on our own necks, in perpetuum.  I have the utmost confidence in the honest intentions of those who concur in this measure; but I lament their want of acquaintance with the character and physical advantages of the people, who, right or wrong, will suppose their interests sacrificed on this occasion to the contrary interests of that part of the confederacy in possession of present power.  If they declare themselves a separate people, we are incapable of a single effort to retain them.  Our citizens can never be induced, either as militia or as soldiers, to go there to cut the throats of their own brothers and sons, or rather, to be themselves the subjects, instead of the perpetrators, of the parricide.  Nor would that country quit the cost of being retained against the will of its inhabitants, could it be done.  But it cannot be done.  They are able already to rescue the navigation of the Mississippi out of the hands of Spain, and to add New Orleans to their own, territory.  They will be joined by the inhabitants of Louisiana.  This will bring on a war between them and Spain; and that will produce the question with us, whether it will not be worth our while to become parties with them in the war, in order to re-unite them with us, and thus correct our error.  And were I to permit my forebodings to go one step further, I should predict, that the inhabitants of the United States would force their rulers to take the affirmative of that question.  I wish I may be mistaken in all these opinions.

We have for some time expected, that the Chevalier de la Luzerne would obtain a promotion in the diplomatic line, by being appointed to some of the courts where this country keeps an ambassador.  But none of the vacancies taking place, which had been counted on, I think the present disposition is to require his return to his station in America.  He told me himself, lately, that he should return in the spring.  I have never pressed this matter on the court, though I knew it to be desirable and desired on our part; because if the compulsion on him to return had been the work of Congress, he would have returned in such ill temper with them, as to disappoint them in the good they expected from it.  He would for ever have laid at their door his failure of promotion.  I did not press it for another reason, which is, that I have great reason to believe, that the character of the Count de Moutier, who would go, were the Chevalier to be otherwise provided for, would give the most perfect satisfaction in America.

As you have now returned into Congress, it will become of importance, that you should form a just estimate of certain public characters; on which, therefore, I will give you such notes as my knowledge of them has furnished me with.  You will compare them with the materials you are otherwise possessed of, and decide on a view of the whole.