your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CI.—­TO JAMES MADISON, September 1,1785

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, September 1,1785.

Dear Sir,

My last to you by Monsieur de Doradour, was dated May the 11th.  Since that, I have received yours of January the 22nd with six copies of the revisal, and that of April the 27th by Mr. Mazzei.

All is quiet here.  The Emperor and Dutch have certainly agreed, though they have not published their agreement.  Most of his schemes in Germany must be postponed, if they are not prevented by the confederacy of many of the Germanic body, at the head of which is the King of Prussia, and to which the Elector of Hanover is supposed to have acceded.  The object of the league is to preserve the members of the empire in their present state.  I doubt whether the jealousy entertained of this prince, and which is so fully evidenced by this league, may not defeat the election of his nephew to be King of the Romans, and thus produce an instance of breaking the lineal succession.  Nothing is as yet done between him and the Turks.  If any thing is produced in that quarter, it will not be for this year.  The court of Madrid has obtained the delivery of the crew of the brig Betsey, taken by the Emperor of Morocco.  The Emperor had treated them kindly, new-clothed them, and delivered them to the Spanish minister, who sent them to Cadiz.  This is the only American vessel ever taken by the Barbary States.  The Emperor continues to give proofs of his desire to be in friendship with us, or, in other words, of receiving us into the number of his tributaries.  Nothing further need be feared from him.  I wish the Algerines may be as easily dealt with.  I fancy the peace expected between them and Spain is not likely to take place.  I am well informed that the late proceedings in America have produced a wonderful sensation in England in our favor.  I mean the disposition, which seems to be becoming general, to invest Congress with the regulation of our commerce, and, in the mean time, the measures taken to defeat the avidity of the British government, grasping at our carrying business.  I can add with truth, that it was not till these symptoms appeared in America, that I have been able to discover the smallest token of respect towards the United States, in any part of Europe.  There was an enthusiasm towards us, all over Europe, at the moment of the peace.  The torrent of lies published unremittingly, in every day’s London paper, first made an impression, and produce a coolness.  The republication of these lies in most of the papers of Europe (done probably by authority of the governments to discourage emigrations) carried them home to the belief of every mind.  They supposed every thing in America was anarchy, tumult, and civil war.  The reception of the Marquis Fayette gave a check to these ideas.  The late proceedings seem to be producing a decisive vibration in our favor.  I think it possible that England may ply before them.  It is a nation which nothing but views of interest can govern.  If they produce us good there, they will here also.  The defeat of the Irish propositions is also in our favor.