TO DR. CURRIE.

Paris, August 4, 1787.

Dear Sir,

I am favored with your letter of May the 2nd, and most cordially sympathize in your late immense losses.  It is a situation in which a man needs the aid of all his wisdom and philosophy.  But as it is better to turn from the contemplation of our misfortunes, to the resources we possess for extricating ourselves, you will, of course, have found solace in your vigor of mind, health of body, talents, habits of business, in the consideration that you have time yet to retrieve every thing, and a knowledge that the very activity necessary for this, is a state of greater happiness than the unoccupied one, to which you had a thought of retiring.  I wish the bulk of my extravagant countrymen had as good prospects and resources as you.  But with many of them, a feebleness of mind makes them afraid to probe the true state of their affairs, and procrastinate the reformation which alone can save something, to those who may yet be saved.  How happy a people were we during the war, from the single circumstance that we could not run in debt!  This counteracted all the inconveniences we felt, as the present facility of ruining ourselves overweighs all the blessings of peace.  I know no condition happier than that of a Virginia farmer might be, conducting himself as he did during the war.  His estate supplies a good table, clothes itself and his family with their ordinary apparel, furnishes a small surplus to buy salt, sugar, coffee, and a little finery for his wife and daughters, enables him to receive and to visit his friends, and furnishes him pleasing and healthy occupation.  To secure all this, he needs but one act of self-denial, to put off buying any thing till he has the money to pay for it.  Mr. Ammonett did not come.  He wrote to me, however, and I am making inquiry for the town and family he indicated.  As yet, neither can be heard of, and were they to be found, the length of time would probably bar all claims against them.  I have seen no object present so many desperate faces.  However, if inquiry can lighten our way, that shall not be wanting, and I will write to him as soon as we discover any thing, or despair of discovering.  Littlepage has succeeded well in Poland.  He has some office, it is said, worth five hundred guineas a year.  The box of seeds you were so kind as to forward me, came safe to hand.  The arrival of my daughter, in good health, has been a source of immense comfort to me.  The injury of which you had heard, was a dislocated wrist, and though it happened eleven months ago, was a simple dislocation, and immediately aided by the best surgeon in Paris, it is neither well, nor ever will be, so as to render me much service.  The fingers remain swelled and crooked, the hand withered, and the joint having a very confined motion.  You ask me when I shall return.  My commission expires next spring, and if not renewed, I shall return then.  If renewed, I shall stay somewhat longer:  how much, will not depend on me altogether.  So far as it does, I cannot fix the epoch of my return, though I always flatter myself it is not very distant.  My habits are formed to those of my own country.  I am past the time of changing them, and am, therefore, less happy any where else than there.