Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XIX.—­TO MR. CARMICHAEL, June 20, 1786

TO MR. CARMICHAEL.

Paris, June 20, 1786.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of the 5th of May, by Baron Waltersdorff.  Since that I have been honored with yours of April the 13th, and May the 16th and 18th.  The present covers letters to Mr. Lambe and Mr. Randall, informing them that the demands of Algiers for the ransom of our prisoners and also for peace, are so infinitely beyond our instructions, that we must refer the matter back to Congress, and therefore praying them to come on immediately.  I will beg the favor of you to forward these letters.  The whole of this business, therefore, is suspended till we receive further orders, except as to Mr. Barclay’s mission.  Your bills have been received and honored.  The first naming expressly a letter of advice, and none coming, it was refused till the receipt of your letter to me, in which you mentioned that you had drawn two bills.  I immediately informed Mr. Grand, who thereupon honored the bill.

I have received no public letters of late date.  Through other channels, I have collected some articles of information, which may be acceptable to you.

*****

In a letter of March the 20th, from Dr. Franklin to me, is this passage.  ’As to public affairs, the Congress has not been able to assemble more than seven or eight States during the whole winter, so the treaty with Prussia remains still unratified, though there is no doubt of its being done soon, as a full Congress is expected next month.  The disposition to furnish Congress with ample powers augments daily, as people become more enlightened.  And I do not remember ever to have seen, during my long life, more signs of public felicity than appear at present, throughout these States; the cultivators of the earth, who make the bulk of our nation, have made good crops, which are paid for at high prices, with ready money; the artisans, too, receive high wages; and the value of all real estates is augmented greatly.  Merchants and shopkeepers, indeed, complain that there is not business enough.  But this is evidently not owing to the fewness of buyers, but to the too great number of sellers; for the consumption of goods was never greater, as appears by the dress, furniture, and manner of living, of all ranks of the people.’  His health is good, except as to the stone, which does not grow worse.  I thank you for your attention to my request about the books, which Mr. Barclay writes me he has forwarded from Cadiz.

I have the honor to be with great respect, Dear Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XX.—­TO MR. LAMBE, June 20,1786

TO MR. LAMBE.

Sir,

Paris, June 20,1786.