England, I write you nothing but English
news. The continent, at present, furnishes nothing interesting. I shall
hope the favor of your letters, at times. The proceedings and views of
Congress and of the Assemblies, the opinions and dispositions of
our people in general, which, in governments like ours, must be the
foundation of measures, will always be interesting to me, as will
whatever respects your own health and happiness; being with great
esteem,

Dear Sir, your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson

LETTER II.--TO CHARLES THOMSON, April 22, 1786

TO CHARLES THOMSON.

London, April 22, 1786.

Dear Sir,

In one of your former letters, you expressed a wish to have one of the
newly invented lamps. I find them made here much better than at Paris,
and take the liberty of asking your acceptance of one, which will
accompany this letter. It is now found, that any tolerable oil may be
used in them. The spermaceti oil is best, of the cheap kinds.

I could write you volumes on the improvements which I find made, and
making here, in the arts. One deserves particular notice, because it
is simple, great, and likely to have extensive consequences. It is
the application of steam, as an agent for working grist-mills. I have
visited the one lately made here. It was at that time turning eight pair
of stones. It consumes one hundred bushels of coal a day. It is proposed
to put up thirty pair of stones. I do not know whether the quantity
of fuel is to be increased. I hear you are applying the same agent in
America to navigate boats, and I have little doubt, but that it will
be applied generally to machines, so as to supersede the use of water
ponds, and of course to lay open all the streams for navigation. We
know, that steam is one of the most powerful engines we can employ;
and in America fuel is abundant. I find no new publication here worth
sending to you. I shall set out for Paris within three or four days. Our
public letters will inform you of our public proceedings here.

I am, with sincere esteem, Dear Sir,

your friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER III.--TO JOHN JAY, April 23, 1786

TO JOHN JAY.

London, April 23, 1786.

Sir,

In my letter of March the 12th, I had the honor of explaining to you
the motives which had brought me to this place. A joint letter from Mr.
Adams and myself, sent by the last packet, informed you of the result
of our conferences wit