I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most profound esteem and respect, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXIII.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, November 13, 1787

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, November 13, 1787.

Dear Sir,

This will be delivered you by young Mr. Rutledge.  Your knowledge of his father will introduce him to your notice.  He merits it, moreover, on his own account.

I am now to acknowledge your favors of October the 8th and 26th.  That of August the 25th was duly received, nor can I recollect by what accident I was prevented from acknowledging it in mine of September the 28th.  It has been the source of my subsistence hitherto, and must continue to be so, till I receive letters on the affairs of money from America.  Van Staphorsts and Willinks have answered my drafts.  Your books for Marquis de la Fayette are received here.  I will notify it to him, who is at present with his Provincial Assembly in Auvergne.

Little is said lately of the progress of the negotiations between the courts of Petersburg, Vienna, and Versailles.  The distance of the former, and the cautious, unassuming character of its minister here, is one cause of delays:  a greater one is, the greediness and instable character of the Emperor.  Nor do I think that the Principal here, will be easily induced to lend himself to any connection, which shall threaten a war within a considerable number of years.  His own reign will be that of peace only, in all probability; and were any accident to tumble him down, this country would immediately gird on its sword and buckler, and trust to occurrences for supplies of money.  The wound their honor has sustained, festers in their hearts; and it may be said with truth, that the Archbishop and a few priests, determined to support his measures, because proud to see their order come again into power, are the only advocates for the line of conduct which has been pursued.  It is said, and believed through Paris literally, that the Count de Montmorin ‘pleuroit comme un enfant,’ when obliged to sign the counter-declaration.  Considering the phrase as figurative, I believe it expresses the distress of his heart.  Indeed, he has made no secret of his individual opinion.  In the mean time, the Principal goes on with a firm and patriotic spirit in reforming the cruel abuses of the government, and preparing a new constitution, which will give to this people as much liberty as they are capable of managing.  This, I think, will be the glory of his administration, because, though a good theorist in finance, he is thought to execute badly.  They are about to open a loan of one hundred millions to supply present wants, and it is said, the preface of the Arret will contain a promise of the convocation of the States General during the ensuing year.  Twelve or fifteen