After we said goodbye, I told myself it was best not to write to you because when one speaks alone, it is the devil who replies. I do not know if he will busy himself with this letter; I will happily take my chances. I expect a reply from you less than ever, but I cannot refuse myself the satisfaction of speaking to you about your new office, the news of which greatly pleased me. You have received, my dear friend, a glorious token of the 428 esteem in which an entire continent holds you; not some triviality of a city or province. I have faith that it could do no better, but there is some presumption in saying it. I will be silent, then, repeating all the while that no one in the universe has taken a greater part than me in this event.

I ask you to relay this to Mrs. Adams, and to assure her of my respect. Here is a letter for Mr. Smith.1 I am quite happy to take advantage of this occasion to recall the memory I have of him and madam, your daughter. I do not know his address.

Mr. and Mrs. de La Vauguyon insist that I tell you a thousand things from their end. They are both here now and will marry off their son very advantageously. 2

Mr. Jefferson will tell you that we are all topsy-turvy here. We shall be all the more when he returns to us.3

Adieu my dear friend. Perhaps you will find me quite familiar when I ought only to speak to you as Excellency, but that style does not go well with the sincere friendship and devotion to you that yours truly will have all his life