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part, would hold in the mouths of the most powerful of these countries. I hope our land office will rid us of our debts, and that our first attention then, will be, to the beginning a naval force of some sort. This alone can countenance our people as car riers on the water, and I suppose them to be determined to con tinue such.

I wrote you two public letters on the 14th instant, since which I have received yours of July the 13th. I shall always be pleased to receive from you, in a private way, such communications as you might not choose to put into a public letter.

I have the honor to be, with very sincere esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

TH: JEFFERSON.

LETTER XCVIII. TO COLONEL MONROE.

Paris, August 28, 1785, DEAR SIR,

I wrote you on the 5th of July, by Mr. Franklin, and on the 12th of the same month, by Monsieur Houdon. Since that date, your s of June the 16th, by Mr. Mazzei, has been received. Every thing looks like peace here. The settlement between the Empe ror and Dutch is not yet published, but it is believed to be agreed on. Nothing is done, as yet, between him and the Porte. He is much wounded by the confederation of several of the Germanic body, at the head of which is the King of Prussia, and to which the King of England, as Elector of Hanover, is believed to accede. The object is to preserve the constitution of that empire. It shews that these princes entertain serious jealousies of the ambition of the Emperor, and this will very much endanger the election of his nephew as King of the Romans. A late Jirrtt of this court against the admission of British manufactures, produces a great sensation in England. I wish it may produce a disposition there to receive our commerce in all their dominions, on advantageous terms. This is the only balm which can heal the wounds that it has received. It is but too true, that that country furnished markets for three fourths of the exports of the eight northern-most States. A truth not proper to be spoken of, but which should influence our pro ceedings with them.

The July French packet having arrived without bringing any news of Mr. Lambe, if the English one of the same month be also