s at all, they should be with all, at the same
time, with whom we have important commercial relations. France, Spain,
Portugal, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, all should proceed _pari
passu_. Our ministers marching in phalanx on the same line, and
intercommunicating freely, each will be supported by the weight of the
whole mass, and the facility with which the other nations will agree to
equal terms of intercourse, will discountenance the selfish higglings of
England, or justify our rejection of them. Perhaps with all of them
it would be best to have but the single article _gentis amicissimae_,
leaving every thing else to the usages and courtesies of civilized
nations. But all these things will occur to yourself, with their counter
considerations.

Mr. Smith wrote to me on the transportation of the library, and
particularly, that it is submitted to your direction. He mentioned also,
that Dougherty would be engaged to superintend it. No one will more
carefully and faithfully execute all those duties which would belong to
a wagon-master. But it requires a character acquainted with books, to
receive the library. I am now employing as many hours of every day as my
strength will permit, in arranging the books, and putting every one in
its place on the shelves, corresponding with its order in the catalogue,
and shall have them numbered correspondently. This operation will employ
me a considerable time yet. Then I should wish a competent agent to
attend, and, with the catalogue in his hand, see that every book is on
the shelves, and have their lids nailed on, one by one, as he proceeds.
This would take such a person about two days; after which, Dougherty's
business would be the mere mechanical removal, at convenience. I enclose
you a letter from Mr. Milligan, offering his service, which would not
cost more than eight or ten days' reasonable compensation. This is
necessary for my safety, and your satisfaction, as a just caution for
the public. You know there are persons, both in and out of the public
councils, who will seize every occasion of imputation on either of us,
the more difficult to be repelled in this case, in which a negative
could not be proved. If you approve of it, therefore, as soon as I am
through the review, I will give notice to Mr. Milligan, or any other
person whom you will name, to come on immediately. Indeed it would be
well worth while to add to his duty, that of covering the books with a
little paper