any thing of what I have just mentioned.  He appeared unapprized of it, but to see at once that it would be a probable speculation between two parties circumstanced and principled as those two are.  I apologized to him for the inquiries I had made into this business, by observing that it would be much against our interest, that any one power should monopolize all the West India islands. ‘Parde, assurement,’ was his answer.

The emancipation of their islands is an idea prevailing in the minds of several members of the National Assembly, particularly those most enlightened and most liberal in their views.  Such a step by this country would lead to other emancipations or revolutions in the same quarter.  I enclose you some papers received from Mr. Carmichael, relative to the capture of one of our vessels by a Morocco cruiser, and restitution by the Emperor.  I shall immediately write to M. Chiappe, to express a proper sense of the Emperor’s friendly dispositions to us.  I forward also the public papers to the present date; and have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER X.—­TO JAMES MADISON, August 28,1789

TO JAMES MADISON.

Paris, August 28,1789.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of July the 22nd.  Since that, I have received yours of May the 27th, June 13th and 30th.  The tranquillity of the city has not been disturbed since my last.  Dissensions between the French and Swiss guards occasioned some private combats, in which five or six were killed.  These dissensions are made up.  The want of bread for some days past has greatly endangered the peace of the city.  Some get a little, some none at all.  The poor are the best served, because they besiege perpetually the doors of the bakers.  Notwithstanding this distress, and the palpable impotence of the city administration to furnish bread to the city, it was not till yesterday, that general leave was given to the bakers to go into the country and buy flour for themselves, as they can.  This will soon relieve us, because the wheat harvest is well advanced.’  Never was there a country where the practice of governing too much, had taken deeper root and done more mischief.  Their declaration of rights is finished.  If printed in time, I will enclose a copy with this.  It is doubtful whether they will now take up the finance or the constitution first.  The distress for money endangers every thing.  No taxes are paid, and no money can be borrowed.  Mr. Necker was yesterday to give in a memoir to the Assembly, on this subject.  I think they will give him leave to put into execution any plan he pleases, so as to debarrass themselves of this, and take up that of the constitution.  No plan is yet reported; but the leading members (with some small difference of opinion) have in contemplation