University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Dear Sir,—Some business, the need of exercise
after a very sedentary period, and the view of extending
my ramble into the Eastern States which I have long
had a curiosity to see have brought me to this place.
The letter herewith enclosed was written before I left
Virginia, & brought with me for the sake of a conveyance
hence. Since the date of it I have learned
that Mr Short who was to be the bearer of the letter
to which it refers has not yet left Richmond. The
causes of his delay are unknown to me. At Baltimore
I fell in with the Marquis de la Fayette returning
from a visit to Mount Vernon. Wherever he passes
he receives the most flattering tokens of sincere affection
from all ranks. He did not propose to have left
Virginia so soon but Genl Washington was about
setting out on a trip to the Ohio, and cod not then
accompany him on some visits as he wished to do.
The present plan of the Marquis is to proceed immediately
to New York, thence by Rhode Island
to Boston, thence thro' Albany to Fort Stanwix,
where a treaty with the Indians is to be held the latter
end of this month, thence to Virginia so as to meet
the Legislature at Richmond. I have some thoughts

of making this tour with him, but suspend my final
resolution till I get to N. Y. whither I shall follow
him in a day or two.

The relation in[19] which the Marquis stands to France
and America has induced me to enter into a free conversañ
with him on the subject of the Mississippi. I
have endeavored emphatically to impress on him that
the ideas of America and of Spain irreconcileably
clash that unless the mediation of France be effectually
exerted, an actual rupture is near at hand that in
such an event the connection between France and Spain
will give the enemies of the former in America the
fairest opportunity of involving her in our resentmts
against the latter, and of introducing Great Brit, as a
party with us as against both that America cannot
possibly be diverted from her object, and therefore
France is bound to set every engine at work to divert
Spain from hers; and that France has besides a great
interest in a trade with the western country thro' the
Mississippi. I thought it not amiss also to suggest to
him some of the considerations which seem to appeal
to the produce of Spain. He admitted the force of
everything I said told me he would write in the most
[favorable] terms to the Count de Vergennes by the
packet which will probably carry this and let me see
his letter at N. York before he sends it. He thinks that
Spain is bent on excluding us from the Mississippi
and mentioned several anecdotes which happened while
he was at Madrid in proof of it.

The Committee of the States have dispersed.

Several of the Eastern members havg by quitting it
reduced the number below a quorum, the impotent
remnant thought it needless to keep together. It is
not probable they will be reassembled before Novr,
so that there will be an entire interregnum of the
fœderal Government for some time, against the intention
of Congs I apprehend, as well as against every
rule of decorum.

The Marquis this moment stepped into my room &
seeing my cyphers before me dropped some questions
which obliged me in order to avoid reserve to let him
know that I was writing to you. I said nothing on the
subject but he will probably infer from our conversatn
that the Mississippi is most in my thoughts.
Mrs. House charges me with a thousand compliments
& kind wishes for you and Miss Patsy. We
hear nothing of Mrs. Trist since her arrival at the
Falls of the Ohio, on her way to N. Orleans. There
is no doubt that she proceeded down the river thence,
unapprized of her loss. When & how she will be
able to get back since the Spaniards have shut all
their ports agst the U. S., is uncertain & gives much
anxiety to her friends. Browze has a windfall from
his grand mother of £1000 sterling. Present my
regards to Miss Patsy and to Mr. Short if he should
be with you, and accept yourself Dear Sir, the
sincerest affection of your friend & servant.