d integrity, to one, the greatness of which
is both illiterate and unprincipled. Yet such is the force of prejudice
with some, and of the want of reflection in others, that many of our
constitutions have copied this absurdity, without suspecting it to be
one. I am glad to hear that our new constitution is pretty sure of being
accepted by States enough to secure the good it contains, and to meet
with such opposition in some others, as to give us hopes it will be
accommodated to them, by the amendment of its most glaring faults,
particularly the want of a declaration of rights.

The long expected edict for the Protestants at length appears here.
Its analysis is this. It is an acknowledgment (hitherto withheld by the
laws) that Protestants can beget children, and that they can die, and be
offensive unless buried. It does not give them permission to think, to
speak, or to worship. It enumerates the humiliations to which they shall
remain subject, and the burthens to which they shall continue to be
unjustly exposed. What are we to think of the condition of the human
mind in a country, where such a wretched thing as this has thrown the
State into convulsions, and how must we bless our own situation in a
country, the most illiterate peasant of which is a Solon, compared
with the authors of this law. There is modesty often, which does
itself injury; our countrymen possess this. They do not know their own
superiority. You see it; you are young, you have time and talents to
correct them. Study the subject while in Europe, in all the instances
which will present themselves to you, and profit your countrymen of
them, by making them to know and value themselves.

Adieu, my dear Sir, and be assured of the esteem with which I am your
friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXXIV.--TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE TREASURY, Feb. 7, 1788

TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE TREASURY.

Paris, February 7, 1788.

Gentlemen,

Your favors of November the 10th and 13th, and December the 5th, have
been duly received. Commodore Jones left this place for Copenhagen,
the 5th instant, to carry into execution the resolution of Congress, of
October the 25th. Whatever monies that court shall be willing to allow,
shall be remitted to your bankers, either in Amsterdam or Paris, as
shall be found most beneficial, allowing previously to be withdrawn
Commodore Jones's proportion, which will be necessary for his
subsistence. I desired him to endea