M. del Pinto, formerly minister of Portugal at London, and the same who negotiated the treaty with us, being now put at the head of the ministry of that country, I presume that negotiation may be renewed successfully, if it be the desire of our government.  Perhaps an admission of our flour into their ports may be obtained now, as M. del Pinto seemed impressed with our reasoning on that subject, and promised to press it on his court, though he could not then venture to put it into the treaty.  There is not the same reason to hope any relaxation as to our reception in Brazil, because he would scarcely let us mention that at all.  I think, myself, it is their interest to take away all temptations to our cooperation in the emancipation of their colonies; and I know no means of doing this, but the making it our interest that they should continue dependant, nor any other way of making this our interest, but by allowing us a commerce with them.  However, this is a mode of reasoning which their ministry, probably, could not bear to listen to.  I send herewith the gazettes of France and Leyden, and have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CLXXXIX.—­TO F. HOPKINSON, March 13, 1789

TO F. HOPKINSON.

Paris, March 13, 1789.

Dear Sir,

Since my last, which was of December the 21st, yours of December the 9th and 21st are received.  Accept my thanks for the papers and pamphlets which accompanied them, and mine and my daughters for the book of songs.  I will not tell you how much they have pleased us, nor how well the last of them merits praise for its pathos, but relate a fact only, which is, that while my elder daughter was playing it on the harpsichord, I happened to look towards the fire, and saw the younger one all in tears.  I asked her if she was sick?  She said, ’No; but the tune was so mournful.’

The Editor of the Encyclopedie has published something as to an advanced price on his future volumes, which, I understand, alarms the subscribers.  It was in a paper which I do not take, and therefore I have not yet seen it, nor can I say what it is.  I hope that by this time you have ceased to make wry faces about your vinegar, and that you have received it safe and good.  You say that I have been dished up to you as an anti-federalist, and ask me if it be just.  My opinion was never worthy enough of notice, to merit citing; but since you ask it, I will tell it to you.  I am not a federalist, because I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in any thing else, where I was capable of thinking for myself.  Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.  If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.  Therefore, I protest to you, I am not of the party of federalists.