I have the honor to be, with very great esteem, Dear Sir,

your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXLII.—­TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES, December 21, 1785

TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Paris, December 21, 1785.

Sir,

I have received this moment a letter, of which I have the honor to enclose your Excellency a copy.  It is on the case of Asquith and others, citizens of the United States, in whose behalf I had taken the liberty of asking your interference.  I understand by this letter, that they have been condemned to lose their vessel and cargo, and to pay six thousand livres and the costs of the prosecution before the 25th instant, or to go to the galleys.  This payment being palpably impossible to men in their situation, and the execution of the judgment pressing, I am obliged to trouble your Excellency again, by praying, if the government can admit any mitigation of their sentence, it may be extended to them in time to save their persons from its effect.

I have the honor to be, with very great respect, your Excellency’s most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXLIII.—­TO THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA, December 22, 1785

TO THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA.

Paris, December 22, 1785.

Sir,

The death of the late General Oglethorpe, who had considerable possessions in Georgia, has given rise, as we understand, to questions whether these possessions have become the property of the State, or have been transferred by his will to his widow, or descended on the nearest heir capable in law of taking them.  In the latter case, the Chevalier de Mezieres, a subject of France, stands foremost, as being made capable of the inheritance by the treaty between this country and the United States.  Under the regal government, it was the practice with us, when lands passed to the crown by escheat or forfeiture, to grant them to such relation of the party as stood on the fairest ground.  This was even a chartered right in some of the States.  The practice has been continued among them, as deeming that the late Revolution should in no instance abridge the rights of the people.  Should this have been the practice in the State of Georgia, or should they in any instance think proper to admit it, I am persuaded none will arise in which it will be more expedient to do it, than in the present, and that no person’s expectations should be fairer than those of the Chevalier de Mezieres.  He is the nephew of General Oglethorpe, he is of singular personal merit, an officer of rank, of high connections, and patronized by the ministers.  His case has drawn their attention, and seems to be considered as protected by the treaty of alliance, and as presenting a trial of our regard to that.  Should these lands be considered as having passed to the State, I take the liberty of recommending him to the legislature of Georgia, as worthy of their generosity, and as presenting an opportunity of proving the favorable dispositions which exist throughout America towards the subjects of this country, and an opportunity too, which will probably be known and noted here.