for his health; perhaps you can persuade him to go to Algiers in pursuit of it.  If you cannot, I really know not what will be done.  It is impossible to propose to Bancroft to go in a secondary capacity.  Mr. Barclay and myself have thought of Cairnes, at L’Ori-ent, as a dernier ressort.  But it is uncertain, or rather improbable, that he will undertake it.  You will be pleased in the first place, to consider of my proposition to send Lambe to Algiers; and in the next, all the circumstances before detailed, as consequences of that.

The enclosed letter from Richard O’Bryan furnishes powerful motives for commencing, by some means or other, the treaty with Algiers, more immediately than would be done, if left on Mr. Barclay.  You will perceive by that, that two of our vessels, with their crews and cargoes, have been carried captive into that port.  What is to be done as to those poor people?  I am for hazarding the supplementary instruction to Lambe, which accompanies these papers.  Alter it, or reject it, as you please.  You ask what I think of claiming the Dutch interposition.  I doubt the fidelity of any interposition too much to desire it sincerely.  Our letters to this court, heretofore, seemed to oblige us to communicate with them on the subject.  If you think the Dutch would take amiss our not applying to them, I will join you in the application.  Otherwise, the fewer who are apprized of our proceedings, the better.  To communicate them to the States of Holland, is to communicate them to the whole world.

Mr. Short returned last night, and brought the Prussian treaty, duly executed in English and French.  We may send it to Congress by the Mr. Fitzhughs going from hence.  Will you draw and sign a short letter for that purpose?  I send you a copy of a letter received from the Marquis Fayette.  In the present unsettled state of American commerce, I had as lieve avoid all further treaties, except with American powers.  If Count Merci, therefore, does not propose the subject to me, I shall not to him, nor do more than decency requires, if he does propose it.  I am, with great esteem, Dear Sir,

your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXIII.—­TO F. HOPKINSON, September 25, 1785

TO F. HOPKINSON.

Paris, September 25, 1785.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 6th of July.  Since that, I have received yours of July the 23rd.  I do not altogether despair of making something of your method of quilling, though, as yet, the prospect is not favorable.  I applaud much your perseverance in improving this instrument, and benefiting mankind almost in spite of their teeth.  I mentioned to Piccini the improvement with which I am entrusted.  He plays on the piano-forte, and therefore did not feel himself personally interested.  I hope some better opportunity will yet fall in my way of doing it justice.  I had almost decided, on his advice, to get a piano-forte for my daughter; but your last letter may pause me, till I see its effect.