TO LISTER ASQUITH.

Paris, January 13, 1786.

Sir,

I have duly received your letter of the 2nd instant.  The delays, which have attended your enlargement, have been much beyond my expectation.  The reason I have not written to you for some time, has been the constant expectation of receiving an order for your discharge.  I have not received it however.  I went to Versailles three days ago, and made fresh applications on the subject.  I received assurances which give me reason to hope that the order for your discharge will soon be made out.  Be assured it shall not be delayed a moment after it comes to my hands, and that I shall omit no opportunity of hastening it.  In the mean time, I think you may comfort yourself and companions with the certainty of receiving it ere long.

I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

RE QUESTIONS FOR ECONOMIE POLITIQUE ET DIPLOMATIQUE

[The following were answers by Mr. Jefferson to questions addressed to him by Monsieur de Meusnier, author of that part of the Encylopedie Methodique, entitled Economie Politique et Diplomatique.]

1.  What has led Congress to determine that the concurrence of seven votes is requisite in questions, which by the Confederation are submitted to the decision of a majority of the United States in Congress assembled?

The ninth article of Confederation, section sixth, evidently establishes three orders of questions in Congress. 1.  The greater ones which relate to making peace or war, alliances, coinage, requisitions for money, raising military force, or appointing its commander-in-chief. 2.  The lesser ones which comprehend all other matters submitted by the Confederation to the federal head. 3.  The single question of adjourning from day to day.  This gradation of questions is distinctly characterized by the article.

In proportion to the magnitude of these questions, a greater concurrence of the voices composing the Union was thought necessary.  Three degrees of concurrence, well distinguished by substantial circumstances, offered themselves to notice. 1.  A concurrence of a majority of the people of the Union.  It was thought that this would be insured by requiring the voices of nine States; because according to the loose estimates which had then been made of the inhabitants, and the proportion of them which were free, it was believed, that even the nine smallest would include a majority of the free citizens of the Union.  The voices, therefore, of nine States were required in the greater questions. 2.  A concurrence of the majority of the States.  Seven constitute that majority.  This number, therefore, was required in the lesser questions. 3.  A concurrence of the majority of Congress, that is to say, of the States actually present in it.  As there is no Congress when there are not seven States present, this concurrence could never be of less than four States.  But these might happen to be the four smallest, which would not include one ninth part of the free citizens of the Union.  This kind of majority, therefore, was entrusted with nothing but the power of adjourning themselves from day to day.