m hence to Havre since my return, and my notice of
her departure was so short, that I could not avail myself of it. Your
Nos. 72, 73, 74, 75, 78, came here during my absence, and 79, 80, were
received October the 28th. The Nos. 76 and 77 seem to be missing.

You mention that Drost wishes the devices of our money to be sent to
him, that he may engrave them there. This cannot be done, because
not yet decided on. The devices will be fixed by the law which shall
establish the mint. M. de Ternant tells me he has no instructions to
propose to us the negotiation of a commercial treaty, and that he does
not expect any. I wish it were possible to draw that negotiation to this
place. In your letter of July the 24th, is the following paragraph. It
is published in the English newspapers, that war is inevitable between
the United States and Spain, and that preparations are making for it on
both sides.' M. de Montmorin asked me how the business stood at present,
and seemed somewhat surprised at my telling him, that I knew nothing
later than what I had formerly mentioned to him. I have, in more
than one instance, experienced the inconvenience of being without
information. In this, it is disagreeable, as it may have the appearance
with M. de Montmorin, of my having something to conceal from him, which
not being the case, it would be wrong that he should be allowed to take
up such an idea. I observed, that I did not suppose there was any new
circumstance, as you had not informed me of it.' Your observation was
certainly just. It would be an Augean task for me to go through the
London newspapers, and formally contradict all their lies, even
those relating to America. On our side, there have been certainly no
preparations for war against Spain; nor have I heard of any on
their part, but in the London newspapers. As to the progress of the
negotiation, I know nothing of it but from you; having never had a
letter from Mr. Carmichael on the subject. Our best newspapers are sent
you from my office with scrupulous exactness, by every vessel sailing to
Havre or any other convenient port of France. On these I rely for giving
you information of all the facts possessed by the public; and as
to those not possessed by them, I think there has not been a single
instance of my leaving you uninformed of any of them which related to
the matters under your charge. In Freneau's paper of the 21st instant,
you will see a small essay on population and emigratio