uld
probably bar all claims against them. I have seen no object present
so many desperate faces. However, if inquiry can lighten our way, that
shall not be wanting, and I will write to him as soon as we discover
any thing, or despair of discovering. Littlepage has succeeded well in
Poland. He has some office, it is said, worth five hundred guineas a
year. The box of seeds you were so kind as to forward me, came safe to
hand. The arrival of my daughter, in good health, has been a source
of immense comfort to me. The injury of which you had heard, was a
dislocated wrist, and though it happened eleven months ago, was a simple
dislocation, and immediately aided by the best surgeon in Paris, it is
neither well, nor ever will be, so as to render me much service. The
fingers remain swelled and crooked, the hand withered, and the joint
having a very confined motion. You ask me when I shall return. My
commission expires next spring, and if not renewed, I shall return then.
If renewed, I shall stay somewhat longer: how much, will not depend on
me altogether. So far as it does, I cannot fix the epoch of my return,
though I always flatter myself it is not very distant. My habits are
formed to those of my own country. I am past the time of changing them,
and am, therefore, less happy any where else than there.

I shall always be happy to hear from you, being with very sincere
esteem, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXXIX.--TO MR. HAWKINS, August 4, 1787

TO MR. HAWKINS.

Paris, August 4, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of March the 8th and
June the 9th, and to give you many thanks for the trouble you have taken
with the _dionaea muscipula_. I have not yet heard any thing of them,
which makes me fear they have perished by the way. I believe the most
effectual means of conveying them hither will be by the seed. I must add
my thanks too for the vocabularies. This is an object I mean to pursue,
as I am persuaded that the only method of investigating the filiation of
the Indian nations, is by that of their languages.

I look up with you to the federal convention, for an amendment of our
federal affairs; yet I do not view them in so disadvantageous a light
at present, as some do. And above all things, I am astonished at some
people's considering a kingly government as a refuge. Advise such to
read the fable of the frogs, who solicited Jupiter for a king. If th