e, therefore,
remains with yourself. In the mean time, your place in the joint
commission being vacated by either event, we shall take the measures
rendered necessary by that. We have seen, with real grief, the
misunderstanding which has taken place between yourself and General
Armstrong. We are neither qualified nor disposed to form an opinion
between you. We regret the pain which must have been felt by persons,
both of whom hold so high a place in our esteem, and we have not been
without fear that the public interest might suffer by it. It has seemed,
however, that the state of Europe has been such as to admit little to be
done, in matters so distant from them.

The present alarm has had the effect of suspending our foreign commerce.
No merchant ventures to send out a single vessel; and I think it
probable this will continue very much the case till we get an answer
from England. Our crops are uncommonly plentiful. That of small grain is
now secured south of this, and the harvest is advancing here.

Accept my salutations, and assurances of affectionate esteem and
respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LVII.--TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE, July 14, 1807

TO THE MARQUIS DE LA FAYETTE.

Washington, July 14, 1807.

My Dear Friend,

I received last night your letters of February the 20th and April the
29th, and a vessel just sailing from Baltimore enables me hastily to
acknowledge them; to assure you of the welcome with which I receive
whatever comes from you, and the continuance of my affectionate esteem
for yourself and family. I learn with much concern, indeed, the state of
Madame de la Fayette's health. I hope I have the pleasure yet to come of
learning its entire re-establishment. She is too young not to give great
confidence to that hope.

Measuring happiness by the American scale, and sincerely wishing that of
yourself and family, we had been anxious to see them established on this
side of the great water. But I am not certain that any equivalent can be
found for the loss of that species of society, to which our habits have
been formed from infancy. Certainly had you been, as I wished, at the
head of the government of Orleans, Burr would never have given me one
moment's uneasiness. His conspiracy has been one of the most flagitious
of which history will ever furnish an example. He meant to separate the
western States from us, to add Mexico to them, place himself at their
head, establish what he would dee