this character must be got from England.  There are no workmen in wood, in Europe, comparable to those of England.  I submit to you, therefore, the following proposition:  to wit, I will get a correspondent in England to engage a workman of this kind.  I will direct him to come here, which will cost five guineas.  We will make proof of his execution.  He shall also make, under the eye of the architect, all the drawings for the building, which he is to execute himself:  and if we find him sober and capable, he shall be forwarded to you.  I expect that in the article of the drawings, and the cheapness of passage from France, you will save the expense of his coming here.  But as to this workman, I shall do nothing unless I receive your commands.  With respect to your stone work, it may be got much cheaper here than in England.  The stone of Paris is very white and beautiful; but it always remains soft, and suffers from the weather.  The cliffs of the Seine, from hence to Havre, are all of stone.  I am not yet informed whether it is all liable to the same objections.  At Lyons, and all along the Rhone, is a stone as beautiful as that of Paris, soft when it comes out of the quarry, but very soon becoming hard in the open air, and very durable.  I doubt, however, whether the commerce between Virginia and Marseilles would afford opportunities of conveyance sufficient.  It remains to be inquired, what addition to the original cost would be made by the short land carriage from Lyons to the Loire, and the water transportation down that to Bordeaux;, and also, whether a stone of the same quality may not be found on the Loire.  In this, and all other matters relative to your charge, you may command my services freely.

Having heard high commendations of a plan of a prison, drawn by an architect at Lyons, I sent there for it.  The architect furnished me with it.  It is certainly the best plan I ever saw.  It unites, in the most perfect manner, the objects of security and health, and has, moreover, the advantage, valuable to us, of being capable of being adjusted to any number of prisoners, small or great, and admitting an execution from time to time, as it may be convenient.  The plan is under preparation as for forty prisoners.  Will you have any occasion for slate?  It may be got very good and ready prepared at Havre; and a workman or more might be sent on easy terms.  Perhaps the quarry at Tuckahoe would leave you no other want than that of a workman.

I shall be glad to receive your sentiments on the several matters herein mentioned, that I may know how far you approve of them, as I shall with pleasure pursue strictly whatever you desire.  I have the honor to be, with great respect and esteem, Gentlemen,

your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XCI.—­TO JOHN JAY, August 14, 1785

TO JOHN JAY.