manners, which you will find in our towns,
will, I fear, be little pleasing. I beseech you to practise still your
own, which will furnish them a model of what is perfect. Should you be
singular, it will be by excellence, and after a while you will see the
effect of your example.

Heaven bless you, Madam, and guard you under all circumstances; give you
smooth waters, gentle breezes, and clear skies, hushing all its elements
into peace, and leading with its own hand the favored bark, till it
shall have safely landed its precious charge on the shores of our new
world.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CVII.--TO MR. DUMAS, October 14, 1787

TO MR. DUMAS.

Paris, October 14, 1787.

Sir,

I have duly received your favors of October the 23rd and 26th. With
respect to the mission you suggest, in the former, no powers are lodged
in the hands of Mr. Adams and myself. Congress commissioned Mr. Adams,
Doctor Franklin, and myself, to treat with the Emperor on the subjects
of amity and commerce: at the same time, they gave us the commission to
Prussia, with which you are acquainted. We proposed treating through the
Imperial ambassador here. It was declined on their part, and our powers
expired, having been given but for two years. Afterwards, the same
ambassador here was instructed to offer to treat with us. I informed
him our powers were expired, but that I would write to Congress on the
subject. I did so, but have never yet received an answer. Whether this
proceeds from a change of opinion in them, or from the multiplicity
of their occupations, I am unable to say: but this state of facts will
enable you to see that we have no powers, in this instance, to take the
measures you had thought of. I sincerely sympathize with you in your
sufferings. Though forbidden by my character to meddle in the internal
affairs of an allied State, it is the wish of my heart that their
troubles may have such an issue, as will secure the greatest degree
of happiness to the body of the people: for it is with the mass of the
nation we are allied, and not merely with their governors. To inform
the minds of the people, and to follow their will, is the chief duty of
those placed at their head. What party in your late struggles was most
likely to do this, you are more competent to judge than I am. Under
every event, that you maybe safe and happy, is the sincere wish of him,
who has the honor to be, with sentiments of great esteem, Sir, your most
obedi