What would you think of the enclosed draught to be proposed to the courts of London and Versailles?  I would add Madrid and Lisbon, but that they are still more desperate than the others.  I know it goes beyond our powers; and beyond the powers of Congress too; but it is so evidently for the good of all the States, that I should not be afraid to risk myself on it, if you are of the same opinion.  Consider it, if you please, and give me your thoughts on it by Mr. Short:  but I do not communicate it to him, nor any other mortal living but yourself.

Be pleased to present me in the most friendly terms to the ladies, and believe me to be, with great esteem,

Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LXXX.—­TO HOGENDORP, July 29, 1785

TO HOGENDORP.

Paris, July 29, 1785.

Dear Sir,

By an American gentleman who went to the Hague, about a month ago, I sent you a copy of my Notes on Virginia.  Having since that received some copies of the revisal of our laws, of which you had desired one, I now send it to you.  I congratulate you sincerely on the prospect of your country’s being freed from the menace of war, which, however just, is always expensive and calamitous, and sometimes unsuccessful.

Congress, having made a very considerable purchase of land from the Indians, have established a land office, and settled the mode of selling the lands.  Their plan is judicious.  I apprehend some inconveniences in some parts of it; but if such should be found to exist, they will amend them.  They receive in payment their own certificates, at par with actual money.  We have a proof the last year, that the failure of the States to bring money into the treasury, has proceeded, not from any unwillingness, but from the distresses of their situation.  Heretofore, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania had brought in the most money, and Virginia was among the least.  The last year, Virgjnia has paid in more than all the rest together.  The reason is, that she is at liberty to avail herself of her natural resources and has free markets for them; whereas the others which, while they were sure of a sale for their commodities, brought more into the treasury; now, that that sale is, by circumstances, rendered more precarious, they bring in but little.

The impost is not yet granted.  Rhode Island and New York hold off.  Congress have it in contemplation to propose to the States, that the direction of all their commerce shall be committed to Congress, reserving to the States, respectively, the revenue which shall be laid on it.  The operations of our good friends, the English, are calculated as precisely to bring the States into this measure as if we directed them ourselves, and as they were, through the whole war, to produce that union which was so necessary for us.  I doubt whether Congress will adjourn this summer.