in, at Havre, sent you, by mistake, a package belonging to
somebody else. I do not know what it contained, but he has written to
you on the subject, and prayed me to do the same, he is likely to suffer
if it be not returned.

Supposing that the funding their foreign debt will be among the first
operations of the new government, I send you two estimates; the one by
myself, the other by a gentleman infinitely better acquainted with the
subject, showing what fund will suffice to discharge the principal and
interest, as it shall become due, aided by occasional loans, which the
same fund will repay. I enclose them to you, because collating them
together, and with your own ideas, you will be able to advise something
better than either; but something must be done. This government will
expect, I fancy, a very satisfactory provision for the payment of their
debt, from the first session of the new Congress. Perhaps, in this
matter, as well as the arrangement of your foreign affairs, I may be
able, when on the spot with you, to give some information and suggest
some hints, which may render my visit to my native country not
altogether useless. I consider as no small advantage, the resuming the
tone of mind of my constituents, which is lost by long absence, and can
only be recovered by mixing with them; and shall, particularly, hope for
much profit and pleasure, by contriving to pass as much time as possible
with you. Should you have a trip to Virginia in contemplation, for that
year, I hope you will time it so as that we may be there together. I
will camp you at Monticello, where, if illy entertained otherwise, you
shall not want books. In firm hope of a happy meeting with you in the
spring, or early in summer, I conclude, with assurances of the sincere
esteem and attachment, with which I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate
friend and servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CLXIX.--TO A. DONALD, November 18,1788

TO A. DONALD.

Paris, November 18,1788.

Dear Sir,

Often solicited by persons on this side the water, to inquire for their
friends in America, about whose fate they are uncertain, I can only hand
on their requests to my friends in America. The enclosed letter from,
the Chevalier de Sigougne desires some inquiry after his brother, whom
he supposes to have settled at Todd's Bridge. As this is within your
reach, I must refer the request to your humanity, and beg of you, if you
can hear of him, you will be so good as to