A cession of the navigation of the Mississippi, with such privileges as to make it useful, and free from future chicane, can be no longer dispensed with on our part:  and perhaps while I am writing, something may have already happened to cut off this appeal to friendly accommodation.  To what consequences such an event would lead, cannot be calculated.  To such, very possibly, as we should lament, without being able to control.  Your earnestness with Monsieur de Montmorin, and his with the court of Spain, cannot be more pressing than the present situation and temper of this country requires.  The case of St. Marie happens to be the incident presenting itself in the moment, when the general question must otherwise have been brought forward..  We rely, on this occasion, on the good offices of the Marquis de la Fayette, whom you are desired to interest in it.

I am, with sincere and great esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LIV.—­TO WILLIAM SHORT, March 15, 1791

TO WILLIAM SHORT.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1791.

Dear Sir,

In mine of January the 23rd, I acknowledged the receipt of your letters from No. 29 to 48 inclusive, except 31, 44, 45, 46.  Since that, I have received Nos. 45 and 50, the former in three months and seven days, the latter in two months and seventeen days, by the English packet, which had an uncommonly long passage.  Nos. 31, 44, 46,47, 48, 49, are still missing.  They have probably come through merchant vessels and merchants, who will let them lie on their counters two or three months before they will forward them.  I wrote you on the 8th and 12th instant, by a private hand, on particular subjects.  I am not certain whether this will be in time to go by the same conveyance.  In yours of December the 23rd, you suppose we receive regularly the journals of the National Assembly from your secretary at Paris, but we have never received any thing from him.  Nothing has been addressed to him, his name being unknown to us.

It gives great satisfaction, that the Arret du Conseil of December, 1787, stands a chance of being saved.  It is in truth the sheet-anchor of our connection with France, which will be much loosened when that is lost.  This Arret saved, a free importation of salted meats into France, and of provisions of all kinds into her colonies, will bind our interests to that country more than to all the world besides.  It has been proposed in Congress to pass a navigation act, which will deeply strike at that of Great Britain.  I send you a copy of it.  It is probable the same proposition will be made at the next Congress, as a first step, and for one more extensive at a later period.  It is thought the first will be carried:  the latter will be more doubtful.  Would it not be worth while to have the bill now enclosed, translated, printed,