where there are no States, that is to say over about threefourths of the kingdom, they will be partly an executive themselves, partly an executive council to the Intendant, to whom the executive power, in his province, has been heretofore entirely delegated. Chosen by the people, they will soften the execution of hard laws, and having a right of representation to King, they will censure bad laws, suggest good ones, expose abuses, and their representations, when united, will command respect. To the other advantages may be added, the precedent itself of calling the Assembly of Notables, which may perhaps grow into habit. The hope is, that the improvements thus promised will be carried into effect-that they will be maintained during the present reign, and that will be long enough for them to take some root in the constitution, so as they may become to be considered a part of that, and be protected by time and the attachment of the nation. The new accession of the Ministry is valued here; good is hoped from the Archbishop of Thoulouse, who succeeds the Count de Vergennes as chef du Conseil de finance. M. de Villedeuil, the Comptroller General, has been approved by the public in offices he has heretofore exercised. The Duke de Nivernois, called to the Council, is reckoned good, an able man, and M. de Malsherbes, called to the Council, is unquestionably the first character in the Kingdom for integrity, patriotism, knowledge and experience in business. There is a fear that the Mareschal de Castries is disposed to retire.

The face of things in Europe is a little turbid at present; but probably all will subside. The Empress of Russia, it is supposed, will not push her pretensions against the Turks to actual war, weighing the fondness

verance.

of the Emperor for innovation against his want of perseIt is difficult to calculate what he will do with his discontented subjects in Brabant and Flanders. If those provinces alone were concerned, he would probably give back, but this would induce an opposition to his plans in all his other dominions. Perhaps he may be able to find a compromise. The cause of the patriots in Holland is a little clouded at present. England and Prussia seem disposed to interpose effectually. The former has actually ordered a fleet of six sail of the line, northwardly, under Gore, and the latter threatens to put his troops into motion, the danger of losing such a weight in their scale, as that of Prussia, would occasion this court to prefer conciliation to war, add to this the distress of their finances, and perhaps not so warm a zeal in the new Ministry, for the innovations in Holland. I hardly believe they will think it worth while to purchase the change of constitution proposed there at the expense of a war; but of these things you will receive more particular and more certain details from Mr. Dumas, to whom they belong.

Mr. Eden is appointed Ambassador from England to Madrid. To the hatred borne us by his Court and country, is added a recollection of the circumstances of the unsuccessful embassy to America, of which he made a part, so, that I think he will carry to Madrid, dispositions to do us all the ill he can.

The late change in the Ministry is very favorable to the prospects of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, the Count de Montmorin, Monsieur de Malsherbes and Monsieur de Lamoignon, the Garde des Sceaux, are his near relations; probably something will be done for him without

delay. The promise of the former administration, to the Count de Moustier to succeed to his vacancy, should it take place, will probably be performed by the present

one.

Mr. Barclay has probably informed you of his having been arrested in Bourdeaux, for a debt contracted in the way of his commerce; he immediately applied to the parliament of that place, who ordered his discharge, this took place after five days actual imprisonment. I arrived at Bourdeaux a few days after his liberation; as the Procureur General of the King had interested himself to obtain it, with uncommon zeal, and that too on public principles, I thought it my duty to wait on him, and return him my thanks; I did the same to the President of the Parliament, for the body over which he presided. What would have been an insult in America, being an indispensable duty here. You will see by the enclosed printed paper, on what ground the Procureur insisted on Mr. Barclay's liberation; those on which the Parliament ordered it are not expressed. On my arrival here, I spoke with the Minister on the subject; he observed, that the character of Consul is no protection in this country against process for debt; that, as to the character with which Mr. Barclay had been invested at the Court of Morocco, it was questionable, whether it could be placed on the diplomatic line, as it had not been derived immediately from Congress; that, if it were, it would have covered him to Paris only, where he had received his commission, had he proceeded directly thither, but that his long stay at Bourdeaux, must be considered as terminating it there. I observed to him, that Mr. Barclay had been arrested almost immediately on his arrival

at Bourdeaux, but he says, that arrest was made void by the Parliament, and still he has continued there several weeks; true, I replied, but his adversaries declared they would arrest him again the moment he should be out of the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Bourdeaux, and have actually engaged the Marechaussée on the road, to do it; this seemed to impress him; he said he could obtain a letter of sauf conduit, which would protect him to Paris, but, that immediately on his arrival here, he would be liable to arrest. I asked him if such a letter could not be obtained to protect him to Paris and back to Bourdeaux, and even to America? He said, that for that, the consent of the greater part of his creditors would be necessary, and even with this, it was very doubtful whether it could be obtained. Still, if I would furnish him with that consent, he would do what should depend on him. I am persuaded he will, and have written to Mr. Barclay to obtain the consent of his creditors. This is the footing on which this matter stands at present. I have stated it thus particularly, that you may know the truth, which will probably be misrepresented in the English papers, to the prejudice of Mr. Barclay. This matter has been a great affliction to him, but no dishonor, where its true state is known; indeed, he is incapable of doing any thing not strictly honorable.

In a letter of August 30th, 1785, I had the honor of mentioning to you what had passed here on the subject of a convention for the regulation of the two post offices. I now enclose you a letter from the Baron Dogny, who is at the head of that department, which shews that he still expects some arrangements. I have heard it said, that M. de Crevecoeur is authorized to treat on this sub

ject, you doubtless know if this be true.

The articles

may certainly be better adjusted there than here, this letter from the Baron Dogny, was in consequence of an application from a servant of mine, during my absence, which would not have been made, had I been here, nor will it be repeated, it being my opinion and practice to pay small sums of money, rather than to ask favors.

I have the honor to enclose you, also, copies of a letter and papers from the M. de Castries, on the claim of an individual against the State of South Carolina, for services performed on board the Indian, and the petition of another, on a like claim, also, copies of letters received from O'Bryen, at Algiers, and from Mr. Lamb. A letter of the 26th of May, from Mr. Montgomery, at Alicant, informs me, that by a vessel arrived at Carthagena, from Algiers, they learn the death of the Dey of that Republic, yet, as we hear nothing of it through any other channel, it may be doubted. It escaped me at the time of my departure to Aix, to make arrangements for sending you the gazettes regularly by the packets, the whole are now sent, though a great part of them are so old as not to be worth perusal. Your favor of April 24th, has been duly received.

I have the honor to be, &c.

TH: JEFFERSON.

FROM JOHN LAMB TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Alicant Bay, May 20, 1787.

I received your Excellency's letter concerning the cypher. The vessel that I am in here is bound to America

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