ng gentlemen, that they should make the figures
themselves. Being furnished by a workman with a piece of vineer, no
other tool than a penknife and a wooden rule would be necessary. Perhaps
pasteboards, or common cards, might be still more convenient. The
difficulty is, how to reconcile figures which must have a very sensible
breadth, to our ideas of a mathematical line, which, as it has neither
breadth nor thickness, will revolt more at these, than at simple lines
drawn on paper or slate. If, after reflecting on this proposition, you
would prefer having them made here, lay your commands on me, and they
shall be executed.

I return you a thousand thanks for your goodness to my nephew. After my
debt to you for whatever I am myself, it is increasing it too much,
to interest yourself for his future fortune. But I know that to you, a
consciousness of doing good is a luxury ineffable. You have enjoyed it
already, beyond all human measure, and that you may long live to enjoy
it, and to bless your country and friends, is the sincere prayer of him,
who is, with every possible sentiment of esteem and respect, Dear Sir,
your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XCII.--TO JOHN JAY, September 19, 1787

TO JOHN JAY.

Sir,

Paris, September 19, 1787.

My last letters to you were of the 6th and 15th of August; since which,
I have been honored with yours of July the 24th, acknowledging the
receipt of mine of the 14th and 23d of February. I am anxious to hear
you have received that also of May the 4th, written from Marseilles.
According to the desires of Congress, expressed in their vote confirming
the appointments of Francisco Giuseppa and Girolamo Chiappi, their
agents in Morocco, I have written letters to these gentlemen, to begin a
correspondence with them. To the first, I have enclosed the ratification
of the treaty with the Emperor of Morocco, and shall send it either by
our agent at Marseilles, who is now here, or by the Count Daranda, who
sets out for Madrid in a few days, having relinquished his embassy here.
I shall proceed on the redemption of our captives at Algiers, as soon as
the commissioners of the treasury shall enable me, by placing the money
necessary under my orders. The prisoners redeemed by the religious order
of Mathurins, cost about four hundred dollars each, and the General of
the order told me, that they had never been able to redeem foreigners on
so good terms as their