nnual expense in this situation is about eight
thousand dollars, as per estimate subjoined. 'When there is general
peace, we should probably keep about six or seven afloat in the second
situation; their annual expense twelve to fourteen thousand dollars; the
rest all hauled up. When France and England are at war, we should keep,
at the utmost, twenty-five in the second situation, their annual expense
fifty thousand dollars. When we should be at war ourselves, some of them
would probably be kept in the third situation, at an annual expense of
eight thousand dollars; but how many, must depend on the circumstances
of the war. We now possess ten, built and building. It is the opinion of
those consulted, that fifteen more would enable us to put every harbor
under our view into a respectable condition; and that this should limit
the views of the present year. This would require an appropriation of
sixty thousand dollars, and I suppose that the best way of limiting it,
without declaring the number, as perhaps that sum would build more. I
should think it best not to give a detailed report, which exposes our
policy too much. A bill, with verbal explanations, will suffice for the
information of the House. I do not know whether General Wilkinson would
approve the printing his paper. If he would, it would be useful. Accept
affectionate and respectful salutations.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER XX.--TO MR. VOLNEY, February 8, 1805

TO MR. VOLNEY.

Washington, February 8, 1805.

Dear Sir,

Your letter of November the 26th came to hand May the 14th; the books
some time after, which were all distributed according to direction.
The copy for the East Indies went immediately by a safe conveyance. The
letter of April the 28th, and the copy of your work accompanying
that, did not come to hand till August. That copy was deposited in the
Congressional library. It was not till my return here from my autumnal
visit to Monticello, that I had an opportunity of reading your work. I
have read it, and with great satisfaction. Of the first part I am less a
judge than most people, having never travelled westward of Staunton,
so as to know any thing of the face of the country; nor much indulged
myself in geological inquiries, from a belief that the skin-deep
scratches, which we can make or find on the surface of the earth, do not
repay our time with as certain and useful deductions, as our pursuits in
some other branches. The subject of our win