I dropped you a line on the 10th, informing you of a nomination I had made of you to the Senate, and yesterday I enclosed you their approbation, not then having time to write.  The agitation of the public mind on occasion of the late suspension of our right of deposite at New Orleans is extreme.  In the western country it is natural, and grounded on honest motives.  In the sea-ports it proceeds from a desire for war, which increases the mercantile lottery:  in the federalists, generally, and especially those of Congress, the object is to force us into war if possible, in order to derange our finances, or, if this cannot be done, to attach the western country to them, as their best friends, and thus get again into power.  Remonstrances, memorials, &c. are now circulating through the whole of the western country, and signed by the body of the people.  The measures we have been pursuing, being invisible, do not satisfy their minds.  Something sensible, therefore, has become necessary; and indeed our object of purchasing New Orleans and the Floridas is a measure liable to assume so many shapes, that no instructions could be squared to fit them.  It was essential then, to send a minister extraordinary, to be joined with the ordinary one, with discretionary powers; first, however, well impressed with all our views, and therefore qualified to meet and modify to these every form of proposition which could come from the other party.  This could be done only in full and frequent oral communications.  Having determined on this, there could not be two opinions among the republicans as to the person.  You possessed the unlimited confidence of the administration and of the western people; and generally of the republicans every where; and were you to refuse to go, no other man can be found who does this.  The measure has already silenced the federalists here.  Congress will no longer be agitated by them:  and the country will become calm as fast as the information extends over it.  All eyes, all hopes are now fixed on you; and were you to decline, the chagrin would be universal, and would shake under your feet the high ground on which you stand with the public.  Indeed, I know nothing which would produce such a shock.  For on the event of this mission depend the future destinies of this republic.  If we cannot, by a purchase of the country, insure to ourselves a course of perpetual peace and friendship with all nations, then, as war cannot be distant, it behoves us immediately to be preparing for that course, without, however, hastening it; and it may be necessary (on your failure on the continent) to cross the channel.  We shall get entangled in European politics, and figuring more, be much less happy and prosperous.  This can only be prevented by a successful issue to your present mission.  I am sensible after the measures you have taken for getting into a different line of business, that it will be a great sacrifice on your part, and presents from the season and other circumstances serious difficulties.  But some men are born for the public.  Nature, by fitting them for the service of the human race on a broad scale, has stamped them with the evidences of her destination and their duty.