I have communicated with Mr. Gallatin on the subject of using your house in any matters of consequence we may have to do at Paris.  He is impressed with the same desire I feel to give this mark of our confidence in you, and the sense we entertain of your friendship and fidelity.  Mr. Behring informs him that none of the money which will be due from us to him, as the assignee of France, will be wanting at Paris.  Be assured that our dispositions are such as to let no occasion pass unimproved, of serving you, where occurrences will permit it.

Present my respects to Madame Dupont, and accept yourself assurances of my constant and warm friendship.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER V.—­TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, November 4,1803

To Robert R. Livingston.

Washington, November 4,1803.

Dear Sir,

A report reaches us this day from Baltimore (on probable, but not certain grounds), that Mr. Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the First Consul, was yesterday* married to Miss Patterson of that city.  The effect of this measure on the mind of the First Consul, is not for me to suppose; but as it might occur to him prima facie, that the executive of the United States ought to have prevented it, I have thought it advisable to mention the subject to you, that if necessary, you may by explanations set that idea to rights.  You know that by our laws, all persons are free to enter into marriage, if of twenty-one years of age, no one having a power to restrain it, not even their parents; and that under that age, no one can prevent it but the parent or guardian.  The lady is under age, and the parents, placed between her affections which were strongly fixed, and the considerations opposing the measure, yielded with pain and anxiety to the former.

     * November 8.  It is now said that it did not take place on
     the 3rd, but will this day.

Mr. Patterson is the President of the bank of Baltimore, the wealthiest man in Maryland, perhaps in the United States, except Mr. Carroll; a man of great virtue and respectability; the mother is the sister of the lady of General Samuel Smith; and, consequently, the station of the family in society is with the first of the United States.  These circumstances fix rank in a country where there are no hereditary titles.  Your treaty has obtained nearly a general approbation.  The federalists spoke and voted against it, but they are now so reduced in their numbers as to be nothing.  The question on its ratification in the Senate was decided by twenty-four against seven, which was ten more than enough.  The vote in the House of Representatives for making provision for its execution, was carried by eighty-nine against twenty-three, which was a majority of sixty-six, and the necessary bills are going through the Houses by greater majorities.  Mr. Pichon, according to instructions from his government, proposed