University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.[21]

Dear Sir,—I have duly received your favor of the
13th. The general idea of disposing of the supernumerary
Merino Rams for the public benefit had
occurred to me. The mode you propose for the
purpose seems well calculated for it. But as it will
be most proper, as you suggest, to let our views be
developed to the public by the execution of them,
there will be time for further consideration. When
the sheep came into my hands, they were so infected

with the scab that I found it necessary, in order to
quicken and ensure their cure, to apply the mercurial
ointment. I hope they are already well. One of
the ewes has just dropt a ewe lamb, which is also
doing well. I expect my overseer every day to
conduct them to Orange. As he will have a wagon
with him, the trip, I hope, may be so managed as to
avoid injury to his charge.

A former National Intelligencer will have given
you our last communications from G. Britain. That
of this morning exhibits our prospects on the side
of France. The late confiscations by Bonaparte
comprise robbery, theft, and breach of trust, and
exceed in turpitude any of his enormities not wasting
human blood. This scene on the continent, and the
effect of English monopoly on the value of our produce,
are breaking the charm attached to what is
called free trade, foolishly by some, and wickedly by
others. We are hourly looking for the "John
Adams." There is a possibility that the negotiations
on foot at Paris may vary our prospects there. The
chance would be better, perhaps, if the last act of
Congress were in the hands of Armstrong; which
puts our trade on the worst possible footing for
France but, at the same time, puts it in the option
of her to revive the non-intercourse against England.
There is a possibility, also, that the views of the
latter may be somewhat affected by the recent elections;
it being pretty certain that the change in the
tone of Wellesley from that first manifested to Pinkney
was, in part, at least, produced by the intermediate

intelligence from the United States, which
flattered a fallacious reliance on the British party
here.