I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CIII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, October 8, 1787

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, October 8, 1787.

Dear Sir,

The bearer hereof, the Count de Moustier, successor to Monsieur de la Luzerne, would, from his office, need no letter of introduction to you or to any body.  Yet I take the liberty of recommending him to you, to shorten those formal approaches, which the same office would otherwise expose him to, in making your acquaintance.  He is a great enemy to formality, etiquette, ostentation, and luxury.  He goes with the best dispositions to cultivate society, without poisoning it by ill example.  He is sensible, disposed to view things favorably, and being well acquainted with the constitution of England, her manners, and language, is the better prepared for his station with us.  But I should have performed only the lesser, and least pleasing half of my task, were I not to add my recommendations of Madame de Brehan.  She is goodness itself.  You must be well acquainted with her.  You will find her well disposed to meet your acquaintance, and well worthy of it.  The way to please her, is to receive her as an acquaintance of a thousand years’ standing.  She speaks little English.  You must teach her more, and learn French from her.  She hopes, by accompanying Monsieur de Moustier, to improve her health, which is very feeble, and still more, to improve her son in his education, and to remove him to a distance from the seductions of this country.  You will wonder to be told, that there are no schools in this country to be compared to ours in the sciences.  The husband of Madame de Brehan is an officer, and obliged by the times to remain with the army.  Monsieur de Moustier brings your watch.  I have worn it two months, and really find it a most incomparable one.  It will not want the little re-dressing, which new watches generally do, after going about a year.  It costs six hundred livres.  To open it in all its parts, press the little pin on the edge with the point of your nail; that opens the crystal; then open the dial-plate in the usual way; then press the stem, at the end within the loop, and it opens the back for winding up or regulating.

De Moustier is remarkably communicative.  With adroitness he may be pumped of any thing.  His openness is from character, not from affectation.  An intimacy with him may, on this account, be politically valuable.

I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CIV.—­TO JOHN JAY, October 8, 1787

TO JOHN JAY.

(Private.) Paris, October 8, 1787.

Dear Sir,