In a commercial view, I doubt whether it is desirable:  but in a political one, I believe it is.  He is now undoubtedly the second power in Europe, and on the death of the King of Prussia, he becomes the first character.  An alliance with him will give us respectability in Europe, which we have occasion for.  Besides, he will be at the head of the second grand confederacy of Europe, and may at any time serve us with the powers constituting that.  I am pressed on so many hands to recommend Dumas to the patronage of Congress, that I cannot avoid it.  Every body speaks well of him, and his zeal in our cause.  Any thing done for him will gratify this court, and the patriotic party in Holland, as well as some distinguished individuals.  I am induced, from my own feelings, to recommend Colonel Humphreys to your care.  He is sensible, prudent, and honest, and may be very firmly relied on, in any office which requires these talents.  I pray you to accept assurance of the sincere esteem and respect, with which I am,

Dear Sir, your most obedient

and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XIII.—­TO JAMES ROSS, May 8, 1786

TO JAMES ROSS.

Paris, May 8, 1786.

Dear Sir,

I have duly received your favor of October the 22nd, and am much gratified by the communications therein made.  It has given me details, which do not enter into the views of my ordinary correspondents, and which are very entertaining.  I experience great satisfaction at seeing my country proceed to facilitate the intercommunications of its several parts, by opening rivers, canals, and roads.  How much more rational is this disposal of public money, than that of waging war.

Before the receipt of your letter, Morris’s contract for sixty thousand hogsheads of tobacco was concluded with the Farmers General.  I have been for some time occupied in endeavoring to destroy the root of the evils, which the tobacco trade encounters in this country, by making the ministers sensible, that merchants will not bring a commodity to a market, where but one person is allowed to buy it; and that so long as that single purchaser is obliged to go to foreign markets for it, he must pay for it in coin, and not in commodities.  These truths have made their way to the minds of the ministry, insomuch, as to have delayed the execution of the new lease of the Farms, six months.  It is renewed, however, for three years, but so as not to render impossible a reformation of this great evil.  They are sensible of the evil, but it is so interwoven with their fiscal system, that they find it hazardous to disentangle.  The temporary distress, too, of the revenue, they are not prepared to meet.  My hopes, therefore, are weak, though not quite desperate.  When they become so, it will remain to look about for the best palliative this monopoly can bear.  My present idea is, that