red, but that they arrived during my absence on a journey of
between three and four months, through the southern parts of France and
northern of Italy. In the latter country, my time allowed me to go no
further than Turin, Milan, and Genoa: consequently, I scarcely got
into classical ground. I took with me some of the writings, in which
endeavors have been made to investigate the passage of Annibal over the
Alps, and was just able to satisfy myself, from a view of the
country, that the descriptions given of his march are not sufficiently
particular, to enable us, at this day, even to guess at his track across
the Alps. In architecture, painting, sculpture, I found much amusement:
but more than all, in their agriculture, many objects of which might be
adopted with us to great advantage. I am persuaded, there are many parts
of our lower country where the olive tree might be raised, which is
assuredly the richest gift of Heaven. I can scarcely except bread. I see
this tree supporting thousands among the Alps, where there is not soil
enough to make bread for a single family. The caper, too, might be
cultivated with us. The fig we do raise. I do not speak of the vine,
because it is the parent of misery. Those who cultivate it are always
poor, and he who would employ himself with us in the culture of corn,
cotton, &c. can procure, in exchange for them, much more wine, and
better, than he could raise by its direct culture.

I sent you formerly copies of the documents on the Tagliaferro family,
which I had received from Mr. Febroni. I now send the originals. I have
procured for you a copy of Polybius, the best edition; but the best
edition of Vitruvius which is with the commentaries of Ficinus, is not
to be got here. I have sent to Holland for it. In the mean time, the
Polybius comes in a box containing books for Peter Carr, and for some of
my friends in Williamsburg and its vicinities. I have taken the liberty
of addressing the box to you. It goes to New York in the packet-boat
which carries this letter, and will be forwarded to you by water, by Mr.
Madison. Its freight to New York is paid here. The transportation from
thence to Williamsburg, will be demanded of you, and shall stand as the
equivalent to the cost of Polybius and Vitruvius, if you please. The
difference either way, will not be worth the trouble of raising and
transmitting accounts. I send you herewith a state of the contents of
the box, and for whom each article