I have duly received your favors of October the 23rd and 26th.  With respect to the mission you suggest, in the former, no powers are lodged in the hands of Mr. Adams and myself.  Congress commissioned Mr. Adams, Doctor Franklin, and myself, to treat with the Emperor on the subjects of amity and commerce:  at the same time, they gave us the commission to Prussia, with which you are acquainted.  We proposed treating through the Imperial ambassador here.  It was declined on their part, and our powers expired, having been given but for two years.  Afterwards, the same ambassador here was instructed to offer to treat with us.  I informed him our powers were expired, but that I would write to Congress on the subject.  I did so, but have never yet received an answer.  Whether this proceeds from a change of opinion in them, or from the multiplicity of their occupations, I am unable to say:  but this state of facts will enable you to see that we have no powers, in this instance, to take the measures you had thought of.  I sincerely sympathize with you in your sufferings.  Though forbidden by my character to meddle in the internal affairs of an allied State, it is the wish of my heart that their troubles may have such an issue, as will secure the greatest degree of happiness to the body of the people:  for it is with the mass of the nation we are allied, and not merely with their governors.  To inform the minds of the people, and to follow their will, is the chief duty of those placed at their head.  What party in your late struggles was most likely to do this, you are more competent to judge than I am.  Under every event, that you maybe safe and happy, is the sincere wish of him, who has the honor to be, with sentiments of great esteem, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CVIII.—­TO MADAME DE CORNY, October 18, 1787

TO MADAME DE CORNY.

Paris, October 18, 1787.

I now have the honor, Madam, to send you the Memoire of M. de Calonne.  Do not injure yourself by hurrying its perusal.  Only, when you shall have read it at your ease, be so good as to send it back, that it may be returned to the Duke of Dorset.  You will read it with pleasure.  It has carried comfort to my heart, because it must do the same to the King and the nation.  Though it does not prove M. de Calonne to be more innocent than his predecessors, it shows him not to have been that exaggerated scoundrel, which the calculations and the clamors of the public have supposed.  It shows that the public treasures have not been so inconceivably squandered, as the parliaments of Grenoble, Toulouse, &c. had affirmed.  In fine, it shows him less wicked, and France less badly governed, than I had feared.  In examining my little collection of books, to see what it could furnish you on the subject of Poland, I find a small piece which may serve as a supplement to the history I had sent you.  It contains a mixture of history and politics, which I think you will like—­How do you do this morning?  I have feared you exerted and exposed yourself too much yesterday.  I ask you the question, though I shall not await its answer.  The sky is clearing, and I shall away to my hermitage.  God bless you, my Dear Madam, now and always.  Adieu.