should be done.  As it may be found expedient to transfer all our foreign debts to Holland, by borrowing there, and as it may always be prudent to preserve a good credit in that country, because we may be forced into wars, whether we will or not, I should suppose it very imprudent to suffer our credit to be annihilated, for so small a sum as fifty-one thousand guelders.  The injury will be greater too, in proportion to the smallness of the sum; for they will ask, ’How can a people be trusted for large sums, who break their faith for such small ones?’ You know best what effect it will have on the minds of the money-lenders of that country, should we fail in this payment.  You know best also, whether it is practicable and prudent for us, to have this debt paid without orders.  I refer the matter, therefore, wholly to your consideration, willing to participate with you in any risk and any responsibility, which may arise.  I think it one of those cases, where it is a duty to risk one’s self.  You will perceive, by the enclosed, the necessity of an immediate answer, and that, if you think any thing can and should be done, all the necessary authorities from you should accompany your letter.  In the mean time, should I receive any orders from the treasury by Paul Jones, I will pursue them, and consider whatever you shall have proposed or done, as non avenue.

I am, with much affection, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXVII.—­TO JAMES MADISON, December 20, 1787

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, December 20, 1787.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of October the 8th, by the Count de Moustier.  Yours of July the 18th, September the 6th, and October the 24th, were successively received, yesterday, the day before, and three or four days before that.  I have only had time to read the letters; the printed papers communicated with them, however interesting, being obliged to lie over till I finish my despatches for the packet, which despatches must go from hence the day after to-morrow.  I have much to thank you for; first and most for the ciphered paragraph respecting myself.  These little informations are very material towards forming my own decisions.  I would be glad even to know, when any individual member thinks I have gone wrong in any instance.  If I know myself, it would not excite ill blood in me, while it would assist to guide my conduct, perhaps to justify it, and to keep me to my duty, alert.  I must thank you too, for the information in Thomas Burke’s case; though you will have found by a subsequent letter, that I have asked of you a further investigation of that matter.  It is to gratify the lady who is at the head of the convent wherein my daughters are, and who, by her attachment and attention to them, lays me under great obligations, I shall hope, therefore, still to receive