till their governments become settled and wise, they will remain with us always, and be a precious part of our strength and our virtue.  But this affair of the Mississippi, by showing that Congress is capable of hesitating on a question, which proposes a clear sacrifice of the western to the maritime States, will with difficulty be obliterated.  The proposition of my going to Madrid, to try to recover there the ground which has been lost at New York, by the concession of the vote of seven States, I should think desperate.  With respect to myself, weighing the pleasure of the journey and bare possibility of success in one scale, and the strong probability of failure and the public disappointment directed on me, in the other, the latter preponderates.  Add to this, that jealousy might be excited in the breast of a person, who could find occasions of making me uneasy.

The late changes in the ministry here, excite considerable hopes.  I think we gain in them all.  I am particularly happy at the reentry of Malesherbes into the Council.  His knowledge and integrity render his value inappreciable, and the greater to me, because, while he had no views of office, we had established together the most unreserved intimacy.  So far, too, I am pleased with Montmorin.  His honesty proceeds from the heart as well as the head, and therefore may be more surely counted on.  The King loves business, economy, order, and justice, and wishes sincerely the good of his people; but he is irascible, rude, very limited in his understanding, and religious bordering on bigotry.  He has no mistress, loves his queen, and is too much governed by her.  She is capricious, like her brother, and governed by him; devoted to pleasure and expense; and not remarkable for any other vices or virtues.  Unhappily the King shows a propensity for the pleasures of the table.  That for drink has increased lately, or at least it has become more known.

For European news in general, I will refer you to my letter to Mr. Jay.  Is it not possible, that the occurrences in Holland may excite a desire in many of leaving that country, and transferring their effects out of it, and thus make an opening for shifting into their hands the debts due to this country, to its officers, and Farmers?  It would be surely eligible.  I believe Dumas, if put on the watch, might alone suffice; but he surely might, if Mr. Adams should go when the moment offers.  Dumas has been in the habit of sending his letters open to me, to be forwarded to Mr. Jay.  During my absence, they passed through Mr. Short’s hands, who made extracts from them, by which I see he has been recommending himself and me for the money-negotiations in Holland.  It might be thought, perhaps, that I have encouraged him in this.  Be assured, my Dear Sir, that no such idea ever entered my head.  On the contrary, it is a business which would be the most disagreeable to me of all others, and for which I am the most unfit person living.  I do not understand bargaining,