I thank you for your attention to the case of Mrs. Burke.  We have no news of Doctor Franklin since July last, when he was very ill.  Though the silence of our letters on that subject is a proof that he is well, yet there is an anxiety here among his friends.  We have lately had three books published, which are of great merit, in different lines.  The one is in seven volumes, octavo, by an Abbe Barthelemy, wherein he has collected every subject of Grecian Literature, after a labor of thirty years.  It is called ‘Les Voyages d’Anacharsis.’  I have taken a copy for you, because the whole impression was likely to be run off at once.  The second is a work on government, by the Marquis de Condorcet, two volumes, octavo.  I shall secure you a copy.  The third are the works of the King of Prussia, in sixteen volumes, octavo.  These were a little garbled at Berlin, before printed.  The government lays its hands on all which come here, and change some leaves.  There is a genuine edition published at Basle, where even the garblings of Berlin are re-established.  I doubt the possibility of getting a copy, so vigilant is the government as to this work.  I shall obtain you one, if it be possible.  As I write all the public news to Mr. Jay, I will not repeat it to you.  I have just received the Flora Caroliniana of Walter, a very learned and good work.  I am, with very sincere esteem and respect, Dear Sir, your friend and servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXIX.—­TO JOHN JAY, January 14, 1789

TO JOHN JAY.

Sir,

Paris, January 14, 1789.

In my letter of the 11th, I have said nothing of the Arret explanatory of that of September the 28th, on the subject of whale-oils, which my letter of November the 19th gave you reason to expect.  Though this explanatory Arret has been passed so long ago as the 7th of December, it has not been possible for me to obtain an authentic copy of it, till last night.  I now enclose that to you, with a copy of a letter to me from Mr. Necker, on the subject.  The reception of our oils in the mean time, is provided for by an intermediate order.  You will observe, that in the Arret it is said to be passed ‘provisoirement,’ and that Mr. Necker expressly holds up to us in his letter, a repeal, whenever the national fishery supplies their wants.  The Arret, however, is not limited in its duration, and we have several chances against its repeal.  It may be questioned, whether Mr. Necker thinks the fishery worth the expense.  It may be well questioned, whether, either with or without encouragement, the nation, whose navigation is the least economical of all in Europe, can ever succeed in the whale-fishery, which calls for the most rigorous economy.  It is hoped that a share in the legislation will pass immediately into the hands of the States General, so as to be no longer in the power of the commis of a bureau, or even