other means of making the measure permanently conciliatory to
our interests and friendships. It would, at any rate, relieve us from
the necessity of taking immediate measures for countervailing such
an operation by arrangements in another quarter. But still we should
consider New Orleans and the Floridas as no equivalent for the risk of a
quarrel with France, produced by her vicinage.

I have no doubt you have urged these considerations, on every proper
occasion, with the government where you are. They are such as must have
effect, if you can find means of producing thorough reflection on
them by that government. The idea here is, that the troops sent to St.
Domingo, were to proceed to Louisiana after finishing their work in that
island. If this were the arrangement, it will give you time to return
again and again to the charge.

For the conquest of St. Domingo will not be a short work. It will take
considerable time, and wear down a great number of soldiers. Every eye
in the United States is now fixed on the affairs of Louisiana.
Perhaps nothing, since the revolutionary war, has produced more uneasy
sensations through the body of the nation. Notwithstanding temporary
bickerings have taken place with France, she has still a strong hold on
the affections of our citizens generally. I have thought it not amiss,
by way of supplement to the letters of the Secretary of State, to write
you this private one, to impress you with the importance we affix
to this transaction. I pray you to cherish Dupont. He has the best
dispositions for the continuance of friendship between the two nations,
and perhaps you may be able to make a good use of him.

Accept assurances of my affectionate esteem and high consideration.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXCVII.--TO GOVERNOR MONROE, July 15, 1802

TO GOVERNOR MONROE.

Washington, July 15, 1802.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of the 7th has been duly received. I am really mortified at
the base ingratitude of Callender. It presents human nature in a hideous
form. It gives me concern, because I perceive that relief, which was
afforded him on mere motives of charity, may be viewed under the aspect
of employing him as a writer. When the 'Political Progress of Britain'
first appeared in this country, it was in a periodical publication
called the 'Bee,' where I saw it. I was speaking of it in terms of
strong approbation to a friend in Philadelphia, when he asked me, if I
knew that the author was