University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Dear Sir,—Your favor of the 16th. of March came
to hand a few days[9] before Mazzei called on me. His
plan was to have proceeded hence directly to Annapolis.
My conversation led him to premise a visit to Mr.
Henry, from whence he proposed to repair to Richmond,

and close his affairs with the Executive. Contrary
to my expectation he returned hither on
thursday last, proposing to continue his circuit
through Gloucester, York, and Williamsburg, recommended
by Mr. Henry, for obtaining from, the former
members of the Council certain facts relating to his
appointment, of which the vouchers have been lost.
This delay, with the expectation of your adjournment,
will probably prevent his visit to Congress. Your letter
gave me the first information both of his views
towards a Consulate and of his enmity towards Franklin.
The first was not betrayed to me by any conversation
either before or after I made known to him the
determination of Congress to confine such appointments
to natives of America. As to the second he
was unreserved alledging at the same time that the
exquisite cunning of the old fox has so enveloped his
iniquity, that its reality cannot be proved by those
who are thoroughly satisfied of it. It is evident, from
several circumstances stated by himself that his enmity
has been embittered if not wholly occasioned by
incidents of a personal nature. Mr. Adams is the
only public man whom he thinks favourably of, or
seems to have associated with, a circumstance which
their mutual characters may perhaps account for.
Notwithstanding these sentiments towards Franklin
& Adams his hatred of England remains unabated,
& does not exceed his partiality to France, which
with many other considerations which need not be
pointed out, persuade me that however dreadful an
actual visit from him might be to you in a personal
view, it would not produce the public mischiefs you
apprehend from it. By his interview with Mr.
Henry, I learn that the present politics of the latter
comprehend very friendly views towards the confederacy,
a wish tempered with much caution for an
amendment of our constitution, a patronage of the
payment of British debts, and of a scheme of general
assessment.

The want of both a Thermometer & Baror. had determined
me to defer a meteorological diary till I could
procure these instruments. Since the rect. of your
letter I have attended to the other columns.

I hope the letter which had not reached you at the
date of your last, did not altogether miscarry. On
the 16 of March I wrote you fully on sundry points.
Among others I suggested to your attention the case
of the Potowmac, having in my eye the river below
the head of navigation. It will be well I think to
sound the ideas of Maryland also, as to the upper
parts of the N. branch of it. The policy of Baltimore
will probably thwart as far as possible, the opening of
it; & without a very favorable construction of the
right of Virginia, and even the privilege of using the
Maryland Bank, it would seem that the necessary
works could not be accomplished.

Will it not be good policy to suspend further Treaties
of Commerce, till measures shall have taken place
in America which may correct the idea in Europe of
impotency in the fœderal Govt. in matters of Commerce?
Has Virginia been seconded by any other
State in her proposition for arming Congress with

power to frustrate the unfriendly regulations of G. B.
with regard to her W. India islands? It is reported
here that the late change of her ministers has revived
the former liberality which seemed to prevail on that
subject. Is the Impost gaining or losing ground
among the States? Do any considerable payments
come into the Continl. Treasury? Does the settlement
of the public accts. make any comfortable progress?
Has any resolution been taken by Congress
touching the old Contl. currency? Has Maryland
foreborne to take any steps in favour of George Town?
Can you tell me whether any question in the Court of
Appeals, has yet determined whether the war ceased
on our coast on the 3d of March or the 3d of April?
The books which I was told were still at the place left
by Mr. W. Maury, had been sent away at [the] time
Mr. L. Grymes informed of them.

Mr. Mazzei tells me that a subterraneous city has
been discovered in Siberia, which appears to have
been once populous & magnificent. Among other
curiosities it contains an equestrian Statue around the
neck of which was a golden chain 200 feet in length,
so exquisitely wrought that Buffon inferred from a
specimen of 6 feet sent him by the Empress of Russia,,
that no artist in Paris could equal the workmanship.
Mr. Mazzei saw the specimen in the hands of Buffon
& heard him give this opinion of it. He heard read
at the same time a letter from the Empress to Buffon
in which she desired the present to be considered as a
tribute to the man to whom Nat: Hist: was so much
indebted. Monsr. Faujas de St. Fond thought the city

was between 72 & 74° N. L. the son of Buffon between
62 & 64° Mr. M. being on the point of departure
had no opportunity of ascertaining the fact. If you
should have had no better account of the discovery
this will not be unacceptable to you & will lead you to
obtain one.

I propose to set off for Richmond towards the end
of this week. The election in this County was on
Thursday last. My colleague is Mr. Charles Porter