was no vacancy at present.  However, he would hazard his first thoughts on the subject, saving the right of correcting them by further consideration.  They were these:  that there was a loose expression in one of de Moustier’s letters, which might be construed into a petition for leave of absence; that he would give him permission to return to France; that it had been before decided, on the request of the Marquis de la Luzerne, that Otto should go to him to London; that they would send a person to America as Charge des Affaires in place of Otto, and that if the President (General Washington) approved of him, he should be afterwards made minister.  He had cast his eye on Colonel Ternant, and desired the Marquis to consult me, whether he would be agreeable.  At first I hesitated, recollecting to have heard Ternant represented in America, as an hypochondriac, discontented man, and paused for a moment between him and Barthelemy, at London, of whom I have heard a great deal of good.  However, I concluded it safer to take one whom we knew and who knew us.  The Marquis was decidedly of this opinion.  Ternant will see that his predecessor is recalled for unconciliatory deportment, and that he will owe his own promotion to the approbation of the President.  He established a solid reputation in Europe, by his conduct when Generalissimo of one of the United Provinces, during their late disturbances; and it is generally thought, that if he had been put at the head of the principal province, instead of the Rhingrave de Salm, he would have saved that cause.  Upon the whole, I believe you may expect that the Count de Moustier will have an immediate leave of absence, which will soon after become a recall in effect.  I will try also to have the consuls admonished as to the line of conduct they should observe.  I shall have the honor of writing you a general letter, within a few days.  I have now that of assuring you of the sentiments of sincere esteem and respect, with which I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXXIII.—­TO WILLIAM SHORT, February 9,1789

TO WILLIAM SHORT.

Paris, February 9,1789.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you last on the 22nd of January, on which day I received yours of December the 31st, and since that, the other of January the 14th.  We have now received news from America down to the middle of December.  They had then had no cold weather.  All things relative to our new constitution were going on well.  Federal senators are; New Hampshire, President Langdon and Bartlett.  Massachusetts, Strong and Dalton.  Connecticut, Dr. Johnson and Ellsworth.  New Jersey, Patterson and Ellmer.  Pennsylvania, Robert Morris and M’Clay.  Delaware, Reed and Bassett.  Virginia, Richard Henry Lee and Grayson.  Maryland, Charles Carroll, of Carrolton, and John Henry.  All of these are federalists, except those of Virginia; so that a majority