o acknowledge any government to be rightful, which is formed by the
will of the nation substantially declared. The late government was of
this kind, and was accordingly acknowledged by all the branches of ours.
So, any alteration of it which shall be made by the will of the nation
substantially declared, will doubtless be acknowledged in like manner.
With such a government every hind of business may be done. But there are
some matters which I conceive might be transacted with a government _de
facto_; such, for instance, as the reforming the unfriendly restrictions
on our commerce and navigation. Such cases you will readily distinguish
as they occur. With respect to this particular reformation of their
regulations, we cannot be too pressing for its attainment, as every
day's continuance gives it additional firmness, and endangers its taking
root in their habits and constitution; and indeed, I think they should
be told, as soon as they are in a condition to act, that if they do
not revoke the late innovations, we must lay additional and equivalent
burthens on French ships, by name. Your conduct in the case of M. de
Bonne Carrere is approved entirely. We think it of great consequence
to the friendship of the two nations, to have a minister here, in whose
dispositions we have confidence. Congress assembled the day before
yesterday. I enclose you a paper containing the President's speech,
whereby you will see the chief objects of the present session. Your
difficulties as to the settlements of our accounts with France and as,
to the payment of the foreign officers, will have been removed by the
letter of the Secretary of the Treasury, of which, for fear it should
have miscarried, I now enclose you a duplicate. Should a conveyance for
the present letter offer to any port of France directly, your newspapers
will accompany it. Otherwise, I shall send it through Mr. Pinckney, and
retain the newspapers as usual, for a direct conveyance.

I am, with great and sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CXXVII.--TO M. DE TERNANT, November 20, 1792

TO M. DE TERNANT.

Philadelphia, November 20, 1792.

Sir,

Your letter on the subject of further supplies to the colony of St.
Domingo has been duly received and considered. When the distresses of
that colony first broke forth, we thought we could not better evidence
our friendship to that and to the mother country also, th