cottage, with my books, my family, and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.  I shall be glad to hear from you often.  Give me the small news as well as the great.  Tell Dr. Currie, that I believe I am indebted to him a letter, but that like the mass of our countrymen, I am not, at this moment, able to pay all my debts; the post being to depart in an hour, and the last stroke of a pen I am able to send by it, being that which assures you of the sentiments of esteem and attachment, with which I am, Dear Sir, your affectionate friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXVII.—­TO M. WARVILLE, February 12, 1888

TO M. WARVILLE.

Paris, February 12, 1888.

Sir,

I am very sensible of the honor you propose to me, of becoming a member of the society for the abolition of the slave-trade.  You know that nobody wishes more ardently, to see an abolition, not only of the trade, but of the condition of slavery:  and certainly nobody will be more willing to encounter every sacrifice for that object.  But the influence and information of the friends to this proposition in France will be far above the need of my association.  I am here as a public servant, and those whom I serve, having never yet been able to give their voice against the practice, it is decent for me to avoid too public a demonstration of my wishes to see it abolished.  Without serving the cause here, it might render me less able to serve it beyond the water.  I trust you will be sensible of the prudence of those motives, therefore, which govern my conduct on this occasion, and be assured of my wishes for the success of your undertaking, and the sentiments of esteem and respect, with which I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXVIII.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, March 2, 1788

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, March 2, 1788.—­Sunday.

Dear Sir,

I received this day, a letter from Mrs. Adams, of the 26th ultimo, informing me you would set out on the 29th for the Hague.  Our affairs at Amsterdam press on my mind like a mountain.  I have no information to go on, but that of Willincks and Van Staphorsts, and according to that, something seems necessary to be done.  I am so anxious to confer with you on this subject, and to see you and them together, and get some effectual arrangement made in time, that I determine to meet you at the Hague.  I will set out the moment some repairs are made to my carriage:  it is promised me at three o’clock to-morrow; but probably they will make it night, and that I may not set out till Tuesday morning.  In that case, I shall be at the Hague on Friday night:  in the mean time, you will perhaps have made all your bows