n a
squib. A pamphlet of Fauchet's appeared yesterday. I send you a copy
under another cover. A hand-bill has just arrived here from New York,
where they learn from a vessel which left Havre about the 9th of
November, that the Emperor had signed the definitive articles, given up
Mantua, evacuated Mentz, agreed to give passage to the French troops
to Hanover, and that the Portuguese ambassador had been ordered to quit
Paris, on account of the seizure of fort St. Julian's by the, English,
supposed with the connivance of Portugal. Though this is ordinary
mercantile news, it looks like truth. The latest official intelligence
from Paris, is from Talleyrand to the French Consul here (Lastombe),
dated September the 28th, saying that our Envoys were arrived, and would
find every disposition on the part of his government to accommodate with
us.

My affectionate respects to Mrs. Madison; to yourself, health and
friendship. Adieu.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCXX.--TO JAMES MADISON, January 25, 1798

TO JAMES MADISON.

Philadelphia, January 25, 1798.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 2nd instant, on which day I received yours of
December the 25th. I have not resumed my pen, because there has
really been nothing worth writing about, but what you would see in the
newspapers. There is, as yet, no certainty what will be the aspect
of our affairs with France. Either the Envoys have not written to
the government, or their communications are hushed up. This last is
suspected, because so many arrivals have happened from Bordeaux and
Havre. The letters from American correspondents in France have been
always to Boston: and the experience we had last summer of their
adroitness in counterfeiting this kind of intelligence, inspires doubts
as to their late paragraphs. A letter is certainly received here by an
individual, from Talleyrand, which says our Envoys have been heard, that
their pretensions are high, that possibly no arrangement may take place,
but that there will be no declaration of war by France. It is said that
Bournonville has written that he has hopes of an accommodation (three
audiences having then, November, been had), and to be himself a member
of a new diplomatic mission to this country. On the whole, I am entirely
suspended as to what is to be expected. The Representatives have been
several days in debate on the bill for foreign intercourse. A motion has
been made to reduce it to what it was before the extensi