I enclose you the bill of lading of your Encyclopedie.  With respect to the remittance for it, of which you make mention, I beg you not to think of it.  I know, by experience, that on proceeding to make a settlement in life, a man has need of all his resources; and I should be unhappy, were you to lessen them by an attention to this trifle.  Let it lie till you have nothing else to do with your money.  Adieu, my Dear Sir, and be assured of the esteem with which I am your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XXIV.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, July 11, 1786

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, July 11, 1786.

Dear Sir,

Our instructions relative to the Barbary States having required us to proceed by way of negotiation to obtain their peace, it became our duty to do this to the best of our power.  Whatever might be our private opinions, they were to be suppressed, and the line marked out to us was to be followed.  It has been so, honestly and zealously.  It was, therefore, never material for us to consult together on the best plan of conduct towards these States.  I acknowledge I very, early thought it would be best to effect a peace through the medium of war.  Though it is a question with which we have nothing to do, yet as you propose some discussion of it, I shall trouble you with my reasons.  Of the four positions laid down in your letter of the 3rd instant, I agree to the three first, which are, in substance, that the good offices of our friends cannot procure us a peace, without paying its price, that they cannot materially lessen that price; and that paying it, we can have the peace in spite of the intrigues of our enemies.  As to the fourth, that the longer the negotiation is delayed, the larger will be the demand; this will depend on the intermediate captures:  if they are many and rich, the price may be raised; if few and poor, it will be lessened.  However, if it is decided, that we shall buy a peace, I know no reason for delaying the operation, but should rather think it ought to be hastened:  but I should prefer the obtaining it by war.

1.  Justice is in favor of this opinion. 2.  Honor favors it. 3.  It will procure us respect in Europe; and respect is a safeguard to interest. 4.  It will arm the federal head with the safest of all the instruments of coercion over its delinquent members, and prevent it from using what would be less safe.  I think, that so far you go with me.  But in the next steps we shall differ. 5.  I think it least expensive. 6.  Equally effectual.  I ask a fleet of one hundred and fifty guns, the one half of which shall be in constant cruise.  This fleet, built, manned, and victualled for six months, will cost four hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling.  Its annual expense will be three hundred pounds sterling a gun, including every thing:  this will be forty-five thousand pounds sterling a year.  I take British