I have news from America as late as July the 19th.  Nothing had transpired from the federal convention.  I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent, as that of tying up the tongues of their members.  Nothing can justify this example, but the innocence of their intentions, and ignorance of the value of public discussions.  I have no doubt that all their other measures will be good and wise.  It is really an assembly of demigods.  General Washington was of opinion, that they should not separate till October.

I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of friendship and respect, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XCI.—­TO MR. WYTHE, September 16,1787

TO MR. WYTHE.

Paris, September 16,1787.

Dear Sir,

I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of December the 13th and 22nd, 1786, and of January, 1787.  These should not have been so long unanswered, but that they arrived during my absence on a journey of between three and four months, through the southern parts of France and northern of Italy.  In the latter country, my time allowed me to go no further than Turin, Milan, and Genoa:  consequently, I scarcely got into classical ground.  I took with me some of the writings, in which endeavors have been made to investigate the passage of Annibal over the Alps, and was just able to satisfy myself, from a view of the country, that the descriptions given of his march are not sufficiently particular, to enable us, at this day, even to guess at his track across the Alps.  In architecture, painting, sculpture, I found much amusement:  but more than all, in their agriculture, many objects of which might be adopted with us to great advantage.  I am persuaded, there are many parts of our lower country where the olive tree might be raised, which is assuredly the richest gift of Heaven.  I can scarcely except bread.  I see this tree supporting thousands among the Alps, where there is not soil enough to make bread for a single family.  The caper, too, might be cultivated with us.  The fig we do raise.  I do not speak of the vine, because it is the parent of misery.  Those who cultivate it are always poor, and he who would employ himself with us in the culture of corn, cotton, &c. can procure, in exchange for them, much more wine, and better, than he could raise by its direct culture.

I sent you formerly copies of the documents on the Tagliaferro family, which I had received from Mr. Febroni.  I now send the originals.  I have procured for you a copy of Polybius, the best edition; but the best edition of Vitruvius which is with the commentaries of Ficinus, is not to be got here.  I have sent to Holland for it.  In the mean time, the Polybius comes in a box containing books for Peter Carr, and for some of my friends in Williamsburg and its vicinities.  I have taken the liberty of addressing