University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON

Dear Sir,—On my arrival here I found that Mr.
Short had passed through on his way to N. York &
was there at the date of my last. I regret much that
I missed the pleasure of seeing him. The inclosed
was put into my hands by Mrs. House, who recdd. it
after he left Philada. My two last, neither of which
were in cypher, were written as will be all future ones
in the same situation,[21] in expectation of their being
read by postmasters. I am well assured that this is

the fate of all letters at least to and from public persons
not only in France but all the other Countries of
Europe. Having now the use of my cypher I can write
without restraint. In my last I gave you a sketch of
what passed at Fort Schuyler during my stay there,
mentioning in particular that the Marquis had made
a speech to the Indians with the sanction of the Commissrs.
Wolcott, Lee, Butler.[22] The question will probably
occur how a foreigner and a private one, could
appear on the theatre of a public treaty between the
U. S. & the Indian nations and how the Commissioners
could lend a sanction to it. Instead of
offering an opinion of the measure I will state the manner
in which it was brought about. It seems that most
of the Indian tribes particularly those of the Iroquois
retain a strong predilection for the French and most of
the latter an enthusiastic idea of the Marquis. This
idea has resulted from his being a Frenchman the
figure he has made during the war and the arrival of
several important events which he foretold to them
soon after he came to this country. Before he went to
fort Schuyler it had been suggested, either in compliment
or sincerity that his presence & influence might
be of material service to the treaty. At albany the
same thing had been said to him by general Wolcot.
On his arrival at Fort S. Mr. Kirkland recommended
an exertion of his influence as of essential conseqce. to the
treaty, painting in the strongest colours the attachment
of the Indians to his person, which seemed indeed
to be verified by their caresses and the artifices employed
by the British partizans to frustrate the objects
of the treaty among which was a pretext that the
alliance between the U. S. and France was insincere
and transitory and consequently the respect of the Indians
for the latter ought to be no motive for their respecting
the former. Upon these circumstances the M.
grounded a written message to the Commissrs. before
they got up intimating his disposition to render the U.
S. any service his small influence over the Indians
might put in his power and desiring to know what the
Commissioners would chuse him to say. The answer
in Mr. Lee's hand consisted of polite acknowledgments
and information that the Commissrs. would be happy
in affording him an opportunity of saying whatever he
might wish forbearing to advise or suggest wt. it would
be best for him to say. the M. perceived the caution
but imputed it to Lee alone. As his stay was to be
very short it was necessary for him to take provisional
measures before the arrival of the Commissrs and
particularly for calling in the Oneida Chiefs who were
at their town. It fell to my lot to be consulted in his
dilemma. My advice was that he should invite the
chief in such a way as would give him an opportunity
of addressing them publicly, if on a personal interview
with the Commissioners it should be judged expedient;
or of satisfying their expectations with a friendly
entertainment in return for the civilities his visit to
their town had met with. This advice was approved;
but the Indians brought with them such ideas of his
importance as no private reception would probably have
been equal to. When the Commissioners arrived the
M. consulted them in person. They were reserved, he
was embarrassed. Finally they changed their plan and
concurred explicitly in his making a Speech in form.
He accordingly prepared one communicated it to the
Commrs. and publicly pronounced it the Commrs.
premising such an one as was thought proper to introduce
his. The answer of the sachems, as well as the
circumstances of the audience denoted the highest reverence
for the orator. The chief of the Oneidas said
that the word which he had spoken to them early in
the war had prevented them from being misled to the
wrong side of it. During this scene and even during
the whole stay of the M. he was the only conspicuous
figure. The Commissioners were eclipsed All of
them probably felt it. Lee complained to me of the
immoderate stress laid on the influence of the M., and
evidently promoted his departure. The M. was not
insensible of it, but consoled himself with the service
which he thought the Indian Speech would witness
that he had rendered to the U. S. I am persuaded
that the transaction is also pleasing to him in
another view as it will form a bright column in the
Gazettes of Europe. As it is blended with the proceedgs.
of the Commrs., it will probably not be published
in America very soon. The time I have lately passed
with the M. has given me a pretty thorough insight
into his character. With great natural frankness of
temper he unites much address and very considerable
talents. In his politics he says his three hobby-horses
are the alliance between France and the U. S., the
union of the latter and the manumission of the slaves.
The two former are the dearer to him, as they are connected
with his personal glory. The last does him real
honor, as it is a proof of his humanity. In a word,
I take him to be as amiable a man as can be imagined
and as sincere an American as any Frenchman can be;
one whose past services gratitude obliges us to acknowledge
and whose future friendship prudence requires
us to cultivate.

The Committee of the States have never reassembled.
The case of Longchamps has been left both
by the Legislature & Executive of this State to its
Judiciary course. He is sentenced to a fine of 100
Crowns, to 2 years' imprisonment, and Security for
good behaviour for 7 years. On teusday morning
I set off for Richmond, where I ought to be tomorrow,
but some delays have put it out of my
power. The ramble I have taken has rather inflamed
than extinguished my curiosity to see the Northern
and N. W. Country. If circumstances be favorable
I may probably resume it next Summer. Present my
compliments to Miss Patsy, for whom as well as yourself
Mrs. House charges me with hers. She has lately
recd. a letter from poor Mrs. Trist, every syllable of
which is the language of affection itself. She had
arrived safe at the habitation of her decd. Husband,
but will not be able to leave that Country till the
Spring at the nearest. The only happiness she says
she is capable of there, is to receive proofs that her
friends have not forgotten her. I do not learn what
is likely to be the amount of the effects left by Mr. T.
former accounts varied from 6 to 10,000 dollars.