I cannot let this opportunity, thõ, from Mr. Jefferson’s hurry, a transitory one, pass; without writing you a line. The arrangement of our foreign affairs which makes Mr Jay Secretary here, & joins Mr. Jefferson with you, must I think be pleasing to you, as they both have a friendship for you & are men of ability. It was my wish that the negociations might be carried on at the Hague or in London But it is tender ground to tread on, & Paris I suppose, thõ for many reasons the most improper, will be the place.

From the Accounts we have here, I judge that Pitt & his friends will maintain their places against Fox & North; & I suppose you will find them most disposed to treat upon large, wise, & liberal principles. I therefore wish they may continue in place.

Our treasury is as low & the prospect of raising it by taxes, as unpromising as possible. Either the present Super-intendant must continue in with powers calculated solely to convert every thing to the emolument of himself & his Creatures; or if a reform is made, he & his immoral Assistant have malignity enough to endeavor to ruin where they can no longer plunder.1 However there is now a plan before Congress for reforming the department, by putting it 206 into Commission & prohibiting the Commissioners from being engaged in trade or commerce; which I hope will take place.2 The only adequate fund I can conceve for the payment of our debts, are our western Lands; the cession of which being at length adjusted, if we can secure a large purchase from the Indian Nations, with whom a treaty is soon to be held for that purpose, we may sink so much of our domestic debt, by selling lands for Certificates as will render the remainder very light. It is the importance of this object that has induced me to think of accepting a place among the Commissioners. The negociation will not be so illustrious, (but not less substantially benificial) as those of Europe.3 Congress is at present well disposd, & their deliberations have been much less under the controul of M. Marbois & the Financier since they left Philadelphia. Much industry will therefore be usd to make them return thither, But I think without success. The adjournment which is fixt for the 3d. of next month, will end my congressional character, not being eligible another year under the confederation.4 The next year I mean to devote to a tour in the western Country down the Ohio & Missisippi to New Orleans & from thence to Georgia & the Carolinas. After that I shall sit myself down in some retird place, the world forgetting, by the world forgot.

I wish you every success in your negociations; & a happy return, to, where no one will be more welcome, your own Country.

Farewell

I am Sorry to have given you, So much Trouble about the House, to no purpose: But I am weary of these perpetual Incertitudes in 207 which We are kept, and I must put an End to them as far as they regard me, by planning my Affairs for myself, or they will soon put an End to me. I conclude therefore to remain here without farther Wandering, and not to go to Paris at all, at least not untill I know what Character I go in, what I go for, and how long I am to stay.

inclosed is a Letter from Messrs Hopes, which you wrote for, respecting the Bills upon Spain.1

I Should be glad to know, if Mr Ridley left my Trunk and the Key of it with you: and whether the Ratifications of the definitive Treaty are exchanged. and When and how Mr Jay goes.

And also if you know of any honest, faithfull Man who would undertake to bring my Trunk, Cloaths Books &c to the Hague. The Trunk ought to be well packed, and the Plate in it, well placed. I will pay Such a Man, what you shall agree with him for. if you dont readily find one, I will Send one from hence.— The Trunk ought never to be out of his Sight.2

Yours