I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 14th, 18th, and 23rd instant.  I would have preferred doing it in person, but the season, and the desire of seeing what I have not yet seen, invite me to take the route of the Rhine.  I shall leave this place to-morrow morning, and probably not reach Paris till the latter end of April.  In the moment we were to have conferred on the subject of paying the arrears due to you, a letter of the 20th of February, from the board of treasury, was received, forbidding the application of money to any purpose, (except our current claims,) till the June interest should be actually in hand.  Being by the letter, tied up from giving an order in your favor, I return you the letter you had written to Mr. Jay, on the supposition that the order for your arrears was given.  It has been suggested, however, that if you could receive bonds of the loan, you could make them answer your purpose, and the commissioners say, this would in no wise interfere with the views of the treasury board, nor the provision for the June interest.  I have, therefore, recommended to them in writing, to give you bonds to the amount of your balance, if you choose to take them, rather than to wait.  I wish this may answer your purpose.  I remember that in the conversation which I had the honor of having with you, on the evening I was at the Hague, you said that your enemies had endeavored to have it believed, that Congress would abandon you, and withdraw your appointments.  An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes, and your enemies, particularly, are not those who are most in the counsels of Congress, nor the best qualified to tell what Congress will do.  From the evidences you have received of their approbation, and from their well known steadiness and justice, you must be assured of a continuance of their favor, were they to continue under the present form.  Nor do I see any thing in the new government which threatens us with less firmness.  The Senate, who will make and remove their foreign officers, must, from its constitution, be a wise and steady body.  Nor would a new government begin its administration by discarding old servants; servants who have put all to the risk, and when the risk was great, to obtain that freedom and security under which themselves will be what they shall be.  Upon the whole, my Dear Sir, tranquillize yourself and your family upon this subject.  All the evidence, which exists as yet, authorizes you to do this, nor can I foresee any cause of disquiet in future.  That none may arise, that yourself and family may enjoy health, happiness, and the continued approbation of those by whom you wish most to be approved, is the sincere wish of him, who has the honor to be, with sentiments of sincere esteem and attachment, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXI.—­TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE TREASURY, March 29, 1788