Whitehurst supposes, or have been the effect of convulsions.  But there can be no proof of the explosion, nor is it probable that convulsions have deformed every spot of the earth.  It is now generally agreed that rock grows, and it seems that it grows in layers in every direction, as the branches of trees grow in all directions.  Why seek further the solution of this phenomenon?  Every thing in nature decays.  If it were not reproduced then by growth, there would be a chasm.

I remember you asked me in a former letter, whether the steam-mill in London was turned by the steam immediately, or by the intermediate agency of water raised by the steam.  When I was in London, Boulton made a secret of his mill.  Therefore, I was permitted to see it only superficially.  I saw no water-wheels, and therefore supposed none.  I answered you, accordingly, that there were none.  But when I was at Nismes, I went to see the steam-mill there, and they showed it to me in all its parts.  I saw that their steam raised water, and that this water turned a wheel.  I expressed my doubts of the necessity of the inter-agency of water, and that the London mill was without it.  But they supposed me mistaken; perhaps I was so:  I have had no opportunity since of clearing up the doubt.

*****

I had a letter from Mr. Churchman, but not developing his plan of knowing the longitude, fully.  I wrote him what was doubted about it, so far as we could conjecture what it was.

I am with very great and sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XCIV.—­TO JOHN JAY, September 22,1787

TO JOHN JAY.

Paris, September 22,1787.

Sir,

The letters of which the inclosed are copies, are this moment received, and as there is a possibility that they may reach Havre before the packet sails, I have the honor of enclosing them to you.  They contain a promise of reducing the duties on tar, pitch, and turpentine, and that the government will interest itself with the city of Rouen, to reduce the local duty on potash.  By this you will perceive, that we are getting on a little in this business, though under their present embarrassments, it is difficult to procure the attention of the ministers to it.  The parliament has enregistered the edict for a rigorous levy of the deux vingtiemes.  As this was proposed by the King in lieu of the impot territorial, there is no doubt now, that the latter, with the stamp tax, will be immediately repealed.  There can be no better proof of the revolution in the public opinion, as to the powers of the monarch, and of the force, too, of that opinion.  Six weeks ago, we saw the King displaying the plenitude of his omnipotence, as hitherto conceived, to enforce these two acts.  At this day, he is forced to retract them by the public voice; for as to the opposition of the parliamemt, that body is too little esteemed to produce this effect in any case, where the public do not throw themselves into the same scale.